The following afternoon, Alex returned to the training grounds, this time determined to observe Riven more closely. Word of the crown prince's cousin and his dark mana prowess had already spread among the young nobles, drawing small crowds.
Riven was in the center of a clearing, moving with fluid precision, his dark mana swirling around his fists in controlled bursts. Each strike cut through the air like a whisper, each movement deliberate, measured—but with an undercurrent of raw power that could not be ignored.
Alex watched from the sidelines, noting the way Riven's body adjusted for balance, the subtle flick of his wrist to redirect energy, and the elegance in his stance despite the strength behind it. The boy's painted nails caught the sunlight briefly as he gestured and manipulated his mana, a small, striking contrast to the darkness of his aura.
"Impressive," Alex murmured, stepping forward. "Most fighters focus only on strength. You're integrating control and presentation."
Riven's dark eyes flicked toward him, a sly grin forming. "And you… you notice details others miss. I like that. Few do." He paused, then tilted his head. "Care to spar? Nothing serious, just… observation in motion."
Alex nodded. "I accept. Observation without action is incomplete."
The clearing became their arena. Alex held back, testing the limits of Riven's movements, while Riven adjusted subtly, responding not with brute force but with rhythm and finesse. Their exchanges were brief flashes—dodges, counters, controlled bursts of elemental energy, and silent challenges passed through eyes and posture rather than words.
A few times, Alex caught himself ysmiling at Riven's flair, the playful but confident way he manipulated his mana. Riven, in turn, noticed the careful thought behind Alex's movements, the way he anticipated rather than reacted.
After several minutes, Riven stepped back, letting the dark mana dissipate, a small cloud curling around his boots. "Not bad," he said, smirking. "Most would have either overextended or underestimated me by now. You… you adapt quickly."
Alex inclined his head slightly. "And you respect the control as much as the strength. That's rare."
A silent nod passed between them—mutual acknowledgment of skill, wit, and character. No words were needed to establish that this was the start of a connection that would shape both their paths.
As they left the clearing, Riven leaned casually against a stone wall, tossing a playful glance at Alex. "Cupcake," he said quietly, testing a nickname, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Alex blinked, caught off guard, but allowed himself a small smile. "We'll see if it sticks, Ry."
Riven's grin widened, knowing that it already had.
Author's Note :
Wait… did he just call him Cupcake?! 🫦 I see what you did there, Riven… smooth. 😏