NOVPUBRaegar stayed on the branch overlooking the dark forest floor where the creepy humanoid lingered, trying to lure him out of the protective runes. He shook his head and set up his tent before getting some sleep.
''Arthur! Come down here and help your sister now!'' his old mother's voice rang out.
He took out some cloth and covered his ears, crawled under the covers, ignoring the creatures below. Moments later, he fell asleep only to wake up the next morning as the sounds of birds greeted him.
Raegar yawned and climbed out of the tent, putting it away and continuing through the forest. A couple of hours later, he came across a scene that shocked him as torn-up humans and Demi-Humans littered the blood-stained ground.
''What the fuck happened here?'' he muttered in surprise.
Splintered carriages tilted into ditches, their cargo strewn everywhere. Some of the bodies were clad in merchant robes, others in guard armor, littered the ground, their faces frozen in terror.
A rustle from across the road snapped his attention upward. Five figures emerged from the tree line, adventurers, by their mismatched armor and weathered gear, they glanced around, only to stop when they saw him.
Moments later, a towering orc with a notched greataxe led them, flanked by a lithe elf archer, a human mage clutching a staff, and two dwarves hefting warhammers. Their eyes scanned the wreckage, wary but unsurprised, as if they'd seen such horrors before.
The orc's gaze locked onto him, his voice a low growl. ''You there. Friend or foe?''
''Friend,'' he replied, dismissing his daggers. ''I just came across this while hunting monsters.''
When the adventurers heard this, they visibly relaxed as the orc introduced himself. ''I'm Grimgor Ironside, leader of the emergency party that Dreadshade City sent us to find missing merchants.''
Raegar nodded in understanding, pointing at the closest body. ''They were attacked by creatures of the night. The lead merchant wanted to keep traveling, not realizing how dangerous it is out here.''
''Yes, you're right, boy,'' the orc responded as he warned him. ''Be careful out here, the creatures are getting bolder with their attacks.''
Following that, Raegar continued and ran into more creatures that he killed until settling down for the night, as the Nightwalkers called to him from the darkness.
***
Zahara and Selene looked horrified, prompting Raegar to laugh as he waved them away. ''That's why I tell you guys to be careful. The creatures of the night are wholly different compared to normal monsters.''
The blonde nodded but quickly spoke. ''Can we come when you travel to one?''
''Yes, I don't know when, though,'' he revealed. ''Maybe we can go explore the Black Forest one day.''
When the duo heard this, Selene got excited, but Zahara became nervous as she refused. ''That place is dangerous, the professors say all kinds of monsters wander in the darkness. According to rumors, the headmistress saved a group of students who wandered into it.''
After that, he walked the two girls back to the Eastern Tower, only to be surprised when he saw all the flowers glowing under the moonlight. Once there, the blonde turned to him and hugged him, smiling.
''Thank you for everything, Rae,'' she said warmly. ''This Healing tome will help out with your grandmother. I'm going to study the Devil Poison, and hopefully I'll be able to learn a spell before summer break.''
Raegar's lips curved into a warm smile as he tightened his embrace around the dark-skinned girl while speaking. ''Thank you, Za. Once you've healed her, I'll head to the village to ensure your safety.''
''Come on, you two!'' Selene giggled. ''Just get a room already.''
When Zahara heard this, she jumped back as she blushed, but Raegar vanished and appeared behind the Demoness. He quickly hugged the girl, stiffening as she melted into his embrace.
''I didn't forget about you, Red,'' he charmingly whispered.
''Red?'' she questioned.
He grabbed her hand and ran a finger across her soft crimson skin, answering. ''I love the tone, it's unique and attractive.''
When the Tiefling girl heard this, her pointy ears twitched as Zahara teased her this time. ''Look! Her cheeks are dark red!'' she exclaimed.
The Demoness wriggled out of his arms and started chasing the blonde into the tower while laughing. He shook his head, making his way toward the Western Tower after they said their goodbyes. 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
Raegar walked through the garden only to bump into Zane Bloodhowl, the Lion Demi-Human guard. When the older man spotted him, a smile appeared. ''Blackwood! You better when the Grand Magic Games, we old timers are putting coin on you,'' he exclaimed in a booming voice.
''You better give me some of the winnings,'' he confidently replied. ''I'll make sure you can retire in a big manor with Mrs. Bloodhowl.''
The guard let out a hearty chuckle, playfully ruffling the boy's hair. ''Love that confidence, lad. It's sorely needed these days, things are turning grim beyond the Brightwater Bridge to the east.''
Raegar's eyebrow rose in curiosity as he questioned. ''What's going on?''
''Your father, alongside Duke D'Ambrose, has driven the Forest Giants back to the Borderlands,'' Zane replied candidly. ''But here's the issue: other creatures of the night are plaguing the empire. Some areas have been cleared, but there aren't enough adventurers to handle the rest.''
''Interesting,'' he thought while glancing at the wall in the distance. ''Maybe I can clear out some on Dark Day? No, I have that auction to go to with Za and Domi.''
Following that, he said his goodbyes and walked toward the Western Tower when guards were at the entrance, talking to Professor Riverhold. When the older man spotted him, his eyes narrowed.
''What are you doing out so late, Blackwood?'' he asked sternly.
Raegar looked at the professor and responded casually. ''Walked the girls back to their dorms after studying in the library.''
When the man heard this shocked expression appeared on his face before pointing toward the stairs. ''Go get some rest for classes and ensure you don't overwork yourself.''
''Thanks, Professor Riverhold,'' he replied with a yawn. ''I'll sleep once I get back to my room.''
Inside his room, he approached the window and froze. The colossal shark had returned, gliding through the dark waters beyond. Its piercing red eyes met his, and it gave a slow, deliberate nod.
Raegar's heart thundered as the shark's nod lingered in his mind. 'Is it intelligent?' he wondered. 'It's beyond Tier Ten, so… maybe?'
Just then, he sensed an unknown Aether approaching the room, prompting him to vanish and appear by the back wall with his daggers and armor equipped, ready for an attack, only to see someone open his door.
He moved like a ghost, only to notice the blonde hair as his blade reached the stranger's throat. Raegar stopped his attack, smirking. ''Why are you sneaking into my room, Lady Valentina?''
The older woman stiffened, only to giggle as she explained. ''I'm not surprised you sensed me, Blackwood, but the truth is I've come here to see you.''
Moments later, she lowered his blade, spinning to face him with glowing eyes. Leaning in, her breath warm and teasing, she pressed her lips to his in a tender kiss. As their lips connected, a shock passed through them.
Raegar's heart stuttered, but she melted into his embrace as he returned the gesture. Yuki's words echoed in his mind. 'Find a strong woman to fight by your side, young master. And who better than one who loves you with every beat of her heart?'
Soon enough, Valentina leaned back, wide-eyed and with a shocked expression as he touched her lips. He shook his head, questioning. ''Did you feel the shock?''
The older woman nodded with a small smile. ''Yes, Mother said it would happen after seeing us dance all those years ago. Then I felt it when you touched my bum, but what convinced me was the kiss on the cheek.''
Raegar's cheeks flushed, but an impulse overtook him. He leaned in, capturing the professor's lips in a bold kiss. His tongue gently explored her mouth as he gripped her waist, pulling her closer.
Valentina melted into him, their kiss deepening until she eased back, a playful, knowing smile curving her lips. ''So,'' she murmured, ''Want to see where this leads while taking things slow? I know you care for Yuki, tell her, she'll understand.''
She stepped back and continued. ''But could we keep this between us? I'd rather students didn't know. Including your little girlfriends''
''That's fine,'' he answered. ''But you do know I won't be making anything official until after the summer? Yuki wants to wait until I come of age.''
When Valentina heard this, her smile grew wider, replying. ''Yes, I know, when I spoke to her last, she said that's the one condition your mother gives to women, especially knowing you like us older ones.''
He nodded in agreement as she took out some books, revealing. ''I thought you could help with my next classes. I need to organize what to teach them in the theory part.''
