Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend
Chapter 218 - 218: Fine, Then. My Turn

Raegar nodded at Corrine and turned to leave, but her voice halted him. ''Rae, one moment.''

He faced her again, catching her gaze fixed on his lower half as he stood. She stepped closer, her tone sharp with curiosity. ''Why were you engaging in such behavior on school grounds? And with a Dark Fairy, no less?''

''Ehh, sorry we got excited,'' he admitted with a nervous chuckle. ''It's like something overtakes us, but we haven't taken that step thanks to Yuki.''

Corrine's expression flickered briefly, a subtle shift that drew Raegar's gaze. She quickly shook her head, as if to dismiss an errant thought, and offered a warm smile. ''Summer break is just two months away. I trust your family has plans to celebrate your seventeenth birthday in style?''

Raegar inclined his head, his tone thoughtful. ''Yes, Mother's planning something at home, though she mentioned it might shift. It all depends on Grandmother's condition,'' he said, a trace of concern threading through his words.

Corrine's eyes softened with understanding as she nodded. ''Indeed, I've heard the Witch of the West has slipped into a coma. Word is that the Lion is on a fervent quest to rouse her.''

A light chuckle escaped Raegar, his amusement dancing in his eyes. ''That's the tale I've been told. Mother also said a few professors might join us, likely Elara and Valentina, since they're close with my parents and have taken a shine to me over the years.''

Corrine raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smile. ''Elara and Valentina, hmm? Those two are never short on stories or mischief. I imagine your celebration will be anything but ordinary with them around.''

''The girls are coming,'' he said. ''Dominique is picking Selene up on the way to Blackwood County.''

''Interesting,'' the older woman responded while nodding. ''Alright, it was nice talking to you, Rae, but I have to go meet your aunt Amelia in Willowbank Village. She wants to discuss the Devil Hunting classes, the Order wants to put the students through practical lessons instead of studying.''

Raegar paused, his brow furrowing as he considered her words. After a moment, he responded, his voice measured but laced with caution. ''If you're talking about summoning low-tier Devils, then yes, it might be feasible. But it's risky, some students could get seriously injured, or worse, lose their lives.''

Following that, the two of them continued talking about her meeting with the Order as he left the room and headed back to World History. After ten minutes, he arrived back at class and stepped in.

Professor Wentworth glanced up with a warm smile, gesturing toward Raegar's deck. ''Right on time, as always. Take a seat.''

Raegar returned her nod and settled into the chair between Zahara and Dominique. The two girls flashed him welcoming grins. Meanwhile, Drusilla, shrinking back to her diminutive form, wriggled into his pocket with a tiny yawn.

The group's soft chuckles at Drusilla's tiny snores faded as Professor Wentworth began her lecture. She launched into a vivid recounting of the Desert Wars, fought decades ago by the Empire.

He leaned forward, absorbed, as she described how the desert tribes united in a daring raid on the Nytheria Kingdom, prompting Dawnfire's forces to march south in their defense, and ended up fighting the raiders.

Wentworth's words painted scenes of epic battles that raged for days under the scorching sun, blades clashing and magic flaring across the dunes. He could almost feel the grit of sand and the weight of those relentless skirmishes.

She recounted how, after weeks of grueling combat, the tribes, battered but unbowed, withdrew deep into the desert's heart, vanishing into its shifting sands. Once the class was over, he stepped outside with the girls.

Dominique leaned toward him, her eyes glinting with curiosity and jealousy, surprising him as she questioned. ''So, what did the headmistress want with you?''

Raegar shrugged casually, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips. ''She pulled me out of all my classes and gave me free rein to study on my own in the library,'' he paused, then added, ''Fancy skipping the next class and hitting the dining hall? I'm starving.''

The Vampress shook her head, her expression apologetic but firm. ''Can't, sorry. I've got summoning next, and it's too important to miss.''

He turned to Zahara, eyebrows raised hopefully, but she mirrored Dominique's response. ''Sorry, Rae,'' she said with a soft smile. ''I can't afford to skip my healing classes.''

Vienna's voice piped up, bright and eager. ''I'll come with you!''

Dominique and Zahara exchanged a glance, shaking their heads with fond smiles. They each pulled Raegar into a quick hug, murmuring their goodbyes before heading off to their respective classes.

As their footsteps faded down the corridor, Vienna turned to Raegar, her blonde hair catching the light as she flashed a teasing grin. ''Those two are really into you, Rae. So, when are you going to make your move?''

''During the break,'' he answered, chuckling at the girl's excited expression. ''I like all three of them but want to spend alone time with each of them.''

When Vienna heard this, she quickly nodded in agreement. ''Sounds good, you can take them on dates while at home.''

They wove through the bustling dining hall, where second and third-year students filled the tables, their chatter a lively hum. Vienna's eyes darted around, her unease obvious as she leaned closer to whisper. ''They're all staring at us, Rae. This is… kind of uncomfortable.''

''Fuck em Vi,'' he said confidently.

Just then, three older boys approached as the leader was about to insult him, a voice rang out. ''Look who it is, sis!''

''Our handsome toyboy,'' another voice replied.

Raegar spun around, his breath catching as his gaze landed on the Harker twins. Mirelle stood out with her cropped black hair framing her sharp features, her glasses glinting under the hall's light, and her crimson eyes glowing with an intensity that pinned him in place.

Beside her, her sister's purple eyes bore into him, their predatory smiles making his pulse quicken. The twins, older and exuding a quiet confidence, looked at him as though he were already theirs.

Vienna, catching the exchange, stifled a giggle and nudged him. ''Two more admirers, Rae? Zahara and Dominique are going to be furious when they hear about this.''

Raegar's face flushed as he shot her a glare. ''Vi, nothing is going on with them or anyone else, for that matter!'' he protested, his voice rising just enough to draw a few curious glances from nearby students.

Before he could recover, a flash of movement caught his eye. Sasha materialized in front of him, her long silver hair shimmering under the dining hall's chandeliers. Her striking purple eyes, usually playful, now shimmered with a flicker of hurt as she tilted her head.

''Nothing, Rae? I thought you liked us, handsome,'' she said, her voice soft, making his stomach twist.

The word handsome rolled off her tongue like a challenge. Raegar instinctively stepped back, but Sasha was faster. Her hand darted out, fingers curling around his collar with a gentle but firm grip.

She quickly leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek, her lips cool against his flushed skin. The dining hall seemed to hush for a moment, or perhaps it was just the blood rushing in his ears as he stood frozen, caught by the older girl.

Raegar reeled from Sasha's earlier kiss, Vienna smirking beside him. The air felt charged, as if the universe itself was waiting for the next move. Mirelle approached as other students parted instinctively as she approached.

His heart thudded, his earlier protests to Vienna about nothing going on, feeling flimsier by the second. Without a word, Mirelle closed the distance between them. Her hands, cool and steady, reached up to cup his cheeks.

Seconds later, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss, bold and unapologetic. The world seemed to tilt, his mind blanked, his body frozen in shock as the warmth sent a jolt through him.

Gasps and whispers erupted from the surrounding students, forks pausing mid-air as the dining hall's attention zeroed in on the scene. Vienna's jaw dropped, her teasing grin replaced by wide-eyed astonishment.

''Rae, you—,'' she started, but her words were cut off by a sharp voice from nearby. ''Mirelle!'' Sasha's indignant cry sliced through the murmurs.

The dark-haired girl pushed forward, her eyes blazing thanks to a mix of hurt and defiance. ''You can't just do that!'' she huffed, her hands on her hips.

But her scowl quickly morphed into a mischievous smirk. ''Fine, then. My turn.''

His brain was shutting down and couldn't process what was happening. Sasha darted forward. Her hands mirrored Mirelle's, cradling his face with surprising tenderness. She pulled him into a kiss, her lips soft but insistent, stealing what little breath he had left.

The dining hall erupted into a fresh wave of gasps, some students standing to get a better view, while others whispered furiously to their neighbors.