"So this trial is basically what made your family known for swordsmanship?" Riven asked.
"Yes, it’s not something many people are allowed to know, but it’s also not a very well-hidden secret.
It can’t be stolen or replicated, so my family had full control over it," she said.
"I see, and what’s it like exactly?" he asked.
"No mana, that is the first and most terrifying aspect of the trial. It strips away every bit of mana in your body, forcing you to use physical strength and internal energy.
My family has trained in internal energy for hundreds of years, but for someone who is reliant on mana, the trial is hell.
All that matters is your ability to use the sword, as every slash and slice is what stands between you and death, real death.
If you die within there, you are dead, and nothing can save you. Every year, at least three people die inside the trial," she said.
"And you started since you were five?" he asked in shock.
"There is no option for me. I have to try yearly until the day I defeat it and gain new swordsmanship. My family sees strength above everything else," she stated.
"I understand, and I’ll also not back down from this. I’m going all out, and I’ll defeat the trial no matter what, that’s my promise to you, Mia," he said with a smile.
She stared at him. There was a tense moment as they locked eyes. Riven thought that something was about to happen when suddenly, bam, she stepped on his feet with all her strength, sending pangs of pain shooting through his body.
He wanted to scream but couldn’t. He closed his mouth, forcing himself to be quiet. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he looked at her with a gaze that asked, What did I do?
"You think I’ll just allow you to go and defeat the trial that I have spent years of my life struggling to defeat? That’s not possible," she said. She grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, their faces almost touching.
"I’ll not allow you to defeat me at that. I don’t care if you are my fiancé, the trial is for me. I’ll complete it first. I’ll head there after this banquet and make sure I clear it before you can think about starting," she roared.
Riven looked at her. His shocked expression shifted into a smile. "Then you better move fast, because I will not hold back at all," he said.
She clicked her tongue in annoyance and let go of his clothes. "I won’t be defeated," she said and walked away. She turned back after a few steps. "You better not fail after all your big talk. If you fall, my father might just hand me over to marry someone else," she said and walked away.
Riven stood there, a slight blush on his face. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen," he muttered.
"Ahem," Liana cleared her throat behind him. He turned around with a nervous laugh.
She grabbed his hands and began pulling him toward the balcony. Sofia spotted them and was about to head toward them, but then there was an announcement.
The announcement came, and everyone turned as well. Sofia’s father came in a fully black suit. His eyes were cold and detached, carrying a very heavy presence.
Sofia immediately diverted and headed for him as soon as he walked in. Riven noticed it but didn’t do anything. He simply followed Liana out.
They got to the balcony and stood there. The cold breeze flowed over their skin. The moon was high in the sky, shining beautifully and brightly.
They both looked down as more and more people came. She stayed that way while Riven turned to look at her.
"I gathered some information," she started, her words pulling his attention.
"Information about what?" he asked.
"The plan that the kingdom has toward the golden set," she said.
At this point, his attention was fully grabbed. He stood up straight, hands placed on the guard of the balcony.
"Tell me more," he said.
"Special training, special missions. When I say it as special, it makes it seem nice, but it is simply just the kingdom trying to use you how they want.
I didn’t want to tell the others this, but I figured I would tell you because you are rank one, and my fiancé," her voice going quiet toward the end.
"I see, thank you for telling me," he said and then turned around. Leaning on the guard, he looked up into the sky.
"I guess it’s time we get stronger," he said.
She turned to look at him. "Why the sudden rush?" she asked. "I thought you would run away from that to make sure they can’t use you," she said.
"No, let them use me, and I’ll use them to get stronger until I can finally be free from them. Strength is all that matters, Liana, and I need that strength," Riven said.
"I guess that’s true," she said, then she turned to look at him.
"Riven," she called his name and showed him her pinky finger.
"What’s wrong?" he asked.
"Promise me, that you’ll not leave me behind. I haven’t felt this way for any other person—safe, happy, and alive.
All I’ve known from when I was a child was the training that I received. There was no room for me to be free, but you allowed me to have that room for freedom.
You are the only person that I’ve been truly free with, and I don’t want to ever lose that," she said.
Riven looked at her finger. He stretched out his finger and locked it with hers.
"You say the cheesiest lines so easily," he responded and chuckled.
"But you have my word, I’ll not leave you behind. I’ll try my best to never leave you behind," he said.
"Good, because I’ll burn your head off if you did," she said.
"And we are back to the threats," Riven replied.