Ashtoria had never trained anyone before. So when Riven asked to be taught how to become a Lawbearer, her first instinct was to reject him. Especially when he kept insisting—shamelessly flattering her and pleading in ways no one had dared before.
And yet... in the end, she couldn't refuse.
Strangely enough, she didn't regret it.
Riven wasn't the first to seek her help, but he was the first to do so with such stubbornness and without an ounce of fear. Most people would kneel, bow, or flee in her presence. But this man… he pressed, demanded, even complained honestly right to her face.
Everyone knew—becoming a Lawbearer required talent. And that talent came in varying degrees. That's why noble families always tested their children first before granting them training or resources. If their talent didn't meet expectations, they were abandoned without a second thought.
Ashtoria glanced at Mira, who now lay sprawled in the grass like a corpse. Her breath was ragged, her forehead drenched in sweat. She had only managed to complete 43 push-ups before her arms gave out. It was slightly surprising. But at the very least, she tried.
On the other hand, Riven was now finishing the final part of today's training: a ten-kilometer run. He was lean, but not frail. From the way he moved—his heavy yet controlled breathing, the stability of his posture—Ashtoria could tell he was used to pushing his body. This level of training would normally break a commoner. Yet somehow, he endured.
As night fell and pale stars lit the sky, Riven finally completed the full training. His body soaked in sweat, his breath coming in hard gasps, he staggered over to Ashtoria and collapsed into the grass beside her.
For a few moments, he simply lay there, eyes fixed on the night sky stretched endlessly above them.
Then, still panting, he asked,
"I've done everything… Will you teach me now… how to absorb mana?"
Though his body was on the verge of collapse, the fire in his eyes still burned bright. So full of resolve. So hungry for something greater than himself.
Ashtoria looked down at him, saying nothing for a while.
Then, slowly, her lips curved. Just a little. A nearly invisible smile—but a real one, warm in its subtlety. A smile she hadn't shown anyone in a very, very long time.
"Rest a while," she said softly. "Wait until your body cools down."
Riven obeyed without another word. He remained beside her, trying to slow his breathing, letting the night air wrap around his overheated skin.
But peace didn't last long.
Something was bothering him.
Not pain. Not exhaustion. But… a gaze. A focused gaze that never left his face—deep and unblinking. Like someone was trying to map every curve and detail of him, without shame or subtlety.
Riven opened his eyes and turned slightly.
Ashtoria was staring at him. Her expression unreadable, her blood-red eyes reflecting starlight like polished rubies. It wasn't anger behind that stare, nor irritation. It was… curiosity. Or perhaps something stranger. Something almost like awe.
Riven shifted uncomfortably.
Finally, he asked, "Is there something on my face? Why have you been staring at me this whole time?"
Ashtoria blinked slowly, as if the question had just reached her mind. Then she tilted her head slightly and replied in her usual calm tone, "Your face is fine."
The answer didn't clarify anything. Riven frowned, mildly irritated. So in retaliation, he leaned a little closer—locking his eyes on hers—and examined her face in return.
Her skin was pale, almost porcelain, yet not cold. Like marble sculpted by divine hands. Her lips were red and glossy, like a rose petal freshly kissed by dew. Something about them pulled at him.
He swallowed.
He forced himself to look away. Her face was smooth and composed, untouched by time or pain—though Riven knew that couldn't be true. Her crimson hair was wild and tangled from the journey, yet still held an elegance, as if each strand had a purpose. Then… her eyes.
Eyes like living rubies. Deep. Sharp. And somehow ancient.
Those eyes were staring straight into his soul.
Riven froze.
The world went silent. The forest sounds vanished. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Time… hesitated.
For a heartbeat, it was just the two of them. Two strangers tethered by a single gaze. Connected by something nameless. Something dangerous—or perhaps… beautiful.
Then—
"HEEEEY!"
A voice cracked through the moment—dry, tired, and perfectly timed to ruin everything.
Both Riven and Ashtoria turned.
Mira.
She crawled toward them like a half-dead zombie, her hair a mess and her eyes half-lidded.
"What is going on here," she mumbled flatly, "why are you two staring at each other like the world disappeared? You've been doing that for like… twenty minutes. I thought you both died standing up."
She flopped down in the grass between them and let out a dramatic sigh.
Riven said nothing. A faint flush rose to his cheeks as he coughed into his hand, trying to act casual.
Ashtoria, meanwhile, turned her gaze skyward again, her expression neutral—but her fingers idly brushed the grass beside her.
Once the awkward silence passed, the night regained its calm. Stars glowed gently overhead, and the leaves resumed their rustling under the breeze. The three of them sat together, a triangle of mismatched souls under the same sky.
Eventually, Riven cleared his throat and said again,
"Now… will you teach me how to absorb mana?"
Ashtoria studied him for a second, then nodded slowly.
"I will. But first…" she said, sitting a little straighter, "do you know the tiers of a Lawbearer?"
Riven furrowed his brows, thinking. "I only know the lowest one is called Awakened. Then there's something called Foundation Core. That's it."
Ashtoria glanced at them both, and then began to explain, her tone calm and steady, like a teacher passing down ancient truths.
"As you said, the lowest rank of a Lawbearer is called Awakened. But did you know it has another name? An older name."
Riven and Mira squinted at her, clearly intrigued.
Ashtoria paused for effect, then said quietly,
"The other name… is Echo Initiate."