Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar looked at Zahara, Dominique, Emily, and Ann, who were staring at him with amazed expressions. He answered honestly. ''Yes, I drove the enemy armies from the Southern Lands, killing every pirate who tried to raid Blackwood County.''

''How did it feel to kill all those people?'' Emily questioned. ''I heard you used a spell that can wipe out an army, is it true?''

''I used Stormfire Bullet and Lightning Blast,'' he revealed with a smile. ''Those are the only two spells I use and need for the moment.''

The four girls nodded as a familiar woman stepped into the room and spoke to the students. ''Morning, children! I'm Professor Silversahde and will be your Aether Fundamentals teacher for Class S this year. Now sit down and make sure you're listening. I have something to go over.''

A hush fell over the classroom as every head whipped toward the green-haired professor standing at the front, her presence commanding instant attention. Ann and Emily scurried back to their desks, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence.

Raegar felt the weight of the professor's gaze as she offered him an approving smile before addressing the room. ''As you're all aware, our academy faced a Devil Incursion at two critical points,'' she announced, her voice clear and authoritative.

''The first was neutralized by Professor Morries and the Order. The second,'' her blue eyes flicked briefly to him, a spark of pride in them. ''Was defeated through the extraordinary teamwork of a student and Professor Crowhurst.''

Whispers spread through the room, glances flickering toward Raegar, who remained unruffled, stifling a weary yawn. ''We're erecting Anti-Devil wards around the school. No one leaves the grounds until the Order deems it safe.''

Then, hands flew up as Zahara did the same, only for the professor to pick her. ''What is it, Miss Ashbourne?''

''How can they open portals like that?'' she curiously asked. ''Shouldn't the empire be more worried?''

Professor Silversahde nodded. ''The Imperial Guard and High Command are taking this seriously. If I remember correctly, the Order has dispatched every Devil Hunter it has in its ranks to most cities across the empire.''

She turned around and started writing something on the board, continuing. ''They are stretched thin, meaning Inquistor Vaelthorne has requested the year three and four hunters to aid the knights in Willowbank and Brightwarer.''

The class took in the information and started gossiping, which the professor allowed. Moments later, the green-haired beauty approached his desk with a knowing smile as she leaned on it while looking at him.

'Oh shit what is she doing!' he internally complained as it felt like the older woman was trying to charm him.

The professor's eyes gleamed with admiration as she spoke, her voice carrying a hint of awe. "Witnessing the Ghost of the South in action with my own eyes was nothing short of breathtaking. Especially from one so young, it was like I was reading about the Aether King from the legends.''

''I reckon by this time next year, Raegar, you will surpass your father, Alaric, sooner, and when that day comes, when the son outshines the father, I'll owe him a drink, as our old wager from years ago demands.''

His eyes widened as he asked. ''You know my parents?''

Professor Silverslade noddded. ''That I do. We fought together years ago when the Demon General was fighting the Stormrune Kingdom alongside your mother, who was a talented Fire Mage.''

Zahara and Dominique were surprised, which amused the older woman, who admitted. ''I haven't spoken to them for years. I did hear about your birth and sent a letter, but I couldn't come visit as life was crazy back then, thanks to the Ashen Veil causing wars and famines all across Kaldorra.''

''Yes, mother told me those days were bad,'' the blonde commented. ''The empire was always at war with someone.''

''My siblings said the amount of monsters that appeared during those days brought adventurers from other continents here to hunt,'' Dominique added.

Raegar was curious and questioned the older woman. ''Are there accounts in the library?''

''There is,'' she answered before curiously asking. ''Do you like reading?''

''Yes, he does,'' Zahara interrupted with a big smile. ''He's the only one out of all of us that likes books.''

Professor Silvershade giggled as a sparkle lit up in her blue eyes, nodding. ''Interesting, a warrior and a scholar. A rare combination nowadays, especially among the nobility, as they think having the strongest spells is what it's all about.''

''They are wrong,'' he revealed. ''No matter the spell, if you don't understand the fundamentals, then you'll fail. It's one of the reasons I can't get to Vapour to make my Aether stronger.''

When the woman heard this, she nodded with a thoughtful expression. ''It's good that you know your limits. If you like, I could give you extra lessons to help bring out the best of your Aether. I believe because you're the Tetraarch, it will take longer for you to progress, unlike your friends here.''

''What do you mean?'' Dominique asked.

''For example,'' she said and pointed at both girls. ''You both are Triarchs, who have three elements to improve. Then you can ascend to Tier Two or even Vapour, but it's still faster compared to what Raegar has to do with all eight.''

His friends' faces flashed with shock, then softened into apologetic looks, but he dismissed their concern with a wave. ''No worries. It's part of the journey, why I joined the school. Sure, Grandfather Griffin could've helped, but I'd have missed something vital if I hadn't come here.''

''That's a good attitude to have,'' Professor Silverhsade said, looking at him. ''Stay behind after class, I would like to talk to you.''

Raegar couldn't help but nod with a smile. ''Of course, professor.''

The older woman nodded as she approached the front of the room and shouted to get everyone's attention. ''Settle down now, children! Who can tell me how someone jumps to Vapour as beginner mages?''

When the students heard this, they grew quiet as a boy put his hand up, prompting the professor to pick him. ''Yes, Quentin, what is the answer?''

''We buy pills from the school shop and take them before meeting in one of the Element Gardens,'' the blonde boy explained. ''If I recall, that's where the monopoly kicks in. Going solo or with family risks things going wrong, but here, the headmistress and staff guide us through.''

''Brilliant answer!'' she exclaimed. ''Five points, Quentin, now take out your pass.''

Raegar observed the professor scan the boy's Academy Pass. The class then covered Aether basics, familiar to him from reading in the past, though he learned that imagining a spell's effect better sharpened its precision.

Zahara and Dominique scribbled notes, their focused expressions caused him to smile as he found them adorable. He kept looking at both, prompting the vampire girl to look up with a knowing look.

''Enjoying what you see? Not many boys would look at two girls at the same time,'' she said.

He couldn't help but give her a charming smile that sent Dominique's heart racing as he replied. ''Yes, you both are pretty and I like looking at you both.''

''Huh!'' Zahara exclaimed in surprise while blushing.

Dominique glanced away, a playful smile tugging at her lips. ''Such a playboy, charming the professor and now us. Should we be worried?''

''Not unless you hate excitement,'' he answered with a chuckle.

Following that, the trio tuned back into the lesson. The current lesson offered little new to Raegar, but he was eager for the next, where the professor would dive into moving on to Vapour, which excited him.

By the time the bell when, the older woman looked at him. ''Stay behind, Raegar. I want to talk to you.''

''Meet us at the hall entrance, Rae,'' Zahara said with a big smile. ''We'll wait there for you.''

''Okay,'' he replied.

Dominique shot him a coy grin, her eyes lingering as she sauntered off with the blonde. Soon, the classroom emptied, leaving only Raegar as Professor Silvershade walked in his direction and settled next to him.

Raegar's gaze instinctively flicked to her curvaceous figure, those thick thighs and alluring waist, before she caught him with a playful smirk. ''Eyes up here.''

''S-sorry,'' he stammered, a flush creeping up his neck.

She waved it off with a sultry chuckle. ''No need to fret. I know how you Blackwoods are, especially if you're anything like your father and his brothers.''

''What's that supposed to mean?'' he asked.

Her smile turned mischievous, a teasing glint in her gaze. ''Oh, you Blackwood boys have a reputation for fancying older women. Take your mother, she's older than Alaric, and it's downright charming how he pursued her for years.''

''Seems like everyone knows them or some member of my family,'' he muttered in annoyance.

The professor started giggling before suddenly hugging him and shoving his head into her cleavage as she spoke. ''Thank you for being friends with my Luna, she's an awkward girl but it seems like she likes your group.''