Shattered Sanity

(Meanwhile, Circuit’s POV)

The moment Riven finished making it abundantly clear that he felt absolutely no remorse for knocking the Aureate student unconscious, Circuit slapped his palm against his forehead in disappointment.

’Why? Why couldn’t you just apologize like everyone else and let the matter end here?’

Circuit thought, as although he understood Riven’s refusal to tolerate anyone bullying him, there was absolutely no reason for him to continue antagonizing the Aureate students after he had already made his point.

In Circuit’s opinion, Riven had just wasted a perfect opportunity to turn several enemies into potential friends without sacrificing anything of importance.

After all, Riven Dawnriver was not some ordinary first-year student.

He was the acknowledged son of the Eastern Duke, Argent’s first-round selection and someone who had already proven through his fights against Gary and the Aureate students that his strength was anything but ordinary.

Had Riven simply apologized right now alongside the others before walking over and offering them a handshake, Circuit was almost certain that most of them were going to accept.

In fact, he was almost convinced that most of their personal differences could have been completely resolved by Riven taking the high road once, however, the man stubbornly refused to do so.

’It takes so little effort to be friendly sometimes...

You already gave them the stick, now was your chance to dangle a carrot, and you could have won them over.’

Circuit thought, as he released a disappointed sigh.

However, while he stood there disappointed, nearby, Orton, Batista and Flair looked absolutely delighted.

The three Eastern nobles nodded enthusiastically after hearing Riven’s declaration, while Orton clenched his fist in approval and Batista immediately raised his hand towards Flair.

CLAP!

The two exchanged a high-five before Orton joined them, as though Riven refusing to apologize was exactly what they wanted to hear from the man they had chosen to follow.

Circuit stared towards them in disbelief.

’Oh, great...’

His expression immediately darkened.

’This is exactly what he did not need. Three boneheads cheering him every time he threatens somebody.’

Circuit thought, as he felt as though he was going to have enough difficulty convincing Riven that not every problem inside the Academy needed to be solved through intimidation or violence, and the emergence of followers who actively admired those qualities was only going to make his job considerably harder.

’I hope these knuckleheads don’t make Riven even more unsociable than he already is.’

Circuit thought, as he watched Orton enthusiastically mime Riven’s punch while Batista and Flair laughed beside him.

’I can try keeping him in line wherever possible, but if he continues attracting followers who encourage this nonsense, then this is going to become one very difficult semester.’

Circuit thought as he released another exhausted sigh.

—------------------

Meanwhile, elsewhere amongst the students, Mary and Stacy had also watched the entire confrontation unfold, although Stacy’s reaction was considerably different from Circuit’s.

”Well, Big Sister, I still don’t know whether this is the same Riven we used to know, but boy oh boy, do I like this new Riven a lot more,” Stacy said, as an amused smile spread across her face.

Mary immediately glanced towards her.

”If you aren’t going to make a move on him, you should probably tell me now, because I think I like this boy.”

Stacy continued while biting her lips seductively as Mary’s eyes narrowed into a warning glare.

”Relax, relax. I’m only joking.....”

Stacy muttered a couple seconds later, although her lingering gaze on Riven suggested otherwise.

The truth was considerably less innocent than her words suggested.

This increasingly rebellious version of Riven, who seemed completely unconcerned with whether the people surrounding him approved of his behavior or not, was precisely the sort of man Stacy found attractive.

When they first met Riven, he was the shy and caring type of boy that Mary liked more, however, this new version of him was much more to Stacy’s liking.

However, the only reason she immediately dismissed her comment as a joke was because she knew how sensitive Mary remained whenever their conversations involved Riven.

”Yeah... I don’t know whether he’s the same Riven we used to know either.”

Mary muttered, as uncertainty returned to her expression.

”But regardless of who he is, I don’t think what he did today was particularly wise. He’s antagonizing people at an alarming rate, Stacy, and if he continues like this, he’s eventually going to have enemies surrounding him on every side.”

Mary glanced towards the Aureate students leaving the training ground before returning her attention towards Riven.

”He already humiliated Gary in front of hundreds of students, threatened members of his own House yesterday and knocked two Aureate students down this morning. It’s barely been any time at all since classes started.”

Stacy chuckled before lightly elbowing her sister.

”Since when have girls ever liked the good boy?”

Mary gave her another unimpressed look.

”Oh, come on, Big Sister. You have to admit he’s got some style now.”

Stacy looked towards Riven again.

”He has that sort of vibe to him, you know?”

”What vibe?”

Stacy’s smile widened.

”The kind that says, ’I will burn the entire world down if that’s what it takes to save you.’”

Mary opened her mouth to dismiss the ridiculous statement, although the words never quite left her lips.

Instead, her eyes involuntarily drifted towards Riven once again.

For a brief moment, she found herself studying his figure as he stood amongst the remaining students, before her teeth unconsciously caught against her bottom lip.

Then Mary realized what she was doing.

She immediately looked away.

”You’re ridiculous.”

”Sure I am,” Stacy replied, as the amusement in her voice made it obvious that she had noticed everything.

Mary ignored her.

However, Stacy did not allow her to simply walk away now without teasing her some more.

”Well.... I won’t make a move on him out of respect for you, but big sister, I’m not the only one eyeing him here.

Look around, and you’ll see that he has attracted the attention of many hungry girls.

Girls.... Who want nothing more than to take a rebellious hotshot like Riven Dawnriver with their charm....”

Stacy muttered, as looking around Mary quickly saw Sophia Mellow and a few other girls eyeing Riven as though they would like nothing more than to undress him where he stood, which immediately caused her face to turn red with fury.

’Keep your eyes to yourself... bitch!’

Mary thought, as she glared holes into Sophia Mellow’s back, before haughtily turning away and leaving for breakfast.