Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 282: Let's hope they won't fail me

After returning to the academy, Adrian made his way to the sanctuary, just like he had the day before. He was a bit later than Irithel, who had likely already started her duties with the beasts.

As he approached the sanctuary, the comforting sounds of nature surrounded him—the rustle of leaves, the soft chirping of birdlike beasts, and the occasional call of the creatures housed within the sanctuary. It was a place of peace, a stark contrast to the bustling Black Market he had just left behind.

Adrian spotted Irithel near one of the larger enclosures, gently tending to a group of deer-like creatures with shimmering, ethereal coats. She seemed completely at ease, her connection with the animals evident in the way they responded to her presence.

'Her ability really suits her.' He thought inwardly.

He then gave her a quick wave, which she returned with a smile before turning back to her work.

After ensuring that the beasts were well cared for and spending some time helping Irithel, Adrian headed toward Mrs. Rena's office. His thoughts turned to the note in his pocket and the plan he had crafted for their upcoming meeting.

Mrs. Rena was already waiting for him, her expression curious as he entered. She seemed to sense that he had something important to share. "Adrian," she greeted him warmly, though her eyes betrayed her eagerness to hear what he had to say. "Are you ok? You were a bit late today."

Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "No, don't worry. Just had a few things to take care of. But I'm here now, and I have some news for you."

Mrs. Rena leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued. "Oh? Do tell."

Adrian pulled out the small slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. "The person behind me will meet you on Thursday, at this location," he said, his voice steady.

Mrs. Rena glanced at the note, her eyes narrowing as she read the address. A slight smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "You sure were fast," she remarked, her tone light but with a hint of admiration.

Adrian chuckled softly, leaning against the edge of her desk. "I was just going to meet him yesterday, so I figured I might as well set things up quickly. No point in wasting time, right?"

Mrs. Rena nodded, her expression thoughtful as she carefully folded the note and slipped it into her apron pocket. "Indeed. It's good to know you're taking this seriously."

"I know how important the sanctuary is to you," Adrian said, his tone more serious now. "I want to help in any way I can."

She gave him a warm smile, her eyes softening. "Thank you, student Adrian. This place means the world to me, and knowing that I have someone like you looking out for it... well, it eases some of the burden."

Adrian smiled back, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "You'll get through this, Mrs. Rena. I'm sure of it."

Mrs. Rena nodded, though there was still a hint of worry in her eyes. "I just hope this meeting goes as planned. The sanctuary can't afford any more setbacks."

"It will," Adrian assured her, his voice firm. "And if there's anything else you need, just let me know. I'm here to help."

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Mrs. Rena gave him a grateful look before glancing out the window.

"Well, I suppose we should both get back to work," she said, standing up and smoothing out her apron. "Thank you again, student Adrian. You've been a great help."

"Anytime," Adrian replied, giving her a small nod before turning to leave. As he walked out of her office, he felt a sense of accomplishment. The pieces were slowly falling into place, but he knew there was still much to do.

Thursday would be a critical day, and Adrian was determined to make sure everything went smoothly. But for now, he needed to focus on the present and continue preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.

_____ ___ _

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Adrian's attention was drawn to the soft, cheerful sounds coming from the corner of the room. He smiled as he saw Aria sitting on the floor, playfully rubbing her nose against Noxy, the harmless little hedgehog. The tiny creature chirped in delight, clearly enjoying the affection.

Aria chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Oh, so you played with your papa all day, hehe," she cooed, her voice gentle as she cradled Noxy in her hands. The sight warmed Adrian's heart, and for a moment, he simply watched, appreciating the simple happiness between them.

Noticing Adrian standing there, Aria looked up and gave him a bright smile. "Come on, Adrian," she called out, her tone playful. "Join us!"

(Pa... Pa) Noxy also called out.

Adrian didn't need any more encouragement. He walked over and sat beside Aria, reaching out to gently pet Noxy. The hedgehog chirped again, this time in response to Adrian's touch, and he couldn't help but smile.

"He's adorable," Adrian remarked, his tone soft. "And so full of energy."

Aria nodded, her smile widening as she held Noxy a little closer. "He always is when he gets to play. Right, Noxy?" she asked, laughing softly as the hedgehog chirped in response.

As they continued to play with Noxy, Aria's expression turned a bit more serious. "So, everything okay on your side?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for any signs of worry.

Adrian met her gaze and smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, nothing to worry about," he replied, his voice steady. "Everything's under control."

Aria seemed relieved by his words, and she nodded. "That's good to hear," she said softly.

"What about you? Have you finished what you were doing these weekends?" Adrian asked, his tone curious.

Aria's eyes brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically. "I just finished today," she replied, her voice filled with satisfaction.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern creeping into his expression. "It wasn't anything dangerous, right?" he asked, his tone serious.

Aria giggled, her laughter light and infectious, causing Adrian to feel puzzled. "You aren't jealous, are you?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "I heard most boys..."

Adrian's expression softened, and he couldn't help but chuckle. "Jealous? Not really," he said, shaking his head with a smile. "Just making sure you're safe, that's all."

Aria's smile softened as she reached out and placed a hand on Adrian's arm. "Don't worry about me," she said gently. "I can take care of myself, you know."

Adrian nodded, his heart warmed by her words. "I know you can," he replied, his voice sincere. "But that doesn't mean I won't look out for you."

Aria's eyes softened, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, the connection between them deepening. Then, Noxy chirped again, breaking the moment, and they both laughed, the tension easing as they returned to playing with the little hedgehog.

Adrian wished their life could always be this peaceful, filled with simple joys like playing with Noxy and sharing lighthearted moments with Aria. But he knew that their world was far from tranquil, and the challenges they faced were only going to grow more complex.

'Alas, I can't break these limits now...'

Right, it was his strength that was limiting him.

'It would be good if I at least could use the Forbidden Light artifact Seraphiel gave me... But, I don't even know where the artifact disappeared. I know it is on me but... Sigh... She said something about it will appear when the time comes, so it seems like I can only wait for it... Sigh, just after Noxy's case, I am gonna get this one...'

'Why can't I just use it like those MCs do when they get a powerful item or artifact? Is it because I'm not a main character?'

'...Whatever, I have my own ways anyway.'

'Let's hope they won't fail me...'