Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

In front of the massive, platinum-colored portal, several figures stood, their silhouettes bathed in the eerie light emanating from the swirling gateway.

Among them, three figures stood out from the rest—two people clad in red armor, the unmistakable symbol of a dragon emblazoned on their chests, and a man draped in a crimson cloak. The strange symbol embroidered on his forehead flickered with an unnatural glow, his eyes dull yet ghastly, as if staring into the void itself.

The man in the cloak stepped forward, his posture graceful yet ominous. "Thank you for completing the unity mission with such great success," he said, his voice smooth and gentlemanly, belying the danger that clung to his very presence.

The man and woman in red armor exchanged a glance, then smiled. "Thank you for your praise, De-Solar Artisan," they replied in unison, bowing their heads slightly to show their respect.

The man nodded subtly, his attention shifting to the platinum portal as it began to tremble, cracks spreading across its once-flawless surface.

The air around them hummed with violent aether, thick and oppressive.

A smile spread across everyone's face.

Soon, their grand plan would come to life, engulfing the popular and powerful Eldoria City and the Academy in chaos.

Even that old fool Arven couldn't stop what was coming.

Crackle... Crackle...

"Crack-!"

The portal shattered with a deafening crack, and the world around them shifted violently.

Reality itself seemed to warp and bend as space and time merged, revealing a new, twisted landscape beyond the shattered portal. The ground beneath their feet rumbled as the very fabric of the area was rewritten, transforming into a hellish expanse.

The Ruin was awakening...

The Ruin of Molten Wyverns Tribe.

From the depths of this newly awakened vast ruin, hundreds of wyverns emerged, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent and hunger. Their fiery wings flapped with terrifying force as they spread across the skies.

And among them, a massive black wyvern, its scales dark as night, roared with a fury that shook the ground and the sky, signaling the beginning of the chaos.

Their Grand Plan has finally started...

______ ___ _

Meanwhile, in the heart of Eldoria City, chaos was already brewing as the atmosphere buzzed with urgency and anxiety. People were rushing through the streets, some running toward the gates, others heading deeper into the city for safety.

The sky above was a flurry of activity as flying units, dispatched by the city's defense forces, soared across the horizon, scouting the surrounding areas. Their keen eyes scanned the landscape for signs of danger, while the city gates bustled with a constant stream of non-awakened people and commoners who had been outside, now scrambling to return to the safety of Eldoria's walls.

Among the crowd, several young men and women—obviously academy students—stood near the gates. They were being stopped by the guards, quickly ushered through a series of teleportation runes leading to the academy. Each one carried a serious expression, the urgency of their summoning clear on their faces as they prepared for any threat.

Suddenly, something in the sky caught the attention of those nearby.

A shadow loomed overhead, growing larger by the second as it plummeted toward the ground at an incredible speed. Gasps and startled cries filled the air as the object came closer, its descent so rapid that even the guards tensed, preparing for impact.

With a loud 'thud', the figure landed just outside the gate, sending dust and dirt billowing into the air. The shockwave rippled across the crowd, and as the dust settled, the figure of a large winged beast came into view. Its powerful wings folded in as it crouched low to the ground, and atop it, several figures could be seen dismounting.

Adrian and his team had finally arrived.

They quickly dismounted Bane and showed their student badges to the Guards who surrounded them.

The guards, initially on edge, recognized the insignia on the tokens that Adrian and the others presented—a special emblem given only to academy students. The tension eased immediately as they saluted and stepped aside, allowing them swift passage.

"Hurry!" one of the guards called out, gesturing toward a smaller gate where a glowing portal hummed with energy. "The portal will take you straight to the academy."

Without wasting time, Adrian nodded to the others. Kairen, Lila, Aria, and Ardel followed close behind, each one of them quick and ready for whatever awaited them.

As they entered the portal, they disappeared one after another. While Dorian had to stay outside since Adrian asked him to wait for their return.

__________ ___ _

As Adrian and his team stepped through the shimmering portal, they emerged into the academy's grand arena. The space was bustling with students from all years—first-years like them, second-years, third-years, and even a few scattered fourth-years, all gathered with tense expressions.

The air was thick with anticipation, and the murmurs of concern rippled through the crowd as they tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding outside the academy walls.

Adrian exchanged quick glances with Kairen, Aria, Lila, and Ardel before they made their way to blend in with their classmates among the first-year students. They knew that whatever was happening would require all of them to be on their guard. The weight of the situation pressed down on them, but they kept their expressions calm, hiding their unease as best as they could.

Suddenly, the booming voice of the academy's Vice-Principal echoed throughout the arena, cutting through the whispers and bringing everyone to attention.

"Students!" he called, his voice firm and authoritative. "The city is in grave danger."

A wave of tension swept through the arena.

"A vicious group has joined with the Red Dragons Guild who has betrayed us," he continued, his tone growing colder. "They have been responsible for a series of Ruins Awakenings, one after another. This is no mere coincidence, nor is it an accident. We have confirmed their involvement, and their aim is to bring the city and the academy to its knees."

The Vice-Principal's voice rang out over the crowd, his words clear despite the growing fear. "The Principal has already left to deal with the most dangerous among these—the Platinum-Ranked Ruin. But we cannot sit idly by. The defense of this city, of our academy, now falls to us as well."

The students felt a knot tighten in their chests at the mention of the Red Dragons Guild.

The Vice-Principal continued, outlining the plan of action. Though his words blurred together, Adrian caught the critical details:

The academy would be assisting in the city's defense, and each student would be assigned based on their ranking, class, and strength. Groups were being organized, with a fourth-year student leading each team.

Each group would consist of three third-years, five second-years, and five first-years, ensuring a balanced distribution of experience and strength.

The most powerful teams would be sent to defend the outer areas of the city, where the danger was greatest, while those with lesser combat abilities—like smiths, enchanters, and alchemists—would be stationed within the academy or at the backlines, providing support where needed.

They felt the gravity of the situation settle over them as they realized the people outside, maybe even their families were in danger. There would be no time for hesitation. Every student had a role to play in the battle ahead, whether they were fighting on the frontlines or supporting from behind.

The Vice-Principal's voice boomed once more, finalizing his instructions. "Be prepared. You will be briefed on your specific missions by your group leaders. Good luck, and may the city stand strong."

"Now, let's start the mission."