Riven didn't move at first.
Then he took off his cape.
The man in front of him—Alric—watched him in silence.
Then—
A faint shift.
"…So they actually went through with it."
His voice was steady. Not surprised.
Just… confirming.
Riven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…And you're the replacement," Alric added, his gaze drifting over him once more. Measuring.
Riven didn't deny it.
"…Looks like it."
A short pause followed.
Then Alric stepped forward.
Every movement precise despite just recently losing an arm.
Nothing about him suggested weakness.
Alric stopped a few steps away.
Close enough.
"…You look more like me than I expected," he said.
Riven didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"If you're fine," he said, "why am I here?"
A simple question.
Alric's gaze held his for a moment longer.
Then—
A faint smile.
Mocking.
"Because I don't want to attend the trial."
Riven's expression didn't change.
"That's it?"
"That's enough."
Silence settled again.
Alric turned slightly, stepping past him, then stopping by the window.
Light cut across his profile.
"…You'll get what was promised," he continued. "Resources. Support. A place at the trial."
A brief pause.
"So—"
His eyes shifted back, just slightly.
"…does it matter whether I'm actually incapable or not?"
Riven didn't answer.
Because the answer was obvious.
No.
It didn't.
Another pause.
Then Riven spoke again.
"You don't seem like someone who gives up a chance like that easily."
Alric let out a quiet breath.
"…A chance?"
He looked outside.
"I don't need it."
Riven's eyes narrowed slightly.
Alric turned back.
This time, his gaze felt sharper.
More focused.
"Can you fight?"
Riven didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"Good."
No follow-up.
Alric studied him for a moment longer.
Then—
"The Knight's Order isn't as nice as they make it out to be."
Riven's brow moved slightly.
"…Nothing ever is."
Alric didn't react.
"Yes."
A short pause.
Then he stepped past him again, heading back toward the center of the room.
"…And one more thing."
He stopped just before returning to his initial position.
"Don't try to talk or act like me."
Riven's gaze shifted.
Alric glanced back.
"…You won't manage it."
A beat.
"Just stay quiet. Don't get caught."
Then he sat down on the ground.
Riven remained where he was.
His gaze drifted toward the window.
Why can't it just be simple…
He turned back toward the door.
"Just stay inside then. Don't blow my cover."
Alric didn't respond.
Riven stepped out.
The door closed behind him as he put on his cape again.
The corridor felt quieter than before.
But not calmer.
Riven walked without slowing, his thoughts moving faster than his steps.
This whole situation annoyed him.
It was nothing like promised.
And most shockingly...
Alric wasn't weak.
If anything—
He felt more dangerous than anyone his age Riven had met recently.
And that only made things more confusing.
Riven exhaled quietly.
Before coming here, he had thought his strength was finally reaching a decent level.
Now—
It didn't feel like enough.
Not for this.
Not for whatever this really was.
He didn't feel safe here.
But no matter the cost.
For the chance of attending that auction.
And getting a map.
He had to take the risk.
Riven continued down the corridor.
Then—
"Excuse me."
Riven's steps slowed slightly.
A maid stood a short distance ahead, her posture straight, hands folded neatly.
Her gaze lowered respectfully.
"The Madam requests your presence."
Riven didn't question it.
"…Lead the way."
Her gaze stopped on his hooded figure for a second.
Then she turned and began walking.
They moved through the manor in silence until they reached another room.
The maid stepped aside.
"The Madam is inside."
Riven entered.
The woman was already waiting.
Her gaze lifted the moment he stepped in.
She gestured toward a folded set of clothes placed on a nearby table.
"These are his."
Riven's eyes moved over them.
Fine fabric.
Simple in color.
Refined without being excessive.
"Wear them."
Her tone softened slightly.
"I can't have my supposed son look like some random traveling cultivator."
Riven stepped forward, picking them up.
"Looks good." he commented.
"Of course."
A short pause.
"If they don't fit—we can adjust them too."
Riven nodded once.
"I'll change."
She turned slightly, giving him space without leaving the room.
He didn't hesitate.
A moment later—
The training clothes were gone.
Replaced.
The difference was immediate.
The fabric sat differently on his frame.
Sharper.
Cleaner.
More noble.
But that somehow fit his image even better.
Like he'd always been meant to wear clothes like these.
The woman watched him again.
This time—
Her gaze lingered a little longer.
"…Yes."
A quiet exhale.
"That will work."
Riven didn't respond.
He adjusted the sleeve slightly.
Then turned.
"I'll head out."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Don't draw attention."
"…Understood."
Riven left the room.
The manor felt different now.
Not because it had changed—
But because of how people looked at him.
Servants glanced up.
Paused.
Some froze for a fraction of a second.
Then quickly lowered their gazes again.
But it was there.
That flicker.
The supposedly withdrawn young master—
Walking.
Moving.
Present.
Riven ignored it.
He continued forward, his steps steady.
Toward the gate.
The guards straightened as he approached.
Surprise flashed briefly across their faces before it was buried.
"Young Master."
They stepped aside without question.
Riven walked past them.
Then—
"Wait!"
The voice came from behind him.
He'd heard it before.
Riven stopped and turned slightly.
Leyla was already walking toward him.
She wore a fitted outer robe of pale blue wrapped around her frame, embroidered lightly along the edges with silver thread. It wasn't extravagant, but it carried the same refined structure as the rest of the manor. A darker sash held it in place, and her hair was tied more neatly now, though a few stubborn strands still refused to stay put.
She stopped a few steps away.
"You—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her brows furrowed slightly, like she was weighing something.
Her eyes flicked briefly toward the guards.
Toward the servants nearby.
Riven followed her gaze.
…Okay.
Her expression shifted almost instantly.
"Brother."
The word came out clean.
Natural.
Like nothing had happened earlier.
At least she's sensible.
"I'll come with you."
Riven opened his mouth—
But before he could say anything—
She had already stepped past him and out through the gate.
…Right.
Riven exhaled quietly and followed.
There wasn't much choice.
He didn't think he could reject her.
Besides.
So what if she went with him?
They walked in silence at first.
Past the main road.
Further out.
Until the manor was no longer directly visible.
Leyla slowed.
Then turned into a narrow side street.
No one around.
No citizens.
No travelers.
Just the two of them.
She stopped.
Turned.
And the act dropped instantly.
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Her tone was sharp again.
"I don't accept you as my brother."
Riven looked at her.
Didn't respond.
"He is way better than you," she continued, arms crossing.
"I just didn't want to cause trouble for him by exposing you back there."
A brief pause.
Riven blinked once.
"…Right."
Then—
He did something he saw Kade do a few times to Alena during their short time together after slaying the spider.
Especially when it looked like they might get into an argument over something trivial during their trip down the mountain.
He agreed with her.
"Of course your brother is better."
Her expression shifted immediately.
Like a switch.
Her eyes lit up slightly.
"So you do understand."
She nodded, almost satisfied.
"In fact, it's an honor for you to act like him. Wear his clothes. Take his place."
Her gaze moved over him again, slower this time.
Evaluating.
"To be honest…"
A small pause.
"You're not doing a terrible job."
Riven watched her.
…That was easy.
Kade is a genius.
Leyla huffed quietly, but some of the earlier tension had clearly faded.
Then she relaxed slightly, uncrossing her arms.
"So."
Her tone shifted again.
More casual.
"Where were you even planning to go?"
"The mercenary guild," Riven answered.
Leyla blinked.
"…What?"
Her brows knit together slightly, confusion visible on her face.
"Of course I know where it is," she said, lifting her chin a little. "I know everything in this city."
A short pause.
"But why there?"
"I have something to do."
Simple.
Leyla looked at him for another moment, clearly not fully satisfied.
Riven didn't elaborate.
Instead—
He shifted.
"But more importantly…"
Her attention snapped back to him.
"Tell me more about your brother."
Riven's tone remained even.
Time to gather some information.
"How great he is."
For a split second—
She froze.
Then—
Her entire expression lit up.
"Gladly!"