Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The stone-covered path snaked through the dense forest, flanked by towering trees whose roots pressed against the trail like the ridges of some ancient beast. The air hung heavy with the scent of moss and damp earth.

A young elvin male, with sharp emerald eyes hair tied back into a neat braid, led a group of hooded figures. His steps were light but purposeful, the kind of grace only elvin blood could bestow.

"Stay vigilant," he said, his voice low but commanding. "We don't know what's lurking ahead." The group hummed in acknowledgment, their faces shadowed beneath the hoods of their cloaks. Weapons glinted faintly at their sides as they moved in formation.

The forest grew eerily silent, save for the sound of their footsteps on the stone ground. Then, a sharp growl echoed through the trees, followed by the sound of combat — metal striking stone and the unmistakable roar of a beast. The young leader raised his hand, halting the group. His sharp ears twitched, and his piercing gaze darted toward the source of the noise.

Through a break in the trees, they spotted a young elvin girl engaged in a fierce battle against a monstrous creature. The beast towered over her, its body a jagged mass of living rock, with a long, whip-like tongue that lashed out unpredictably. Its thorny, plant-like claws glinted dangerously in the dim forest light.

The girl's movements were swift and desperate, her lithe frame weaving around the monster's strikes as she slashed at its rocky hide with a sword.

"It's one of the trial participants," one of the hooded figures whispered.

"She's struggling," another murmured.

The leader's eyes narrowed. "Pick up the pace. She won't last long on her own."

The group broke into a sprint, their boots barely making a sound against the stone. But even as they closed the distance, the monster struck with terrifying speed. Its tongue shot forward, wrapping around the girl's waist like a coiled snake.

The girl's eyes widened in shock as the beast let out a guttural roar and swung her violently through the air. Her body smashed into a tree with a sickening crack before the monster slammed her into the ground. She groaned in pain, her breathing ragged, but she still clutched her sword tightly.

Gritting her teeth, she raised her hand, and a blast of icy magic erupted from her palm. Frost crackled along the monster's tongue, freezing it solid.

The beast let out an ear-splitting roar of pain and thrashed wildly, flinging the girl away. Her body tumbled through the air and landed with a dull thud not far from the approaching group.

They skidded to a halt as the girl's form lay crumpled before them. Blood trickled from a wound at the back of her head where it had struck a stone. Her chest rose and fell shallowly, and her sword slipped from her limp hands.

The group's attention was briefly drawn away by the sight of a small amulet flying in a different direction, knocked free during the chaos. It shimmered faintly in the air before disappearing into the underbrush.

Almost instantly, the illusion of the amulet dissipated. Her greenish skin faded to a pale, human-like complexion, her pointed ears shrinking to a more rounded shape. Her hair turned silver and her eyes purple.

The young elvin leader's eyes widened in shock before narrowing with fury. "It's one of them," he spat, his voice sharp with anger. His hand shot to the hilt of his bow, aiming at the girl.

"Stop!"

One of the hooded figures hastily stepped forward, shielding the girl's body with her own. She threw back her hood, revealing a striking young human with golden hair and piercing yellow eyes.

"Huh? Miss Aurelia?" the elvin leader stammered, his bowstring still taut.

He frowned, puzzled. "Are you shielding her because she is your kin?"

Before Aurelia could respond, a calm, measured voice interrupted. "No," said a silver-haired young human man who stepped out from the group to stand beside Aurelia. His blue eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. "It's because she is our friend. And once again, your emotions are clouding your judgment, Eltheris."

The elvin male's expression froze for a moment, stunned by the rebuke. Slowly, he lowered his bow, his emerald eyes avoiding the human's steady gaze. His face softened, an awkward grimace replacing his anger. "Ah… sorry Mr.Aurelius. I was reminded of the past," he murmured, his voice laced with embarrassment.

Aurelia and the young man, Aurelius exchanged a glance before nodding in understanding. He placed a hand on Arion's shoulder briefly. "It's fine. But let's focus on the present."

Aurelius then knelt down beside Aurelia, his gaze shifting to the unconscious girl. "How is she?" he asked, his tone gentle but concerned.

Aurelia's hands rested on the girl's shoulders as she examined her. The girl's head rested on her lap, her silver hair matted with blood. "I healed her injury," Aurelia said softly, her fingers glowing faintly with residual light healing magic. "But it will take some time for her to wake up."

Aurelius opened his mouth to reply, but the conversation was cut short by an enraged roar that shook the air. The group turned sharply to see the monster, its frozen tongue shattered and severed, thrashing in fury.

Its jagged, rock-like body glinted in the muted sunlight as it pounded the ground with its thorny claws, its wrath now directed squarely at the group.

"It's still alive?" one of the hooded figures muttered, revealing their red sctyhe.

"GARRR!"

The beast let out another guttural bellow and charged, its heavy footsteps cracking the stone path beneath it.

Aurelius's eyes narrowed, flickering with a cold, deadly light. He raised his hand, his fingers curling as if ready to unleash a powerful spell. The group around him began to shift, weapons raised in preparation for the impending clash.

But before Aurelius—or anyone else—could act, a dark blur descended from above, landing between them and the raging monster.

A figure, clad in a black robe and hood, moved with astonishing speed and precision. In a single, fluid motion, he leaped onto the monster's head, his black sword gleaming as he plunged it straight into the beast's skull. The creature let out a final, strangled roar as the blade pierced its rocky exterior and reached its vulnerable core.

With a sickening crunch, the monster collapsed, its massive form crumpling lifelessly to the ground. The black-robed figure pulled his sword free, green blood oozing from the wound. He stepped back, swinging the blade in a practiced arc to fling the monster's blood away, leaving it gleaming and spotless once more.

The figure turned toward the group, with his free hand, he reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing a face that struck them with familiarity and relief.

"Big Brother!"

"Adrian!"