Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Ria stood at the edge of the training ground, her arms folded across her chest as she watched the group of recruits gather. The Hunter Training program was rigorous, designed to separate the capable from the weak, and those who had been recognized by the Black Weapons already carried an air of confidence about them.

And then, there was Kael.

Though he hadn't been chosen by the weapons either, he stood out like a thunderstorm in a clear sky. He moved with a quiet intensity, his sharp eyes scanning the field as though he were already sizing up every obstacle, every opponent.

Sia's words echoed in Ria's mind.

"You and Kael are alike in some ways,"

Sia had said a few nights ago, her tone unusually serious.

"The weapons didn't choose you because you're not ready for them—they didn't choose you because they weren't worthy for you. Right, that didn't mean they didn't recognize you. This has happened before. Those like you and Kael were trained under the Black Star Lord himself. They became the strongest Hunters in the world wielding the true Black Weapons. Your chances of reaching that pinnacle are higher than anyone else here."

Ria had absorbed that information with quiet resolve. If the Black Star Lord's recognition could lead to such a fate, then she would give her all to reach it. And the prospect of a wish—one granted by the Black Star Lord within his capabilities—only fueled her determination.

Yet, Ria couldn't ignore the other reason she had agreed to join the program despite her discomfort in the crowd: Kael.

Over the course of the first week, Ria had found herself gravitating toward him—not physically, but her thoughts often lingered on him. She had been observing him carefully, trying to confirm a suspicion that had taken root the moment she heard his voice.

It was eerily familiar, almost identical to the one she had heard before she woke up in this strange world.

Ria's mind churned as she recalled every detail. The voice she had heard was deep, steady, and full of resolve. And Kael's voice… it was too similar to be a coincidence.

But it wasn't just his voice.

She had caught his reaction the first time their eyes met. For the briefest moment, his eyes had gone wide—like he recognized her—before he quickly masked his expression. And throughout the week, she had noticed him glancing in her direction more times than she could count.

It wasn't an intrusive stare, but it felt deliberate, as though he were trying to piece something together about her as well.

Ria's instincts told her that Kael either knew her from before or had experienced something similar to her own fragmented memories.

But despite her curiosity, Ria hadn't found a way to talk to him.

For one, Kael was always surrounded by others—students eager to learn from him or simply bask in his presence. He seemed to attract people naturally, his calm yet commanding demeanor drawing others in like moths to a flame.
Discover hidden content at empire

For another, Ria wasn't sure how to approach him. What would she even say?

"Hey, your voice sounds like the one in my dreams. Do you know me?"

The thought made her cringe.

And then there was the weight of her own uncertainty. She wasn't ready to reveal her suspicions—not until she had more to go on.

So, she stayed quiet, watching and waiting, trying to piece together the fragments of her past while throwing herself into the training program with everything she had.

The training itself was grueling, but Ria welcomed it. The intense physical drills, the tests of endurance, and the exercises designed to hone their elemental affinities pushed her to her limits. By the end of each day, her muscles ached, and her body felt like it had been put through a wringer, but her resolve remained unshaken.

Sia guided her in private, offering tips and insights that made Ria's progress faster than most of the recruits.

"Focus, Ria," Sia said one evening as they sparred in the courtyard of her home. "You're doing well, but you're holding back."

"I'm not holding back," Ria replied, wiping sweat from her brow.

Sia raised an eyebrow. "You are. Not physically, but mentally. You're distracted."

Ria hesitated. She couldn't deny it. Kael had been on her mind constantly, and the more she thought about him, the more questions she had.

Sia seemed to sense where her thoughts had wandered. "If you want answers, Ria, you'll have to face him eventually. Avoiding him won't help you find the truth."

Ria looked away, biting her lip. "It's not that simple. I don't even know if I'm right."

"Then find out," Sia said firmly. "From my experience, I can tell that you've never been the type to shy away from a challenge. Don't start now."

Ria nodded slowly, knowing Sia was right. But even so, she couldn't shake the feeling that approaching Kael would change everything—and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that yet.

As the week drew to a close, Ria made a silent vow to herself.

She would continue to train, continue to grow stronger. And when the time was right, she would confront Kael and uncover the truth. Until then, she would wait and watch, piecing together the puzzle one fragment at a time.

But deep down, she knew that the answers she sought were closer than she realized—and that they would come sooner than she expected.

And they did.

A part of it.

___ __ _

The second week of the Hunter Training Program began with the same relentless intensity. Ria pushed herself harder with each passing day, her resolve strengthening with every challenge she overcame. Sia's words echoed in her mind:

"Avoiding him won't help you find the truth."

But it wasn't Kael she would face today.

The sun was still rising when Sia led Ria to a secluded part of the training grounds, far removed from the noise of sparring recruits and the clamor of instructors' shouts. The air here was different—thicker, quieter, as though the very ground held its breath.

"Where are we going?" Ria asked, glancing at Sia's composed face.

"To a place where you can unlock what's inside you," Sia replied enigmatically, her tone leaving no room for further questions.

They stopped in front of a tall, arched door made of obsidian, its surface etched with intricate, glowing runes. Sia pressed her palm against the door, and it groaned open, revealing a dimly lit chamber. Inside, the air was cold, and shadows danced along the walls as though alive.

"This is the Chamber of Awakening," Sia said as they stepped inside. "It's designed to help Hunters uncover their innate Talents. The process will challenge you, but if you trust yourself, you'll come out stronger."

Ria nodded, her chest tightening with anticipation. She didn't fully understand what was about to happen, but she trusted Sia.

"Sit," Sia instructed, gesturing to the center of the room where a faint circle of light illuminated the floor.

Ria obeyed, crossing her legs and closing her eyes. The room fell into silence, broken only by the soft hum of the runes that lined the chamber.

"Focus," Sia's voice was distant, almost echoing. "Let go of your doubts, your fears. Let the chamber guide you."

Ria took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. As she focused inward, a strange sensation began to creep over her. The air around her grew heavier, and a faint, cold mist swirled at her feet, rising slowly to envelop her.

The mist was black as ink, and as it thickened, it seemed to pulse, as though alive. Ria's breathing slowed, her mind sinking deeper into the abyss.

And then, her eyes snapped open.

Glowing in deep, pitch-black purple.