Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 307: The First Lunar Apprentice

**Meditation Room**

More than five hours had slipped by, marked only by the steady rhythm of the aetheric pulse and the muted sounds of Adrian's occasional movements. The room had grown quieter as time wore on, the previously turbulent aether now flowing in a calm, almost serene manner.

Adrian had long since finished his meager lunch—a glass of juice and a piece of bread—and settled into a routine of quiet observation. He had begun to feel a bit of drowsiness creep into his limbs, but he shook it off, determined to remain alert for any changes.

As he glanced at Aria and Noxy, a sudden shift in the aether caught his attention. The absorption rate had begun to slow, then stopped entirely. Adrian's eyes widened in hope, his heart racing with anticipation. Had the breakthrough finally concluded?

Just as he began to let himself relax, a sudden, powerful surge of invisible force erupted from Aria and Noxy. The intensity of the release was overwhelming, a shockwave of aetheric energy that sent Adrian flying backward.

Instinctively, he twisted mid-air and managed to catch himself just before crashing into the wall. His breaths came in quick, shallow bursts as he steadied himself, his mind racing to understand what had just happened.

He looked back at Aria and Noxy, both of whom were slowly stirring from their trance-like states. The room, once calm and serene, was now filled with a lingering, shimmering aura.

Aria's eyes fluttered open first, their deep purple color replaced by a radiant purple glow. Her expression was one of confusion and curiosity as she took in her surroundings. Beside her, Noxy began to wake as well. The small hedgehog's eyes shone with a mesmerizing golden hue, reflecting the aether it had absorbed.

As the two slowly regained consciousness, Adrian couldn't help but smile wryly, his clothes tattered and stained with cuts and blood. The energy surge had left its mark on him, but he was just glad to see that Aria was waking up.

Aria's gaze eventually settled on Adrian. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in his condition. The once-pristine fabric of his clothing was now shredded and smeared with blood. His face was marked by cuts and bruises, the aftermath of the chaotic aetheric surge till now.

"Adrian?" Aria's voice was soft, a mixture of concern and disbelief. "What happened to you?"

Adrian, still catching his breath and leaning slightly against a nearby wall for support, forced a reassuring smile. It seemed he forgot to change himself or it didn't even come to his mind.

"It's alright, Aria. You've had quite a breakthrough. I just... had to deal with some unexpected turbulence."

He took a few steps toward her, trying to appear less battered than he felt. His eyes met hers, and he could see the worry etched deeply into her expression. "You're okay now, though. That's what matters."

Noxy, having fully awakened, blinked up at Adrian with its eyes, a small twitch of its quills indicating its awareness. The hedgehog's gaze then shifted to Aria, and it let out a soft, contented squeak.

Aria slowly rose from her seated position, her movements cautious as she took in the state of the room and Adrian's injuries. Her eyes remained a glowing purple, a sign of her still-active aetheric power. "Adrian, you really should have been more careful. I didn't realize my breakthrough would cause so much trouble."

"It's not your fault," Adrian said, trying to downplay the extent of his injuries. But it wasn't really a big deal. They didn't hurt at all. "We couldn't have predicted this. Besides, you're the one who had to endure the real strain."

Aria's gaze softened as she looked at Adrian. "Thank you for staying with me. I know it must have been difficult."

Adrian gave a modest shrug. "It's what companions do for each other."

The room fell into a brief, reflective silence as Aria's eyes continued to shimmer with a vibrant purple light. The energy in the air was still potent but seemed to be calming down now that Aria's breakthrough was complete.

Aria took a deep breath, her eyes finally returning to their normal hue as she glanced around the room, absorbing the aftermath of her aetheric trial. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice steady.

Adrian began to answer, but before he could speak, he noticed the once-violent aether had settled into a gentle flow around them. It was as if the room had been cleansed of its earlier turmoil, leaving behind a sense of quiet calm.

"For now," Adrian said, glancing around the room and assessing the damage, "we clean up and get you some rest. We've had quite the day."

Aria nodded, her expression showing a mix of relief and exhaustion. She looked at Noxy, who was now happily rolling about, seemingly pleased with the outcome of the breakthrough.

"Let's take care of things," Adrian said. "And then, once you're rested, we'll talk about it."

"Hmm..." Aria nodded a small smile playing on her lips. '...Sorry, you had to go through this because of me...'

"Anyway, congratulations on becoming the first Lunar Apprentice of all the first years." Adrian smiled as they started cleaning. "I guess, my first spot is gonna be taken away from me, haha."

"Thanks," Aria smiled back.

However, Aria couldn't shake a mix of emotions from swirling inside her. She was elated about her achievement—becoming the first Lunar Apprentice among the first years was a significant milestone. But the sight of Adrian's battered state weighed heavily on her mind.

Despite his reassuring words and the effort he put into helping her, Aria knew the cost of her breakthrough had been high for him. Adrian had sacrificed his own comfort and safety to ensure her success.

The reality of his condition, coupled with the knowledge that he couldn't advance to the Lunar tier due to his affinitylessness, lingered in her thoughts.

Aria glanced at Adrian as he worked beside her. His attempts to appear nonchalant and his insistence that it was all part of helping a friend didn't fully mask the exhaustion and strain he had endured.

She could only imagine how it felt for him to be so close to the advancement he so deserved, only to be held back by something beyond his control. It must have been discouraging, frustrating even.

A pang of guilt struck her heart. She knew Adrian had worked tirelessly and with unwavering dedication, despite the limitations imposed upon him. Yet, here he was, still supporting her through her breakthrough.

As she continued to help with the cleanup, Aria's thoughts drifted back to a secret shared between her and her grandfather, the Principal. It was a secret that Adrian possessed, something even he mightn't know.

Aria shook her head slightly, clearing away the troubling thoughts. She had to stay positive and hopeful. If anyone could catch up and overcome their obstacles, it was Adrian. She had faith in his strength and determination.

With a soft murmur to herself, Aria spoke in a reassuring tone, as if trying to soothe both herself and Adrian. "Don't worry, Adrian. You'll catch up soon. I know it."

Adrian looked up, catching the faintest glimpse of the determination and warmth in her eyes.

"Did you say something?" He asked in curiosity.

"Ah, no, let's finish quickly and take a rest," Aria replied.

"Oh, ok. If you say so..."

_________ ____ ___

Discover stories with m,v l-NovelBin.net

(Author: Hello readers, Webnovel Spirity Awards 2024 evaluation has started. I hope you will support the story by leaving feedback on the Event Page. You can find it on the Mobile App, Events. Thank you beforehand.

And, you can also read my new work - The Tale of two legendary Fools. There is already 20 chapters released by now. Give it a try, you won't regret it. Well, possibly :) <3)