Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar watched Rune's eyebrow raise, shrugging. ''She was messing around, but we ended up getting along. Alice's friends ditched her thanks to my scars and Domi being the Death Princess.''

The Vampress slapped his arm playfully. ''There's nothing wrong with your face, Rae, we've all told you it doesn't bother us,'' she reassured.

Zahara, Selene, and Zahara agreed as Alice commented. ''Most people are bothered by it in Drakenwood, but it's not bad. I wonder what you look like without it.''

''We know bitch,'' the Demoness joked. ''It took him weeks to get over it, no need to drag up those memories again.''

Just then, Rune slapped his shoulder as he spoke. ''Wait until he's healed, I swear all you girls will be falling over him. I'm keeping Julia away from you.''

Everyone laughed as Luna added wood to the fire. ''Ask Caspian here, he captured his older sister's hearts and now their always asking after him,'' she revealed.

Raegar's eyebrow rose, but his black-haired friend complained. ''Don't encourage him, it's bad enough I saw him kissing them!''

Alice looked at him, eyes wide as she mumbled. ''You kissed the Drakenwood twins?''

''They kissed me, especially Mirelle,'' he answered defensively. ''These idiots seem to forget that fact. Even ask Vienna, she was there.'' Note: Check M_VLEMPY_R for any corrections.

Everyone's head snapped toward the blonde girl, who giggled nervously. ''He's speaking the truth. Mirelle and Sasha came onto him while his face was as red as Selene's skin.''

The Demoness huffed, prompting the others to laugh as Caspian added. ''They've been speaking about you all the time, my mother is sick of hearing about the Blackwood boy and claims the twins are hooked.''

After their conversation, the group pressed on through the corridor. They stepped into the dining hall, where hundreds of students were already seated, their chatter rising like a tide as people ate.

The long tables were covered in steaming dishes, and the clatter of cutlery echoed faintly. Zahara cast a quick, knowing glance at him. ''Go find a seat, Rae,'' she said smoothly, leaving no room for argument. ''I'll grab your food and be right back.''

Raegar gave a curt nod, but before he could respond, Rune tugged him down into the seat beside Caspian, the wooden bench creaking under their weight. Across the table, the girls settled in, their laughter mingling alongside the lively clamor of the dining hall.

Moments later, Zahara reappeared, weaving through the crowded rows. She slid a heaping plate toward him, piled high with glistening cuts of roasted meat, vegetables, and herbs, the steam curling upward.

''Eat up,'' she teased, eyes glinting as she sat down.

Raegar's eyes widened at the sight of the heaping plate, the savory aroma pulling him in like a magnet. Without a word, he grabbed a fork and dove in, tearing into the roasted meat like a fat boy seeing chocolate after a prolonged absence.

Chunks of tender beef disappeared into his mouth, followed by heaps of caramelized vegetables and a fistful of herb-crusted bread he snatched from a nearby basket. His cheeks puffed out as he chewed, barely pausing to breathe, let alone speak.

Caspian leaned back, a grin spreading across his face. ''Slow down, it's not running away!'' he quipped, nudging Rune, who was already stifling a laugh.

Across the table, the girls burst into giggles. ''Raegar, you're gonna choke!'' Selene teased, her voice barely audible over the dining hall's clamor.

Zahara leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand, her teasing smirk growing wider. ''Do I need to ask the headmistress to ?" she said, eyes dancing with mischief.

Alice, sitting beside her, snorted, nearly spilling her drink. "Look at him go! It's like he's training for a feasting contest!"

Raegar, undeterred, reached for another slab of meat, sauce smearing across his chin as he mumbled something incoherent through a mouthful. The table erupted in laughter, Rune clapping him on the back so hard he nearly dropped his fork.

Even the nearby tables glanced over, amused by the spectacle. ''Oi, save some for the rest of us!'' Caspian called, snatching the bread basket out of Raegar's reach, which only sent the group into another round of howling laughter.

Following that, they continued eating until Selene leaned over and whispered. ''Rae, want to skip classes and come see my parents with me? Mama asked to see me, she said it was important.''

''That's fine,'' he answered.

This made the Demoness beam as she mouthed. ''Thank you.''

After another ten minutes, everyone had finished eating, leaving them the last group in the dining hall. They said their goodbyes as the girls hugged him while Alice waved. They began heading to their classes.

Drusilla woke up and flew out of his pocket, transforming into her bigger version, saying. ''I'm going to stay with Zah and Domi, I want no part in whatever family drama you're getting involved in.''

Reagar chuckled as he leaned over and kissed the Dark Fairy girl, making her go stiff at the touch. When Selene saw this, her yellow eyes opened wide as the blonde ran after the other as she gave the Demoness a shit eating grin.

''Are you two a thing now, Rae?'' she questioned.

''Yes sort of,'' he revealed. ''We're waiting until you all meet Yuki, I wouldn't betray her like that.''

As the duo approached the school entrance, a swirling blue fog halted their steps, drawing a confident grin. ''Hey, Corrine, what's this? I haven't caused trouble, have I?''

The older woman let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. ''No, nothing like that. Miss Bloodrose asked for my permission to travel outside, and I need to know you'll keep her safe.''

Raegar's eyes sparkled with a playful charm. ''Of course, Corrine. Sel's my Demoness, means the world to me. No cultist or Devil's getting anywhere near her.''

His words effortlessly charmed both women without him noticing, making Selene's cheeks flush a deeper red as Corrine laughed softly. ''Well, aren't you something?'' the headmistress teased. ''I'll teleport you both there. It won't take much Aether.''

A swirl of blue fog enveloped them, and in an instant, they materialized a few miles outside the city. His brow furrowed in confusion, prompting Corrine to clarify with a knowing smile. ''The City Lord's barrier blocks teleportation inside the walls.''

Raegar nodded, a spark of understanding in his eyes. ''Smart move. Keeps those Devils from popping up uninvited.''

Selene, looking pale and unsteady from the teleport, swayed slightly. Raegar instinctively stepped closer, gently rubbing her back as he flashed a reassuring grin. ''You'll be alright, Sel. Come on, let's get moving.''

Corrine's lips curved with amusement. ''I'm heading back to the school for a staff meeting,'' she said abruptly. ''But Raegar, make sure you meet with Cecilia when you return.''

With a final nod, she vanished in a shimmer of fog, leaving them to their journey. He nodded just as the older woman vanished. Once she was gone, the Demoness turned to him, smiling. ''Let's get going.''

Following that, the duo entered the city and made their way to the Bloodrose shop that was owned by Selene's parents. While walking, Raegar noticed there were dozens of people coming and going.

But what caught his eye was the guards patrolling the streets alongside the Devil Hunters and Knights. When the Demoness saw this, she leaned in and whispered. ''Mama said the City Lord has increased security thanks to dozens of attacks happening across the north.''

As they neared the gate, a sharp command sliced through the crisp evening air. ''Halt! State your business!'' a guard bellowed from atop the ramparts.

Raegar's eyes flicked upward, catching the glint of armor as the soldier leaned forward, scrutinizing them. He pushed back the hood of his cloak, revealing his weathered face and piercing gray eyes.

A moment of tense silence hung between them, broken only by the distant cry of a hawk circling overhead. The guard's stern expression melted into a broad, toothy grin. ''By the flames, it's the Ghost!'' he roared. ''Open the gates! Now!''

The heavy iron portcullis groaned as it rose, the sound of grinding chains echoing through the quiet valley. Shouts of recognition rippled among the other sentries, their murmurs buzzing like a stirred hive.

Selene shot him a sidelong glance, her lips curling into a wry, knowing smile. She stepped closer and murmured. ''It seems your legend precedes you, Ghost. Word of your deeds is spreading faster than wildfire across Dawnfire.''

Raegar let out a low, rumbling chuckle, his breath misting in the cool air. ''A legend's only as good as the trouble it brings,'' he replied, chuckling. ''Let's hope Brightwater's more welcoming than the last town.''

Following that, Selene grabbed his hand before leading him through the busy streets while dodging the people. He spotted year two and three students roaming the streets, thanks to the Empire giving the school a Skyhaven Carrier.

'I wonder why they did that?' he mused. 'I'll ask grandfather when I go to their place.'

The two of them walked for some time until they spotted the Bloodrose shop at the end of the road.