Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 115: Slacking In His Duties

Raegar watched John get closer while speaking. ''Yet when I look upon you, I see the very shadow of Raethor Blackwood. He carved our lineage in blood and steel, brandishing the Twin Shade Daggers only to lose them in his final stand against a northern Gate eons past.''

He noticed the older man's eyes glowed with pride, and knowing as he concluded. ''But mark my words: of all the Blackwoods who've walked this earth before you, I believe it's you who'll reclaim those lost heirlooms and take our family to new heights.''

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''John!'' Agatha exclaimed with a shocked expression. ''Do you mean Raeger is the one who the stories mention?''

The older man nodded, took out a book, and handed it over. ''Take this, my boy, return it when you come visit in the summer, but make sure to learn about our history.''

Raegar glanced at the title, only to smile. ''The History of the Blackwood Family: A Tale of Blood and Monsters,'' he muttered.

''Yes, the head of each generation is tasked with contributing to it,'' John explained. ''But I think you'll find it useful. Your father mentioned your love for books, and this one's a gem worth reading.''

''Thanks, Grandfather,'' he replied while putting the book away. ''I'll start it once I set up camp tonight.''

Moments later, John stepped forward and hugged her with a big smile, speaking. ''Look after yourself, grandson. I hope to see you in the summer, I want to hear about your time at the academy and all the pretty girls chasing you around.''

Raegar nodded with a laugh. ''Of course, I'll pass through Moonfire while traveling. I won't bother with the trains,'' he responded.

His grandfather chuckled while ruffling his hair, speaking with an amused expression. ''Good lad, now brace yourself. Agatha gets emotional.''

Afterward, the older man stepped back as the blue-haired woman enveloped him in a tight hug, peppering his face with kisses. She pulled away with glowing light green eyes. ''You'd better visit us this summer, Raegar. I know we didn't get much time together now, but we'll make it up to you.''

''That's fine, grandmother,'' he couldn't help but laugh while taking the letter she wanted to pass on to a professor at the academy. ''I promise I'll visit. The only thing that'll stop me is if the world ended and Kaldorra split apart.''

Following that, the two Sylvaroth Tigers approached and licked his cheek before he pampered the giant creatures with many strokes. His grandparents watched the scene with a big smile.

Agatha suggested. ''Kali, why do you think about giving our grand baby a cub when you have your next litter?''

When the tigress heard this, her big head snapped toward the older woman and let out a low growl, causing his grandmother to giggle. ''Yes, they will get on well. He likes you two. But that's for another time, we need to head out.''

Raegar bid his farewells, watching as the older couple mounted the Sylvaroth Tigers. John flashed a wide grin and said, ''Enjoy yourself and stay safe out there, my grandson.''

Agatha offered her goodbye, then cast a spell that enveloped the house in a shimmering protective shield. ''You can enter with anyone you're touching, but that's it, boy. Take care of yourself, we'll see you in the summer.''

Moments later, they dashed off, leaving Raegar standing outside. He shook his head and started trekking toward the Kingsway while eating some campfire bread, which he enjoyed. After an hour of walking, he stepped onto the stone road.

He glanced around and noticed it was quiet, this didn't bother him as he started walking north. Days later, he stopped at a crossroads only to spot a carriage rushing down the road while being chased by a horde of Plain Wolves.

''Looks like they're coming from the Northern Lands,'' he muttered. ''Too many monsters up there. Duke D'Ambrose is slacking in his duties.''

Following that, the carriage rushed past without stopping. This allowed Raegar to see the D'Ambrose emblem on the side, earning a mutter. ''Damn northern families, always causing trouble.''

He turned to face the wolves creeping closer, a chuckle escaping as he cast Hydra Blades forged from lightningfire. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled them at the beasts. The Aether weapons streaked through the air, cutting into their bodies with ease.

Blood and guts sprayed in all directions as he manipulated the blades, dispatching the monsters before they could get closer. He watched the beasts collapse to the ground until every single one was dead.

''Tier One monsters are becoming annoying,'' he muttered, cutting out the glowing brown cores and storing them away after dismissing the spell.

When the one-sided fight ended, he cast a glance toward where the carriage had fled, but nothing remained in sight. With a shrug, he incinerated the bodies and pressed on toward Brightwater City, his path set for Drakenwood Academy on foot.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, he neared the final stretch, just a few miles from his destination, when he stumbled upon a camp. Dozens of carriages were settled in for the night, thinking. 'Other students, perhaps? Doesn't matter, I'll keep going. Looks like the Nightwalkers haven't reached this far north.'

Raegar pressed forward until the sight of the D'Ambrose carriage. Before he could dwell on it, a low growl snapped his eyes downward. There stood a female black fox, its striking green eyes glinting up at him.

''Hello there, little one,'' he said with a warm smile while crouching down. ''Where'd you come from?''

It growled again, but he took out some cooked monster meat he had made the previous night and offered it to the monster. ''Here, do you want some? I used Eastern spices I bought from a trader on the road.''

The fox eyed the food suspiciously, narrowing its gaze, which drew a laugh from Raegar. He tore it in half, took a bite, and said. ''See? Not poisoned.''

Cautiously, the fox edged forward, snatched the piece, and began to chew. He noticed her eyes water, but she kept eating as he added. ''It's spicy, but once you get past that, it's delicious.''

At that moment, a horrible aura crashed down like a storm. Raegar's instincts flared; he snatched the fox and leaped aside just as a Devil's spear tore through the earth where they'd stood.

He shielded the little creature, his daggers materializing with a sharp ching that echoed out. Raegar surged forward, a whirlwind of vengeance, and cleaved through the fiend's neck in a single strike.

More Devils rushed toward the camp, but he unleashed his Hydra Blades, hurling them at the nearest foes. Moving like a storm, he carved a path of destruction, killing Tier One and Two fiends all over the place.

Just as this happened, a dozen heavily armored knights stormed into the enemy let by a Tier Ten Warrior and started cutting them down. Raegar backed away as he defended the scared fox from a Devil; he deflected a sudden slash.

Sparks flew as one of his daggers slipped through the enemy's guard and slammed into the fiend's eye. It gurgled, and blood leaked from its lips seconds before he decapitated it with a swift slice.

Once the Devil was dead, Raegar turned to the little fox, her wide green eyes filled with fear. A soft whimper escaped her, and he crouched low, gently scooping her into his arms. His fingers brushed her ear in a soothing stroke, coaxing her to settle.

The small creature wriggled at first but soon melted into the affection, emitting delighted chirps that brought a smile to his face. ''Let's find your owner,'' he murmured. ''I can sense their Aether.''

Following that, the fox nodded, jumped out of his arms, and ran off while looking back. He scanned the surroundings as the knights killed the remaining Devils, causing h I'm to dismiss the Hydra Blades.

Raegar trailed behind the creature until it led him to the edge of the Western River. He watched as it stopped beside a girl standing there. She leaned down and stroked the beast while speaking. ''Where have you been, Luna? You can't wander off when those fiends are around.''

It let out a sharp yip, prompting the stranger to turn around. As she did, Raegar took her in now that he could see her, raven-black hair laced with green streaks cascading through it, and those same striking green eyes that mirrored the little fox's.

Her grey skin caught his eye, its beauty startling him as Yuki's words echoed in his mind. 'If you meet anyone you like just me young master.'

He shook his head only to notice her mage robes, the fabric flowing with an air of arcane elegance. 'Summoner, maybe?' he mused, feeling an air of death around her. 'Or a necromancer?'

Raegar noticed her pointy ears twitch as she stared at him while Luna continued chirping in happiness. 'Is she an elf?'

The girl smiled, revealing sharp fangs, which gave him his answer. 'A vampire like Vlad and Camilla.'

After that, Luna sprang from her arms and darted to Raegar, playfully nipping at his fingers. He chuckled while reaching into his storage ring. ''What do you want? Food?''