Chapter 306: You Can't Hide Forever (Bonus Chap)

Adrian stood, taking a deep breath. He needed to understand what was happening to Aria and why her breakthrough had triggered such a violent reaction. But for now, he was grateful for the unexpected help of their little companion. With Noxy's help, he could focus on recovering and figuring out the problem.

"Noxy, can you-?"

As Adrian turned to Noxy, his eyes widened and his lips twitched.

"Not you too..."

He muttered wryly as he saw Noxy lying beside Aria, its eyes closed as if it were in a trance. However, what took Adrian's attention was the fact that some - third of the aether Aria was generating was now being absorbed by Noxy.

"...Now what should I do?"

Adrian's heart raced as he watched Noxy lying beside Aria, its small body absorbing a portion of the chaotic aether that had been swirling around them. The room, which had been a tempest of elemental energy just moments ago, was now eerily calm. His confusion and worry deepened as he tried to make sense of the situation.

"Noxy... what are you doing?" he muttered under his breath, his gaze flicking between the little hedgehog and Aria.

For a moment, Adrian considered pulling Noxy away from Aria. He didn't know what effect absorbing such volatile aether could have on it, but the concern was short-lived. As he watched, the tension in Aria's face began to ease. The pained expression that had contorted her features moments before slowly faded, replaced by a serene calmness.

Adrian's brow furrowed in both relief and bewilderment. He could see the change in the aether around Aria—it was no longer wild and chaotic but smooth, like a steady stream flowing through her. The aether she was absorbing seemed purer, more refined than before, as if Noxy's intervention had somehow filtered or refined it.

"This... this can't be a coincidence," Adrian whispered to himself, trying to piece together the puzzle before him. He knew that Noxy now had some unique ability or abilities, but he'd never seen anything like this. How could a small hedgehog influence the aether in such a profound way? How could it help Aria with her breakthrough?

As Adrian observed, he realized that the amount of aether Aria was absorbing had increased significantly, and the quality of the energy seemed to be improving with every passing moment. The storm of elements had dissipated, leaving a peaceful atmosphere in its wake. It was almost as if the room had become a perfect environment for her breakthrough.

He watched as Aria's breathing grew steadier, her chest rising and falling in a more regular rhythm. The color returned to her cheeks, and her body, which had been trembling with pain and strain, now appeared to be relaxed and at ease.

Adrian let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders slumping slightly as the tension eased from his body. "Thank goodness," he muttered. "Whatever Noxy did... it seems to be working."

Despite his relief, Adrian's mind was still racing with questions. How had Noxy done this? What was its connection to the aether? He knew that Noxy was no ordinary creature, but this was beyond anything he had imagined.

It was as if Noxy had some innate understanding of the aetheric forces at play, an ability to manipulate them in a way that even experienced Awakeners couldn't.

Adrian shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside for now. He didn't have the answers, but at this moment, it didn't matter. What mattered was that Aria was safe and that her breakthrough was progressing smoothly, thanks to Noxy.

"Let's watch for now," he whispered to himself, deciding to keep a close eye on the situation. He needed to be ready in case anything changed, but for now, it seemed that things were stabilizing. Searᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Adrian remained vigilant, his eyes never leaving Aria and Noxy. He could feel the steady pulse of aether in the room, its rhythm synchronized with Aria and Noxy's breathing. There was a sense of harmony in the air, a balance that hadn't been there before.

He knelt beside Aria and Noxy, his gaze softening as he watched them. "Whatever you're doing, Noxy, keep it up," he murmured, grateful for the little creature's unexpected intervention.

Time seemed to slow as Adrian watched over them, the minutes stretching into an eternity. He was prepared to stay by their side for as long as it took, ready to protect them and ensure that Aria's breakthrough went smoothly.

Just then, his bracelet started to vibrate, showing the holographic image of Ardel.

"Now, I should find a good excuse to skip the classes..." Adrian muttered as he quickly muted the bracelet. "Well, thankfully, I am good at this kind of thing, hehe."

"I will just say Aria became suddenly ill and I had to help her." He muttered already stimulating it in his head. "But... How will I explain the fact I found about it? Do I say she called me? Or I saw it by accident? Urgh..."

"Whatever, I will think about it later. Let's focus on them for now..."

_______ ___ __

High above the first-year dormitory, another figure floated in mid-air, watching intently from behind a shimmering veil of invisibility. This figure was none other than the Principal of Celestial Arcane Academy, the revered Solar Archmage Arwen, who had sensed the aetheric disturbance from his office and rushed over immediately.

Draped in flowing, deep blue robes that fluttered in the breeze, his silver hair and beard glinted in the morning light. His eyes, sharp and wise, gleamed with a mix of concern and curiosity as he observed the events unfolding below.

From his vantage point, he could see through the walls of the dormitory, his powerful senses perceiving the flow of aether around Adrian and Aria. His gaze softened as he watched Adrian standing protectively over his granddaughter, his determination evident even from afar.

Arwen allowed a small smile to grace his lips. It was a rare expression for him, one filled with pride and a touch of amusement. "Ah, young Adrian," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the wind. "Always so quick to act, so ready to protect. You remind me so much of myself when I was your age."

However, his smile slowly faded as he turned his attention to the barrier that had recently shimmered and disappeared. It was faint, barely noticeable to most, but to Arwen, it was a clear indication of something—or someone—meddling. His expression grew solemn, his brow furrowing as he studied the barrier.

"How long are you going to keep hiding?" Arwen muttered softly, his voice carrying a hint of frustration and concern. He knew that whoever had been there just moments ago was powerful, their presence almost undetectable even to someone of his caliber.

The subtle manipulation of aether, the careful threading of energy—it was all done with an expertise that hinted at someone with centuries of experience.

Eldric's eyes scanned the skies, searching for any lingering trace of the figure who had been here, but there was nothing. The only evidence of their presence was the slight residue of their aetheric signature, quickly fading into the background noise of the academy's magic-rich environment.

With a sigh, Eldric realized that whoever it was, they had no intention of revealing themselves, at least not yet. "You can't hide forever," he whispered, his voice carrying a promise as much as a warning. He knew that the figure would return. Because...

He knew the figure well...

Taking one last glance at Adrian and Aria, Eldric's expression softened once more. He was proud of his granddaughter and the young boy who stood beside her. Their bond was strong, and he could see that they would continue to grow together, facing challenges and overcoming them side by side.

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"Protect her well, Adrian," Eldric murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and concern. "For she is precious, more than you know."

With a wave of his hand, Eldric conjured a swirling portal of shimmering blue energy. He stepped through it without hesitation, the portal closing behind him in a soft hum, leaving the skies above the dormitory empty once more.

As the portal vanished, a calm settled over the academy, the morning sun rising higher into the sky, casting a warm glow over the grounds below. The turbulent aether that had filled the air earlier had dissipated, leaving behind a peaceful silence that belied the unseen events that had just unfolded.