Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar looked at the beautiful green-haired professor and was honest. ''Luna seems fine, I haven't spent much time with her, but that will change as time passes. She and Caspian seem to get on good.''

''Good,'' she said, taking out eight small capsules and a book, explaining. ''These will help you get to Vapour, but please wait until I have some free time. I'll guide you through the first part.''

''I'm free after classes today if you have the time,'' he answered. ''I can meet you then?''

The older woman nodded with a big smile and glowing blue eyes as she cleaned her glasses. ''Sounds good to me. Meet me by the entrance of the Northern Courtyard when the last bell rings?''

Raegar nodded gratefully. ''Thank you, Professor,'' he said warmly.

She beamed before preparing for her next class, Raegar bid her farewell and left to join his friends. Shortly after, he encountered a group of students who sneered at him just down the hall.

''Well, if it isn't Professor Silvershade's favorite,'' one taunted. ''Sure, you helped defeat the Devil, but something about you just doesn't add up.''

''Yes, what sort of person keeps that hideous scar out in the open? Why not cover it up?'' One of the girls said with disgust. ''I feel sorry for anyone who gets close to a monster like you, strong, yes, but still a monster nonetheless.

He sighed just as the ringleader stepped for only for his head to snap back as a fist crashed against his head. Just then, Raegar noticed Rune barreling past him like a rhino as he bulldozed into the group and started laying them out with swings of his giant arms.

''You do not insult my friend!'' the big guy bellowed.

Followed by that, Vienna and Luna appeared to deal with the girls who insulted his scars, catching him off guard. While standing there, Dominique explained. ''Rumors have it that some of the professors think your abilities are a lie and would use any reason to expel you from the academy.''

''That's why those three are beating them up, as you won't get in trouble,'' the blonde added.

Raegar chuckled. ''They wouldn't be able to throw me out, considering some of the staff like me and the biggest trading company in these parts can vouch for my skills,'' he revealed.

Moments later, one of the boys tried to attack Rune from behind he appeared between them and slapped the bully. A loud clap echoed out, which sent him flying backward and crashing into the nearby wall.

Just then, Professor Silvershade opened her classroom door and noticed what was happening, causing her to sigh. ''Get to lunch, you five, I'll have Head Nurse Kitsunia come check on these idiots.''

The older woman turned to her daughter and warned. ''No more fighting, Luna.''

''They insulted my friend, and I don't want the other professors having something over him,'' she answered in her defence.

Raegar couldn't help but smile as he spoke. ''Thank you, but as your mother said, it's not worth the risk when the headmistress is most likely to let those teachers go before I leave the school.''

''Enough chatter!'' Professor Silvershade called out. ''Go eat and unwind.''

The five friends strolled to the dining hall, laughing and talking with other first-years. Once there, they grabbed their lunch trays and settled at an empty table. As Caspian took his seat, he noticed Dominique and Zahara sitting close to Raegar.

Surprised, he remarked. ''What's going on? Since when are those three so tight?''

Raegar grinned and gestured to the group. ''Caspian, meet Dominique D'Ambrose, Domi, this is Caspian Harker.''

''Domi?'' Dominique said, eyes narrowing. ''Don't call me that that you little shit.''

Raegar smirked. ''So you can shorten my name, but I can't do the same? That's not fair, isn't it?''

The vampire girl giggled, which made Zahara huff. Raegar playfully poked her side, prompting a startled yelp. ''Rae!'' she exclaimed, swatting his hand. ''Don't do that, you scared me!''

''They are protective over him,'' Rune revealed. ''Like territorial cats protecting their mate in the wild.''

The girls flushed at the banter, but he chuckled, and the group began eating. While eating and talking, he discovered Zahara had Healing, while Dominique and Rune had Monster Summoning.

Caspian shared Raegar was enrolled in Politics, Vienna was in Healing with the blonde, and Luna had Summoning with Dominique. ''So, I assumed you could already summon monsters with Yuzuki?'' he teased Dominique with a grin.

''Her and Baldur were lucky,'' she revealed as the owl appeared from a portal and landed on his head.

Raegar smiled at the Black Northern Owl while stroking the creature, who melted into his hand, making Dominique smile as she spoke. ''Why do these two love you? Are you sure you're not a summoner?''

''My Dark Aether speaks to them,'' he answered with a charming smile. ''Remember, I can use all eight, and these guys can sense that and want to be close to me.''

The group went wide-eyed before Zahara questioned. ''Can you use healing magic?''

Raegar chuckled, shaking his head. ''Nah, I can't. My second mom, Saki, tried teaching me it when I was younger, but I never got the knack for it, so I gave up. Besides, I've got you and Vienna now, though she's more of a Battle Healer.''

''Yes, we will become the best dungeon diving team on Kaldorra by the end of the year!'' Rune declared. ''With Rae at the front, we can conquer them and the Gates.''

Everyone agreed, causing Raegar to become embarrassed, but Dominique leaned in. ''And I'll be your support, I can be a scout or mage with my Dark Aether.''

''Perfect,'' he replied, making the girl beam.

''Really? I could be useful to you?'' she whispered.

Raegar nodded, going into detail. ''Summoners can use a wide range of monsters in many situations, especially with the Earth and Dark elements. You could easily be an attack mage in a dungeon, but do what makes you comfortable.''

Dominique's green eyes widened in shock as he continued. ''How about I find you some books? This could help you wield your powers better?''

''That would be nice,'' she answered with a smile. ''Thank you, Rae.''

Raegar nodded. ''You're welcome, Domi,'' he said.

Moments later, the vampire girl was hitting his arm, which caught everyone's attention, making them laugh. That's when Caspian spoke up. ''Did you know the slave markets will have a fairy for sale at the auction this Dark Day?''

''They are real?'' he asked the black-haired boy.

Caspian nodded with a grimace. ''Yes, a Dark One at that, apparently she's cursed, and the auction house is trying to unload her to the highest bidder. Rumors say the nobles are interested in her.''

Raegar's red eyes glowed as he pulled out his pouch of gold and started counting as everyone looked at him. Zahara shook her head, questioning. ''Are you planning to buy her? No surprise they are a female-only race.''

''It's nothing like that, Za,'' he replied. ''I want to free her. Fairies are powerful Aether beings who thrive when free, and I've always wanted to meet one.''

''And you're willing to give up your wealth for such a thankless feat?'' Dominique asked.

Raegar gave the vampire girl a charming smile, answering. ''I hate slavery, especially with beings so rare. The Vaelthornes have been working to eradicate it. Grandmother Elysia has saved a group of fairies in the past who honored her and now can walk in the Fairy Forest on the lost continent of Azuthra.''

''Then Dominique and I are coming with you!'' Zahara declared.

This caught him and the vampire off guard, but he agreed, teasing the blonde. ''It's a date then, Za.''

When the brown-skinned girl heard this, her cheeks went dark, making everyone laugh, including the vampire, who didn't say anything. Zahara quickly spoke. ''Well, it could be, but it's to keep you out of trouble, we'd have to sneak out, and I know the only way.''

''How do you know this?'' Luna questioned.

''I'll show everyone the next Dark Day,'' the blonde responded. ''I don't want it to mess with our excursion into Brightwater.''

Rune chuckled. ''She means date, sister.''

Vienna started giggling as she added wood to the fire. ''I told you those scars wouldn't scare all the girls away. They aren't my thing, but I bet you look different without them.''

Raegar laughed. ''Yes, I was told by the Blackwood citizens I was the best-looking boy in the country,'' he jokingly bragged.

His friend burst out into laughter as Caspain commented. ''Well, that's surprising. You would give children nightmares if you approached on a night. Like one of the Skinweaver stories we used to hear about as children.''

The table went quiet at his remark as everyone, apart from Raegar, looked at him, who suddenly started laughing before retorting. ''Carry on, Cas, and I'll charm your sisters when my scars are gone.''

Everyone watched as the black-haired boy's face went red, but soon a voice appeared from behind him. ''Charm us, you say? Did you hear that, Mirelle?''