Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

After walking down the road for a while, Raegar and his eight friends finally appeared in front of the Willowbank gate. The sturdy wooden barriers, reinforced with iron, loomed tall, guarded by vigilant soldiers of the Dawnfirian Army.

'Using Aether Metal,' he mused, staring at the strong metal entrance. 'Must get attacked by hordes of monsters a lot, this will be a good place to train.'

He noticed the soldier's armor gleamed faintly under the afternoon sun, and their eyes scanned them with scrutiny. Raegar, clutching his weathered Academy Pass, stepped forward alongside his group.

The guards, recognizing the sigil of Drakenwood on the passes, exchanged nods before stepping aside, granting them passage as the commander spoke. ''Welcome first years, behave yourself, or the headmistress will hear about it.''

That's when the older man looked at him, only to go wide-eyed as he bowed his head respectfully. ''Young master Blackwood. It's an honor to meet a young man with such skill that it shooks the empress herself.''

Raegar's eyebrow arched in surprise as another guard stepped forward from the ranks, his weathered face breaking into a grin. ''We were part of the relief force sent to aid in the Carrier crash,'' the stranger declared. ''I saw it with my own eyes, you slaying the Devil Lord single-handedly while shielding the Hunters from certain doom.''

The words hung in the air, and he felt the weight of eight pairs of eyes turning toward him. Rune's jaw dropped, Caspian's usual smirk faltered, and the rest of the exchanged stunned glances, their expressions a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

He let out a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously, his cheeks tinged with a faint flush. ''Well, that's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" he said, attempting to deflect.

Before he could say more, the commander stepped forward, his heavy boots thudding against the cobblestones. He regarded Raegar with a knowing look, his lips twitching as if suppressing a smile.

''Dramatic or not, it's no small feat,'' the older man continued, picking up where the guard left off. ''It's downright astonishing that a student of Drakenwood Academy could pull off such a stunt. But then again, you Blackwoods have always been a peculiar breed of nobles, never ones to follow the usual paths, always doing whatever suits your fancy.''

Raegar's laughter faded into a thoughtful smile, though his mind raced. The mention of his family name, Vaelthorne, stirred a mix of pride and unease. The Blackwoods were indeed known for their reckless deeds that defied convention.

Yet, the commander's words carried an undercurrent of curiosity, as if probing for more than he was ready to reveal. Behind him, Rune whispered something to Caspian, who responded with a low chuckle.

This happened, as the others exchanged murmurs, clearly eager to hear more about their leader's unexpected heroics, which Dominique, Selene, Zahara, and Drusilla knew about, but not all of it.

As they stood within the shadow of Willowbank's towering walls, the bustling sounds of the village, merchants haggling, children laughing, and the distant clang of a blacksmith's hammer seemed to fade.

His thoughts drifted to the Carrier crash, the chaos of that fateful day, and the monstrous Devil Lord whose defeat had earned him a reputation he hadn't sought, but he shrugged as it didn't bother him.

'At least the Blackwood name will spread,' he thought, grinning. 'That will make Grandmother and Grandfather happy.'

Raegar and the group were warmly received by the guards, who eagerly spread news of their hero's arrival to the villagers. The sudden attention was overwhelming, though he couldn't bring himself to spurn their hospitality.

''Damn people and their kindness,'' he muttered, chuckling.

Seconds after their arrival, the group was met with respect. As he stepped into Willowbank, his breath hitched. The village seemed plucked from the pages of a fantasy novel, its beauty and quaint charm both enchanting and unforgettable.

The main street, paved with smooth cobblestones, stretched ahead, flanked on either side by rows of stores. Their wooden frames and whitewashed walls were decorated with climbing ivy.

Modest homes were built outward from the central road as the village expanded over the years, and places were built when needed, their gardens blooming with flowers that lent a splash of color to the tranquil settlement.

Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the breeze. Raegar's gaze lingered on the towering stone wall that encircled the village, its weathered surface spoke of a lifetime of use.

He knew well the stories of Willowbank's struggles, ferocious monster attacks that had plagued the region for years. While admiring the place, Rune turned to them. ''Follow me, guys, I'll be the guide until you get used to Willowbank!'' he exclaimed before walking off.

Following that, he trailed behind the giant boy as Dominique appeared beside him with a knowing expression. ''Next time, wake us up to fight, you've seen my Death Knights. They are Tier Ten and can help.''

Without answering, he leaned over and kissed the pretty Vampire on the cheek. This action caused her grey cheeks to go bright red as she jumped away, holding her cheek. ''Don't do that, Rae!''

Raegar let out a soft chuckle and caught up with the group, falling into step beside Zahara and Selene, who were animatedly gossiping about the Brightshake. Overhearing their chatter, he turned to the blonde with a grin.

''I'll cover yours, Selene's, and Domi's shakes,'' he said warmly. ''I'm looking forward to trying them myself.''

Selene and Zahara lit up with bright smiles at Raegar's offer, just as the Vampire, now composed, appeared beside them. Raegar caught her eye and gave a playful wink before Rune chimed in.

''It's just a five-minute walk from here, and we've beaten the usual crowd of students. The place is normally packed, but the second and third years are off on a trip,'' he revealed, causing everyone to get excited.

After a short walk, the group reached their destination, and Raegar found himself captivated by the sight of a bakery that seemed to straddle two worlds. It could have easily belonged on Earth with its warm, inviting glow, yet it exuded an unmistakable fantasy-like charm.

The building's ivy-draped stone face and arched windows framed with wooden carvings gave it an enchanting aura. Inside, the lively hum of conversation filled the air as villagers savored freshly baked pastries and steaming drinks.

The staff darted between tables, their arms laden with trays of golden bread and beverages, weaving through the bustling crowd with a cheerful efficiency that added to the bakery's vibrant charm.

Raegar stood for a moment, taking it all in, the scent of warm dough and sweet spices pulling at his senses, grounding him in this strangely familiar place. Moments later, the others approached the counter.

The counter, a polished slab of dark wood etched with glowing runes, drew their attention immediately. Behind it stood an extraordinary contraption, an Aether machine, its sleek, metallic frame pulsating with soft, iridescent light.

He noticed the device hummed faintly with energy, a melodic thrum that seemed to resonate with the bakery's ambiance. Glass tubes coiled around its core, filled with swirling liquids in shades that bubbled and danced as if alive.

This was the source of the famed Brightshakes, milkshake-like drinks infused with Aether Fruits, known for their delicious flavors and subtle, magical aftereffects on the body, causing all the students to love them.

Raegar leaned closer, intrigued, his eyes tracing the machine's design. ''Never seen anything like this,'' he murmured, half to himself.

Selene, standing beside him, bounced on her toes, her white hair catching the light as she peered at the menu above the counter. He noticed all the girls were excited to try the Brightshakes.

''They've got Strawberry Bliss, Moondrop Blueberry, and Emberfrost,'' she read aloud, her voice brimming with excitement. ''Which one are you getting, Rae?''

Zahara, ever the skeptic, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. ''Hope these live up to the hype,'' she teased, though her gaze lingered on the machine's glowing tubes.

Domi, quieter but no less intrigued, tilted her head, studying the device as if trying to decipher its mechanics. Rune flashed a grin at the barista, a young woman with pointed ears and a streak of silver in her hair, who was operating the machine's levers and dials.

''Strawberry Bliss for me,'' the giant boy suddenly declared, resting a hand on the counter. ''And make it quick, these lot are starving for a taste of magic.''

Once that happened, Vienna, Luna, and Caspian ordered theirs while the four girls glanced back at Raegar. Selene's yellow eyes glinted with mischief. ''You're still paying, right, hero?''

Raegar chuckled, pulling out a small pouch of coins that jingled with a clink as he piled. ''I'll pay for everyone's drink,'' he replied as his gaze briefly flicked to the Vampire, who had been unusually quiet since their kiss.

She met his gaze and flashed a warm smile, her green eyes sparkling. He then ordered four drinks, selecting a Moondrop Blueberry for himself while the others picked their flavors, and he covered the cost.