Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

1,5 months have passed since the princess's banquet.

Adrian's days had become a meticulously planned balancing act, with no room for idleness. The Beast Taming and Training initiative was progressing steadily, a cornerstone of his plans to strengthen the territory.

He had spent countless hours on the program, ensuring it could accommodate not only the tamers but also the beasts themselves, who needed proper care, understanding, and training.

The tamed beasts were already proving to be an invaluable resource, aiding in patrols, transportation, and even agriculture, while rare ones brought money from the buyers. Reports of banditry had dropped significantly, and the people of the territory began to feel a renewed sense of safety and pride.

Adrian spared no effort in supervising the project.

Most mornings were spent at the training grounds, where tamers worked with beasts of all sizes. He observed their progress, offered guidance, and occasionally stepped in to handle more challenging cases himself.

The sight of him calming a restless gryphon or coaxing obedience out of a stubborn drake had become a common occurrence, earning him admiration from both the tamer workers and the townsfolk.

When he wasn't at the training grounds, Adrian focused on his personal growth. His training sessions with Aurelius were physically demanding but rewarding. Aurelius had grown stronger over the weeks, his strikes faster and more precise, but Adrian remained a step ahead, pushing him to his limits.

"Your form's better," Adrian remarked during one sparring session, dodging a powerful swing from Aurelius and countering with a swift, controlled strike that stopped inches from his ribs. "But you're still hesitating before your follow-through."

Aurelius groaned, stepping back and wiping the sweat from his brow. "You make it sound so simple."

"It

is

simple. You're overthinking," Adrian said with a faint smirk.

Their sparring matches often ended like this—Aurelius out of breath and frustrated, Adrian composed but slightly amused. Despite the challenges, Adrian could see the progress Aurelius was making, and he respected the young man's determination and diligence.

As for Isabella, she seemed to be thriving under Aurelia's tutelage. Her control over her Aether had improved dramatically, and she had grown confident in wielding her elemental affinities. Adrian occasionally caught glimpses of their lessons, where Aurelia's calm and methodical teaching style was met with Isabella's earnest curiosity.

Still, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that Isabella's visits served a dual purpose. She had a sharp mind and a knack for observing the people around her. He often felt her gaze linger on him during her stays, as though she were trying to unravel some puzzle.

But Adrian had no time to dwell on her motives. Enjoy new tales from empire

His schedule left little room for speculation, and the demands of managing the territory were unrelenting. Land disputes, resource allocation, infrastructure development—it was a never-ending list of tasks, but he tackled them with the same precision he applied to everything else.

At the end of each day, when the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned a deep shade of indigo, Adrian allowed himself a rare moment of stillness. He would sit in his study, a glass of milk in hand, reviewing reports by candlelight.

On one such evening, Aurelia entered the room, her expression soft but serious.

"You've been pushing yourself too hard," she said, crossing her arms.

Adrian looked up from his papers, raising an eyebrow. "I'm fine."

"You're not," Aurelia countered. "Even you need to rest, brother. You've been running yourself ragged since we got back from the capital."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the window where the faint glow of the moonlight illuminated the garden outside. She wasn't wrong, but there was too much at stake for him to slow down now. He needed to make sure the territory would work even in his absence.

"I can't afford to rest," he said after a moment. "Not yet."

Aurelia sighed, stepping closer. "You've done more than enough already. The Beast Taming business is running smoothly, the territory is thriving, and nobody causing trouble. Take a day, brother. Just one."

Adrian met her gaze, his expression softening slightly. He could see the concern in her eyes, and it reminded him of the promise he had made to himself and his father—to protect her and ensure she never bore the burdens he carried.

"Fine," he relented with a small sigh. "One day."

Aurelia smiled, a mix of relief and satisfaction. "Good. I'll hold you to that."

As she left the room, Adrian returned his attention to the reports, though his focus wavered. Perhaps Aurelia was right. A single day of rest wouldn't hurt.

But even as he considered the possibility, his mind was already planning the next steps in his ever-growing list of responsibilities.

_____ ___ _

The following morning dawned calm and serene, with golden sunlight filtering through the windows of the dining hall. Adrian and Aurelia sat together at the table, enjoying a rare leisurely breakfast. Aurelia had insisted he take the morning off, and for once, Adrian had complied. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and herbal tea filled the air, mingling with the peaceful atmosphere of their home.

"You should take mornings like this more often," Aurelia said as she sipped her tea, her tone light yet pointed.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "I'll consider it," he replied, though they both knew it wasn't a promise.

After breakfast, Aurelia coaxed him into touring the garden with her. The garden was at its most vibrant, with flowers in full bloom and the gentle hum of bees flitting from petal to petal. They strolled along the cobblestone paths, their pace unhurried for once.

"Do you remember when Father used to bring us here?" Aurelia asked, a faint smile gracing her lips as she gazed at a cluster of roses.

Adrian nodded, his expression softening. "I do. He always told us to find peace here, no matter how chaotic things got."

Aurelia glanced at him. "Maybe you should listen to him for once."

Before Adrian could reply, a guard approached, his steps measured yet urgent. The guard stopped a few paces away, bowing deeply before extending a letter toward Adrian.

"My lord," the guard said, his voice steady. "This letter arrived just moments ago."

Adrian took the envelope, immediately noting the wax seal—a familiar symbol emblazoned in crimson. He exchanged a glance with Aurelia, her sharp gaze mirroring the recognition in his own.

"The academy," she murmured, her tone tinged with curiosity and unease.

Adrian nodded, breaking the seal with a practiced motion. As he unfolded the letter, his eyes scanned the lines quickly. A wry smile crept onto his face as he finished reading, and he let out a quiet chuckle.

"What is it?" Aurelia asked, leaning slightly closer, her curiosity now fully piqued.

Adrian folded the letter neatly and handed it to her. "It seems like our time here is about to end."