Shattered Sanity

(Meanwhile, Riven’s POV)

Riven observed the Academy from a view that was far different from the ordinary students, as before he landed, he had the opportunity to inspect its vast grounds from high above the sky.

At the centre of the Academy stood an enormous gray-stone castle that immediately dominated his attention, with several towers rising from its structure while the Imperial banner fluttered proudly above the tallest among them.

Surrounding the central castle were dozens of smaller academic buildings connected through wide stone pathways, beyond which the Academy gradually separated into several distinct sections.

Towards the east, Riven could see enormous training grounds containing sparring arenas, running tracks, archery fields and several reinforced combat platforms surrounded by shimmering Aether barriers.

The southern quarter appeared dedicated largely towards practical crafts, with smoke constantly rising from the enormous chimneys of the Forging Halls, while several neighbouring buildings housed alchemy laboratories, artifact workshops and facilities dedicated towards studying Aether Arrays.

The western grounds were considerably greener, containing sprawling botanical gardens, enormous glass greenhouses and an artificial lake surrounded by open fields where several different sporting grounds had been constructed.

However, what surprised Riven most was the forest.

An enormous stretch of woodland occupied nearly an entire corner of the Academy grounds, completely enclosed within the outer walls, with its trees growing densely enough that even from above, Riven could barely see what existed beneath their canopy.

Beyond those major areas were student dormitories, libraries, dining halls, medical facilities and countless smaller structures whose purposes Riven could only guess from the sky.

’This place is enormous...’

Riven thought, as his gaze continued wandering across the institution that would become his home for the next three years.

’Make sure everyone in there learns to respect the Dawnriver name....’

The Duke’s voice echoed inside his mind one final time, as before long, the flying carriage approached a specially constructed aerial landing strip located beside the enormous Academy stables.

Gallop Gallop

The six Pegasi gradually lowered themselves towards the ground before touching down one after another, their enormous white wings folding against their bodies as the carriage rolled several metres along the reinforced stone strip before eventually coming to a stop.

However, Riven immediately noticed that they were not the only ones there.

Another flying carriage had already landed nearby.

Unlike the elegant Pegasi belonging to House Dawnriver, this carriage had been pulled by four enormous griffins, each possessing the muscular body of a lion alongside the feathered head and wings of a massive predatory bird.

The moment the Pegasi landed, all four creatures became restless.

SCREEECH!

One griffin spread its wings aggressively while another snapped its enormous beak towards the nearest Pegasus, forcing several stable workers to tighten their grips upon the creatures’ restraints.

"Easy! Easy!"

One handler yelled while struggling against the reins.

The Pegasi appeared considerably less impressed by the display, with most barely acknowledging the snarling creatures beside them.

Riven’s attention instead shifted towards the carriage they had been pulling.

A familiar crest decorated its side.

’House Ironveil...’

Riven recognized, as Lucius’s countless lessons regarding the Empire’s most important noble families immediately resurfaced within his mind.

House Ironveil controlled the western territories and stood alongside House Dawnriver as one of the Four Great Ducal Houses.

’Huh... I had no idea someone from House Ironveil was going to attend the Academy this year.’

Riven thought, as he wondered briefly which member of the family had arrived before him.

However, the increasingly irritated screeching of the griffins quickly encouraged him to leave the question for another time.

The carriage door opened.

Riven calmly stepped outside, with Sky Cleaver clipped against his waist while several Dawnriver attendants descended behind him and immediately began unloading his belongings.

For several moments, nobody approached them.

Riven looked around somewhat uncertainly, wondering whether he was simply expected to find his own way inside, until two Academy workers suddenly came rushing from one of the nearby entrances.

"My apologies, Young Lord!"

One of them called before the pair finally reached him.

"It’s just that Master Gary landed shortly before you, and we were escorting him inside. We weren’t expecting another aerial arrival quite so soon."

Both men lowered their heads apologetically.

Riven merely waved away the concern.

"No apology is necessary. I was barely waiting for a couple of seconds."

He replied graciously.

"Please, show me the way."

The two workers visibly relaxed.

"Of course, Young Lord. Right this way."

One immediately gestured towards a corridor leading away from the aerial stables, as Riven followed while his attendants walked several paces behind.

"All incoming students are currently being directed towards the orientation hall."

The Academy worker explained as they entered the building.

"Ordinarily, every student must complete registration before proceeding there, however, your attendants may complete the process on your behalf."

Riven glanced backwards briefly.

"Once your registration is completed, they’ll receive your dormitory assignment and room key, after which they can have your belongings delivered while you attend orientation."

"Understood."

Riven replied.

Before long, they reached an intersection where the second Academy worker stopped.

"Your attendants can follow me from here, Young Lord. I’ll take them towards registration."

Riven gave his servants a small nod, as they immediately followed the man down the adjoining corridor while he continued onwards with his remaining guide.

Only now did Riven begin properly examining the interior of the Academy.

The corridors themselves were enormous, with polished stone floors stretching beneath high arched ceilings while beautifully framed paintings occupied much of the available wall space.

At first, Riven assumed they were merely decorations.

Then he noticed the names written beneath them.

Imperial Ministers.

Famous Nobles.

Legendary Ascendants.

Visionary Commanders.

Scholars.

Every few metres brought another portrait depicting someone who had apparently studied within the Imperial Academy before eventually becoming important enough for the institution to immortalize their younger likeness upon its walls.

Riven slowed slightly as he passed them.

Some names he recognized from Lucius’s lessons, while others meant absolutely nothing to him.

Then suddenly, one portrait made him stop completely.

Drew Dawnriver.

Riven stared.

The man within the painting looked considerably younger than the Duke he knew, perhaps only a few years older than Riven himself, yet the resemblance was unmistakable.

The same pale blue eyes.

The same dark hair.

The same naturally stern expression that somehow made even his younger self appear as though he were judging whoever stood before him.

For several seconds, Riven simply studied the portrait.

It felt strange seeing his father like this.

Until now, Drew Dawnriver had existed within Riven’s mind almost entirely as the powerful Duke commanding the eastern territories.

Yet only now did he truly realize that he had apparently walked through these same corridors as a student.

"The Duke was one of our finest."

The Academy worker suddenly commented.

Riven glanced towards him.

The man smiled before gesturing towards the portrait.

"His Grace’s name still appears on several Academy records. He was considered one of the finest students of his generation."

Riven looked towards the painting once more.

"I see."

He replied simply.

The worker hesitated before smiling.

"Perhaps we’ll have your portrait hanging beside his someday, Young Lord."

Riven said nothing.

Instead, he merely resumed walking towards the orientation hall as though the comment meant very little to him.

However, as he passed beneath his father’s portrait, his eyes lingered upon it for the slightest moment longer.

’I hope so.’

Riven thought, as somewhere deep inside, he genuinely meant it.