NOVPUBValentina reached the spiraling staircase that would take her to Raegar's room and descended, each step taking her deeper into the tower's lower levels. The air grew cooler, the sounds of the common room fading as stone walls closed in.
'This place is horrible,' she mused, glancing around. 'Why would he accept a place down here?'
The corridor at the tower's base stretched into dim shadows, and she exhaled softly, her mission inching closer to completion. Hearing footsteps descending the stairs, she ducked behind a potted plant, its broad leaves brushing her shoulder.
Peering through, she recognized the two boys from upstairs with the other students, the hulking giant and the ink-stained, black-haired one who entered the two nearby rooms to rest for the night.
'Maybe they're his friends, sharing this place?' she mused, suppressing a shiver as the cold stone seeped through her cloak.
Following that, Valentina sensed Raegar's Aether coming from the nearby room, which she approached with a careful step. She entered the room only to notice it was dark, but it was too late as a blade appeared along her throat from behind.
''Why are you sneaking into my room, Lady Valentina?'' an amused voice appeared in her ear.
Her entire body stiffened, but when she was spun around and her lips stolen in a kiss, she melted into the boy's embrace.
***
(Hours before Valentina snuck into Raegar's room)
Raegar led Zahara and Selene through the winding corridors, prompting the two girls to start complaining. The Demoness glanced at him with an annoyed expression. ''How long until we get to the Library, Rae?''
''Not long now,'' he answered. ''We have to pass by the Enchantment Lab, then we're there.''
Ten minutes later, the trio arrived at the big oak doors that led into the library. Raegar opened it only for the two girls to gasp in surprise at the size of the place. Zahara glanced around with wide grey eyes.
''This place is bigger than the one in Dunmara City down south,'' she muttered in awe.
Just then, Silvia appeared in front of the three, scaring Zahara and prompting Selene to jump back like a scared cat. Raegar started laughing as the old woman spoke warmly. ''Hello Blackwood, I see you brought some friends.''
''Yes, these two are Zahara and Selene,'' he introduced them to her before doing the same thing for the duo. ''Girls, this is Head Librarian Silvia. She lent me a book about the Borderlands, which is interesting.''
The old woman smiled at the trio as she gazed at the blonde. ''A Triarch Mage who wants to become a powerful Healer, interesting. I might have the right book for you.''
Moments later, Silvia vanished from the spot, catching Selene off guard. She spun on him and questioned. ''What is it with this powerful librarian?''
Raegar shrugged with a chuckle. ''I don't know, but she's at least Tier Ten and loves books. So there's no issue for me.''
The Demoness inclined her head in acknowledgment as the elderly librarian materialized once more, her sudden presence prompting the girls to instinctively draw closer to him, their hands gripping his arms tightly.
The librarian's face softened with a warm, knowing smile, extended a leather-bound book toward one of the girls. Zahara's grey eyes went wide in surprise as she took the offered learning material.
''Here you are, my dear,'' she said, her voice gentle yet tinged with nostalgia. ''This is a rare healing tome, quite the treasure in its day. It was all the rage when I was your age, passed down through generations for its wisdom. Treat it with care, and it will serve you well.''
The book's cover, embossed with faded runes, seemed to hum faintly with Aether, as if eager to share its ancient secrets. Zahara couldn't help but smile when thanking the woman. ''Thank you.''
Silvia waved a dismissive hand, her eyes twinkling with gentle amusement. ''No need to fret, my dear, just dive into those pages and let the tome work its magic,'' she said warmly, turning her gaze to Selene.
Her expression sharpened with purpose as she addressed him. ''And you, Blackwood, I trust you'll help this young lady find a book that speaks to her heart. There's something for everyone in these old stacks if you know where to look.''
With a nod, Raegar gestured for the girls to follow him, leading them through the aisles of towering bookshelves to a corner of the library. Some other students were sitting around working.
The air here was thick with the scent of aged parchment and polished wood, a quiet sanctuary untouched by the usual bustle of students. He paused beside a cluster of well-worn armchairs, their cushions sagging from years of use, and motioned toward them.
''This is where I sat last time,'' he said, his voice low to preserve the stillness. ''It's a hidden gem, peaceful, tucked away. No students ever seem to wander this far, so we'll have it to ourselves.''
Following that, the duo sat down and got comfortable. Zahara leaned back, reading the book Silvia gave her. Selene glanced at him with a smile. ''What can I read, Rae?''
Raegar thought for a second as he answered. ''Maybe about the school's dungeons? We will be exploring them sooner rather than later.''
The Demoness beamed, nodding. ''Sounds good to me, do you mind picking me a good one?''
Once hearing that, he walked toward the shelf and grabbed two for her before heading back to the table. Raegar sat down and handed them over to Selene. ''One is about the F Rank Dungeons, while the other is the low-tiered monsters we'll be fighting.''
''Thanks Rae,'' she replied.
Minutes later, the three of them were reading after he pulled out Xavier's book and started reading about the Wood Devils that haunted the Borderlands, forcing him to think. 'They are like Hidebehinds from Earth.'
They stalked people from the treeline and called to them in their loved one's voice, which gave him the creeps. While he was doing that, he pulled out a bottle of sake and started drinking.
An unknown amount of time appeared as Zahara put the book down with glowing eyes. ''This book is amazing, whoever wrote this was an expert in healing Aether Mages,'' she revealed with a big smile.
Raegar looked up from the book, causing his head to start spinning thanks to the sake, which caught Selene's attention. Her yellow eyes landed on the bottle in his hand before she commented. ''Are you a drunk now?''
''No,'' he shook his head. ''I've been drinking this stuff for months now, I like the buzz it gives me.''
Just then, Silvia appeared and added. ''Stupid Blackwood. You'll get addicted to it if you don't stop.''
The Demoness nodded in agreement as Zahara turned to him and giggled. ''Only you would drink in school.''
Following that, the librarian laughed before ushering them out. ''The library is closing now, it's best you three get back to the towers.''
''Has the last bell happened already?'' Selene questioned.
The old woman confirmed it. ''Yes. Now leave so I can lock up, these bones need some rest.''
Afterward, the three of them left the library as Raegar looked at the girls with a charming smile. ''I'll walk you both back to the Eastern Tower.''
They eagerly agreed, then strolled toward the exit, stepping into the shadowy garden illuminated by drifting Aether Lights. School guards patrolled the winding paths, vigilant for intruders.
As they wandered through the garden, Selene remarked. ''I love this place at night. The view from my bedroom is breathtaking.''
''I hate nighttime,'' he replied. ''Well, not while inside Drakenwood's wall, but out there, it's something else.''
Zahara nodded. ''It was horrible at some points on the Kingsway. Our caravan guards told us to never whistle in the forests we traveled through,'' she revealed.
When Raegar heard this, a shiver ran down his spine as a memory of his time in the Bloodfang Forest. He shook his head and warned the girls. ''Those are either Nightwalkers or Wood Devils. I remember on my time down south, a merchant caravan was butchered to a man. I found them on the Kingsway just as the adventurers arrived.''
Selene glanced around and dragged them toward a bench while speaking. ''Can you tell us a story? I'm not tired yet.''
Raegar chuckled at the Demoness but nodded with a smile. ''A quick one because I want to sleep.''
***
(Months before he started classes)
Raegar was camping out deep inside Bloodfang Forest, not far from the Kingsway that passed through it. He was high in a tree as the night descended, and that's when the creepy voices started echoing out.
''Arthur, come down here and help me,'' a boy said from below.
He shivered when he realized it was his brother Mark's voice and chose to ignore it, but the creature continued. ''Help me, bro! Just come down here and help us!''
Raegar popped over the side and spammed Stormfire Bullets into the darkness, causing explosions to ring out as she replied. ''Fuck off!''
