Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 124: Go Get Some Rest, Blackwood

''It's fine,'' he replied with a smile. ''I've accepted that my face is ruined, it's a part of life, but I'm going to go ahead for Willowbank.''

When Aiko heard this, she agreed. ''Go get some rest and return to the school in the morning. You'll find out your class and dorm room, oh, and your little friend already returned to the village after the headmistress sent him away,'' she revealed.

''Thank you,'' he said. ''I'll see you soon, Mrs Kitsunia,'' he said while getting ready to leave.

Raegar walked toward the door, his face still red from her flirting, eager to escape before he embarrassed himself further. But the fox woman's voice, smooth as honey, stopped him cold as a shiver ran down his spine.

Aiko leaned against the counter, her yellow eyes glinting with mischief, and flashed a smile that sent his heart stumbling.

''No need to rush off, darling,'' she purred, her fluffy tail giving a playful flick. ''And just so you know, I'm not married—free as a Southern Skylorn, soaring where I please.''

Raegar froze, his hand hovering over the doorknob. Her words, laced with that exotic lilt, sparked a flush that crept up his neck. ''I-I didn't mean—uh, that's… good to know,'' he managed, his voice cracking.

He turned to face the older woman, only to find her gaze locked on him, bold and teasing. Aiko's smile widened, clearly enjoying his flustered state, leaving him torn between bolting and staying under her spell.

''Go get some rest, Blackwood,'' Aiko said before getting back to her work.

Raegar slipped out of the room, striding down the corridor, guided by glowing exit signs. His mind churned. 'The author was right; fox women are dangerous.'

Years ago, he read an explorer's diary about a man who ventured to Kyoshara, lived among Cat and Fox Demi-Humans, and married two women. Charmed beyond reason, he brought them back to Kaldorra.

'I wonder what happened to them?' he mused while exiting the school and stepping into the cold air.

When feeling this, he pulled his cloak tight, nearing the entrance, scanning for a spot to camp until dawn, when he'd get his dorm room. Five minutes later, he noticed a park by the road, shrugged, and hopped the fence.

He pitched his tent, started a fire that roared to life, and kneaded dough for campfire bread while putting some monster meat over the fire that gave off a delicious aroma that made his stomach rumble.

Raegar sat by the crackling fire, its warmth cutting through the evening's chill. He flattened the dough he'd prepared, shaping it into rough rounds, and laid them on a flat stone he'd propped near the flames.

The dough hissed faintly as it met the hot surface, filling the air with a comforting, toasty scent. He skewered a chunk of seasoned meat from his pack and set it to roast over the fire, the fat dripping and sizzling in the embers.

Time passed, the firelight dancing on his weathered face as he turned the meat and flipped the bread with a stick. The bread puffed up, golden and crisp at the edges, while the meat charred just enough to lock in its juices.

When both were done, he pulled them from the heat, letting them cool slightly on a clean cloth. Raegar tore into the warm bread, its crust cracking under his fingers, and paired it with a bite of the tender, smoky meat.

Flavors burst in his mouth, simple, hearty, perfect. He ate slowly, savoring each bite under the vast, starlit sky, the quiet of the park broken only by the fire's soft pop. While doing that, a group approached, causing his eyes to narrow.

'Students and their parents?' Raegar mused as a giant of a man approached.

The stranger sported dark brown hair, a thick black beard, and green eyes, reminding him of his grandfather but weaker. The man's aura was tier four, prompting him to become paranoid as he readied to summon his daggers.

Raegar would soon learn it would be useless as he paused at the fence, his jovial voice booming. ''Oi, lad, you're not supposed to be here, but no harm done. I'm Kravos Windermere, the caretaker at Drakenwood. My family and I are camping one last night before I'm back to work.''

He stood up and held out his hand. ''I'm Raegar. It's nice to meet you, Kravos.''

''Well-mannered,'' the older man said while accepting the gesture. ''Not many nobles are like that nowadays.''

He was confused, making Kravos laugh before waving over to a woman, a boy, and a girl who seemed to be his age. When they approached, the man introduced them. ''The beautiful woman here is Mirabel Windermere. She's my wife and works as a nurse under Aiko Kitsunia, the famous Healer from the East.''

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The woman had light blonde hair and big brown eyes, she gave off a motherly vibe like his own mother, which put him at ease as Mirabel gave him a friendly smile. ''It's a pleasure to meet you, sweety. Not many boys your age would be polite to strangers.

Raegar nodded but was still lost as he heard the name. He remembered the cheeky fox woman but pushed that aside as the older man continued, pointing at his children. ''These two rascals are Rune and Vienna. They're joining the academy this year.''

Moments later, he looked at the boy, who was the young version of his father, just with his mother's brown eyes. The giant stood two feet taller than him and was built like a tank, but he stepped forward and held out his hand.

''It's good to meet you, Raegar. I watched your battle with Professor Crowhurst. You fight well. It would be good to team up for dungeon runs. I'm a defender, so I could protect the mage and healer.''

''Oh, quit yapping, will ya, bro?'' the girl said, rolling her eyes with a sigh.

Raegar glanced at her, light blonde hair like her mother's but with her father's green eyes. She shook her head, then extended a hand for a fist bump. ''Nice to meet ya, Rae. I didn't see you take on the teacher; I had heard the other students. Having a fighter like you on the team? We'd crush the lower floors and score some serious loot.''

''Stop being a bandit, Vienna,'' Rune retorted as their parents went about setting up their camp.

He shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he gently nudged the girl, prompting her to grin at the boy. ''We'll see how things go when classes start. For now, I'm grabbing some food and crashing. Great meeting you both.''

Raegar savored the last bites of his crusty bread and smoky meat as the Windermere family began preparing their meals, the clatter of pots mingling with the fire's crackle. He started drinking some sake while watching the shooting stars passing overhead.