The Insane Regressor: Throne of Pride

Larette knocked twice upon the office door.

”Enter.”

Her father’s voice came from within, calm and firm.

Larette opened the door and stepped inside, with Ravian following behind her.

Earl Patrick Viola sat behind his broad wooden desk, surrounded by several neat stacks of documents. A large map of the capital occupied part of the wall behind him, while two sealed folders rested separately near his right hand.

His dark-blue eyes rose from the document before him, moved briefly over his daughter, then settled upon Ravian.

The Earl’s gaze lingered for a moment upon Ravian’s clean clothes and still-damp white hair before returning to his face.

”You look considerably more prepared for a meeting than you did earlier,” Patrick remarked.

”Lady Larette made certain of that,” Ravian replied.

”I had to,” Larette said as she moved toward one of the chairs facing the desk. ”If I’d allowed him to choose for himself, he would have worn the first thing that covered him properly.”

Ravian glanced at her but chose not to defend himself. She was right, after all.

Patrick’s eyes shifted between them before he set down the document in his hand.

”Larette told me you wanted to speak with me,” he said. ”Sit.”

Ravian took the remaining chair while Larette sat beside him. He rested one arm upon the armrest and met the Earl’s gaze.

”I want access to a library,” Ravian said without preamble.

Patrick waited for him to continue, but Ravian offered nothing else.

”A library?” the Earl repeated.

”Yes. One that contains everything I may need to learn—or as close to everything as can reasonably be found in one place,” Ravian clarified. ”Soul refinement, Soul Crowns, advancement paths, spirit stones, the history of the ranks, ancient civilizations, and any other field that might prove relevant.”

Patrick studied him more carefully.

”You could have simply asked me to bring you several books.”

”I already asked Larette for general references. Those will be enough to correct the most immediate gaps in my knowledge, but a few books would hardly satisfy my curiosity,” Ravian said, pausing briefly before continuing. ”In truth, I need far more than a few books.”

”Hmm. All right.”

The faintest trace of amusement appeared in Patrick’s eyes.

”There is one place in the capital that might satisfy your needs—the Supreme Soul Academy.”

Ravian’s expression did not change, but his attention visibly sharpened.

Patrick leaned back slightly in his seat.

”Its central archive is the largest collection of knowledge concerning soul power anywhere in the Viera Empire, and perhaps anywhere under human control. The Academy has accumulated manuscripts, cultivation theories, historical records, and research from every era since its founding.”

”Can I enter it?” Ravian asked the instant Patrick described it as the largest.

”Ordinary visitors can access only the lower public sections,” Patrick replied. ”Students gain broader access according to their rank, performance, and instructors, while the higher floors are restricted to senior students, professors, high-ranking Awakened, and those who receive direct authorization.”

Patrick glanced at Larette before continuing.

”If you wish to enroll, Larette can accompany you during the admission process. She will soon be a student there herself. I can also use several connections within the Academy to ensure that the restrictions placed upon ordinary new students do not apply to you. With the right person—someone like me—supporting your admission, you could receive access to every floor.”

Ravian considered his words for less than a second.

”No,” he said.

Patrick’s brow lifted.

”No?” he repeated.

”I don’t have time to study at an academy, Lord Patrick.”

A brief silence settled over the office. Even Larette turned to look at him.

Patrick slowly folded his hands upon the desk.

”Do you understand what you just refused, Rayan?”

”I believe so, yes,” Ravian replied, though he noticed the dissatisfaction in the Earl’s eyes.

”You refused entry to the finest academy humanity has ever built as though I had offered you an inconvenient social engagement.”

”Because studying there would be inconvenient,” Ravian clarified.

Larette stared at him.

Patrick’s expression remained controlled, but genuine surprise had entered his dark-blue eyes.

”Children from the Empire’s most powerful families train for years merely to qualify for its entrance examinations. Entire houses spend fortunes preparing a single heir for the possibility of studying there, and talented Awakened cross kingdoms for the chance to be accepted.”

The Earl was clearly trying to persuade him.

”Then I hope they make good use of it.”

Ravian, however, cared nothing for any of that.

’For hell’s sake! I have an appointment with Lysandra two days from now, and I have no idea what that woman might do if I’m late.’

”You truly aren’t interested,” the Earl said.

”I am interested in its knowledge,” Ravian corrected. ”But I’m not interested in remaining there for a length of time that would benefit me less than what I could accomplish outside it. As for the knowledge itself, I can learn it on my own.”

Patrick’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”Your time is worth more than receiving instruction from the greatest experts on soul power?”

This time, Ravian considered the question for several moments, but his decision did not change.

”...Yes.”

When the answer finally came, there was no uncertainty in it. For several seconds, the only sound within the office was the quiet ticking of the clock upon the wall behind the Earl.

Patrick had dealt with arrogant nobles, gifted heirs, political geniuses, and young Awakened who believed the world would one day kneel before them. With most of them, a few carefully chosen words were enough to expose the insecurity concealed beneath their arrogance.

Ravian’s answer contained none of that.

He had not refused because he feared failure, resented authority, or wished to appear superior. He had simply compared the value of the Academy’s education to the value of his own time and found the former insufficient—at least according to his own judgment.

Once Patrick realized that, he stopped trying to persuade him.

’I only hope your arrogance has something solid to stand upon and isn’t merely empty pride,’ the Earl thought as he looked at Ravian.

”Very well. Find another library, then—”

”I never said I no longer wanted to enter the Academy’s library,” Ravian interrupted before he could finish.

Patrick’s fingers stopped moving.

Ravian leaned forward slightly.

”I want access to the archive, but not as a student. I want you to arrange my entry in some other capacity and ensure that I can reach every floor.”