Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar continued cooking his campfire bread after putting some monster meat on a stick to hang over the fire. When the flames hit it, a delicious smell hit his nose, causing his stomach to growl.

He chuckled, flipping the bread over so it wouldn't burn as he noticed several carriages rushing toward Willowbank Village. Thanks to spending so much time in the darkness, he was able to see the settlement.

The village was built around a massive willow tree, its sprawling branches overhanging the banks of a river that he figured flowed into the West River. His gaze swept over the serene scene.

Nestled around the ancient willow tree, the village gave off a quiet charm. Homes of weathered stone, their thatched roofs golden in the morning light, lined the cobblestone streets that wound through the settlement.

The stones, smoothed by years of footsteps, gleamed faintly under the soft sun. Across the gentle ripple of the river, a sturdy stone bridge arched gracefully, its path inviting travelers into the heart of the village.

His lips curved slightly, the peaceful beauty of the place easing the weight of his journey for a moment. Moments later, the food was done and prompted him to douse the bread with melted honey butter before tucking in.

Raegar realized the meat was still hot and burned his fingers as he tried to put it on a plate he pulled from his ring. He got comfortable and started eating while watching a nearby camp light up thanks to the fires.

This didn't bother him, thinking. 'At least people are nearby.'

Reaching into his pack, pulled out a fresh bottle of sake and took slow sips, the warmth spreading through him until his head spun. An hour later, he crawled into his tent, the alcohol lulling him into a deep slumber as the night settled around him.

He stirred awake with a yawn, crawling out of his tent as the morning sun climbed high in the sky. Rubbing his eyes and muttering to himself. ''The test's tomorrow. Plenty of time to reach the academy.''

After a few minutes, he packed up his camp and hit the road again. The path buzzed with activity, more carriages and travelers from Brightwater City heading the same way, their chatter blending with the creak of wheels.

As he entered Willowbank Village, the streets hummed with activity. Students and their families bustled about, stocking up on supplies for the final leg to the academy. Merchants lined the cobblestone paths.

Their voices rose as they hawked their wares, eager to catch the attention of every passerby. He ignored their calls while reaching the end of the street and the road that led to Drakenwood.

Raegar continued down the road until the academy came into view, and the sight stopped him cold. His eyes widened, a stunned thought racing through his mind. 'What in the world is this?'

Sprawled atop a hill, a castle made out of light grey stone towered above the landscape with the sea on one side, its scale dwarfing even a certain school from the stories back on Earth that he read about.

He could see all different sections and even a field of some sort down the hill. The grounds buzzed with life. Students his age swarmed the courtyards, their chatter mingling with the clatter of trunks as families hauled supplies, traded hugs, or marveled at Drakenwood.

Robes of every color fluttered in the breeze, and the air crackled with anticipation. His eyes widened, a grin tugging at his lips. 'This place, it's alive, bigger, better, and mine to conquer,' he thought.

Raegar shook his head and approached the entrance of Drakenwood, where a bustling line of students waited to pass through. Carriages rolled by, waved forward by staff members stationed at the towering gates, their red armor glinting under the sun.

While admiring the scenery, he spotted the symbols on the guard's armor, which was a white dragon standing on the top of a hill with the sun as a background. This caused him to think. 'Is this that the hill the academies built on?'

Following that, he joined the line, the sound of excited gossip filling the air as students chattered among themselves. Academy staff moved, ushering each person forward, handing out name tags.

Raegar noticed they were recording names and hometowns for the records. An hour later, he reached the front, where an older man and woman stood, their warm, welcoming smiles putting him at ease.

''Hello, young man, I'm Professor Greenhill, and this is Professor Oakshard,'' the brown-haired man greeted. ''Here to take the test, I assume?''

''Yes,'' he answered.

''What do I have to do?'' The woman was the one to explain while holding a quill and paper. ''I need your details, please.''

When hearing this, he responded. ''Raegar Blackwood and I come from the Blackwood County further south.''

Professor Oakshard was writing something down before handing him a tag, informing him. ''Take this and go queue up for the Aether Tests. You'll be organized into testing groups for the next ones.''

''What are the tests? How many are there?'' he asked, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

The older man answered with a knowing smile. ''First is the Aether Test to determine your group. Then comes the Power Test, followed by a sparring match against one of the Combat Professors.''

''Thank you,'' he said while taking the tag and sticking it on his shirt

Following that, Raegar entered the academy grounds and noticed it was a massive garden with benches all over. He noticed dozens of students lingering around as he approached the Aether Testing area.

Signs led the way, and soon enough, he stepped into an outside amphitheatre where more professors were standing around a podium with a testing crystal. A line was forming, prompting him to join it.

Moments later, he spotted a group of girls off to the side, laughing, but one caught his eye. A red-skinned girl with red horns and glowing yellow eyes, white hair tied into a ponytail, as she wore adventurer's armor.

'Samael's daughter,' he thought, just as he started listening to the gossip.

''Did you hear? The Southern Fairy is joining Drakenwood!'' a boy said.

Raegar turned in the direction as a girl replied. ''Yes, rumors say that she's a Triarch Mage, just like the Death Princess.''

The tests unfolded, with most students channeling a single element, their Aether sparking in vibrant hues that drew murmurs from the crowd. A dozen wielded two elements, their displays earning gasps of awe.

When Samael's daughter stepped forward, her Aether flared from the crystal in brilliant yellow and purple, silencing the onlookers in stunned admiration. She could use two elements, but one of them was extremely rare.''

''She has the Chaos Element,'' the boy in front said.

The stranger's friend nodded. ''Yes. The headmistress can also use it. She's a powerful Tier Ten Aether Mage just like the Lion of Dawnfire and his wife, the Witch of the West.''

Raegar internally chuckled and was glad no one noticed his white hair while thinking. 'Seems like you both are popular. Witch of the West? She'll hate that one.'

Afterward, the line continued to shorten until it was his turn. A young man looked at him, only to grimace, but kept it professional. ''What's your name?''

''Raegar Blackwood,'' he answered.

''Place your hand on the crystal so you can move onto the Power Test,'' the staff member said.

He didn't hesitate, channeling his Aether as instructed. The amphitheater erupted in a blinding spectacle, eight radiant colors surged forth, each element blazing with commanding presence, painting the air with raw power.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, eyes wide with disbelief. The young staff member's face drained of color as he whispered. ''You're… the Tetraarch. The Ghost of the South.''

Raegar let out a low chuckle, unfazed, as frenzied voices exploded behind him. The legend was no secret, they'd all heard the stories. He met the man's gaze. ''So, where do I go next?''

The young man shook his head before pointing to another field not far away. ''Go over there to test your magic.''

Following that, he made his way there while people stared at him with most cringing, but it was nothing to him now. By the time he reached the Power Test location, there was another line; this time, it was going quickly.

'They're doing five people at a time and watching each of them,' he mused while waiting for his turn.

Raegar stood amidst the buzz of whispers about him, their chatter grating on his nerves. His gaze shifted, landing on a group of boys harassing a smaller one with glasses, who stood frozen, not fighting back.

He sighed, frustration flickering within him. 'People have to stand up for themselves, or it'll never end,' he thought, striding toward the group with purpose.

As a noble bully lunged to shove the dark-haired boy, Raegar vanished in a blur thanks to Flash Step, reappearing between them. He grinned as the bully's hand struck his chest and didn't budge him an inch.