Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 123: Sounds Like Her, To Be Honest

Raegar met his friend's gaze, a faint smirk tugging at his scarred cheek as he grimaced at the memory. ''Who do you think ruined my face? I took down a Devil Lord in a Rank D Dungeon months back. I thrive on fighting those fiends, and I won't stop until I get a shot at their leader, whoever that is.''

''Then I'm in!'' Caspian declared, his eyes blazing with resolve. ''I won't let you face them alone. I might not be a fighter yet, but I'll learn everything about those Devils to back you up.''

He was surprised but nodded. ''Alright then, but don't be acting stupid and risking yourself. There are Devil Researchers who aid the hunters.''

''Exactly!'' the black-haired boy exclaimed.

Raegar and Caspian joined the queue as more Devil Hunters arrived, their presence commanding the area. Leading them was a striking older woman in sleek hunter armor, her long blonde hair cascading down her back.

Her glowing red eyes locked onto him, sending a shiver down his spine. 'An Inquisitor? Amara's a Lord, so this stranger must be a Professor here,' he thought, noticing the respect the hunters showed her.

Moments later, Caspian whispered. ''That's Valentina Morris from the famous Devil Hunting Family. She's a Tier Seven Warrior with the Order.''

When he heard that, his Grandmother Agatha's letter came to mind, prompting him to approach the blonde who was talking to staff members, only to turn in his direction with a curious expression.

''What do you want boy? It's rude to approach professors who are busy with the Devil Hunting Tests,'' she informed in a stern tone.

Raegar gave an apologetic nod before speaking. ''I understand, but do you know a blue-haired woman named Agatha?''

The blonde's eyes widened in surprise as he took out the letter. ''This is from my Grandmother. She asked me to give it to you.''

Valentina's expression softened. ''I assume you are the Grandson she's always blabbering on about?'' she questioned with a small smile.

''Yes that's her,'' he answered with a chuckle.

The older woman grabbed his arm and led them off to the side while speaking. ''Sorry for my attitude. So many students think that because they're nobles, they can talk to me or my soldiers like we're friends.''

Raegar agreed. ''I understand, but Grandmother would've scolded me if I didn't give you this. She made me promise to deliver it,'' he explained.

Valentina giggled as she nodded, replying. ''Sounds like her, to be honest. Now let me have the letter.''

He handed her it and started reading, chuckling softly now and then. She glanced up at him, one eyebrow arched. ''A rising Devil Hunter, huh? Now that's intriguing.''

As Raegar turned to leave, her hand shot out, gripping his shoulder with a sly grin and glowing eyes. ''Elara told me to push you to your limits, and she specifically requested I be the one to spar with you.''

The older woman guided him toward a nearby arena, leaving Caspian staring after them, his eyes wide with shock. Moments later, Valentina spoke to another professor, who nodded with a chuckle.

She dragged him on stage while speaking with an excited expression on her pretty face. ''Come on, don't hold back and show me what you can do.''

''Are you sure you want this fight, Professor Morris?'' he said with a smirk, summoning his daggers, causing a ching to ring out.

''Yes, boy!'' she exclaimed with a big smile. ''Show me what you can do! She told me you can surprise me!''

Raegar summoned his Bloodrose Armor, which appeared from the black and red ring on his hand. With a surge of will, he cast Flash Step, his form blurring into nothingness. A heartbeat later, he reappeared in a whirlwind of motion, spinning as his blade arced toward the woman.

She met his strike with her own, their weapons clashing in a shower of sparks that lit the arena like a storm of stars. The arena thrummed with energy as they clashed, her hunter armor glinting under the morning sun.

Her blonde hair whipped wildly as she parried his strike, her red eyes blazing with fierce delight. Raegar vanished, reappearing mid-air to unleash a barrage of slashes, each one a dark streak.

Valentina countered with unearthly speed, her blade singing as it deflected his onslaught, sparks cascading like a meteor shower. They danced in a whirlwind of steel, his spins meeting her lunges, their duel a storm of skill that left the crowd roaring.

Ten minutes later, he realized he couldn't beat her. Raegar leaped back, landing as he plucked a smoke bomb from his ring. With a flick, he hurled it to the ground, unleashing a roiling cloud that swallowed the arena.

Valentina's eyes flared wide, the smoke cloud shrouding her in confusion. He seized the moment, he surged forward with a wolfish grin, blade poised for a strike. But she reacted with unnatural speed.

Her foot lashed upward, striking his dagger with a resounding clang, sending it spinning into the mist. Caught mid-motion, Raegar's balance faltered, his hand slapped against her ass causing the older woman to yelp.

''That was an accident!'' he protested, hands raised, but Valentina's fury blazed.

With a snarl, she unleashed a Tier Seven spell, a roaring torrent of Aether that tore toward him. He tried to evade it, but the spell's wrath was relentless. It slammed into his chest like a thunderbolt, hurling him across the arena in a streak of light.

Raegar slammed into the ground, agony ripping through him as his vision dissolved into darkness and his senses were swallowed by pain. When he stirred awake, a stark white ceiling greeted him.

''Where am I?'' he muttered in a groggy voice.

Moments later, the sharp tang of potions and their ingredients flooded his nose, snapping him back to reality. He sat up while shaking his head, only to be shocked when the little black fox Yuzuki was staring at him with her big green eyes.

''Hello girl,'' he mumbled. ''What are you doing here?''

Raegar stroked the creature, who happily accepted his pampering, only for an adorable groan to sound from his left. He glanced over to see the vampire girl he had met days ago sleeping in the chair.

Just then, her eyes fluttered open only to see him looking at her, and she instantly woke up as she sent Yuzuki away while standing up. ''I'm glad you're awake. Now I must get going.''

Before he could utter a word, Dominique vanished, leaving him bewildered. 'What's her deal?' he wondered, scratching his head.

With a shrug, he barely registered the door swinging open until a stunning brown-skinned fox woman stepped in. She had golden blonde hair and eyes that nearly charmed him. Her nurse's uniform clung to her hourglass figure, highlighting her generous chest.

Raegar's jaw hung slack, his gaze locked on the fox woman's upright, fluffy ears. Her plump lips curved into a radiant smile as she spoke, her exotic eastern accent curling around each word. ''Oh, you're awake! It warms my heart that you're healed.''

He opened his mouth to respond, but she pressed on, biting her lip with a playful glint in her eyes. ''And those muscles of yours which are delightful to look at. Not many young men your age take such care with their physique like you.''

The older woman stepped back and introduced herself with a charming grin. ''I'm Head Nurse Kitsunia here at Drakewood. It's a pleasure to meet you, Raegar Blackwood, the boy who gave our Professor Morris a fight that she hasn't shut up about.''

Raegar's brow furrowed, still processing the fox lady's words, when the door swung open again. Valentina entered, trailed by a stern-looking mature woman with light blue hair and piercing eyes, her commanding aura like his grandfather's.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the light blue-haired woman cut in, her voice sharp and assessing. ''You're the boy my staff can't stop praising?''

The headmistress's blue eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across her face. ''So, you're the infamous Tetraarch all the nobles want. I'm curious: why enroll here when you could've chosen Dawnfire or Starfall?''

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''Dungeons and Gates,'' he answered. ''I want to explore the ones Drakenwood owns while learning how to grow stronger.''

''Why do you fight?'' she countered.

Raegar's eyes narrowed, meeting her gaze with unyielding resolve as he pointed to his face. ''The world's no paradise, Headmistress. Danger lurks everywhere, I learned that the hard way, under a Devil Lord's claws.''

His red eyes burned with fierce determination, defiance radiating from him. ''I'll grow stronger, conquer Gates and dungeons, and slay every Devil that tries to kill me.''

The older woman looked at him before nodding with a proud expression. ''That's the spirit, Raegar Blackwood. Just what this place needs is more young ones like you. Such drive is inspiring, even to me.

She shook her head, a faint smirk breaking her stern demeanor. ''I'm Headmistress Hohenstein. Welcome to Drakenwood Magic Academy, Ghost of the South. I'm eager to see what you'll achieve while with us.''