Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Swoosh-!

Swoosh-!

The steady rhythm of Adrian's wooden sword slicing through the air came to a halt as a subtle prickle crawled up his spine. He stopped mid-swing, muscles tense, and turned his head ever so slightly.

Someone was watching him.

Sure enough, just beyond the training field, Isabella stood with her chin resting on her arms, leaning against a tree. Her piercing gaze bore into him, undisguised, almost pure affectionate. Adrian sighed inwardly, though his face betrayed none of his thoughts. He turned back to his training without acknowledging her.

No matter what he said, she wouldn't listen.

The new her which was now known as Bella.

The wooden sword moved again, the familiar motions grounding him. Each swing cut cleanly through the air, the repetition soothing. But as he worked through the forms, his mind wandered—back to that moment.

The scythe boy.

The battle.

And what came after.

Adrian had expected the dimensional crack to appear, though seeing it unfold still sent a tingling sensation through him. To cover up the scythe boy's mistake, another figure had emerged, shrouded in hood and exuding an opressive presence. They had torn open the space itself, leaving behind a gaping void that sucked in everything—everything except those who weren't touched by the Black Weapons.

Thankfully, just before the hooded figure acted, he had used the scythe to stab himself.

'It's good it worked...'

Adrian's grip on the wooden sword tightened as he recalled his reasoning for taking it. He knew the risks. But there had been no other way. If he hadn't claimed the scythe and stabbed it at himself, his memories would have been altered, erased, or replaced entirely.

The Black Star Lord would ensure it.

A shadow passed over his expression, his movements slowing slightly as the truth weighed on him again. The ruler of this world, the one behind the abductions from countless worlds, was a figure shrouded in mystery and malice. The purpose behind the kidnappings was clear, though no less horrifying.

Young people who had undergone the Awakening or similar process in their own worlds—beings with potential, with strength—were stolen and brought here.

Their memories were tampered with, their minds shaped to fit the Black Star Lord's designs. If their mental strength faltered, they would lose themselves entirely, becoming different people.

Yet even when something went awry, the changes were carefully controlled. Their personalities were kept close enough to their original selves—just enough to keep them stable.

But the most chilling part wasn't the memory manipulation.

Adrian's eyes flicked toward the black staff resting on Isabella's hands as he adjusted his stance.

That's right, she too was selected by one of the Black Weapons on The Reckoning.

That fake ceremony was nothing more than an inspection— they would only reveal what one originally had back in their world, though there was a slim chance of discovering hidden potentials with specific conditions.

Anyway, this reckoning was also a test to determine whether the stolen "seeds" were suitable to become the Black Star Lord's pawns. And the weapons in the circle of blades?

They were no gifts.

The black weapons were tools designed to bind their wielders to this world and its ruler. Slowly, insidiously, they strengthened the false memories, drew out the darkness within their hearts, and twisted them into loyal servants. The more someone used them, the further they fell from their true selves.

Adrian exhaled sharply, a faint grunt accompanying his next swing. There were ways to resist, of course, but they were few and perilous. An image of the one person who could easily do it resurfaced in his mind.

The wooden sword paused mid-swing as a single thought pierced through his focus.

Aurelius.

The one who had been left behind.

The hero and hope of their world.

"Hmmm..." Adrian glanced toward the horizon, his gaze distant. "They should have arrived by now," he muttered under his breath, the words barely audible.

Well, originally Aurelius was supposed to be in this batch of 'seeds' however, due to his interference and sort of luck, he was left behind. But considering his character, he would surely enter the dimensional crack to rescue his friends and the others.

Though he disliked the fact his sister would also come. Having a similar personality to Aurelius, she would surely follow along to this damned place. She wouldn't stand idly by while others suffered, especially not when it came to saving her brother. The same went for Ren and Lyra.

'Welp, I just need to make sure to protect her well as well.' Adrian smiled as he stopped to catch his breath. 'Just like always.'

But for now, preparations came first.

'I will also be prepared till they come.'

'However, I have to meet with that person first...'

'The key to our escape from this world - the person who can and will help us in overthrowing Black Star Lord's tyranny...'

Fortunately, Adrian already found her. No, it would be correct to say she found him first.

However, it was difficult to have a proper conversation with her as Black Star Lord's 'eyes' and 'ears' were nearly everywhere.

'This is his world after all...'

Adrian stood still, the wooden sword resting against his thigh as his chest rose and fell with steady breaths. Bella hadn't moved from her spot under the tree, her unwavering gaze making him acutely aware of her presence. He didn't need to look at her to know her expression—soft, affectionate, yet tinged with an unspoken sadness.

Of course, she would be sad.

After all, he had rejected her. Repeatedly. A few times. He had made it clear he didn't see her romantically—only as a junior, maybe even a little sister. Yet Bella, stubborn as always, refused to give up. She had vowed to make him fall for her.
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Adrian sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. Unfortunately, Adrian had no time to fall in love or be in a relationship. Romance was a distraction he couldn't afford. His responsibilities left no room for love.

Besides, he considered being romantically involved or dating before marriage was improper, even though it seemed to have become the norm in this day and age.

Adrian's upbringing and experience had instilled in him a sense of duty, responsibility, and respect for true traditions—some of which he had bent but never broken.

To him, love was sacred, not something to be rushed into or treated lightly. Relationships built on fleeting passions or casual affections felt hollow, unworthy of the weight such bonds were meant to carry.

But even Adrian, with his ever-practical mindset, had a dream buried deep within his heart—a small, fragile hope he rarely allowed himself to dwell on.

He dreamed of marrying a woman who truly loved him, someone who could see past his faults and share the burdens he carried. He dreamed of having children, their laughter filling a home that was peaceful and safe. A place where he could raise them with the same values he cherished, teaching them to live with courage and integrity.

He imagined living a simple life, far from the chaos of battle and the tyranny of rulers like the Black Star Lord or any other. He would still fulfill his duties, of course, but there would be balance—a sense of completion that he had never known.

It was a quiet dream, an ordinary one by many standards, but it was his.

For now, though, it was little more than a fleeting thought—a distant star on the horizon of his mind. That dream would have to wait, buried under the pressing weight of his reality. There were too many problems to solve, too many people to protect, too many lives depending on him to falter.

Adrian took a deep breath, setting the wooden sword down as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Bella waved her hands with a sweet smile, though her hands returned to the black staff beside her.

Adrian's gaze flickered to the weapon again. "That staff…" he muttered under his breath. He didn't like seeing her with it, hated the way it bound her to this world, and twisted her fate, just as it could happen to him if he wasn't careful and lucky.

He clenched his fists, exhaling slowly to calm the storm of emotions that rose within him. Then he straightened his posture, picking up the wooden sword again. Bella's gaze followed him, her expression unreadable.

He didn't look at her as he resumed his training.

He would be ready when the time came.

He had to be.