The Glitched Mage-Chapter 38: Second Cirlce Part 1

The soft hum of the teleportation gate faded as the group reappeared in the academy's main courtyard. The shift from the humid, blood-soaked jungle to the crisp evening air of the academy grounds was almost jarring. A few students from other classes lingered nearby, casting curious glances at the returning group, but Riven barely paid them any attention.

His clothes, still stained with dried mana beast blood, clung to his skin, a stark contrast to the cleaner appearances of Lucenya, Jerrik, and Valis. It only made their earlier reactions to his sheer mana core haul more amusing.

Lucenya exhaled heavily, stretching her arms above her head. "I feel like I could sleep for an entire day after that."

"You could," Jerrik agreed, rolling his shoulders. "But you'd be wasting an opportunity. Selling those cores could get you some solid gear upgrades."

Valis, still quiet from his loss, walked a little ahead of them, his shoulders tense.

Riven's gaze drifted back to Elder Thorne, who stood at the front of the group, golden eyes observing them with quiet amusement. He motioned for them to gather.

"Now that we're back, I expect you all to reflect on today's hunt," Elder Thorne said, his tone measured. "Combat experience isn't just about individual victories. It's about learning. Adjusting. If you want to reach the top, you need to analyze not just your own strengths, but your weaknesses." His gaze flicked momentarily to Riven before settling on the group as a whole. "Today was merely a test. The real training starts now."

Lucenya groaned. "Why do I feel like that means suffering?"

"Because it does," Jerrik muttered.

"Pain is nothing more than a passing whisper on the path to true power." Elder Thorne's golden eyes then shifted, locking onto Riven with pointed intensity. "And as for you-"

Riven straightened slightly.

"Remember, you have until tomorrow morning to decide which mana-dense island you'll be using for your reward. Choose wisely."

"I already know where I'm going," Riven replied without hesitation.

Elder Thorne's eyebrow lifted. "Oh?"

"A fire mana island," Riven said, meeting his gaze directly.

For the first time, Elder Thorne's amusement dimmed slightly, replaced by a flicker of something more calculating. "Fire, is it?" He studied Riven for a moment before nodding. "That makes sense seeing as you're a Drakar. Report to me at dawn, and I'll make the arrangements."

Riven inclined his head.

The fire mana island would serve two purposes - first, it would allow him to absorb and refine his own mana in peace. Second, and perhaps more importantly, he needed it to restore the legendary fire staff still sitting in his inventory. The thought of unlocking its full potential sent a thrill through him.

Lucenya clapped her hands together. "Alright, we done here? Because I desperately need food and sleep."

Elder Thorne waved them off. "Rest up. You'll need it."

Without further prompting, Lucenya and Jerrik turned toward the dorms. Valis hesitated a moment longer, then shot Riven a look - one filled with something unreadable - before following them without a word.

Riven lingered.

Elder Thorne caught the pause. "Something on your mind?"

Riven debated for a moment before asking, "Mana cores. You mentioned they fetch a high price. What's the best way to… offload them?"

Elder Thorne chuckled, crossing his arms. "Planning to make a fortune?"

"Just curious."

"There are a few ways," Elder Thorne mused. "The academy has its own trade network, mainly dealing with alchemists and enchanters who buy cores in bulk for research. Then there's the underground market - riskier, but you can fetch nearly double the price if you know the right buyers."

Riven hummed. He had no need for money himself, but information like this was always useful.

Elder Thorne watched him for a moment before smirking. "But knowing you, I doubt you'll be selling them anytime soon."

Riven smirked back. "Not a chance."

Power was worth far more than money.

With that, Riven turned on his heel and made his way toward the dorms.

—x—

The hallways of the academy were mostly empty, with only a few students milling about. Riven pushed open the door to his room, stepping inside with a sigh. The familiar dark interior greeted him, the faint flicker of enchanted sconces casting dim light across the walls.

He shut the door behind him, feeling the weight of exhaustion on his shoulders as he walked towards the small training room. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he sent out a silent command.

Come out.

The shadows at his feet stirred.

In an instant, Nyx and Krux materialized before him, their figures forming seamlessly from the darkness.

Nyx's sharp eyes assessed him immediately. "No interferences?"

"None," Riven confirmed.

Krux, however, was practically vibrating with excitement. "My liege! Your performance today was nothing short of awe-inspiring! The way you crushed the competition-"

"Yes, yes," Riven interrupted, rubbing his temple. "I appreciate the sentiment, Krux, but I would appreciate some silence for a moment."

Krux huffed but obediently fell silent.

Riven exhaled, then accessed his inventory, scrolling through the long list of mana cores he had accumulated. The sheer number of them was impressive, but his real focus was on the rare ones.

Fourteen rare mana cores.

It was time to put them to use.

He reached out, pulling one from his inventory. The large crystal gleamed faintly in his palm, its energy humming with untapped power.

Nyx tilted her head. "You're planning to absorb them all at once?"

"Yes." Riven rolled the mana core between his fingers. "If I want to reach my Second Circle before stepping onto that fire mana island, I don't have time to waste."

Nyx considered this, then nodded. "Your mana reserves are strong enough now. The risk should be minimal."

Riven grinned. "Then let's begin."

He sat down cross-legged on the floor, grasping the mana core in his palm. He took a slow breath, centering himself. His mana, though depleted from the day's hunt, still flickered inside him like a low-burning ember.

Then - he activated the absorption process.

The mana core shuddered.

A surge of energy pulsed from the crystal, seeping into his body in a steady flow. His veins burned with the influx of raw power, his mana channels stretching, expanding as they adapted to the sudden increase.

It was intense.

But it wasn't enough.

Not yet.

He reached for another.

And another.

[[ Absorbing Mana: (+40%) ]]

[[ 43%… ]]

[[ 44%… ]]

One by one, the rare mana cores dissolved into pure energy, flowing into his body like molten fire. His mana percentage jumped up with each core. His vision blurred, his senses heightened as his mana surged beyond its previous limits. His core - his First Circle - trembled, spinning wildly as it struggled to contain the mana.

[[ 72%… ]]

[[ 73%… ]]

It was close.

He kept absorbing the cores, moving seamlessly from the rare ones to the uncommon, and finally to the common. If anyone had witnessed the sheer number of mana cores he was consuming like mere snacks, they would have been sick with envy.

[[ 98%… ]]

[[ 99%… ]]

So close.

Then-

A system notification flashed across his vision.

[[ Mana Heart Expansion Ready. Initiate second circle formation? ]]

[[ Upgrade will take 8 hours ]]

[[ Would you like to proceed? ]]

[[ Yes / No ]]

"Guard me while I upgrade my mana heart." Riven's gaze flickered to the two warriors standing at attention. "It'll take until morning - make sure no one disturbs me."

Nyx and Krux bowed their heads in unison. "As you command, my king."

Riven exhaled slowly, steadying himself. Then, with a final glance at his devoted sentinels, he selected 'Yes'.

Darkness consumed him.

—x—

The void stretched endlessly around Riven. A sensation both familiar and foreign settled over him - weightless yet heavy, empty yet filled with something vast and incomprehensible.

Then, the darkness shifted.

A cold wind swept past him, carrying the faint echoes of whispers - distant, ancient voices murmuring in a language he couldn't quite understand. The sensation tugged at something deep inside him, stirring his mana heart as if responding to a call it had always known existed.

Light bloomed in the distance.

A massive structure took shape before him, its form emerging from the void like a memory pulled from the depths of time. A towering temple, carved from blackened stone, loomed in the endless dark. Its surface shimmered faintly, as though it existed between realms, untouched by time. Ethereal runes lined its pillars, glowing softly with an eerie violet light.

Riven took a step forward, his boots clicking against smooth obsidian floors. The temple doors loomed ahead - monolithic gates, adorned with carvings of intertwining shadows and skeletal hands reaching toward the heavens.

The statue at the temple's peak caught his attention.

The statue was so unnervingly lifelike that Riven hesitated, his breath hitching as he tried to determine whether it was truly stone or something else entirely. Its piercing violet eyes seemed to burn into him, gleaming with an intensity that defied the stillness of its form. A chill crawled down his spine, and before he could stop himself, he took an involuntary step back.

He knew who it was.

Velmorian. The previous King of the Shadow Kingdom.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed forward.

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The doors creaked open without his touch.

A long, dimly lit hall stretched beyond, lined with massive stone statues - warriors clad in armor, their hands gripping jagged weapons.

No - not statues.

People.

The realization struck as the air around him pulsed with mana.

The figures moved.

And Riven's breath caught.

Because he recognized them.

Nyx.

Krux.

And three more warriors he had never seen before - but knew instinctively.

The five generals of the Shadow Kingdom.

His generals.

Except… they didn't know him.

They stood tall, their expressions impassive, their forms younger, sharper, untouched by time or undeath. They wore the insignia of the Shadow Kingdom on their armor, a crown of bones, and the weight of their presence was undeniable.

A presence that was not welcoming.

A voice echoed through the chamber - deep, resonant, filled with unyielding authority.

"You are unworthy."

Riven's pulse spiked.

The voice came from the far end of the hall.

A figure sat atop an elevated throne, his face obscured by the shadows that pooled around him. His presence alone felt suffocating - the sheer weight of his mana pressing against the very fabric of the space.

The previous King of Shadows.

Velmorian.

Riven clenched his fists, stepping forward despite the crushing pressure. "You are but a figment of the system," he said evenly. "Just begin whatever trial you've set for me, I'll pass it no matter what."

Silence.

Then, Velmorian chuckled - a deep, cold sound that sent shivers through the air.

"Then prove it."

The five warriors shifted into a battle stance.

Riven barely had time to react before Nyx vanished.

His instincts screamed.

He twisted just in time to dodge a slash aimed at his throat. Nyx's blade shimmered in the dim light as she reappeared behind him, her obsidian eyes void of recognition.

A sharp pain exploded across Riven's ribs as Krux's gauntleted fist struck him, sending him skidding across the polished floor. His body barely had time to register the impact before another attack followed - one of the other generals, a towering brute with molten-red eyes, swung a massive greatsword downward.

Riven's shadows flared.

He barely had time to summon a fireball before another sword came crashing down from above, its sheer force splitting the air and sending jagged cracks spiderwebbing across the floor.

Shit.

He rolled, dodging as Nyx flickered back into the fray, her movements blurring like a phantom. A second general - a pale, silver-haired woman with twin daggers - launched forward, her weapons coated in seething darkness.

Riven's mind raced.

This wasn't just a fight.

This was a test.

But a test of what?

Endurance? Strength? Or something deeper?

He had to think. Fast.

His gaze flicked to Velmorian, still watching from the throne, his unreadable eyes gleaming in the shadows.

He's not interfering.

Which meant-

Riven grinned, wiping the blood from his lip.

They wouldn't stop attacking until he made them stop.

Fine.

He'd make them kneel.

His mana flared.

His shadows surged.

And the battle truly began.