Shattered Sanity

Once Riven was satisfied that the outside help hired by the Imperial Anatomist was indeed someone trustworthy, he quietly gave the old man a subtle nod of approval, signalling that he was ready to proceed.

”Mister Aldren, if you don’t mind, let us now make our way to the Stoneville Town Breakthrough Hall.

If anyone happens to ask, I would appreciate it if you introduced the Young Master as one of your own students.

The Young Master is rather fond of his privacy, you see...”

The Imperial Anatomist said, as Aldren immediately smiled and nodded in understanding.

”Oh, of course, Doctor.

You needn’t worry about something like that.

I’ll make sure no unnecessary attention falls upon the young master.”

Aldren replied, as the three of them departed from the drugstore together.

They quietly walked through the streets of Stoneville Town side by side, however, what Aldren could never have guessed was that this was Riven’s very first time setting foot inside a proper human settlement in well over two and a half years.

As although he walked as though the bustling town failed to interest him in the slightest, deep inside, he was still the same curious little boy who would once have eagerly dragged Garsim and Dara through every street in search of something exciting to discover.

However, unfortunately, that boy no longer existed.

No one looking at Riven now could have guessed that this was only his second glimpse of a real town.

His expression remained calm, his gaze never wandered, and every step he took carried the quiet elegance expected of a well-bred noble rather than the carefree curiosity expected of a child his age.

As in many ways, he now walked exactly as Garron had always hoped every child recruited from Ashfang Village would walk upon first arriving in Stoneville Town, as he kept his attention straight ahead instead of gawking at merchants, travellers, or colourful storefronts.

And yet, ironically, despite making every effort not to attract attention, he still became the centre of countless curious glances.

His tailored noble attire, commanding physique, composed bearing, and the sight of two grown men accompanying him naturally caused many passersby’s to wonder about his identity.

Some simply assumed he belonged to an influential noble family.

Others quietly stepped aside without even realising why they had done so.

As regardless of what street he walked from, he made sure to turn more than a few heads towards him, as both men and women paused to take a second glance at his face.

—---

After roughly fifteen minutes of walking, the trio eventually arrived before Stoneville Town’s Communal Breakthrough Hall.

The building itself was neither luxurious nor extravagant, yet it was considerably larger than anything else surrounding it, with dozens of Ascendants and nervous family members constantly entering and leaving through its wide stone entrance.

”Wait here, young master, I’ll complete the registration for you...”

Aldren said, as he approached the reception desk, completed Riven’s registration under a false identity, and paid the one silver coin usage fee before collecting a small wooden token bearing the number two.

”The room will be ready in roughly twenty minutes,” the receptionist informed, as Aldren thanked her before leading the other two towards the waiting area.

The hall was filled almost entirely with children preparing for their very first breakthrough.

Most stood somewhere between four and four and a half feet tall, nervously clinging to their parents or instructors while stealing anxious glances towards the various breakthrough chambers.

As standing amongst them, Riven looked completely out of place.

Despite being only twelve years old, his reconstructed body already stood nearly five feet ten inches tall with broad shoulders, defined musculature, and the appearance of someone closer to sixteen than twelve.

As more than a few children instinctively shrank behind their guardians after noticing him.

”Aldren, who’s the giant beside you?

A late bloomer?”

A familiar voice suddenly called out from nearby, as another Flame Rank Ascendant approached with an amused grin spread across his face.

”What are you doing bringing an almost grown man here for an Ember breakthrough?

Gods above, he’s taller than I am.

Anyway, this is my daughter, Amyra.

She turned ten just over a month ago and she’s already ready to become an Ascendant.

She’s going to achieve great things one day,”

The man declared proudly, as the young girl politely smiled towards Riven, while clutching onto her fathers sleeve.

Riven acknowledged her greeting with a faint nod before returning his attention elsewhere without saying a single word.

”I’m accompanying one of my students, Toby,” Aldren replied calmly, as his expression remained unchanged.

”As for his age, that’s none of your concern.

If your daughter is about to undergo her breakthrough, I suggest you spend these final moments helping her settle her nerves instead of wasting them making conversation.

My student’s turn will be called shortly, and I’d rather keep his mind focused.”

Aldren replied rather bluntly, as the other Ascendant let out a sarcastic laugh before shrugging his shoulders.

”Fine, fine.

Still as serious as ever.

One day you’ll learn that networking gets people further than lectures.

Just remember my words when my Amyra enters the Imperial Academy.

This little girl is destined for greatness, and when she rises, so will I,”

He said proudly, as he affectionately patted his daughter’s shoulder before walking away with her.

Only after the pair disappeared into the crowd did Riven finally speak again.

”I’m curious. Mister Aldren.....

Why exactly do we need to use a specialised breakthrough chamber?

Why couldn’t I simply undergo the breakthrough back inside the laboratory?”

He asked, as Aldren smiled, clearly pleased by the question.

”An excellent question, Young Master.

The answer is actually quite simple.

Every breakthrough chamber has been constructed with specialised Aether-supporting runes carved throughout its walls and powered continuously by Aether Cores.

Those runes dramatically increase the surrounding concentration of natural Aether, creating an ideal environment for an Ascendant attempting to advance.

Long ago, there were unfortunate cases where promising cultivators failed their breakthroughs simply because the natural Aether surrounding them became too sparse before the process had fully completed.

And so, after enough tragedies occurred, people began constructing dedicated breakthrough chambers like these to eliminate that risk altogether.

With sufficient ambient Aether constantly flowing into the room, breakthroughs become considerably safer and far more reliable,” Aldren explained, as Riven quietly committed the explanation to memory.

Just then, a staff member stepped into the waiting hall while calling out, ”Token number two.”

Aldren immediately rose to his feet.

”Come, Young Master.

Allow me to escort you to your chamber.

It’s finally time to begin your breakthrough,”

He said, as the three of them followed the attendant through the communal corridor before eventually stopping outside Breakthrough Room Number Two, where Riven was to take his first step beyond the realm of ordinary mortals.