Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 113: You Both Are Gatewalkers?

Raegar was led to a cabin in a clearing, surrounded by plants and other stuff. His Grandmother Agatha turned to him with a big smile. ''I'm guessing you're heading for Drakenwood? Your Father mentioned you chose that academy to attend.''

Moments later, they entered the building, and he was ushered toward a table when he answered. ''Yes, I have to get there in five days.''

His Grandfather, John, had grey hair and light green eyes like his Father. The old man noticed his gaze, speaking. ''How's your Mother and that little cat girl that followed you around everywhere?''

He smiled when hearing the question but answered. ''Mother is fine; she's heading back to the Blackwood County to run it with Saki. Yuki is fine, and she should be visiting me in a few months, depending on how things back home are.''

Agatha giggled, giving him a knowing look. ''If I remember correctly, she was your maid. I'm guessing it's more?'' she questioned.

''Yes, but we're waiting until I come of age and classes calm down,'' he revealed. ''And I don't care if she's a maid, Yuki's always been there for me.''

When his grandparents heard this, smiles appeared, and John teased them. ''I hope to see many granddaughters, my boy. A handsome young man like you will attract all the noble and common ladies alike.''

He laughed at this and retorted. ''Not many girls will approach me with these scars; I look like a monster. But I don't care about all that. I want to improve my Aether Pools and become Tier Two.''

The older man started laughing, slapping him on the back. ''That's good boy, I'm glad to see that determination in your eyes.''

After that, his grandparents kept the conversation flowing, asking him questions about his life, which he was delighted to answer. Before he knew it, the sun had set, and darkness had blanketed the world outside, catching him by surprise.

While standing by the window, Agatha spoke from across the cabin. ''Raegar, dinner's done.''

He turned around and approached the table as John questioned. ''So why did your other grandfather drop you off at that horrible forest? I heard Bloodfang is dangerous.''

Just then, a howl stopped him from moving, his eyes widened; this caught the older couple's attention. His grandmother asked with a worried expression. ''Do you know those howls?''

''Yes, they are Nightwalkers and Hollowborns,'' he replied, walking outside.

As he did that, he summoned his daggers and quickly started drawing runes around the cabin. While doing this, his grandparents appeared behind him with startled expressions, Agatha questioned. ''What are you doing, boy? Why are you destroying my garden?''

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He didn't answer straight away but made sure to finish the runes just as noises came from the underbrush. This prompted him to point into the darkness. ''Because of the recent war, those creatures have invaded the empire and plague the Kingsway.''

Raegar stood up and vanished into the darkness that worried the older couple, but when he stepped back into the light, he was dragging a Nightwalker by the foot and threw it at his grandparent's feet.

''Creepy humanoids that love to ambush travellers,'' he revealed, putting way his blades. ''I've been fighting them for months and know how to kill each one with ease.''

When John heard this, he crouched in front of the monster before mumbling. ''Southern Deadmen. I remember these things for out journey to the Forgotten Wastes years ago. These are the tribesman we fought.''

He watched Agatha's expression change as she trembled. ''Oh, goddess. These things are a nightmare and have killed many Aether Mages over the years thanks to their sneaky attacks.''

Moments later, he turned around, surprised, causing the older couple to laugh as John revealed. ''We travel all over the continent looking for rare plants, we've encountered dozens of strange and horrifying monsters.''

Following that, Raegar joined them inside for dinner and realized Agatha had cooked a delicious meat stew. Before he started eating his pulled out some campfire bread, he offered some to his grandparents.

''Try this. I baked it myself last night,'' he revealed.

Agatha looked intrigued as John took some and started sniffing it, prompting his eyes to widen as he spoke. ''This smells delicious, boy. I can't believe you made it yourself. Not many nobles know how to even toast bread.''

The older woman took some and broke it apart, only to hear a satisfying crunch, causing her to smile. ''Freshly cooked, you can only get this stuff in cities or trade towns. How did you come up with it?''

''When I was in Bloodfang, I could only eat monster meat after running out of rations,'' he revealed while dipping some bread into the stew.

Raegar took a bite and let out a soft moan as the flavors exploded on his tongue. He savored the delicious bread but didn't miss a beat in the conversation. ''Once I'd filled my magic bag, I journeyed to Dreadshade City, picked up some ingredients, and baked this bread while taking shelter during a storm.''

''Interesting,'' John replied while Agatha beamed at him.

His grandmother leaned across the table and ruffled his hair with a big smile. ''I'm proud of yoy, boy. Even if you were born a noble, thanks to your mother, you aren't stuck up like most of them.''

Raegar chuckled and revealed. ''I don't care for nobility, to be honest. I find them annoying, stuck up, and think they're better than everyone else.''

The two adults looked shocked as their jaws dropped open, which made him chuckle. ''What's wrong?'' he questioned.

John shook his head and laughed before explaining. ''It's surprising considering you're a Vaelthorne and that family is at the top of the noble pecking order. We're still shocked that Victoria married Alaric.''

''Oh, don't worry about that,'' he said with a smile. ''Mother adores Father just like he does her. They are a good couple.''

When his grandparents heard that they beamed and were happy to find out their son was loved. Following this, the three of them continued eating until all the food was gone. Raegar laid back in the chair while letting out a sigh.

He was full and couldn't eat anymore just as John revealed with a chuckle. ''It was lucky you appeared today, boy. We were heading down to the Rougehould border. We've been hired to lead an adventurer party into a Gate that opened.''

Raegar's eyes widened as he questioned in a barely restrained voice. ''You both are Gatewalkers?''

Agatha bobbed her head with a proud smile. ''Some of the best in the south, my Grandson. Does exploring Gates interest you?''

''Yes,'' he excitedly answered. ''I'm planning on exploring the one near Drakenwood when I'm allowed to.''

''If I remember correctly, you have to be Tier Two to enter one thanks to powerful monsters roaming the otherside,'' John informed him. ''Many Tier One Mages have been killed, forcing the previous Emperor to create a law against it.''

''I recall it now,'' Raegar muttered as the information resurfaced from a book he read years ago. ''That's why I plan to advance when joining the academy. I can't even get to Mist on my own.''

His grandparents chuckled before Agatha chimed in. ''Oh, sure, there are ways to progress without an academy, but it's a gamble. I've seen plenty of mages try to skip the schools, only to end up wrecking their Aether Pools.''

''Dawnfire's handed the magic academies a monopoly on training the younger generation,'' the older man remarked. ''And I reckon that's a good thing, keeps us from losing hundreds of kids who'd otherwise push too hard trying to level up on their own.''

Raegar nodded, a slight shudder running through him at the thought of ruining his Aether Pools. His grandparents caught the reaction and chuckled, but Agatha quickly leaned in to ease his mind.

''Oh, don't fret too much, my boy. Attending a magic academy is a grand adventure. Wait 'til you see Drakenwood. It's breathtaking!'' She said with a big smile.

Following that, the three of them relaxed until Raegar yawned, prompting John to jump up and ask. ''Do you want to stay here? I'm sure a comfortable bed is preferable to a tent in the forest?''

''Yes please Grandfather,'' he answered.

Once the old man vanished into the room Agatha approached him with a warm smile before hugging him. ''Thank you for coming to visit. We know your Father's busy, but it makes me happy that you thought about us.''

Raegar couldn't help but return the gesture as he asked. ''Can I come visit you when I'm on the way home? I'm joining during winter break but I can pass through during summer.''

The blue-haired woman beamed. ''Of course you can, I would love to see you again. It's a shame we have to head south otherwise, we could have taken you to the academy. My old friend Valentina Morris, she teaches the Devil Hunting Classes there.''

When he heard his grandmother's words, it prompted him to reveal. ''I'm taking those as well. I met a few Devil Hunters who said I would make a good one.''