Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend
Chapter 186 - 186: Are We Done Here?

Raegar stepped into the arena just before it was blocked off, thanks to the dungeon, as he summoned his armor. Drusilla flew into the air while casting a dozen Dark Lances, waiting for the boss.

A chilling mist swirled across the arena floor, cloaking the ground in an ominous haze. Without warning, a horde of Tier One Banshees surged forward, their piercing wails slicing through the air.

'The boss's minions?' he mused.

Raegar reacted with lightning speed, sidestepping a vicious claw swipe that grazed the space where he'd stood moments ago, and saw the sharp tips just in front of his face as he moved out of the way.

In one fluid motion, he channeled his energy, unleashing a radiant Light Blast that erupted. The undead women shrieked as the brilliant light consumed them, their forms disintegrating into ash, leaving only silence and the fading mist in their wake.

Drusilla was confused and looked around. ''Where's my target?'' she questioned. ''Did that Light spell just wipe them all out?''

He chuckled at her reaction but nodded. ''Yes, I took your advice and will start mixing my elements.''

Just then, Raegar jumped back as a massive sword pierced the ground where he was just standing. His eyes widened just as Drusilla shoulder-checked the Undead Knight, sending the creature flying.

The boss crashed into the wall and dropped to the ground as the Fairy appeared, with a grin from ear to ear. ''Did you see that, Rae?''

''Yes, you flung the thing across the arena,'' he answered, chuckling. ''It was impressive, Dru,

Following that, a pulse washed with an oppressive aura as the Tier Three Boss appeared in front of them. Its massive blade gleamed with evil energy, but he was unfazed, his eyes blazing with determination.

The knight lunged, but Raegar was a blur, weaving through the attack with an unnatural speed. In a heartbeat, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, his sword dancing in a whirlwind of precision.

Each slash was a masterstroke, carving through the knight's cursed armor and rotting flesh with ease. Within moments, the towering foe was reduced to thousands of fragmented pieces, scattering across the arena floor like ashes in the wind.

The air stilled, the oppressive aura shattered, as he dismissed his blade, his breath steady. Drusilla, hovering nearby, let out a cheer, her wings sparkling with awe at the effortless triumph.

Raegar plucked the glowing core from the shattered remains of the Tier Three Boss, its pulsating light warm in his hand, before tucking it safely into his satchel. He moved with purpose, gathering the smaller cores left by the fallen Banshees.

With a final glance at the arena, they stepped out of the dungeon, emerging into the crisp, early afternoon air. As they crossed the threshold, they nearly collided with Joseph, the towering guard captain, flanked by a man in an official uniform.

Joseph's eyes widened at the sight of them, his weathered face breaking into a booming laugh that echoed through the fortress. ''Three hours!'' he roared, slapping his knee, his voice a mix of disbelief and admiration. ''How in the blazes did you clear that cursed pit so fast, lad?''

Drusilla fluttered beside Raegar, her wings shimmering with pride, while he flashed a roguish grin, the weight of their victory sparking in his eyes. ''Just a bit of teamwork and a sharp blade,'' he quipped.

Raegar strode toward the school entrance, his mind already shifting to meeting with his friends in the courtyard. Drusilla hovered at his side while chatting about these Brightshakes he told her about.

Just then, a figure stepped into his path, halting him in his tracks. She was striking, with light blonde hair cascading in soft waves, framing a face with wide, luminous pink eyes that seemed to hold a spark of mischief and authority.

A gaggle of students trailed behind her, their whispers buzzing like a swarm of curious bees. Raegar's brow furrowed, his instincts sharpening. 'One of the popular girls,' he thought, sizing her up. 'What's her angle?'

The stranger's lips curved into a confident smile as she extended a hand with an expression that looked down on him, which annoyed him. He didn't like these types of girls who believed they were everything.

''I'm Andora Brightfire, cousin to Empress Dahlia Dawnfire,'' she sneered, her eyes raking over him with haughty disdain. ''Meeting the Tetraarch in the flesh is... quaint, but honestly, that horrible face of yours would be less of an eyesore if you slapped on that mask I saw you hiding behind on the first day of school.''

Raegar was unbothered and slapped away her offered hand while answering. ''I don't care who you are or if you're the empress's cousin. Don't come up and insult me like a stuck-up bitch.''

A grin appeared on his scarred face as he concluded. ''I won't stop her next time.''

Just as the noble girl took in his response and a look of shock appeared on her face. Moments later, Drusilla's temper flared, her fist clenched and swinging toward the noble girl's face. He caught her mid-strike, his grip firm but gentle.

Raegar pulled her close, pressing a sudden kiss to her forehead. The act was like a spark to a fuse; she froze, her eyes wide with shock, her usual fire short-circuited by the unexpected tenderness.

Her body went limp in his arms, a rare vulnerability overtaking her. He chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief, as he steadied her on his shoulder as she slumped down on him with a happy smile.

The shocked noble girl was standing there silently, her haughty expression shattered, jaw slack, and utterly speechless at the display. Moments later, one of her lackeys, a wiry boy with more bravado than sense, lunged forward, his hand clamping onto his shoulder in a clumsy attempt to assert dominance.

Reagar's response was instantaneous, his form blurring as he vanished in a flicker of motion, reappearing behind the boy. With a precise kick to the back of the boy's knee, he sent him crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.

A groan escaped the would-be attacker's lips as he sprawled in the dirt. Reagar stood over him, his stance relaxed but radiating a quiet menace, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced back at the blonde.

''Care to send another one of your lapdogs my way, or are we done here?'' he taunted, his voice low and edged with a confidence that made it clear he was in control.

Andora didn't say anything as the group rushed off, just as Selene and Dominique appeared from the main building. He watched the two women approach him before the Demoness greeted.

''Getting new girls, eh?'' she teased.

Just then, Drusilla came back to reality and swatted Raegar's face before exclaiming. ''She treated him like she, but our Rae showed her who's boss! Her face was priceless.''

The duo looked curious as Zahara, Vienna, and Rune appeared from the garden. When the Dark Fairy saw this, she started telling them what happened but embellished it to know end, making him laugh.

By the time Caspian and Luna arrived, Drusilla was done, causing everyone to look at Raegar in shock and horror. The giant boy shook his head as he let out a low rumbling laugh. ''Doesn't surprise me with our friend, it's clear he dislikes the stuck-up nobles and has made an enemy out of Andora.''

Reagar raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with skepticism. ''So, who is she really, beyond just being the empress's cousin? Got any actual strength to back up that lofty attitude?''

Zahara smirked, leaning in slightly as if sharing a guarded secret. ''Andora's got some real power, wields three elements: Fire, Wind, and Light Aether. She's in my healing class, and let's just say she's got skill. But her real claim to fame? Being one of the popular girls, coasting on the empress's name.''

'Interesting,' he mused before Vienna commented. ''Let's get going, I want to be back before sunset.''

As Reagar and the group continued their trek toward Willowbank Village, the road crunched beneath their boots, and the distant clatter of wheels drew their attention. A steady stream of merchant carriages, laden with crates and sacks, rumbled along the road toward Drakenwood.

He noticed their wooden frames creaking under the weight of supplies. The air carried the faint scent of fresh bread and dried herbs, mingling with the dust kicked up by the horses as shouts echoed out.

Selene, walking alongside them, nodded toward the procession. ''The school's got an appetite bigger than a dragon's,'' she said with a wry smile. ''They order so much food from Brightwater that these merchants keep a constant train of carriages running. Never stops, Drakenwood's always stocking up to feed the horde of students and staff.''

Selene laughed, a sharp, knowing sound. ''Might as well be an army. Drakenwood's got hundreds of students, half of whom burn through mana like it's kindling. Add in the professors, the training grounds, and those bottomless feasts at the Grand Hall, and you'll see why Brightwater's merchants are practically on the payroll.''

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