Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 144: Happy Now?

Raegar smiled as he returned to reality. ''Sorry about that, I was gathering Aether as I'm exhausted from fighting that Devil with Ranthar and wanted to recover some,'' he explained.

The older woman waved him away, smiling. ''No need to apologize, let's head to my cottage. I'll make you some of the famous Northern Tea, it will energize you enough to get to Vapour.''

Following that, Professor Silvershade led Raegar toward the courtyard entrance and waved her hand. The door opened, and she stepped through with him trailing behind while looking around.

When seeing this, he thought. 'Looks like whoever founded this place wanted a big enough place to make the professors happy.'

There were cottages all over the place and a private walled-in training field behind some of them. He assumed they were for the Combat and P.T professors like Elara and Ranthar, which made him chuckle. 'Bet those two are enjoying having a place to call their own while working here.'

After that, Raegar noticed Drakenwood's wall was hidden by a sea of ivy that made it feel like he was in an isolated fairy tale village from a book back on Earth. While walking, the older woman glanced back.

''This place is amazing to live in. Doesn't feel like we're in a castle, and by the way, this road is known as Professor's Lane; it has everything we teachers need to reside at Drakenwood,'' she informed him.

''Yes, the boy's tower amazes me,'' he cheerfully replied. ''My room is the only one that has a window to the sea bottom. A shame it's at the bottom, but Professor Riverhold seems to have an issue with me.''

She looked around before speaking. ''Call me Cecilia when we're alone, Rae, it makes things easier and ignore that old fart, he is a strict professor but means well.''

Raegar nodded. ''It's a pleasure to meet you, Cecilia, and I'll take your word for it,'' he said with a charming smile.

Moments later, a radiant smile appeared, she suddenly looped her arm through his, and eagerly began the tour around the Northern Courtyard. Their first stop was a charming row of glass greenhouses, their panes glinting in the afternoon sun.

She excitedly gestured toward them, exclaiming. ''Welcome to the Professor's Garden! This is where we grow ingredients, carefully tended for use in our classes and training sessions.''

Raegar watched the older woman's blue eyes gleam as she continued. ''It's a living laboratory, bursting with herbs, roots, and rare plants. I've been trying to grow Aether Fruit to give out in class.''

''Interesting,'' he nodded. ''What other places has the courtyard got?''

Cecilia's eyes sparkled. ''Over there,'' she said, pointing to a cozy, ivy-clad building with warm light spilling from its window. ''Is the Cauldron's Hearth, our restaurant and bar. It's the heart of our downtime, where we gather to unwind or to mark papers depending on the day.''

She gestured toward a stately stone building next, its towering arched windows hinting at the treasures inside. ''That's the library. Beyond it, you'll find the faculty offices and an indoor swimming pool. Honestly, this place is so vast, I haven't even uncovered all its secrets yet!''

Raegar listened intently, a warm smile spreading across his face at her infectious excitement. Reaching into his satchel, he produced a sleek, ceramic bottle of sake, its label etched with eastern letters.

He offered it to the professor. ''A gift for you,'' he said. ''This is freshly brewed sake, a specialty from the eastern continent.''

When Cecilia saw this her eyes widened while taking the bottle. ''This stuff is rare and sells out in Brightwater whenever it comes in stock. How many do you have?''

''Close to three thousand,'' he answered honestly. ''I love the stuff, it's good to unwind and relax.''

Following that, the older woman pulled him toward a cottage in the distance. ''Come on, we will try it together.''

After five minutes, the duo arrived at a lone place that was down a quiet path. Cecilia looked at him with a big smile. ''Corrine gave me this place. I wanted it last year, but she was staying here.''

''Where does the headmistress live?'' he curiously questioned.

She pointed at the main building. ''Look, they finished it just before the new year, but she has private quarters up there.''

Raegar glanced up only to see a massive tower jutting from the school that looked over the whole grounds, including the landscape beyond. His eyes widened as Cecilia explained. ''That's the Headmistress's Tower. It's where her office and home are, the local nobles paid for it as a gift.''

''Oh, that's so cool,'' he replied before she entered the cottage,

Cecilia ushered him inside. ''Come in, Rae, take a seat. I'll go make us the tea.''

Raegar nodded appreciatively and settled into one of the sofas, the cushions enveloping him in comfort. He took a moment to absorb his surroundings, struck by the cozy, lived-in charm of the living room.

A crackling fireplace cast a warm, golden glow across the space, it was adorned with a few well-loved trinkets. Two inviting sofas flanked a sturdy wooden coffee table, all resting on a soft, patterned carpet that added a touch of homeliness to the room.

His gaze wandered to a collection of framed photographs on a nearby shelf. Among them, he spotted the professor beaming alongside Luna. In other frames, three young men, likely her sons, their features echoing their mothers.

''Those are Leo, Ross, and Theo, my boys,'' Cecila's soft voice sounded from behind him. ''Leo attends Drakenwood as a second year, Ross and Theo are in your year.''

''You have son's here?'' he asked, shocked.

The older woman giggled before revealing. ''Remember, I should be your parents' age, Rae, so it shouldn't be such a surprise that I have children.''

She put down a tray, smirking. ''I hope that doesn't change anything, I would still love to help you reach Vapour and maybe teach you a few other things.''

Raegar was curious and questioned the professor ''Like what, Cecilia? But won't your sons think it's strange to have a male student in your home?''

Cecilia leaned back against the plush sofa, her dark green hair catching the firelight as a playful, knowing smile curved her lips. ''As a Tier Eight Mage,'' she purred, her voice low and teasing, ''I can invite whomever I please into my home, my children have no say in the matter.''

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, lingering on Raegar just long enough to make his pulse quicken. He shifted slightly, a faint flush creeping up his neck as he muttered under his breath. ''Better be only me.''

The mature beauty's expression softened into a delighted grin and slid onto the sofa beside him, close enough that her shoulder brushed his. Leaning in, her breath warm against his ear, she whispered. ''And what if someone else did come here, Rae?''

''I wouldn't come here anymore,'' he answered honestly. ''I'm not competing with any other students for your attention. Just give me instructions, and I'll use one of the Aether spots in the school gardens to advance.''

Cecilia's expression flickered, but it quickly melted away as she gently grasped his arm, her touch warm. ''I'm not helping any other student, and I won't be,'' she said softly, her voice steady with conviction, her eyes searching his for a moment to make sure he understood.

Then, she leaned in closer, her breath a soft caress as her lips grazed the edge of his ear. ''And no other men will be stepping through that door either,'' she whispered, her tone an intoxicating. ''My boys hardly visit these days, so it'll just be you, Raegar. Only you.''

She pulled back slightly, her smile radiant yet subtly coy. ''Happy now?''

Raegar happily nodded while taking a sip of the hot tea, which sent energy surging through his body, but it failed to clear the exhaustion that was building up within him. He shook his head and answered. ''Yes, now what did you want to teach me?''

''What element do you use the most?'' Cecilia questioned.

''Lightning and fire,'' he replied.

The older woman gave him a nod, speaking once again. ''Now take out the eight pills I gave you. We're going to choose one of the elements you don't use to advance.''

Raegar's brow furrowed in confusion, his expression a mix of curiosity and uncertainty, which only amused Cecilia, who found it adorable. Her lips curved into a warm, teasing smile as she leaned back slightly, clearly delighted by his reaction.

''Let me break it down for you,'' she said. ''When you're in the pool, the Aether will surge within you, like a tide rising. You'll need to hold it steady, keep it contained. If you let it slip or overflow, the advancement could fail, and you might end up hurting yourself.''

After hearing her explanation, Raegar understood and spoke. ''So just take the pill, absorb the Aether, and hold it in until it expands?''