Arthur leaned against the balcony rail, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon as memories of Silver and Rosa taking down an A-rank beast flooded his mind. The battle had been nothing short of spectacular, their coordinated strikes and unwavering determination a stark contrast to his own feelings of helplessness. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white with frustration.
Why was I so powerless? he scolded himself, the memory of the battle haunting him. He felt a surge of anger, not just at the beast but at his own inadequacies. His thoughts drifted to the promise he had made to his mother, her hopeful face vivid in his mind. "I will get stronger no matter the cost and give you a good life," he had vowed, his heart filled with determination.
Driven by this promise, Arthur made a fateful decision. He would resort to using an ancient, forbidden magic—one that he had only read about in the darkest of tomes. It was a power so dangerous that it was whispered about in fear: the act of taking six humans and consuming all their strength to make oneself stronger.
The forbidden magic was known as the "Ritual of Sanguine Sacrifice." To perform it, Arthur would need to gather six individuals, each possessing a unique strength or talent. The ritual required a sacred circle drawn with runes of power, inscribed in the blood of the willing or unsuspecting participants. The circle had to be precise, each rune meticulously placed to harness the maximum potential of the sacrifice.
Back in the dorms, Riven sat with his four friends—Leo, Jasper, Max, and Ethan—engaged in a lively discussion about their peers. The conversation naturally drifted towards the students who were considered weak. Names like "Riven," "Tim," and "Holly" were tossed around with light-hearted banter.
"Hey, Riven, how's your marathon training going? Collapsed yet?" Leo teased, a playful grin on his face.
Jasper chimed in, "Yeah, if running away from physical classes was an Olympic sport, you'd definitely be the gold medalist."
Max and Ethan laughed, adding their own jabs. "Don't forget Holly," Max said. "She practically faints every time someone mentions a duel."
Riven maintained his serious demeanor, letting out a resigned sigh. Despite their jokes, he knew they meant no harm. Deciding to engage in the talk, he leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You know," he began, his tone calm and measured, "not everyone is meant to be a winner in the game of tag."
His friends paused, intrigued by his sudden shift in tone. Riven continued, "For some to be considered strong, there must be those who are seen as weak. It's a matter of perspective. Strength isn't just about physical prowess. Sometimes, it's about understanding your place in the bigger picture and playing your role perfectly."
The room fell silent as his friends absorbed his words. Jasper furrowed his brow, contemplating the deeper meaning. Leo, always quick to understand, nodded slowly. "So you're saying that without people like us, who are strong, there wouldn't be anyone to compare us to?"
Riven smiled faintly, his enigmatic air adding weight to his words. "Exactly. Balance is essential. What good would strength be if there were no challenges to measure it against? Everyone has a role to play, even those who seem weaker. They push us to strive harder, to be better."
Max and Ethan exchanged thoughtful glances, realizing that Riven's perspective carried more wisdom than they had initially thought. The conversation, which started as playful banter, had turned into a moment of reflection.
The familiar chime of the school's announcement system crackled to life, drawing the attention of all the students in the hallways and classrooms. The speaker's voice, calm yet authoritative, echoed through the corridors.
"Attention, students. Due to recent events and the current search for the missing students, all classes will end early today. We ask that you return to your dorms promptly and remain there for the remainder of the day. Please ensure you are in your dorms no later than seven pm."
A wave of murmurs and whispers spread through the classrooms as students exchanged puzzled and concerned glances. The unexpected announcement created a buzz of curiosity and speculation.
But amidst the confusion and concern, no one seemed as excited as Riven. His face lit up with a rare smile, the prospect of more sleep brightening his day. His friends couldn't help but notice his enthusiasm.
Leo, ever the joker, nudged him with a grin. "Riven, I swear you love sleeping more than anything. You look like you just won the lottery."
Riven just shrugged, maintaining his enigmatic demeanor. "What can I say? Everyone's got their priorities," he replied, a slight smile playing on his lips as he stared out the window.
As the bell signaled the end of the shortened school day, students began to pack up their belongings, a mix of relief and anxiety in the air. Teachers guided their students to leave the premises swiftly, adding to the sense of urgency.
Riven and his friends walked back to the dorms, Leo still cracking jokes about Riven's love for sleep. Riven just smiled, looking forward to an unexpected afternoon of rest.
Back in his dorm room, Riven noticed a black letter on his desk, immediately recognizing its significance. Ensuring his friends didn't notice, he discreetly picked it up. Maintaining his usual calm demeanor, he excused himself and headed to the washroom for some privacy.
Once inside, he unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the ominous message. It was a warning—he was marked to be kidnapped for an ancient ritual. The gravity of the situation would have unnerved anyone else, but Riven kept his composure, his mind already strategizing his next move.
After reading the letter, Riven slipped it into his pocket and walked out of the washroom, his expression unreadable. The dorm room was still buzzing with chatter, his friends oblivious to the danger that loomed over him.
Ignoring the school's directive to stay inside, Riven made his way toward the door. It was six thirty, just half an hour before the curfew. Leo, ever the joker, called out, "Where you off to, Riven? Trying to break curfew again? Maybe you just like seeing Rosa get mad at you."
Riven paused, offering a faint smile. "Shouldn't you be in your room?" he replied enigmatically, before stepping out into the corridor.