The King's gaze remained forward, but his words cut again. "What was his name?"
He did not look towards Jacob this time, but to the herald.
The herald quickly turned to him, as he fumbled with his scroll. "Y-Your majesty.... I believe his name was... Riven."
"Mmm. Yes. Riven."
Murmurs sparked like flames.
"Riven?"
Instructors exchanged glances, quiet tension forming.
The king's words lingered in the vast chamber, pressing down like gravity.
"Riven," the herald confirmed, voice unsteady.
The name ran through, as everyone turned to the rows of students.
"Bring him forward," the king commanded at last.
He didn't raise his voice, but it carried as though he did; an echo crossing through the walls.
Some instructors stiffened whilst others frowned.
The Princess wore an intrigued expression as she gazed at her Father.
What was the meaning of this?
The Elite Class turned to the back, confused just as much.
There was only one who didn't turn....it was his previous opponent, Jacob.
His head was lowered as he stared at the floor.
To the crowd it appeared to be humility.
They hadn't seen the faint tightening of his jaw....the slight tremor in his fingers.
His name had just been etched into history....
'As it should have been.'
Yet another name had already been called?
And the donkey above him had interrupted him no less; braying, stubborn, crowned only by chance and not worth.
Action.
Tap. Tap.
No flourish, just a few quiet steps forward from the back.
The sound of his boots echoed against the marble.
Heads turned.
One by one, gazes shifted from Jacob and fell towards him.
The nobles were stiff with indignation. The students, half curious and questioning.
Riven's strides were unhurried as his his brown hair swayed slightly.
Each step drew attention as though the light itself bent towards him.
Those grey eyes were staring into the air.
Tap tap tap
By the time he reached the centre, silence had drowned the chamber.
He now stood next to Jacob, whose gaze was still fixed on the floor; as if refusing to acknowledge the shadow now beside him.
Only when the silence pressed did he lift his eyes.
When he did, he noticed that donkey's eyes were not on him....but rested fully on the thing beside him.
Measured.
"You too shall be granted the crown's favour." the King declared, his voice cutting through the air once more.
A ripple shot through.
Shock.
Disbelief.
"...What??"
"Unheard of..."
"Disgraceful--"
Some nobles twisted their faces, eyes flashing with disgust as though the King had dropped something in their food.
Even some instructors furrowed their brows as postures spoke to their unease.
The Elite Class was divided:
Veyna was staring with revulsion.
Seris was surprised.
Enyx was grinning, he loved the sounds of dismay.
Torin raised a brow.
Selle followed in motion.
Even Fayl had to blink a few times to digest it.
The murmurs swelled until one of the guards beside the King slammed down his staff.
THOOM!
Silence came, though tension was evident.
CLICK!
The King remained unmoved, his gaze firm.
Standing beside him, Prince Samuel leaned forward, lips curling in distaste.
"Father, this one?" he muttered, loud enough for those near to hear.
The very idea seemed to stain the crown for him.
Princess Saphira tilted her head, her eyes were watchful but her expression was void.
Unlike her brother, she didn't sneer, though questions rose in her gaze as she measured the figure beneath her.
CLICK!
The King ignored his seed, "You will be granted the same opportunity," he said, words ringing against the floor as he gazed at Riven.
Those around couldn't believe it....
Disbelief written on countless faces.
To grant such an honour to Jacob was expected.
To extend it to him....
Was it not an insult?
Jacob turned, finally looking at the thing beside him.
His gaze was steady, eyes grey.
CLICK!
The unintentional recipient of those looks, Riven, was lost in thought.
What was he thinking...?
It took a few seconds, but then Riven's eyes drifted across the hall.
The silence pressing was thick, he could feel it.
Stares that demanded he falter.
The King's gaze did not relent.
"Speak."
Riven turned upwards.
Those watching were rooted.
His lips parted...
The chamber waited...
"Release Kalen Voss. Drop his charges."
The words dropped like a stone into water, ripples were bound.
A sharp intake of breath came from some nobles.
Their polished masks cracked. Disgusted as outrage flashed.
'...For him?!'
The prince sneered as his lips curled.
"To waste a wish on a criminal, and a cheater no less. Truly are cut from the same..." he muttered, loud enough for most.
The Princess froze, surprise lingering.
Those students at the back whispered wide-eyed as they leaned forward, some even doing so just to see Jacob's reaction.
Jacob continued to look at the thing beside him.
Expression unreadable, as his silence was heavier than the whispers.
Instructors moved slightly, more stiffening with disapproval.
The King simply looked.
Then, slowly, his fingers tapped the railing of the balcony.
His voice carrying with an almost bored calm.
"Very well."
The words echoed, final and absolute.
CLICK!
Silence clung to the hall for a breath, stretched thinly, before it shattered.....
BOOOOOOMMM!!
A deafening crack split the air.
Dust conveyed through....
It was an explosion.