Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Aurelius sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with a tired hand.

"I'll be fine after a bit of rest, really." He offered Rhea a reassuring smile, though his exhaustion was evident.

Rhea didn't look convinced. Her arms were crossed, brow furrowed with concern as she shot him a look that said she wasn't buying it. But before she could argue, Aurelius quickly added, "Besides, there are more injured outside the city. A lot of soldiers and students still need help."

At that, Rhea's expression softened, her desire to help others clear in her eyes. She gave a firm nod. "You're right. They need help... I wish I could..."

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"Rhea..." Aurelius muttered staring at her, knowing well why she sounded like this.

Just then, Adrian's voice cut through the tense air. "Go on, both of you. There are people who need your help more than he or I do."

Aurelius turned to Adrian, offering a small, grateful nod.

"Let's go, Rhea."

But Rhea hesitated, her gaze flickering between Aurelius and Adrian. "But... Umm..."

"If you're worried about Veda," Adrian interrupted as if reading her mind, a sly smile creeping onto his face, "I'll tell her you two went out together to help the soldiers. She won't get mad."

Relief flooded Rhea's face, and she glanced at Aurelius before both nodded. "Thank you, Sir Adrian,"

Aurelius said, giving him a genuine look of appreciation. "Are you coming with us too?"

Adrian chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll be there soon. I just need to… discuss Lady Veda's 'price' first."

Aurelius rolled his eyes at the teasing remark but smiled before heading toward the door with Rhea. As they disappeared into the hallway, Adrian was left alone.

His smile lingered as he turned to face the shadowy corner of the corridor. "So, how much will it be from me?"

From the shadows, there was a faint laugh before Lady Veda emerged, her gaze locking onto Adrian, though something in her eyes had softened—perhaps seeing him in a new light.

"For the sake of rescuing my disciple before, and a lot of people and the city today," she said, crossing her arms, "it'll be free."

Adrian chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I'd rather not owe anyone anything."

He paused, his tone growing more curious as he tilted his head. "Ah, by the way, now that you reminded me, there is something that has been bugging me for a long time. Why didn't you go yourself to save your disciple back then, Lady Veda? Instead, you sent my sister and Aurelius, hadn't our team been there, they would likely have died there..."

Adrian's voice and gaze grew cold at the end of his question.

Surprisingly, Veda went silent though not backing down from his gaze.

"Everyone with a bit of knowledge knows you are already a Solar Artisan... So, it would be a piece of cake for you to rescue her yourself. So, why did you do that? Why did you put them in danger? Isn't your disciple precious to you or..."

"Enough!"

Lady Veda's sharp voice sliced through the air, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Adrian. The corridor seemed to grow colder, the tension palpable. Adrian stood his ground, his cold gaze unwavering, though his 'curiosity' was genuine.

Well, it wasn't just his curiosity, he has been planning this for a while now too.

For a moment, silence stretched between them, the weight of Adrian's question hanging heavy.

Veda's expression softened ever so slightly, but her eyes still gleamed with a dangerous edge. She let out a slow breath, regaining her composure before speaking, her voice quieter but no less sharp. "You think I don't care about my disciple or her friends? That I sent them into danger without consideration?"

Adrian didn't flinch. "That's exactly what it looked like."

Veda's lips twitched in a bitter smile. "You think everything is as simple as power, boy?" She took a step closer, her presence suddenly imposing. "Yes, I could've gone. I could've torn those bandits or black-hand mercenaries apart without lifting a finger. But sometimes, strength isn't the only factor in making decisions."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the vague answer. "Is that so?"

"You don't understand yet," Veda said softly, more to herself than to him.

Her gaze drifted past him for a moment before she continued, her tone shifting, as if imparting a lesson. "The world you think you know—it's full of unseen forces. Manipulations. Consequences that ripple far beyond what's in front of you."

"Oh, then," Adrian's voice dripped with sarcasm as he folded his arms, leaning slightly against the corridor wall. "Please, enlighten me, Lady Veda."

Veda's eyes narrowed further, her sharp features momentarily hardening. "You're clever, but you're still naive, boy. There are reasons beyond your comprehension—reasons I couldn't interfere directly, even if I wanted to."

Adrian's lips curled into a thin smile. "Is that so? Sounds like another excuse to me. You sent Aurelius, my sister, and my team into a death trap. And now you're saying it was all part of some grand plan?"

Veda's hands tightened into fists for a brief moment before she relaxed, her voice growing colder. "Do you know what would've happened if I had gone? If I had revealed myself outside, shown myself, there are those watching, always watching. Forces that would've moved against me, against this city, against everything you care about."

Adrian tilted his head slightly, his interest piqued despite his irritation. "Forces? What kind of forces?"

"The kind you aren't ready to face yet," Veda replied, her tone final. "It wasn't just about saving my apprentice. It was about keeping the balance. And I trusted your sister and Aurelius because they were capable enough—barely."

"Oho," Adrian's eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and defiance. He wasn't about to let her vague, cryptic explanations go unanswered.

"Perhaps," he said, his voice low and calculated, "the forces you're talking about involve someone named… Evangeline?"

The name lingered in the air for only a second before everything changed.

The corridor darkened, as if all the light had been sucked away in an instant. A suffocating pressure descended upon Adrian, slamming into him with the force of a tidal wave. The weight was immense, crushing, as though the very air had turned to stone, pushing him toward the ground.

"You... How do you know about her?"