Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 213: Into Your Wind Pool

Raegar, Rune, and Caspian waited outside his dorm room as Drusilla was still getting ready. She was humming, putting the boys at ease thanks to the Aether inside her voice as it drifted through the door. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

While standing there, the giant turned to him and cheerfully asked. ''What lessons do you have today, Rae?''

''P.T, World History, Aether Fundamentals and Combat Magic, but that's useless to me as I already know how to fight,'' he answered, chuckling.

Caspian leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and encouragement. "Why not talk to the headmistress about opting out of some of the basic lessons? You could spend that time in the library, diving into the advanced texts and nurturing your growth.''

The dark-haired boy paused, a thoughtful smile tugging at his lips. ''You've already got a solid grasp on most of the material we first-years are slogging through. Skipping ahead to the second-year curriculum would probably suit you better; it'd challenge you in ways the beginner classes just can't.''

When Raegar heard this, he nodded. ''That would be a good idea. I can spend my time fighting through the lower-ranked dungeons until the tournament starts.''

Both boys agreed as Rune commented. ''Once the Summer Break arrives, the professors said Aether Fundamentals becomes useless as we'd already know how to gather and can do it throughout the garden.''

''Why the garden?'' he curiosuly questioned.

The giant boy nodded, happily explaining. ''There are parts of the school's garden, Professor Silvershade said she'd help us all master gathering before moving our elements to Vapour over the coming weeks.''

Raegar's eyes widened with sudden recollection, a spark of realization cutting through his morning haze. He'd nearly forgotten his promise to meet the older woman after classes, and the thought sent a jolt of urgency through him.

Just then, the door to the dorm room swung open, and Drusilla emerged, her presence as radiant as ever. A wide, warm smile lit up her face as she caught sight of the two boys waiting in the hall.

''Good morning, Rune! Caspian!'' she called out, her voice bright and melodic, carrying a hint of playful energy that seemed to fill the place. ''Are you two ready to tackle your classes today?''

Rune and Caspian exchanged a glance, their faces breaking into easy grins as they nodded in unison, a silent agreement that the two of them were as prepared as they'd ever be. Drusilla stepped closer, her blue eyes twinkling with affection.

Without missing a beat, she leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Raegar's cheek, a gesture that was both familiar and disarming. His face flushed slightly, but he couldn't help the small smile that appeared.

''Alright, love birds!'' Rune exclaimed, laughing. ''Get a room, but let's head to class first.''

Together, the four of them made their way up the spiraling staircase at the base of the tower, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone. Once reaching the common room, the group stepped onto the walkway between the tower and the main building.

Five minutes later, they stepped into the courtyard, the morning sun cast golden rays across the cobblestones, and the air buzzed with the chatter of students heading to their lessons while others rushed around.

The group hurried to meet the girls who were waiting for them, exchanging warm greetings as Dominique and Zahara enveloped him in hugs. Afterward, they all headed to breakfast to fuel up before their classes.

Hours slipped by as he went to his lesson, and now he was sitting on a weathered stone bench in the Northern Courtyard. The crisp evening air carried the faint scent of flowers, and the distant hum of students moving between classes filled the space with a quiet energy.

Raegar's thoughts were elsewhere. His morning lessons had left him reeling. News had broken that the Windy Isles, a cluster of enchanted islands to the west, had come under siege by a Rank A Gateway.

The professor's grim tone and the hushed murmurs that followed still echoed in his mind, a reminder of the fragile balance their world teetered upon. To distract himself while waiting for Cecilia, he focused inward as he began to gather Aether.

Energy swirled within him, a tingling warmth that pulsed in time with his breaths. He had been preparing to upgrade his Wind Element to its next stage, which promised greater control but demanded an immense pool.

Raegar felt the process was taxing, requiring both focus and patience. He closed his eyes, letting the Aether flow through his veins like a gentle current, intensifying with each passing minute.

The courtyard's ambient sounds faded as he sank deeper into his meditation, the world narrowing to the rhythm of his power. Twenty minutes later, a soft rustle of fabric broke his concentration.

He opened his eyes to find Cecilia approaching, her green hair catching the light. The older woman's presence was magnetic, her confident stride and warm, knowing smile instantly dispelling the tension that had knotted his shoulders.

''You're right on time,'' she smoothly said, as if she'd caught him in some private moment of triumph.

She stopped a few paces away, tilting her head as her eyes sparkled with curiosity. ''Lost in your Aether-gathering again, I see. Ready for what's next?''

Cecilia smiled when he nodded; she motioned for him to follow. ''Come with me,'' she said.

Raegar stood, brushing the dust from his trousers, and fell into step beside her, the weight of the Aether still humming faintly in his limbs. They crossed the Northern Courtyard, weaving through clusters of professors who cast curious glances their way.

He followed the older woman as they made their way toward a secluded path lined with ancient willows. The trail led to her private quarters, a quaint stone cottage nestled at the edge of the grounds, its walls draped in ivy.

As they approached, Cecilia pushed open a creaky wooden gate, revealing the garden that seemed to hum with elemental energy. Flowers in shades of sapphire and amethyst swayed gently.

A faint mist curled around the roots of trees laden with glowing fruit. Raegar's breath caught at the sight; this was no ordinary garden, but a sanctuary of raw Aether. She glanced back at him, her blue eyes glinting with amusement as if she could sense his awe.

''This way,'' the gorgeous woman said, leading him to a clear, circular patch of soft moss.

''Sit here,'' she instructed, pointing to the spot. ''It's a Wind Aether point, perfect for what you're about to do.''

Raegar settled onto the moss, its cool, velvety texture grounding him as he crossed his legs and looked up. Cecilia reached into the folds of her robe and produced a small pill that shimmered with a pale green glow, like a captured fragment of spring.

''This,'' she said, holding it out to him. ''It's better than the previous pills. It'll stabilize your Aether flow and amplify your connection to the Wind Element as you push toward Vapour. But don't underestimate it, it's potent, and you'll need to focus every ounce of your will to guide the process.''

Her tone was serious now, her earlier playfulness giving way to the gravity of a mentor preparing her student for a pivotal moment. Raegar took the pill, its surface cool against his palm, and studied it with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

The news of the Rank A Gateway still lingered in his thoughts, a distant storm cloud, but Cecilia's steady gaze anchored him. ''When you're ready," she continued, kneeling beside him. ''Swallow it and channel your Aether into your Wind Pool. I'll be here to guide you, but this is your moment, Raegar. Show me what you're capable of.''

Her words carried a challenge, but also a quiet confidence in his potential, and as Raegar nodded, he felt the weight of the task settle over him, a chance to not only advance his abilities.

His fingers trembled slightly as he held the pill, its pale green glow casting faint shadows across his palm. With a steadying breath, he glanced at Cecilia, her encouraging nod urging him forward.

He placed the pill on his tongue and swallowed, the cool, minty essence dissolving instantly. Almost at once, a surge of energy erupted within him, sharp and wild, like a gust tearing through a narrow canyon.

Raegar closed his eyes and focused, guiding the Aether toward his Wind Pool, the core of his power nestled deep within his chest. The energy began to spiral, slow at first, then faster, a vortex of raw power swirling through his Wind Pool.

But as the energy intensified, a searing pain lanced through him, sharp and unrelenting, as if his veins were threaded with fire. Raegar gasped, his body tensing against the mossy ground, his hands clutching at the soft earth.

The pain radiated outward, a storm of needles prickling beneath his skin, threatening to unravel his focus. Cecilia's voice cut through the haze, calm but firm. "Breathe, Raegar. Hold the flow steady. The pain is part of the process."

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