The Glitched Mage-Chapter 29: A Fight Between Brothers Part 1

A hush fell over the courtyard, only to be shattered a moment later by the eruption of excited whispers.

"Is that the illegitimate son of the Drakar family?" someone gasped, eyes widening.

"It is! I saw him at the trials, but - he wasn't this tall back then! What the hell happened?" another student responded in disbelief.

"Looks like Cole's finally going to erase the family's embarrassment," someone else snickered.

Riven barely paid them any attention. His focus remained locked on Cole, on the bloodlust simmering just beneath his half-amused, half-contemptuous glare. A rush of anticipation coursed through Riven's veins, his fingers twitching at his sides.

Since his body reforging, he had been itching for a fight.

"Cole, stop this!" Ember suddenly stepped in front of him, her stance rigid, her arms outstretched as if to shield him. "Father strictly forbade you from laying a hand on him!"

Riven fought the urge to sigh.

Cole's smirk didn't waver. "Father is temporarily confused," he said dismissively. "He thinks this bastard might be of use to the family. I'm simply doing him a favour - getting rid of future dead weight."

"Tch." A voice beside Cole spoke up, drawing Riven's attention to one of the three second-years standing at his side. He had cropped brown hair and sharp yellow eyes, feline-like in their scrutiny. "Can we hurry this up, Cole? I have an assignment due tomorrow, so if we could get to the part where you crush him, that'd be great."

Cole's eyebrow twitched, but, interestingly, he didn't snap back. Instead, he simply nodded.

Riven stretched his senses out slightly, reaching for the mana flowing around them - and felt it. That dense energy, practically radiating from the cat-like guy.

So that's it.

Cole wasn't sure he could take Riven on his own. He had brought backup.

Pathetic.

Cole took a step forward, voice practically dripping with condescension. "Why don't we have a little chat somewhere quieter, little brother?" He dragged out the last two words, like they left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Cole-" Ember tried again, but Riven placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"It's fine," he said lightly, his practiced smile slipping back into place. "Brother just wants to talk."

Ember frowned deeply, clearly unconvinced.

"Uh..." Lucenya leaned toward him, voice low. "I really don't think he just wants to talk to you, Riven."

Riven chuckled. "It's fine."

Before either of them could protest further, he strode forward.

Cole's smirk widened, his red eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Follow us."

Without another word, Cole turned and walked toward the forest behind the academy, his three henchmen moving in sync beside him.

As Riven followed, the gathered crowd whispered and smirked, their excitement palpable.

Riven didn't hear them.

All he could feel was the slow, building thrill curling in his gut.

"You sure were acting confident back home, little brother," Cole sneered, his voice cutting through the dense forestry as they moved deeper into the woods. The noise of the academy had long since faded away, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. "Why so silent now?"

Riven remained quiet, his steps steady as they entered a small clearing bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

Cole's patience snapped.

"Hey, bastard! I'm talking to you!" He spun on his heel, storming over to Riven with heavy, deliberate steps. His red eyes burned with frustration as he jabbed a finger into Riven's chest. "When I talk to you, you respond."

Riven exhaled softly, lowering his gaze to where Cole's finger pressed into his uniform.

Then, with deliberate slowness, he lifted his head, meeting Cole's glare with unreadable eyes.

"Why," he murmured, his voice calm yet laced with venom, "should I waste my words on a piece of shit like you?"

A thick silence fell over the clearing.

Then - laughter.

The three second-years flanking Cole erupted into amusement, their chuckles ringing through the air.

Cole's jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

Riven smirked, tilting his head in mock curiosity. "Well? Weren't you going to finish me? I'm waiting."

One of the second-years let out a wheezing laugh, wiping away imaginary tears. "Wow! Cole, you never told us he was this funny." His yellow eyes gleamed with amusement as he nudged the guy next to him. "You sure we're supposed to kill him? I kind of like him."

Cole's face darkened, his fists trembling at his sides. "Shut up," he growled, his eyes locked onto Riven with barely contained rage.

Riven only smiled wider.

Cole raised a hand, a fiery-orange magic circle flaring to life in front of him. The heat from it pulsed against the cool evening air, casting flickering shadows across his face.

"Let's see if you're still smiling after this," he sneered, his glare burning just as intensely as the fireball forming in his palm.

The fireball in Cole's palm swelled. The clearing was cast in an ominous glow, the flickering light dancing against the darkened tree line.

Riven remained where he stood, his expression unwavering, his arms now crossed lazily over his chest.

Cole's lips curled into a sneer. "Go on then," he taunted. "Dodge, little brother. Show us all how fast you can run."

Riven tilted his head. "Run?" His smirk deepened, a slow, deliberate thing that sent a flicker of unease across Cole's features. "You think I'm going to run from that?"

Cole's eyes narrowed.

Then, with a sharp flick of his wrist, the fireball roared forward, its spiraling embers splitting the air with an ear-splitting hiss.

Riven exhaled.

And stepped forward.

He didn't dodge.

Didn't raise a barrier.

Didn't so much as flinch as the blazing sphere of death hurtled straight toward him.

The second-years shifted in anticipation, expecting the moment of impact, expecting the explosion, the recoil, the burns, the screams.

Instead-

Darkness swallowed the fire whole.

The flames flickered for only a fraction of a second before vanishing into nothingness, as if the very shadows around Riven had devoured them.

Silence.

The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the night breeze, the distant hoot of an owl.

Then-

"What?" Cole breathed, his voice tight, disbelief widening his eyes.

Riven flexed his fingers, shadows curling and twisting lazily around his knuckles, still buzzing with residual heat.

He smirked. "Was that it?"

Cole stiffened.

The second-years exchanged glances, their amusement dimming slightly. The yellow-eyed one let out a low whistle. "Huh. Well, that's new."

Cole snarled, his expression twisting in fury. "You arrogant little-" Another circle ignited in front of him, larger this time, the flames inside roaring even brighter. "Let's see how you deal with this-"

Riven moved.

He was on Cole before the second spell could fully form, his body a blur in the dim light.

Cole barely had time to widen his eyes before Riven's fist slammed into his gut.

The breath whooshed from his lungs in a sharp gasp, the fire in his hand sputtering out as he staggered backward. His feet skidded against the dirt, kicking up loose leaves as he hunched over, clutching his stomach.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Cole's three companions watched with varying degrees of surprise and curiosity. The yellow-eyed one hummed under his breath, his gaze sharpening.

Riven cracked his knuckles. "Come on, Cole." He tilted his head, his voice almost playful. "You were so confident a moment ago. Where's all that fire now?"

Cole's head snapped up, rage burning in his glare. He straightened, his breathing still labored, but his hands were already igniting with another fire spell.

Cole's magic circle flared once more, but this time, his expression held no amusement - only fury. His pride had taken a hit, and Riven could see the exact moment he realized he wasn't in control of the situation anymore.

"You're dead," Cole spat, his voice shaking with rage. He turned his head slightly, his gaze darting toward his companions. "What the hell are you all standing around for? Kill him!"

The three second-years exchanged glances.

The yellow-eyed one, still smirking, let out a low chuckle. "Ah, so we're jumping straight to the murder part? No more 'big brother' speeches?"

Cole's glare sharpened. "Shut up, Kai. Just do it."

Kai exhaled through his nose, stretching his arms lazily. "Alright, alright. But if I kill him too quickly, don't complain." He turned his golden gaze to Riven, tilting his head as if assessing him. "You're interesting. That trick with the fire—haven't seen that before."

Riven sighed. "Do you all just love the sound of your own voices?" He beckoned Kai forward. "Just hurry the fuck up."

Kai hummed, intrigued but unbothered. The other two, however, wasted no time. The one with long silver hair took a step forward, raising his hand, a sharp, gleaming magic circle forming beneath his feet.

Wind magic.

A sudden gust surged through the clearing, rustling the leaves, kicking up dust as a razor-sharp blade of wind shot toward Riven.

Riven moved before the spell could land.

Shadows coiled around his legs, boosting his speed as he twisted out of the way. The wind blade carved through the ground where he had just stood, slicing effortlessly through dirt and stone.

Not bad.

But not good enough.

Riven landed in a crouch, his lips curling as he looked up at the silver-haired mage. "That was cute," he said casually. "You should try again."

The mage's eye twitched. "Cocky bastard."

Cole, still hunched over but recovering, sneered. "Enough playing around! Kill him!"

Kai sighed, finally stepping forward, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off boredom. "Alright, let's see if you're as tough as you act, Riven."

Riven straightened, rolling his neck as the shadows around him pulsed. His fingers flexed, anticipation humming beneath his skin.

'System, alert me if anyone approaches.' Riven commanded internally.

[[ Command Received. ]]

[[ Scanning nearby area... ]]

A brief pulse of mana flickered in his mind as the system began its sweep.

Then—Kai moved.

Fast.

Riven barely caught the flicker of motion before Kai was upon him again, his speed blurring the space between them in an instant.

Kai's movement was seamless—practically liquid. One moment he was standing a few feet away, the next he was right in front of Riven, a sharp gust of wind accompanying his approach. His yellow eyes gleamed with anticipation as his fist shot forward, a blur of motion backed by an unnatural speed.

Riven twisted at the last second, ducking just in time for Kai's punch to sail past his face, grazing his cheek with the force of the wind it carried.

Riven pivoted, his body reacting with the instinct that he learnt from Nyx, his shadows propelling him into a counterstrike. His fist shot toward Kai's ribs, but the second-year read the attack instantly. He twisted midair, his body bending unnaturally to avoid the strike before delivering a sharp kick toward Riven's side.

Riven threw up his forearm to block, but the sheer force behind the kick sent him skidding backward, his feet digging into the dirt.

Damn. He's strong.

Kai landed smoothly, barely winded. His smirk widened. "Oh? You're keeping up. That's rare."

Riven cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as his shadows pulsed around his arms, strengthening his stance. "I'd be disappointed if this was all you had."

Kai's smirk turned sharp. "Careful. I might take that as a challenge."

The air around them shifted. A low hum filled the clearing as Kai exhaled sharply—then vanished again.

Riven was ready this time.

The moment Kai reappeared, Riven's shadows surged forward, tendrils lashing out like whips. Kai twisted through them with feline grace, dodging each strike, his movements fluid and effortless. But Riven wasn't just relying on direct attacks.

The moment Kai evaded his last strike, Riven sent another tendril shooting toward the ground, coiling around his own leg.

Then he pulled.

The shadows yanked Riven forward with unnatural speed, closing the gap before Kai could react. His fist drove forward, a concentrated strike aimed straight for Kai's abdomen.

Kai barely managed to throw up his arms in time.

The impact sent him flying.

He crashed against the forest floor, rolling once before skidding to a stop, a small crater forming beneath him from the sheer force.

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For a brief moment, the clearing was silent.

Then—Kai laughed.

A slow, amused chuckle as he pulled himself up to his feet, brushing off the dirt on his uniform. "Oh, I like you," he mused, flexing his fingers as he rolled his shoulders. "I was going easy before. Guess I shouldn't have."

He exhaled sharply, and the entire clearing seemed to shift. The wind stirred violently, swirling around him like a storm ready to break loose.

Riven braced himself, feeling the shift in mana.

Kai wasn't holding back anymore.