Lawbearer.
That was what people called them. Or more commonly, Mages.
Riven had always heard the word spoken with a mix of awe and fear, as if describing beings not entirely human. Lawbearers were rare, chosen individuals said to be blessed by the world itself. They could bend nature, twist reality, and command the very laws that formed the foundation of existence.
They were called Lawbearers because they held the laws in their hands.
Laws of fire, ice, shadow, time, even life and death—these were no longer abstract concepts to them, but forces they could shape, command, and wield. Each one became fused with a single aspect of the world. And because of that… the world entrusted a fragment of itself to them.
But becoming a Lawbearer was not a path anyone could walk. It was not something that could be reached by sheer effort and discipline alone. It required extraordinary talent from birth, something that could not be forced, bought, or stolen. And that talent… flowed most often in the blood of nobles.
Especially the old noble families—the ones who guarded their lineage with fanaticism, arranging marriages only among other Lawbearers, ensuring their blood remained pure. Generation after generation, the power deepened, took root, and grew, strengthening their hold over the world.
That was why nobles ruled everything—knowledge, land, politics, and of course… power itself.
For commoners like Riven, the chance of becoming a Lawbearer was almost zero. If one ever showed talent, they would quickly be claimed by a noble family, adopted, trained, and turned into a pawn in political games. Even then, they rarely matched true-born nobles. From childhood, they lacked teachers, knowledge, and resources. They were always left behind.
That was why Riven had always felt this world was locked from the start. The world had already decided who was meant to rule and who was meant to be its victims. But looking at the stranger—Aria—a Lawbearer in the flesh, Riven felt as if that impossible door had suddenly cracked open, just a little.
He waited for her answer.
Meanwhile, Melly had just swallowed her last bite of roasted meat. She turned to them, her usually innocent face now brimming with curiosity. Her eyes sparkled, as if she were watching a living fairy tale unfold before her.
Ashtoria, her long red hair falling like dark fire, seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking. Narrowing her eyes, she looked straight at Riven and asked in a level voice:
"I want to ask you first. In your view… what is a Lawbearer?"
Riven hesitated. The question was simple, yet heavy. He meant to answer, but before he could get a word out, Melly burst in with bright enthusiasm.
"A Lawbearer is someone with superpowers!" she exclaimed happily. "They can make fire, fly, heal people! But… they say you need talent and resources to become one. Do you think we could ever have powers like that?"
Her voice carried the tone of a child speaking about heroes from bedtime stories. Riven almost felt the urge to cover his face with his palm. But then he noticed something odd, Ashtoria wasn't laughing. Instead, she was watching Melly intently, as if weighing her words.
Riven let out a sigh and gave a shorter, firmer answer.
"A Lawbearer is someone who can manipulate and control the laws… just like the name says."
Ashtoria nodded slightly, seeming satisfied. This time, her crimson gaze shifted fully onto Riven.
"Then," she asked, her voice dropping lower, "what kind of training do you think would allow someone to manipulate and control the laws?"
The question struck deep. Riven and Melly exchanged confused glances. Both of them fell silent, struggling for an answer.
A few seconds later, Melly raised her small hand, hesitant but determined, like a student about to answer a difficult question.
"Hmm… do we have to do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and run 10 kilometers every day?"
Riven snapped his head toward her, incredulous. "That's from a comic book," he muttered, half annoyed, half amused.
But beneath his reaction, a realization hit him. Even he didn't know the true answer. Once, he had asked a city guard how to become a Lawbearer. The only reply he got was: 'Deepen your understanding of the world and of yourself.'
What did that even mean? How was one supposed to understand the world? By reading books? Staring at stars? Talking to trees? It all sounded absurd, vague, and unreachable.
The books he had read only ever described the greatness of Lawbearers, their wonders, or the terror they inspired in battle. None explained the path to reach that stage.
At last, Riven exhaled heavily. He chose honesty.
"I don't know how."
Silence lingered for a moment. Ashtoria studied the two of them, as if weighing something in her heart. Then, with calm certainty, she spoke:
"You must deepen your understanding of the world… and of yourselves."
Riven nearly opened his mouth to protest, that was no clearer than the city guard's words. But Ashtoria raised a finger, silencing him.
"To achieve this, your bodies must be forged and trained relentlessly. Mana is part of the world, and the world will never allow a weak body to touch it. So you must first strengthen yourselves, while also gathering as much Mana as you can into your bodies."
Riven swallowed hard and glanced at Melly. His sister was listening intently, as if every word Ashtoria spoke was law itself.
"That is why," Ashtoria continued, her tone heavier, "the first thing you must do is push your bodies to their limits every single day. As Melly said, you can start with 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run. For the days to come, I will be watching you."
The air went still. Then Melly's cheerful laughter burst out, breaking the tension. She hopped up, her face glowing with triumph.
"I was right, wasn't I! I was right!" she cried, laughing proudly.
Riven could only stare blankly at her. His entire face read one thing clearly: you've got to be kidding me. But when he turned to Ashtoria, he realized she was not joking. Her expression was cold and serious.
He could hardly believe it. His sister's ridiculous joke had become reality. They were really going to have to do it.
"I will also teach you the technique of absorbing Mana," Ashtoria added, her voice sharp as a blade cutting through the air. "If you endure… perhaps you can become a Seeker."
Seeker.
The word reverberated in Riven's mind. He had heard of it before. A Seeker was the first stage, the proof that one's body had been acknowledged by the world. The starting point of the journey to becoming a Lawbearer.
But not everyone could reach it. Most people stopped there, unable to break through, unable to gain the world's recognition.
And now, Ashtoria, a true Lawbearer, had just said that the two of them had a chance to reach it.
Riven's heartbeat quickened.
"So… you've decided to train us both?" he asked, just to make sure, afraid it was only a misunderstanding.
Ashtoria stayed silent for a moment. The midday breeze brushed through her crimson hair, making her seem more distant, more untouchable. She looked at Riven, then gave a slight nod.
"Yes."