Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The first thing Adrian noticed as he emerged from the portal was the raw, untamed scent of the wild. The air was thick with the tang of damp earth, the faint metallic hint of nearby minerals, and the sharp bite of wildflowers scattered among the undergrowth. Around him, a dense forest stretched in all directions.

Towering trees with dark, gnarled trunks loomed overhead, their thick canopy filtering the sunlight into fragmented beams. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, covered in moss and jagged roots that snaked like veins through the soil.

A few Hunter trainees had been scattered nearby, their figures barely visible amidst the foliage. The portal's chaotic energy often separated groups upon arrival, and Adrian had been expecting this. As his sharp gaze scanned the surroundings, his lips curled into a faint smile.

'Perfect.' Since there was no princess with her 4-dimensional vision... 'This way, I can act freely.'

The trainees around him appeared disoriented. One of them, a boy named Eren, was clutching his Black Weapon—a short sword with jagged edges—and looking around nervously. Another, a girl named Sora, muttered under her breath as she examined her surroundings, gripping her staff tightly.

"Trainee Kael!" Eren called out, relief flooding his voice as he spotted him. The boy quickly jogged over, his expression a mix of unease and hope. "What's going on? Where are the others? Cassia? Lina?"

Adrian turned to face him, his expression calm and measured. "We've been separated. Standard protocol during dimensional transitions like this. The portal's energy is unstable, and scattering happens often." His voice was steady, reassuring. "Stick close if you want, but I'm heading off on my own."

"Alone?" Sora raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. Her staff faintly pulsed with a soft black light. "Is that really a good idea? We don't know what's out there, and we're stronger as a group."

Adrian glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Stronger as a group, sure, but also slower. And this isn't a friendly excursion, Trainee Sora. It's a test. You'll do better if you stop relying on others and start relying on yourself." He paused, his gaze shifting briefly to the dagger in his hand. Its faint blackish blue energy flickered as if resonating with his determination.

Eren hesitated but eventually nodded, gripping his sword tightly. "Fine. Just… be careful, alright?"

Adrian gave him a short nod before turning toward the forest's depths. As he walked away, he muttered under his breath, a faint chuckle escaping him.

Adrian moved with purpose, his steps quick and silent as he plunged deeper into the wilderness. The trainees were no longer his concern. They were capable enough to fend for themselves—or at least they should be. Besides, their safety wasn't his primary focus.

Cassia, Lina, and the others could handle themselves. Adrian had ensured they were prepared, and The Avengers—the not-so-secret rebel organization—had already reassured him about the relative safety of this realm.

The strongest inhabitants here were classified as 3-star mid-level Awakened. In their world's terms, that was equivalent to a Stellar Magus—powerful but manageable, especially for someone like Adrian. He could at least run away without severe injuries now.

'Come to think of it...'

The universes might differ in culture, terrain, and history, but power scaling seemed eerily consistent across the dimensions he had learned about. The universally recognized system of stars, with its beginner, mid, and peak levels, had become a reliable benchmark.

Back in their world, Nebula would equal 1 star Awakened, Lunar to 2 stars Awakened, Stellar 3 stars Awakened, and so on.

Their world, however, remained blissfully—or perhaps tragically—unaware of this system or the vast universe it was part of. They had no connections with other worlds, no comprehension of the larger cosmic tapestry they were a thread within. This event, "The Dimensional Disturbance" wasn't just a random event or a test for our main characters.

It was a revelation.

The academy and the world's leaders had carefully kept its true significance under wraps.

The truth about dimensional cracks leading to other worlds which in fact sounded simple.

Even though it would open up many opportunities, it would also bring even greater dangers.

He meant word level and universal threats.

And it meant imminent war.

Adrian chuckled softly to himself, the sound breaking the forest's quiet. "I've really spoiled too much," he said, shaking his head.

But the amusement in his tone didn't last.

His expression hardened, his mind already racing through his next steps.

The wilderness around him was dense, but Adrian moved as though he belonged there. Each step was deliberate, his sharp senses guiding him through the undergrowth. He paused briefly, kneeling by a patch of disturbed soil. His fingers brushed over the faint imprint of clawed feet—some kind of predator, though not large enough to pose a significant threat.

'Ardel would come in handy right now,' he thought, a faint pang of nostalgia flickering through him.

He pictured the boy, with his uncanny connection to nature thanks to the Wilderness's Blessing. Navigating a foreign land like this would have been second nature to him.

But that didn't mean Adrian was hopeless.

He had spent the last few months honing his own survival skills. If there was one thing he had learned, it was how to adapt.

His Black Weapon vibrated faintly in his grip, its energy resonating with his focus. As he stood and adjusted his course, his thoughts remained sharp, methodical.

The forest began to shift subtly as he moved deeper. The air grew heavier, tinged with an unnatural chill that made the hairs on his neck stand on end. The faint sound of rustling leaves reached his ears, though there was no wind.

Adrian slowed his pace, his grip tightening on the dagger. The wilderness was alive, and not just with flora and fauna. There was a presence here, something watching, waiting.

A shadow flickered in the corner of his vision, and he turned sharply, his dagger raised. But there was nothing there. The forest was still again, save for the faint rustle of leaves overhead.

Adrian exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing. 'They are here, huh.'

'The wild elves, or simply the elvins.'