The Glitched Mage-Chapter 56: The Silver Fang Pavillion

Riven's stomach let out a deep, grumbling protest, the sound unexpectedly loud in the quiet chamber. He frowned, irritation flickering across his features. When was the last time he had actually sat down for a proper meal?

Between the vault, the battle with his clone, and everything else that had consumed his time, he had barely thought about food. He had been running on nothing but sheer force of will—and whatever scraps he had come across in passing.

Nyx's gaze snapped to him, her sharp eyes narrowing. "My king…" Her voice was quieter than usual, lacking its usual teasing lilt. "When was the last time you ate?"

Riven exhaled sharply, brushing off the concern with a wave of his hand. "I've managed."

Nyx, however, was not so easily deterred. She took a step closer, her expression darkening. "That's not an answer."

She crossed her arms, scanning him carefully. "You've barely rested, you've been using absurd amounts of mana, and now you're pushing past exhaustion without even realizing it." Her voice turned firm, an unspoken challenge behind her words. "You're strong, my king, but you still need to take care of your body."

Riven's jaw tightened, but he didn't snap at her. Because deep down, he knew she was right. Power meant nothing if he burned himself out.

Nyx sighed, shaking her head. "You should rest, even if just for a short while." Her expression softened just enough for concern to slip through. "Please? Just a few hours?"

Riven sighed and then nodded his head slightly. "Fine." He said and stretched his limbs. "Help Aria begin to absorb some of the mana here and let me know if she requires any potions to aid her recovery."

"Yes, my king." Nyx replied, bowing slightly. The other two bowed also and Riven took his leave.

—x—

The second year market district was as lively as ever, bustling with merchants calling out their wares and students weaving through the crowd. The scent of fresh bread, sizzling meats, and spiced broth filled the air, tempting even the most disciplined of appetites.

Riven had slept a solid number of hours, waking just before dawn. Before bed, he had eaten a simple snack bar—just enough to keep the hunger from gnawing at him. But now? Now, he needed something real.

He was just about to make his way toward one of the food stalls when a soft voice called out behind him.

"Riven?"

He turned at the familiar voice.

"Riven! It is you!"

Ember hurried toward him, her cheeks slightly flushed as if she had been rushing to catch up.

"So, you're finally out of training, huh?" She scanned him up and down, arms crossed. "Well? Did you manage to learn those new spells successfully?"

Riven offered her a polite smile. "Yes. Thanks again for buying them for me."

"Ah? That's nothing." Ember waved a hand dismissively, but then hesitated. She rocked back on her heels before clearing her throat, eyes flickering away shyly. "…Well, if you really want to say thanks, how about treating your elder sister to some food?"

Riven sighed internally but kept his expression composed. He had been expecting something like this.

"I was just about to get something to eat," Riven admitted, his gaze drifting over the various food vendors lining the street. "Do you have any recommendations?"

Ember hummed, glancing around. "Well, there are plenty of food stalls here selling decent meals and snacks." Her eyes flickered toward a small vendor frying skewers over an open flame before shifting back to him. "But…" She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "There's a restaurant just a street over. It's pricey—but they serve mana beast meat."

Riven's brow arched. "Mana beast meat?" He repeated, intrigued but skeptical.

"Yes! And it's not just any mana beast meat," Ember said, her voice brimming with excitement. "They say one meal there can increase your mana by at least ten percent!"

Riven blinked. If that was true…

"It sounds like a place I should check out."

Ember nodded eagerly. "But I wasn't joking about the price. One meal costs at least five rare mana beast cores."

Riven opened his inventory with a thought, quickly scanning his remaining resources. Thanks to everything he, Nyx, and Krux had gathered, his supply was still more than enough.

"Show me."

Ember froze for a moment, as if surprised by his immediate decision, before her lips curled into a grin. "Alright! Come on, I'll take you there!"

Before he could react, she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into the crowd.

Tch. Did she have to grab his arm every damn time?

Ember led the way, weaving skillfully through the throngs of students and merchants alike, her grip firm around Riven's arm.

The street narrowed as they turned a corner, the noise fading slightly as they approached a more refined section of the market. The stalls were replaced with proper storefronts, their signs polished and elaborate. The crowd here was noticeably smaller, filled mostly with well-dressed students, likely those with deep pockets or powerful sponsors.

Finally, Ember stopped in front of a sleek, black building with a silver emblem carved into its sign—a roaring beast's head framed by swirling mana sigils. The windows were tinted, the entrance guarded by a doorman dressed in elegant robes.

[ The Silver Fang Pavilion ]

"This is it." Ember grinned, nodding toward the entrance. "You're lucky I know the owner, or else they'd never let someone dressed like you inside."

Riven arched a brow but didn't comment. He wasn't exactly dressed in rags—his academy robes were simple but well-kept. Regardless, he didn't care about appearances. What mattered was if the food was truly worth its price.

The doorman gave Ember a brief nod of recognition before glancing at Riven, assessing him for a moment before stepping aside. "Welcome to the Silver Fang Pavilion," he intoned.

As soon as they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The air was noticeably denser, rich with mana. The restaurant's interior was dimly lit, the walls lined with glowing crystal sconces that pulsed faintly, their luminescence synchronized with the energy flowing through the room. The hum of quiet conversation filled the space, but it was clear that every single person in this establishment was someone of power.

Riven's gaze flickered toward the private booths along the walls, their heavy silk curtains drawn shut. He could feel the mana radiating from those within. Some were strong—ridiculously so.

Ember led him to an open table near the center of the restaurant. The chairs were cushioned, the wooden table polished to perfection. A young server arrived instantly, dressed in elegant robes, bowing slightly before handing them leather-bound menus.

Riven opened his, scanning the contents. As expected, nearly every dish featured mana beast meat in some form, along with elaborate descriptions of their effects.

[ Wyvern Rib Platter: Increases total mana capacity by 8% for 24 hours. 4 Rare Mana Beast Stones. ]

[ Thunderfang Steak: Enhances spellcasting speed by 10% for 12 hours. 5 Rare Mana Beast Stones. ]

[ Abyssal Serpent Soup: Grants temporary resistance to mana corruption. 7 Rare Mana Beast Stones. ]

His gaze lingered on one dish.

[ Emberheart Roasted Behemoth: Temporarily enhances overall mana flow and regeneration by 15%. 10 Rare Mana Beast Stones. ]

Riven hummed in thought. Expensive, but if the effects were real… it was worth it.

Ember, having already placed her order, leaned forward. "Which one are you thinking about?"

Riven tapped the Emberheart Roasted Behemoth.

Her eyes widened. "You sure? That's one of the most expensive things on the menu."

"I have enough."

Ember whistled. "Guess you really did well in the mana beast islands."

The server took their orders and bowed before disappearing into the back.

Riven leaned back, taking in his surroundings. His fingers idly traced the rim of his glass as he listened—always listening. The conversations around him were muffled, but every now and then, a name or a phrase stood out.

"…Chancellor Orven is making moves again. They say he's gathering support for…"

"…The ranking battles this time will be different. Archmage Elara is personally observing…"

"…That new comer, that illegitimate Drakar boy—"

His gaze sharpened slightly.

Someone had just spoken of him.

The voices came from a booth across the room, hidden behind silk curtains.

Ember noticed the shift in his expression. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Riven muttered, but he continued to listen.

"…they say he's stronger than anyone thought. Some believe he could challenge the top one hundred soon…"

"…If the Archmage has her eye on him, then he's already beyond ordinary…"

Riven resisted the urge to smirk. So the rumors were spreading, huh? Good. Let them talk.

Their food arrived moments later, the plates set down with meticulous care.

The Emberheart Roasted Behemoth was plated beautifully—tender, seared slices of crimson meat resting atop a bed of golden flamegrass. A faint heat radiated from the dish, the mana within it pulsing softly, waiting to be consumed.

Riven wasted no time. He picked up his utensils and ate.

The first bite sent a wave of warmth through his body, the mana-infused flavors sinking deep into his core. He felt it immediately—a slow, steady surge of pure energy flowing through his veins, his own mana responding to it instinctively.

Ember grinned as she watched him. "Told you it was worth it."

Riven swallowed, exhaling slowly. "…It's acceptable."

Ember huffed. "Tch. Just say you like it."

Before he could reply, a sudden shift in the restaurant's atmosphere caught his attention.

Outside, a burst of mana erupted.

Riven's gaze snapped toward the entrance as he sensed it—two powerful mana signatures clashing violently, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.

The restaurant grew silent. Conversations halted, students and merchants alike turning toward the street.

Riven stood, moving toward the door.

"Wait—" Ember grabbed his sleeve. "Are you seriously going to check it out?"

He glanced at her. "Aren't you curious?"

She hesitated. Then sighed. "…Fine. But if we get caught up in it, I'm blaming you."

They stepped outside.

The street was packed with students, all gathering near the center of the market. Two figures stood at the heart of the commotion, their mana clashing like colliding storms.

One of them was a tall, broad-shouldered young man, his hands crackling with electric-blue energy. His uniform marked him as a top-ranked student in the second year.

The other was a slender woman, her long red hair billowing behind her as flames coiled around her fingertips. Her expression was calm—too calm.

The moment Riven saw her, he understood.

This wasn't a random fight.

This was a ranking battle.

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A high-level one.

Ember whistled. "That's Cain Rotherford and Selene Ashford… both in the top fifty of the second year rankings."

Riven remained still, his gaze never wavering from the battle before him. Cain's Thunder Domain surged once more, the sheer pressure of his lightning-infused mana distorting the air, while Selene's Blazing Lotus bloomed into existence, its fiery petals expanding outward in a deadly spiral.

Two academy elders appeared suddenly, their robes billowing as they raised their hands, activating a powerful containment barrier around the battlefield. Golden glyphs formed an intricate dome overhead, stabilizing the mana surges before they could spiral out of control.

The fight continued, the protective enchantments ensuring no stray spells tore through the surrounding marketplace.

The intensity of their duel kept the crowds captive. Some students murmured in excitement, others whispered their bets under hushed breaths.

Riven was focusing on the battlefield when a presence approached.

A younger student hesitated beside him, shifting on his feet. His face was pale, his nervous energy practically radiating off of him.

"R-Riven," the student stammered, clearly intimidated by the Riven's mere presence. He swallowed hard before forcing himself to speak properly. "Archmage Elara requests your presence."

The words cut through the surrounding noise like a blade.

The air around them stilled.

Ember stiffened at his side, her fingers pausing mid-motion as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Riven barely reacted, save for the faint flicker of abyssal fire along his fingertips.

"…Is that so?" His voice was calm, almost amused.

The student stood firm, despite the tension pressing down on him. He didn't dare meet Riven's eyes directly, his fingers tightening at his sides.

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Riven exhaled, his gaze returning to the battlefield as Cain and Selene clashed once more, their spells colliding in a violent burst of fire and lightning.

"Tell her I'm eating," Riven finally said, the words casual, yet carrying an unmistakable weight. "I'll visit her later."

The student's expression faltered. He blinked once. Then again.

"What?" His voice came out weak, disbelieving.

Ember turned to stare at him outright, eyes wide. "You—are you insane?"

Riven didn't answer. He simply tilted his head slightly, watching as Cain narrowly dodged Selene's spear of fire, his counterattack surging forward like a roaring storm.

The student's face drained of color, as if he had just witnessed a death sentence being signed. "But… but it's Archmage Elara—"

"I heard you the first time." Riven's voice was patient, but with an unmistakable finality. "She can wait."

The student looked as if he wanted to argue further but, wisely, decided against it. Instead, he swallowed hard and gave a stiff nod before scurrying away, likely fearing that even standing too close to Riven for too long would bring consequences.

Ember dragged a hand down her face. "You're going to get yourself killed one day, I swear."

Riven smirked slightly. "If I do, it won't be because I refused a meal."

She groaned. "I hope you have an actual reason for doing this and not just because you want to test how far you can push an Archmage's patience."

He didn't answer.

He did have a reason.

A very good one.

Elara had been watching him for a while now, ever since she had declared herself his new instructor. But something was off. Her timing, her sudden shift in interest—why now, after all this time?

More importantly—why now, after he had discovered the vault?

Her request for his presence wasn't a coincidence and Riven didn't like being summoned like a subordinate.

If Elara wanted something from him, she could wait — Riven wouldn't come running like a dog to its master every time she called for him.

The battlefield crackled once more as Cain and Selene reached the final moments of their duel. Cain's mana surged violently as he pulled the very lightning from the sky, condensing it into a single devastating Thunderstrike.

Selene didn't back down.

She raised both hands, her Blazing Lotus folding in on itself before exploding outward in a pillar of flame.

Their spells collided.

A thunderous boom erupted within the containment barrier, causing the elders maintaining it to reinforce the structure with layered spells. The shockwave sent ripples through the air, forcing the watching students to shield their faces from the sheer force of their clashing mana.

When the light faded, Cain remained standing.

Selene had dropped to one knee, breathing hard.

One of the elders finally stepped forward, raising a hand.

"The match is decided," the elder announced, his voice carrying across the marketplace. "Cain Rotherford retains his rank."

The murmurs among the spectators began immediately.

Selene exhaled sharply but didn't argue. She simply clenched her fists before rising to her feet, offering Cain a curt nod before turning away.

Cain rolled his shoulders, looking completely unbothered. "Good fight."

Riven turned away, uninterested in the aftermath.

Ember let out a low whistle. "Damn. The top fifty really are monsters."

He said nothing. Eventually, they would all be beneath him.

Without another word, he stepped back into The Silver Fang Pavilion, leaving the murmuring crowd behind.

—x—

The restaurant's calm ambiance was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Though a few diners were still whispering about the fight, most had returned to their meals, the air once again filled with the scent of mana-infused delicacies.

Riven resumed his seat, expression impassive as the server immediately approached, refilling his drink with a respectful bow.

His plate had gone cold.

He frowned slightly before waving the server over again.

"Bring me another one," he ordered. "And two more dishes—Thunderfang Steak and Golden Serpent Soup."

The server hesitated for only a fraction of a second before bowing once more. "At once, my lord."

Across from him, Ember nearly choked on her drink.

"Two more?" she spluttered. "Are you seriously eating enough for an entire battalion?"

Riven picked up his utensils, cutting into his food with precision. "Why not?"

Ember blinked. "You must have a lot of mana cores now, huh?"

He merely shrugged, taking another bite.

The Thunderfang Steak arrived first, its mana-infused properties sending subtle jolts through his body, sharpening his senses. The Golden Serpent Soup followed, the rich broth settling into his mana circuits with a pleasant, slow-burning warmth.

By the time he finished, he could already feel the difference.

The additional mana surged within him, his control over his abyssal energy feeling smoother, more refined.

Satisfied, he leaned back slightly, exhaling slowly.

Ember watched him with an amused expression. "Alright, now that you're finally done, are you going to go see Elara, or are you planning to keep her waiting until tomorrow?"

Riven tilted his head, considering.

Then, after a long pause, he stood, tossing a handful of mana beast cores onto the table to cover the bill.

"No." Riven's voice was calm, almost dismissive. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face—a sharp, almost feral smile, edged with something dangerously unhinged.

"Now," he murmured, abyssal flames flickering at his fingertips, "I want to fight."