Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 127: Second Duke

''Doesn't it bother you that the others are staying clear?'' his friend asked.

''No,'' he answered honestly. ''I already expected it, thanks to my ruined face, I'm surprised you're here.''

Caspian laughed and slapped his back. ''Well, I'm not going to ditch my first friend even with the scars. You remind me of my Uncle Sylas, he hunts in the Far North helping out the second Duke.''

''Second Duke?'' he questioned.

''You know the Northern Lands are the biggest in the empire and run by Duke Northwood, right?'' Caspain asked.

Raegar nodded, urging the boy to go on. ''Long ago, the Northwood ancestors defeated the Draculen Kingdom in a fierce war that burned the north. They were a realm of Northern Vampires who swore allegiance to the expanding Dawnfire Empire, and the emperor elevated their former royal line to Far North Dukes, giving rise to the D'Ambrose family.''

''Oh, I met one of them,'' he revealed. ''Dominique?''

When Caspian heard this, his eyes widened before asking in a low voice. ''You met the Death Princess?''

''Huh?'' Raegar was confused but shook his head. ''I assume she's a necromancer?''

''Yes, and the only one to appear in the D'Ambrose Family,'' the boy informed. ''She's also a summoner and tames a lot of those northern monsters, I can't believe she has a Shadow Fox as a companion.''

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''Oh Yuzuki!'' he exclaimed. ''She's adorable.''

Just then, a familiar voice sounded. ''Who's adorable, Rae?''

Raegar glanced up to find Rune grinning broadly, the towering boy enveloping him in a crushing bear hug. Gasping as the air left his lungs, Raegar shoved him back with a grin. ''Great to see you, Rune, but ease up, you're crushing my ribs!''

The brown-haired boy released him, chuckling. ''Sorry, Rae. My parents speak highly of you and told me to befriend a young man like yourself.''

''Works for me,'' Raegar said, then gestured to Caspian. ''Caspian, meet Rune Windermere, a solid defender.''

Turning to the towering boy, he added, ''Rune, this is my friend Caspian Harker.''

He watched as Caspin extended his hand. ''Pleasure to meet you.''

''Likewise,'' Rune replied.

At that moment, they reached the final floor, where Professor Riverhold was assigning the last students. The three of them were the only ones left, causing the older man to look at him with narrowed eyes.

''Blackwood, Harker, and Windermere. We have no rooms left apart from the Lonely Corridor,'' the professor revealed with a stern expression. ''Follow me and don't fall behind, we need to get to the Common Room to choose your extra classes.''

Afterward, the three of them trailed behind the older man as Raegar watched the man while thinking. 'What is this dude's problem?'

He shrugged and continued as they walked down the stairs, as Professor Riverhold revealed. ''We are now at the bottom of the Siren's Sea, where the last four rooms are located, but it's also kind of amazing if you find monsters interesting.''

Moments later, they stepped into a serene corridor that caught Raegar's eye. Vibrant red carpets stretched across the floor, complemented by cozy chairs scattered along the walls, with two doors on either side.

While glancing around, the older man sternly commented. ''Choose a room for yourselves and return to the Common Room. Don't take too long.''

Rune and Caspian opted for windowless rooms as the sea creeped them out when seeing it, while Raegar chose one with a windowed wall, captivated by the breathtaking view of the sea floor.

His eyes widened at the sight before him. A spacious bed, its frame carved from dark wood, dominated the space, piled high with clean bedding. Against one wall stood a tall cupboard, offering ample space for his belongings.

A sturdy table sat near the center, flanked by a cushioned chair that invited long hours of reading or reflection. Shelves and drawers lined the walls, providing a wealth of storage for his gear and keepsakes.

The floor beneath his boots was covered in a thick, soft rug, adding warmth to the room. Raegar's gaze drifted to the windowed wall, where the sea floor stretched out in a mesmerizing display of vibrant corals and darting fish, casting light across the cozy space.

Then, a shadow loomed, a massive shark, its sleek, muscular form cutting through the water with effortless grace. Its scarred hide and rows of glinting teeth spoke of a predator at ease in its domain, cruising past the window without a glance, minding its own business.

Raegar's breath caught, marveling at its raw power. 'That's a Tier Ten monster!' he internally exclaimed.

Moments later, his awe shifted to horror as the shark's trajectory changed. A massive Tier Eight deep-sea whale, gliding nearby with its calf, had caught the predator's attention. The shark's tail flicked, propelling it forward in a sudden, explosive burst.

Its jaws snapped open, and with terrifying speed, it slammed into the whale's flank. The water clouded with crimson as the beast thrashed, its mournful cries vibrating faintly through the glass.

The calf veered away, unharmed but frantic, while the shark tore into its prey with relentless ferocity. Raegar gripped the edge of the table, heart pounding, unable to tear his eyes from the brutal spectacle unfolding just beyond his room's comforting walls.

''Rae!'' Rune shouted as the two boys entered the room.

As the currents swept the blood away in swirling clouds, Raegar tore his gaze from the window. Caspian stood in the doorway and revealed. ''Head outside and seal the room with your Aether. It'll ensure only you and the staff can enter.''

Afterward, he sealed it and felt the door become secure before the three of them headed toward the Common Room. While walking, Rune turned to him and asked. ''Why are people avoiding you both?''

Raegar chuckled and answered honestly. ''They're freaked out by my face and scared of his hot older sisters.''

''Oi!'' Caspian barked. ''Don't talk about them like that, Rae!''

Raegar chuckled along with the big guy who asked. ''What are they like?''

''Gorgeous and look like trouble makers, but seem to be top students in Drakenwood,'' he replied.

Caspian's face flushed a deeper red, his embarrassment only fueling Raegar's laughter. As they stepped into the bustling Common Room, Professor Riverhold's annoyed voice cut through the noise. ''Enjoying yourself, Blackwood? Good. Now take a seat and choose your classes.''

The trio settled at a worn wooden table in the Common Room, the hum of chatter surrounding them. Professor Riverhold handed them a stack of papers, which Caspian quickly divided among them.

Raegar bent over his forms, scribbling his details as the school wanted to organize their timetables. When he reached the class selection, he paused, then marked Dungeoneering, World History, and Devil Hunting, each choice sparking a thrill of anticipation.

'This is going to be fun,' he thought before filling out the paperwork.