Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 338: Aria's Light [2]

She searched through the alleys, finally finding the boy, with several dead bodies of masked figures beside him. Fortunately, he was still breathing, albeit weakly. She didn't know what happened here since the vision ended abruptly.

And she didn't care.

All she wanted to do was to take him to the hospital to treat him.

And she did exactly that.

The Healers said his condition was severe, he lost too much blood and his injuries would need at least a month to heal.

Then, she returned back to the academy. However, for some reason, she kept coming over to the hospital to check up on him. Maybe it was because of her responsibility, or simply curiosity.

She was also the one who reported his condition to the academy.

Soon, a week passed by. When she visited the hospital again, she saw the boy awake, talking with the healers. She didn't want to eavesdrop but couldn't stop her curiosity.

'He's... different.' She thought at that time. He wasn't exactly the same as the person she saw in the vision but still held the characteristics. Loneliness, determination, sadness, and so on.

She wanted to enter to talk with him but couldn't find the courage to do so. So, she left.

But it seems luck was on her side.

Not long after, just one week later, she met him again.

She was going to meet her grandfather to talk about her ability and what happened. Surprisingly, she met him, just as he was about to leave the room.

She found herself staring at him, her eyes drawn to him. She didn't know why, he seemed familiar and close to him but, again, she couldn't tell the reason.

Then, he broke the silence apologizing for being rude. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice her stare. She wanted to say I apologize too, but the boy continued with an explanation, wearing an awkward smile.

Then, he expressed his gratitude for saving him and that he would definitely repay her.

Aria then told him she did it for her own sake but her words didn't align with her mind that time. But she managed to say 'Take care' at least.'

Then she watched as he quickly left.

"Do you like that boy?" Her grandfather asked at that time, maybe he was teasing her or was just joking. But she shook her head, telling him she wouldn't like anyone.

Her grandpa looked relieved and satisfied but also worried and sad at the same time. She didn't understand it back then but now she knew why.

He was relieved because of his protectiveness, while sad because of her answer. Who would want their family to be loveless?

Anyway, then she told him about how her ability got awakened and that's how she saved the boy.

Her grandpa had gone silent for minutes that time as if in deep thought. Then he told her this.

"This boy is the same as you, even his ability is similar albeit a bit different. Alas, he doesn't have any affinity with this world's elements. He won't be able to advance to Lunar Tier anytime soon. Unless a miracle or 'that' happens. I think there is something powerful and mysterious in the boy that he himself isn't aware of or isn't sure. Anyway, I know you are interested in him.

My only hope is you should consider everything before being close to him."

She talked with him a bit more about her ability and then left.

She tried to activate and use her ability again, but there was no response. She was disappointed and went straight to sleep. However, instead of a dream, she saw a vision again.

A vision about that boy. His past.

What happened in the awakening ceremony and after that? His conversation with his sister's master. Him working hard to get stronger by just using the book and materials the woman gave him. His arduous and a bit funny journey to the academy. And the test.

Then she woke up.

Confused.

Curious.

Her feelings were mixed, she even felt things that were unfamiliar or rare to her.

And luck seemed to be on her side for real.

It turned out her neighbor was none other than the boy she had dreamt of just yesterday.

They talked and went to the class together.

Her thoughts were filled with the events in the vision, whether they were true or not. Her curiosity about the boy kept increasing.

Until a small incident happened involving the boy and her childhood friend, well if you could call him one.

They settled it with a fight in the next class. Though she wasn't surprised the boy beating her friend, she saw how strong he was after all. She doubted whether she had a chance to win on one on one.

But she also noticed his slightly pained expression when her friend cheated. That was right, she recalled, he was injured and healed not long ago. She was worried but couldn't express it. Then she saw another vision - them walking together to the class... And a certain figure stalking them behind... Her so-called friend who just cheated yet still lost.

She then figured out, the reason why her friend targeted the boy. She knew her friend liked him, well, he confessed several times before, but she could feel he really didn't really like her. It was just for her beauty and status. Not to mention her friend's now slightly troubling personality.

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Thus, she found herself guilty and wanted to apologize to the boy.

After several hours of internal debate, she finally knocked on the boy's door and the rest played out smoothly. Well, at least in her view at the time.

"..." Aria's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as she remembered how bold, cold, and ignorant she acted that time. Not to mention the lack of showing feelings and straightforwardness.

"But... The dinner at that time was really delicious..." She muttered her lips curling up into a sweet smile.

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(A/N: I hope you found some clarifications with this chapter as well.

And a quick question:

Is the grammar and writing style fine?

I didn't use AI to proofread and refine.

Which one is better? (The previous chapter was refined))