CHAPTER 235: CAN KEEP UP WITH ME

Raising a trembling hand, Raegar aimed Titanfall at the leader. High above, a gleaming metal rod plummeted from the atmosphere, streaking like a comet. It slammed into the monstrous creature with cataclysmic force.

The earth trembled from the impact as it obliterated the leader, sweeping away and instantly destroying the surrounding creatures. Selene stared in horror as he collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

Raegar felt his Aether rapidly depleting under the strain of Fusion Overdrive, his vision darkening as the world slipped away. Suddenly, a pair of hands seized him, halting his descent into oblivion.

’’You’ll be fine, Rae! Take some of my Aether!’’ Selene worriedly said as he felt a stream of energy flowing into his body.

A chilling aura surged over them, freezing the Demoness in place as he forced his own out to ease the pressure on her. The duo whipped their heads toward the source, eyes widening as a horde of Devils charged in their direction.

Heart pounding, Raegar summoned the last of his dwindling energy and unleashed Hydra Blades. Without hesitation, he hurled the shimmering blades at the oncoming fiends that tried to attack them while they were weak.

Forged from pure Aether, the weapons streaked through the air, their blue and red trails weaving chaotic patterns across the battlefield. Moments later, he soon realized that it wasn’t enough and continued attacking with the Hydra Blades.

Raegar was panicking but seconds later a blue mist appeared around them as Corrine appeared in front of them alongside Elara Crowhurst and Valentina rushing from the headmistresses magic.

Selene visablly relaxed when seeing the three women destroy the surrounding Night Creatures as he was weak thanks to using all of his Aether. Following that, the two watched the remaining fiends flee into the surrounding darkness.

Once the fight was over, the tiger woman rushed over to them with a concerned expression on her face as she spoke. ’’Are you two okay? Those foul creatures are wandering around Drakenwood.’’

’’I know, but once we kill enough of them, they’ll retreat to the forests,’’ Raegar said, massaging his throbbing temples.

His gaze shifted, catching Corrine in the distance, deftly tending to the other students who had narrowly escaped the monsters’ grasp. The blue-haired woman was Tier Ten now causing his eyebrows to rise.

’When did she reach that?’ he mused.

Raegar shook his head, his eyes settling on Selene, who leaned forward, gasping softly as her Aether reserves dwindled. Her chest heaved with each labored breath, a faint shimmer of exhaustion clinging to her.

Sensing his own Aether replenishing like a gentle stream flowing back into him, Raegar focused, channeling a steady pulse of energy toward the girl he’d grown fond of, hoping to bolster her fading strength.

A wave of relief was over the Demoness’s body, her crimson skin gradually fading back to its natural hue. A radiant smile bloomed across her delicate features, lighting up her face with newfound warmth.

Raegar met her gaze, his own lips curling into a charismatic grin that carried a hint of mischief. ’’What do you say we head back to the academy?’’ he suggested, his voice smooth yet playful, as he gestured toward the path leading to the safety of their school.

Just then, the tigress Elara and Valentina appeared with relieved expressions crossing their face as the orange-haired woman spoke. ’’I’m glad we was able to find you in time, many merchants and other students were attacked on the road.’’

Following that, Raegar nodded in understanding as he responded. ’’I know, they were going to always come north thanks to the chaos plauging Dawnfire in recent days.’’

Valentina nodded. ’’Yes. The Imperial Guard and Devil Hunters are working full time to clear the roads, forests and mountains but its a slow process thanks to most of the creatures moving north.’’

Selene opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, Corrine materialized in a swirl of shimmering light, her expression taut with urgency as she adress the professors.

Val, Lara, you need to head back to the academy immediately with these two,’’ she warned, her voice sharp yet steady, betraying the gravity of the situation. ’’I’m teleporting the injured students now, their wounds are too severe to wait, and time is critical.’’

Selene, her Tigress instincts flaring, nodded decisively, her amber eyes glinting with resolve. "Understood, Corrine," she replied, her tone calm but laced with determination. "We’ll take the forest road back to Drakenwood Academy. Stay safe and meet us there when you can."

Corrine gave a curt nod, her hands already glowing with the arcane energy needed to transport the wounded. Without another word, she vanished, leaving only a faint ripple in the air.

Elara turned to her companions, her striped tail flicking with purpose. ’’Let’s move quickly,’’ she urged, her voice carrying the weight of leadership. ’’The road’s not far, but we need to stay alert.’’

With that, she led the group toward the winding path, the dense forest looming around them as they hastened back to the safety of the academy. Selene was helping him walk as his body was weak thanks to the overuse of his mana.

Raegar cast a glance at Selene, her vibrant red skin catching the fading light of the forest as they trudged along the path. A faint smile tugged at his lips, gratitude softening his rugged features.

’’Thanks for everything, Sel,’’ he said, his voice low but warm, carrying the weight of their shared trials.

Selene’s yellow eyes sparkled with mischief as she waved him off, her smile radiant and teasing. ’’What are lovers for, handsome?’’ she replied, her tone playful. ’’No way I’m letting you get yourself hurt out there. Someone’s got to keep you in one piece.’’

She winked, her tail giving a playful flick as she quickened her pace. The group of four pressed forward through the dense undergrowth, their footsteps crunching against the forest floor.

The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, a welcome contrast to the chaos they’d left behind. As they rounded a bend, the towering stone walls of Drakenwood Academy finally came into view, their imposing silhouette framed against the twilight sky.

Elara, her silver hair glinting as she bounced with excitement, let out a jubilant cheer. ’’Finally!’’ she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in relief. ’’We made it! No more chasing those vile beasts all over the place. I’m ready for a hot meal and a long nap.’’

The others chuckled, the tension of their journey easing at the sight of the academy’s familiar gates. Selene shot Elara a grin, her sharp canines flashing. ’’Rest sounds good, but don’t get too comfortable,’’ she teased. ’’Knowing Drakenwood, there’s probably another adventure waiting for us.’’

Moments later, the group quickened their steps, the promise of safety and respite within the academy walls urging them onward. Valentina turned to them, smiling. ’’Go get some rest you two.’’

Raegar not but Elara added. ’’Blackwood, come see me in the afternon for your training lesson.’’

’’Alright,’’ he replied.

As the group reached the grand gates of Drakenwood Academy, the professors exchanged brief farewells as they turned toward the Northern Courtyard. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the cobblestone path, casting long shadows across the ancient stone walls.

The air was cool now, carrying the faint scent of nightflowers from the gardens, a sign that the chaos was finally behind them. Selene, her red skin shimmering under the moonlight, caught Raegar’s eye and flashed a mischievous smirk.

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a teasing lilt. "So, brave warrior," she purred, her eyes glinting with charm. ’’Care to escort a vulnerable Demoness back to her dorm? I mean, who knows what dangers might lurk in these shadowy halls?’’

She tilted her head, her sharp canines peeking through her grin, clearly enjoying the moment. Raegar chuckled, his rugged features softening as he crossed his arms, meeting her gaze with a raised brow.

’’Vulnerable? You?’’ he said, smiling. ’’Sel, you just took down half a dozen of those beasts without breaking a sweat. But sure, I’ll play along, someone’s gotta make sure you don’t start a brawl in the common room."

Left alone, Selene and Raegar shared a glance, her smirk widening as she looped her arm through his. ’’Come on, handsome," she said, leading the way toward the winding path to the dormitories. ’’Let’s see if you can keep up with me.’’

As they walked, the towering spires of Drakenwood loomed overhead, their stained-glass windows glowing faintly. The night was alive with the hum of distant laughter, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the occasional flicker of a protective ward sparking along the walls.

Moments later, Raegar grabbed the Demoness’s waist and gave her a passionate kiss, surprising Selene as she returned the gesture.

[Sorry for the lack of updates, I’m having some personal issues causing me to look for a new place to live. I’ll be updating everyday for as long as I can]