Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

''Official,'' Raegar declared without hesitation.

He glanced at Drusilla, his smirk widening. ''And that goes for you, Yuki, Domi, and Zahara.''

When the Dark Fairy heard this, her cheeks went red, prompting Selene to stand up and sit next to the blonde. Moments later, Corrine, Valentina, and Zahara stepped into the nurse's office.

''Rae,'' the blue-haired woman said. ''We've locked up the member of staff who attacked you, thanks to your aunt Amara. I believe she was using a drug that would've enslaved you if you had sex.''

When hearing this, Raegar shivered all over but glanced at a smiling Selene as Valentina interrupted. ''We assumed the strange woman was a part of one of the Demon Cults, but she wasn't. She was alone in her actions.''

His eyebrow rose in curiosity, prompting him to question. ''What happened to the cultist attack?''

Corrine cleared her throat, her voice steady as she answered. ''We've pieced everything together while you've been asleep. The cultist didn't act alone, at least, not at first. We found proof that they used three staff members to infiltrate the academy.''

Raegar was instantly interested as she continued. ''They were kitchen staff and were low-tier, easy to manipulate. Each one was slipped a compulsion charm, subtle enough to avoid detection by the school wards.''

His brow furrowed, his smirk long gone. ''Staff members? How'd they get to them without tripping the shield?''

The older woman's lips pressed into a thin line. ''They were already inside. The aides had been here for months, trusted enough to move freely. She must've targeted them during the last supply run to the city during the winter. It was a slow burn. By the time we noticed, you had killed most of them.''

Valentina chimed in, her tone sharp. ''We caught another group trying to disable the Runes around the school. Lord Inquisitor Amara's team was quick, took everyone into custody so they couldn't do more damage. She also arrested the woman who drugged you.''

Raegar's jaw tightened, the memory of the drug and its intended effect still fresh. ''And the staff? Are they still under the cultist control?''

Corrine shook her head. ''Not anymore. Amara and I broke it using a cleansing ritual. They're shaken but cooperating, spilling everything they know. The cultist was a lone operative and was after you specifically, Raegar, though we're still digging into why.''

Drusilla's eyes widened, and she glanced at Raegar, who met her gaze while nodding. Selene jumped up, her expression fierce. ''No one's getting near him again," she said, her voice low but firm.

Zahara joined them. ''I'll be there to heal him through his journey. In a year or two, my healing will be the best in the empire.''

Leaning in, she finished, ''I can heal your grandmother now, Rae. Once break comes, we'll head to their home.''

Raegar's red eyes blazed as he turned to Corrine and Valentina. ''I'll wipe out the Devil Cultists in the Northwest. They'll never threaten Drakenwood again when I'm done.''

The older women shared warm smiles while bidding farewell to the group, each returning to their tasks. Once they left, Dominique appeared, her face lighting up as she wrapped him in a gentle hug.

''I'm so glad you're okay, Rae,'' she said softly.

Raegar returned the embrace, his arms wrapping around Dominique. "I owe it to Selene and Drusilla," he said, his voice steady but warm. "They got there just in time to pull me through."

The Vampress's gaze softened as she turned to the three girls standing nearby, their presence a quiet testament to their bond. With a smile, she stepped forward, enveloping Selene and The Dark Fairy in heartfelt hugs, her gratitude spilling over.

''Thank you both,'' she said earnestly, her voice thick due to the emotion. ''I don't know what we'd have done if you were badly hurt.''

Following that, they went to breakfast. Drusilla returned to her tiny form and slid into his pocket, becoming comfortable. Moments later, Zahara slid beside Raegar and commented. ''Looking forward to getting healed? I remember your face before the scars. It's worrying.''

He was just about to reply, but a voice rang out from behind them. ''So you're the infamous Raegar Blackwood. I don't know why you didn't copy Jasper and take the Vaelthorne name instead of keeping your father's one.''

Raegar spun around, his gaze landing on a redheaded girl with sun-kissed, tanned skin standing confidently among three other girls. Her fiery hair and bold presence sparked a flicker of recognition, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

''Alisha's sister, I presume?'' he said, his tone cautious but curious.

Selene leaned in close, her voice a whisper near his ear. ''That's the Southern Fairy,'' she murmured. ''One of Drakenwood's top students.''

Raegar's brow lifted, a mix of intrigue and wariness crossing his face. The redheaded girl smirked, stepping forward. "Yep, Alisha's my sister," she confirmed, her voice bright. ''She told me to introduce myself, but I've gotta say, the rumors about you, Raegar? They're wild. Care to set the record straight?''

Her words hung in the air, playful yet probing, as the other girls exchanged glances, clearly eager to see how this encounter would unfold.

His eyebrow rose just as Dominique intervened. ''What do you want, Alice?''

The redheaded girl cast a sidelong glance at Dominique, her lips curling into a teasing smirk as she scrunched up her face. ''So, he's cozying up with the Death Princess,'' she said. ''Now that's an interesting twist.''

Raegar caught the flash of irritation in his Vampire girl's green eyes, her posture stiffening at the jab. Stepping forward, he waved a dismissive hand at the redhead. ''Whatever you've heard about me is probably true, and I couldn't care less what Drakenwood's rumor mill churns out. But these three?''

He gestured to Dominique, Selene, and Zahara, his gaze hardening. ''They're off-limits. I don't care if you're Alisha's sister, play your little games, but drag them into it, and we'll have a problem.''

When Alice heard Raegar's words, she tilted her head, a cascade of red curls. A fleeting moment of surprise flickered across her delicate features, and a warm, reassuring smile curved her lips.

''Raegar, I assure you, I harbor no grievances against you,'' she said, her voice soft but earnest, carrying a sincerity that seemed to bridge the gap between them. ''The news caught me off guard, nothing more. I'm not one to judge based on whispers or rumors.''

Raegar's expression stayed guarded, skepticism and curiosity flickering across his features as he scrutinized her. Nearby, Selene leaned in, her voice sharp but laced with reluctant respect.

''You say that, Alice, but you're a rare one among your kind,'' she remarked, her tone carrying the weight of experience. ''Most nobles wouldn't deign to look at us, let alone have a conversation. They look down their noses, seeing only our calloused hands and patched cloaks, not the lives we lead or the strength we carry.''

The girls standing behind Alice bid their farewells and walked away, their faces marked with peculiar expressions. His gaze narrowed as he noticed them casting disdainful glances at the redhead. Note from the editor: Always check MV2LEMPYR for corrections.

Alice fidgeted nervously, but Zahara stepped forward with a warm smile, welcoming her to the group. ''It seems the other nobles don't share your perspective?'' she remarked gently.

He watched as the girl's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, her fingers twisting the hem of her sleeve as she glanced at the retreating figures of the other noble girls. Their whispers lingered in the air, sharp and cutting, though too soft to make out.

She forced a small smile, trying to mask her unease, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. Zahara, unfazed, placed a reassuring hand on Alice's shoulder. ''Don't mind them,'' she said warmly. ''They're just clinging to old ways. You're here now, and that's what matters.''

Raegar, still watching the departing group with a guarded expression, leaned against a nearby pillar. His arms crossed, he tilted his head toward Alice. ''They'll come around,'' he said, though his tone carried a hint of skepticism. ''Or they won't. Either way, you've got thicker skin than they think, don't you?''

Alice hesitated, then nodded, her posture straightening slightly. ''I hope so,'' she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

She glanced at Zahara, grateful for the support, then back at Raegar, whose piercing gaze seemed to weigh her resolve. He shook his head while changing the subject. ''Let's get something to eat, I'm hungry.''

Raegar and the four girls fell into rhythm as they headed toward the hall. The corridors buzzed with life as other students flooded in, and their chatter and laughter bounced off the walls.

As the group reached the dining hall's grand entrance, his gaze landed on four familiar figures waiting just outside: Caspian, Rune, Vienna, and Luna. Their faces lit up at the sight of them, and they called out with a mix of enthusiasm.

''Rae! Over here!'' Rune's booming voice echoed down the corridor.

This scared Alice, who yelped, making everyone laugh as they approached their waiting friends. When they arrived, the four of them were staring at the redhead, causing Caspian to look at them.