Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The soft rustle of leaves was the only warning Adrian had. He smiled faintly, already attuned to the subtle shift in the air. Without hesitation, he vanished from his position, his form blurring into nothingness.

The next second, sharp green crystal arrows pierced the space where he had been standing, embedding themselves into the tree behind him with a dull, reverberating thud.

From the dense foliage surrounding him came hushed whispers, tinged with confusion and alarm. The hunters had expected an easy target.

Adrian reappeared several meters away, hidden in the shadows of the forest. His expression was calm, though his dagger pulsed faintly in his hand, its energy responding to his anticipation.

He watched the figures of his ambushers—Elvins, their faintly greenish skin blending seamlessly with the forest around them, their long hair and angled ears lending them an ethereal, almost elflike grace.

They were good. Silent. Coordinated. But not cautious enough.

The elvins exchanged glances, their glowing green eyes scanning the area, but before they could process his disappearance, Adrian acted. With a flick of his wrist, a thick black light erupted from him, enveloping the area in an impenetrable darkness.

Shouts of surprise filled the air.

"Nia U?" (What is this?)

"En orolmaypan!" (I can't see!)

"U oddi qorongu mas!" (This isn't normal darkness!)

Even the elvins, who could see perfectly in the dead of night, were rendered blind. Their glowing eyes darted around uselessly, the light swallowed whole by the black void.

The sounds of muffled grunts, sharp gasps of pain, and hurried movements echoed through the darkness as Adrian weaved through them like a shadow.

The Bright Technique, as he'd initially called it, had once been a radiant blinding light, a devastating technique meant to disorient, blind, and overwhelm enemies.

But this blackened version, born of his relentless experimentation, was a complete inversion—a devourer of light and sight alike. He would have to rename it soon. Something like "Nightfall" or "Eclipse" might suit its black nature better.

The shroud dispersed as suddenly as it had come, leaving behind an eerie silence.

Adrian stood above the furthest elvin, perched on a thick branch like a predator surveying its prey. The elvin was sprawled unconscious on the ground below him, his bow lying uselessly beside him. The others had similarly been rendered unconscious or incapacitated, scattered across the forest floor.

The elvins weren't much taller than him, their lean frames marked by taut muscle and years of training. Their greenish skin glistened faintly in the patches of light filtering through the trees, and their long, pointy ears gave them an air of natural elegance.

Despite their ambush, they didn't seem particularly malicious—merely guards doing what they believed was their duty. And they had all beginner level 2 star Awakened individual's strength.

He sighed, turning his dagger intangible as it shimmered and disappeared from sight. A brief flicker of hesitation crossed his face.

His eyes gleamed as the faint black mark in his iris pulsed briefly before fading. He lowered his gaze to the unconscious figures, his lips curving downward in a frown.

"What a mess," he muttered to himself. He had no personal grudge against the elvins. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, obstructing his path. Still, dealing with them left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Adrian stood there for a moment longer, his sharp gaze flickering between the unconscious hunters. Eventually, he turned away, his decision made. He wouldn't waste time here.

Nor he would mark them. Even if the Black Star-Lord and his top hunters were watching.

He didn't want to kidnap the innocent even if it meant failing the exam.

'Well, everyone is gonna fail anyway. Though explaining the reason will be a bit harder.'

He stepped lightly over a patch of disturbed earth, his form once again entering into the shadows as he made his way deeper into the forest. Ahead, nestled in the heart of the wilderness, lay the Elvin town—a key location for the exam and his mission.

'The main cast should be already in the town...'

'Hope they won't mess up the mission.'

_____ __ _

The Elvin town was bustling, its unique charm a testament to the deep connection between its inhabitants and nature. The town itself was a marvel of fantasy, with houses and buildings seamlessly integrated into towering trees.

Some structures appeared to have been grown rather than built, their walls and roofs shaped from the natural curves and twists of ancient trunks.

Others resembled carved-out hollow trees, their smooth, polished surfaces glimmering faintly in the sunlight. Vines and moss adorned every corner, and glowing orbs of light floated gently in the air, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the town.

The sound of laughter, chatter, and the occasional melody of an unfamiliar instrument filled the air. Elvin children darted between the trees, their laughter like wind chimes, while vendors called out in melodic tones, selling wares made of woven leaves, polished crystals, and luminescent flowers.

Among the lively crowd, a group of seven hooded figures moved silently, their presence drawing fleeting glances from the elvins.

The figures were cloaked in dark robes splashed by white color lines, their features obscured beneath their hoods. Despite their mysterious appearance, the townsfolk paid them little mind, reassured by the presence of the young male elvin leading them.

His stride was confident yet unhurried, his long greenish hair flowing behind him. His sharp, angled ears peeked through, a subtle mark of his heritage.

The trust the elvins had in their kin was evident. After a single glance at the guide, the townsfolk continued with their tasks, confident that the hooded group posed no threat.

The hooded figures, however, couldn't hide their awe. Underneath their hoods, their gazes darted from one marvel to another, their eyes wide with wonder as they took in the fantastical beauty of the town.

The intricate details of the buildings, the harmony between nature and architecture, and the vibrant, almost otherworldly atmosphere were unlike anything they had ever seen.

Yet they remained silent, following closely behind their guide.

Eventually, the group arrived at their destination: a massive tree that towered over the rest of the town. Its trunk was so wide that it could have housed an entire village within its hollowed core.

Elaborate carvings adorned the bark, depicting scenes of elvin history and culture, while vines spiraled upward, forming a natural staircase that led to the upper levels.

The young elvin male stopped at the base of the tree and turned back to the group, motioning for them to follow. Without a word, he began ascending the vine staircase, his movements as fluid as a gentle breeze. The hooded figures exchanged brief glances before following him in single file, their steps careful on the natural steps.

The climb was long, but the view was breathtaking. As they ascended, the town below unfolded like a tapestry of green and gold, with the forest stretching endlessly beyond its borders. The air grew cooler and fresher the higher they climbed, filled with the faint scent of blooming flowers and the rustle of leaves.

Finally, they reached a large landing halfway up the tree. The staircase ended here, stopping at an imposing wooden door carved directly into the trunk. It was slightly larger than an average door, its surface etched with intricate patterns that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. The young elvin male approached it and knocked twice, the sound echoing through the quiet air.

"Eliraun, naa eneth. Amin eexan'," he called out in the melodic elvin tongue. ("Elders, I have returned. I bring guests.")

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a deep, resonant voice answered from beyond the door, its tone calm yet commanding.

"Ente'." ("Enter.")

The young guide pushed the door open, revealing a bright hall within. The group exchanged cautious glances before stepping inside, their hoods casting shadows over their faces as they crossed the threshold. The air within was cooler, the faint scent of aged wood and herbs lingering in the room.

Whatever or whoever awaited them beyond the door would mark the next step of their mission, the beginning of the Rebellion of Freedom.