Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra-Chapter 561: So It Begins

She raised a hand, and the space around them shimmered as an ethereal projection flared to life, displaying a vast expanse of the city, scattered with buildings, strongholds, and shadowed castle pulsating with ominous energy.

Z'yna spoke, her voice steady as she detailed the current circumstances—what had led to this, what obstacles awaited them, and what needed to be done.

The group listened intently. Some exchanged glances as they absorbed the gravity of the mission. Others, like Aria and Adrian, remained still, their expressions giving nothing away.

When the projection faded, Claire was the first to break the silence.

"And what exactly is our task?" she asked, arms crossed.

"You'll be divided into two groups," Z'yna answered. "Each group will be sent to a different location." She gestured toward her brother. "My brother, Ryzel will lead the first group. As for the rest, I will send you where you need to be when the time is right."

With a flick of her wrist, she pulled out a rolled parchment from her storage ring. The list of names shimmered faintly with arcane markings as she extended it toward them.

Cedric took it first, his sharp eyes scanning the list, then passing it to Claire. The two exchanged brief glances before turning back to Z'yna.

"How do you know all of our names?" Cedric asked, his voice careful but firm.

Claire's fingers tightened around the parchment. "We haven't even introduced ourselves."

Z'yna met their gazes with a detached, indifferent stare. "That's not important."

For a moment, silence stretched between them. A few students shifted uncomfortably. Others—like Aurelius, Aria, and Adrian—didn't react at all, their trust in the situation seemingly unshaken.

"Are you ready?" Z'yna asked, dismissing their concerns as irrelevant. "We don't have much time."

Aurelius stepped forward without hesitation.

"We are," he said. "Let's begin."

Z'yna nodded and lifted her hand.

The space in front of them quivered, the air bending unnaturally before splitting open. A vortex of swirling light expanded outward, shifting between hues of deep indigo and shimmering silver. The portal stabilized in mere seconds, its depths showing nothing but an endless void of shifting energy.

Ryzel exhaled and reached into his own storage ring. A neat stack of dark robes and smooth, featureless masks materialized in his grasp. He tossed them toward the group.

"Wear these," he instructed. "They'll help us in our mission. Keep the hoods up and the masks on at all times."

For a brief moment, no one moved. Then, one by one, the assigned students took the robes and slipped them over their combat gear. Some hesitated at the masks before securing them in place.

Ryzel scanned them once, ensuring everything was in order, then turned on his heel and stepped through the portal.

The first group - Aurelius, Claire, Adrian, and a few others followed, vanishing one by one into the unknown.

The second group with Cedric being the leader remained, watching as the portal shimmered softly in the dim chamber, its swirling energy slowly fading before fully closing.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

"What about us? When are you going to send us away?" Cedric asked as soon as the portal closed.

"Heh, quite the impatient one we have here."

A chuckle echoed from behind Zyna.

Cedric's frown deepened as he turned toward the voice. Sitting leisurely on the edge of a bed draped in deep emerald fabric was a woman, her posture relaxed yet carrying an air of quiet authority. Her long, green hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing gaze studied him with mild amusement.

Something about her felt… strange.

She radiated both power and stillness, like an immovable force that could shatter the moment it willed itself to move. Cedric's instincts screamed at him—she was dangerous.

Yet, at the same time, she didn't seem hostile but more harmless.

"And who are you exactly?" he asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.

The woman smiled, not unkindly, but with a knowing look that only deepened the unease in Cedric's chest.

"Who I am isn't important," she said. "Whether you can complete your task, now that is what matters."

Cedric exhaled sharply before forcing a smile. "That depends on the task," he admitted. Then, more sincerely, he added, "But as long as it's within our capabilities, we will do our best."

The woman studied him for a long moment before giving a small nod. "Then wait for your time."

Her words were final, leaving Cedric with little choice but to step back and reassess the situation.

On the other side, Zyna felt the weight of another gaze on her. This time, it wasn't Cedric or Claire.

It was Aria.

The silver-haired girl had remained quiet for most of the exchange, but now she stood with her arms crossed, her purple eyes sharp with intent.

"Where is he?" Aria asked.

Zyna blinked, momentarily thrown off by the abrupt question. "Who are you talking about?"

Aria hesitated for a fraction of a second before correcting herself. "Adri—" She stopped mid-syllable, adjusting her words. "No. Mr. Lucian. Where is he?"

Zyna's gaze flickered with understanding. So that was it.

"He's on a mission," she said simply. "In fact, he is the core of the mission." Her head tilted slightly. "Why do you ask?"

Aria pressed her lips into a thin line, nodding as if that answer was enough. Then, without another word, she turned away.

Zyna narrowed her eyes slightly, studying Aria's retreating figure. That was strange.

Before she could press further, another voice interrupted her thoughts.

"He's entered the main castle."

The queen's words sent a ripple of silence through the room.

Zyna's gaze snapped back to the seated woman, her confusion from earlier now completely gone.

Cedric, too, tensed slightly sensing the shift in the air. Even Aria froze, quickly glancing back.

Zyna exhaled, shaking off her thoughts. "So it begins."