Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar felt much better thanks to Drusilla's and Zahara's healing magic, and once that was done, he noticed Valentina approaching him with a concerned expression as she suddenly hugged him.

This shocked the girls and the surrounding Hunters, as she is known to be stern, but the blonde whispered that only he could hear. ''Thank you for helping me, Rae. I thought I was going to die, then you appeared.''

''Well, the Devils caused the crash,'' he revealed. ''I felt that horrible pulse erupt from the craft before it was taken out, but everything happened too fast.''

Raegar sighed before continuing. ''But we should head back to the school as we've missed Light Days classes.''

Valentina smiled, letting him go just as a Healer Hunter rushed up to them as more Order forces arrived, only to be shocked when all the Devils were dead and there wasn't anything to fight.

A big man with salt and pepper hair appeared after taking off his helmet and saluted the blonde. ''Inquistor, we rushed out here from Willowbank, but it looks like we weren't needed,'' he said.

The older woman laughed, motioning to Raegar. ''This is Raegar Blackwood, nephew of the Lord Inquisitor Amara and the famous Tetraarch Mage that attends Drakenwood and will become one of its best students as he killed all the Devils along with their Lord.''

When the older man heard this, his brown eyes widned before nodding at him with respect. ''Thank you for helping us young master, I've heard about some of the things you've done over the last year.''

Raegar chuckled. ''Yes, those merchants like to talk on their travels, and I was only heading home when I came across the pirates,'' he said.

Following that, Valentia and the man went about their work setting up Anti Devil Runes with the blonde promising to come see him on his day off. This confused him, but he shrugged and made his way over to the four girls.

The group huddled together, their voices a low hum of excited chatter and whispered gossip, the morning air crisp around them, causing him to think. 'Hopefully, there's no more Devil attacks after the Rune is activated.'

When he got close, laughter and murmurs mingled as they chatted. Suddenly, Dominique paused, her eyes catching a glimpse of something in the distance. She pointed toward the horizon where a faint path snaked through the grasslands.

''Baldur says the road to the school lies that way,'' she announced, a bright smile spreading across her face. ''Come on, let's get moving!''

Her words ignited a wave of agreement, ripples of enthusiasm spreading through the group. With eager glances, they fell in step behind her, boots crunching rhythmically on the earth as they walked toward the road.

The surviving Hunters, their faces etched with gratitude and relief, turned to Raegar, who had guided them through the perils they'd faced. One by one, they offered heartfelt thanks, their voices heavy with respect.

Raegar gave a simple nod in return, his eyes scanning the group to ensure no one was left behind as Drusilla flew into his pocket and got comfortable as they said their goodbyes to the Hunters.

With the path ahead clear thanks to all the Devils being killed. As the four of them walked, the air suddenly changed causing them to stop. The girls heads swivled around only to see nothing.

''What is that cold feeling?'' Selene asked, her voice tinged with unease as she glanced around, her yellow eyes scanning the surrounding trees.

Her breath caught slightly, visible in the suddenly frosty air.

''It's the headmistress,'' came the low, certain reply from Raegar, his gaze fixed ahead.

No sooner had he spoken than a figure materialized before them, as if conjured from the mist itself. The blue-haired woman stood tall, her presence commanding and serene, yet her piercing eyes landed on the group.

''I'm relieved to see all four of you safe and unharmed,'' Headmistress Von Hohenstein said, her voice laced with a warmth that softened her typically stern demeanor.

Her sharp blue gaze swept over the group, assessing them with a mix of concern and relief. ''When Valentina reported that students were caught in a crash, my heart sank. Hearing your names among those involved sent us into a frenzy. We've been scouring the area since last night, searching for any sign of you.''

Raegar let out a laugh, his shoulders shaking as he waved off her concern with a casual flick of his hand. ''No need to worry, Headmistress. The Order was already on the scene when I woke up, and the Red Gate opened.''

This caused the older woman to nod as he continued talking. ''We survived the crash without a scratch, found a safe spot to hunker down for the night, and got some rest until I got woke up the next morning.''

The headmistress nodded before revealing. ''I will be teleporting you guys back to school.''

As the words left her lips, she froze with wide eyes as Drusilla's head popped out of his pocket, yawning. ''What's going on, Rae? Why is it so cold?''

''Why do you have a Dark Fairy Raegar Blackwood?'' the headmistress questioned suspiciously.

He looked at the little bond and answered. ''I bought her from the auction house in Brightwater City, it pissed people off but it doesn't matter as I don't care about them or their angry words.''

The girls quickly jumped in with Selene adding. ''Headmistress, Drusilla is lovely and has helped us out a lot, she even healed Rae from the assassins poison.''

''It's the reason we survived,'' Zahara said confidently. ''If he wasn't healed, the Night Creatures would have gotten us.''

''What about you D'Ambrose?'' the older woman questioned.

Dominique shrugged. ''There's nothing wrong with Dark Fairies if you listen to the stories, but you could say the same for Necromancers?'' she answered.

The headmistress laughed but started nodding. ''Yes, you're right. Dark Magic isn't bad, it's the people that use it, funny enough, some of the nicest people I know are Death Mages and Necromancers.''

''Aren't there Death Temples in the north that provide healing and food for the poor?'' Selene asked, her voice bright with curiosity as she tilted her head. ''My father always spoke fondly of them, saying they're generous but cautious, keeping strangers at arm's length until they've earned their trust.''

Headmistress Von Hohenstein nodded. ''Your father's not wrong, Selene. They are known for their charity, offering healing and meals to those in need, no matter their station. They're sanctuaries in the far north, rooted in traditions. But their wariness runs deep, forged by years of safeguarding sacred rites from outsiders. It takes time and sincerity to earn their welcome, as they value loyalty and respect above all.''

The older woman paused, her gaze softening as a faint smile touched her lips. ''It's a delicate balance of kindness and caution, Selene, a lesson worth learning if you ever find yourself at a Death Temple. But enough of that for now; you'll explore such matters in your classes soon enough. Our priority is getting you five back, where you'll be safe and sound.''

With a wave of her hand, a shimmering mist unfurled from her fingertips, swirling around the group like a living veil. Raegar felt a sudden tug, as if an invisible force had hooked his core, pulling him through space itself.

He noticed the world blur for a heartbeat, the chill of the mist mingling with a fleeting sensation of weightlessness. Moments later, the fog dissipated, and they stood in the familiar stone-paved courtyard of the school.

The towering spires of the school loomed overhead, their weathered gargoyles gazing down as if welcoming them home, while the distant hum of student chatter echoed from the halls beyond.

Once back, the headmistress turned to them and concluded. ''Now rest for the day and make sure you're ready for classes.''

She looked at Raegar and Drusilla, who were sitting on his shoulder, watching the scene with her big blue eyes. ''She can enroll in your classes, it seems you both will be with each other for years to come.''

The beautiful Fairy nodded, beaming. ''Yes, headmistress! We're bonded now!'' she exclaimed.

Following that, Corrine left the garden, and Raegar was about to speak, but Selene summoned her sword and pointed it at him, grinning. ''Show me your true strength, Rae, and this time don't hold back. If you do, we're no longer friends.''

''Are you sure?'' he warned, narrowing his eyes. ''When we fought previously, I held back ninety percent of my power; this time I won't and will show you what I can truly do.''

As those words left his lips, the Demoness got excited and trembled as she replied. ''Yes! Let's do it.''

Once that was decided, Selene led them toward the training field, where there was an arena for students to fight. While walking, Raegar tried talking to Dominique, but she didn't say anything about their kiss last night and ignored his question.

'She's embarrassed or in denial,' he mused, smiling. 'I'll let her work it out and make the next move.'