NOVPUBRaegar looked at the older woman, smiling at him with a knowing look in her amber eyes. He shook his head, questioning. ''What are you doing in here, Aiko?''
''You need some extra care,'' she revealed, stepping into the water alongside him. ''There's a healing method from the East that could help out alot.''
When he heard this, his eyebrow rose as Aiko explained. ''Water has been with us humanoids since the beginning of time, and some old monk on an eastern mountain found a way to heal the body with it.''
Raegar's curiosity ignited, his one remaining eye widening with fascination as the older woman's words drew him deeper into her tale. Sensing his attention, she leaned closer, her voice rich with the weight of ancient knowledge.
''He discovered its hidden potential after many years of study and meditation high up in the Serpent Spine Mountain Range that spilts my homeland with the Green Sea,'' she said. ''When wielded with the knowledge and skill, it possesses remarkable healing properties.''
His breath caught, his mind racing with possibilities. Aiko gestured for him to watch closely as she began demonstrating. Her hands moved, and she chanted softly in a melodic, unfamiliar tongue that seemed to hum with power.
As her voice wove through the air, a green glow enveloped her hands, shimmering like liquid emerald gloves. The sight was mesmerizing, the light pulsing gently as if alive. Raegar's astonishment was plain, his gaze locked on the scene.
'This is Eastern Magic that Yuki told me about years ago,' he mused, smiling. 'The Enchancment spell I use came from her clan.'
Unfazed by his reaction, Aiko continued, her tone calm. ''In my language, we call this Ama no Mizu. To you, it would be known as Heavenly Water Healing, a sacred art that channels the essence of life itself to mend wounds and soothe suffering.'' 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
The air around them seemed to hum with the Aether before she hovered above his ribs as the energy seeped into his body like a calming wave, causing his muscles to relax, and the pain faded.
Raeger sighed as water covered his body like an extra layer of skin, shocking him, but Aiko quickly calmed him down. ''It's fine, Blackwood, this will repair your veins and close the tears in your Water Pool.''
He sighed and decided to ignore the pain as her Aether repaired some of him, but it didn't do anything to his scars, thanks to being Tier Eight. His grandmother was Tier Nine, which was a big difference in power.
Raegar submerged himself in the water as the older woman persisted with her spellcasting, only ceasing after a while. He glanced at the golden-haired fox, who, though panting heavily, offered a faint smile.
''Too much damage,'' she muttered, climbing out of the water. ''The Witch of the West needs to wake up so I can see you without them.''
Raegar chuckled before helping her out of the bath, as her legs were too weak. Aiko looked at him warmly. ''Thank you,'' she whispered.
''I should be the one thanking you for repairing my body,'' he responded as they entered the private section where her office was located.
The older woman dismissed him with a frail smile. ''You're welcome, handsome. Now off you go, I need my rest.''
Raegar nodded and left the room, heading to the library to research the Devils' weaknesses and explore more powerful spells he could learn. He traveled through the school, only to the corridors were empty due to everyone being in class.
By the time he reached the hall that led to the staircase that would take him to the other parts. While walking, he bumped into Professor Riverhold, the man gave him a glance with narrowed eyes.
''What are you doing, Blackwood?'' he inquired in a suspicious tone.
''Going to the library to study,'' Raegar answered, coming to a stop. ''I have a Free Class now and after dinner. So I'm using the time to learn anything about Devils.''
When the older man heard this, he nodded. ''Interesting. Now be on your way, I don't want to interrupt your learning.''
Following that, the professor walked off toward the Northern Courtyard. Once the man was gone, Raegar on his way. After ten minutes, he arrived at the library and noticed loads of students sitting around.
Without bothering, he scanned the Devil section of the place, only to come across very few books. This annoyed him, but Silvia's voice sounded from behind. ''You'll have to ask the Order Professors for reading material, boy. They love to keep it a secret.''
He turned around only to see the old woman standing there, nodding with a friendly smile as she continued. ''Everyone should be learning this, considering that darkness has fallen upon Dawnfire and is causing chaos all across the empire.''
Raegar's eye widened at the words, but she continued speaking. ''The Darktide Kingdom is full of horrible slavers, and powerful Aether Mages are raiding the Eastern Lands, forcing the Imperial Navy to through the river lanes that stretch across Kaldorra.''
''The Darktide Kingdom? Who are they?'' he asked.
Silvia laughed before shaking her head. ''You take World History, wait until Professor Wentworth teaches you all about it.''
Raegar nodded as he took some books and went to sit down after the old woman vanished once again. Five minutes later, he was sitting in a quiet corner, reading about Devil attacks that had occurred across the Western Lands.
His attention was ensnared as he sank deeper into the text, oblivious to the passage of time, his fingers tracing faded runes as he scribbled notes. The library's Aether candlelight flickered, casting shadows that danced across the shelves.
Raegar was lost in his study when the sudden toll of the dinner bell shattered his focus, its chime echoing through the stone halls. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, but his eyes drifted back to the open page.
He leaned forward, determined to finish the passage, when the book was abruptly snatched from his grasp. Startled, Raegar's head snapped up, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at his belt.
Standing before him was a smirking Selene, her yellow eyes glinting with mischievous delight. The Demoness tilted her head, her white hair catching the light as she dangled the book just out of reach.
He opened his mouth to protest, but her teasing voice cut him off. ''Put the dusty pages down, scholar,'' she said. ''Dinner's waiting, and so are the girls, along with Rune and Caspian.''
''You can't survive on knowledge alone, you know,'' her smile widened, revealing a hint of her sharp canines, and she tossed the book onto a nearby table with a flourish.
Raegar sighed, half-exasperated, half-amused, and rose from his chair, brushing the dust from his cloak. ''You could've just asked,'' he muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
Selene's laughter, bright and unrestrained, filled the quiet library as she looped her arm through his, shocking him once again. He couldn't say anything as she tugged him toward the door and the promise of a lively meal with their friends.
As they walked down the torchlit corridor, Selene's curious gaze fixed on Raegar, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly. ''You're practically glowing today,'' she said, her voice laced with intrigue. ''What's got you in such a good mood?''
Raegar glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ''Nothing too dramatic. Nurse Kitsunia worked some of her Eastern Magic to purge more of the assassin's poison. It's dulled the pain quite a bit.''
Selene's eyebrows arched, and she gave a low whistle. ''Well, that explains the spring in your step. About time you caught a break.''
Her tone softened, though her playful smirk remained as she nudged him lightly. ''Come on, let's get you fed before you dive back into those books.''
Following that, the duo continued walking through the school until arriving at the dining hall, where Zahara and Vienna were waiting outside. The blonde beamed when spotting them getting close.
''Rae, are we still heading to Brightwater tomorrow morning?'' she questioned with a hopeful expression in her grey eyes.
Raegar nodded. ''Yes. Are the three of you still coming?'' he responded.
When Vienna heard this, she raised her hands. ''I'm studying with Cas at the library, and Rune is going to meet his girlfriend at Willowbank Village; her family is traveling there from their hometown.''
Everyone's attention was caught as they entered the hall and sat down with the others. Selene looked at the giant boy, ''Bear, are you meeting your lover tomorrow?''
''Indeed,'' Rune replied as he chewed on a hearty piece of roasted meat, the savory juices glistening on his lips. ''She's headed to Brightwater to catch a Skyhaven bound for the capital.''
Raegar, leaning back in his chair, studied his friend with a mix of curiosity and concern. The flickering light of the tavern's hearth cast shadows across his weathered face as he set down his tankard.
''The capital? That's no small journey from these parts. What's calling her to make such a trek?'' He questioned.
