Not The End

The world stopped for a moment, as light enveloped the whole academy. Once it faded, people fainted, panicked, and knelt to the ground.

After a while, knights and medical staff came rushing inside the Coloseumm rescuing the students left there. Honey, Rolvenik, Ravana, and more students who couldn't get out were pulled out from the rubble. Strange enough, the students have minimal damage with a Light magic layer on them.

"Aloisius" Rechelle gasped as she used her vines to raise the rubbles on Aloisius who was sleeping soundly inside a strange capsule. The capsule immediately disintegrated when Rechelle touched it. She gasped and called for help from the Medical staff.

Her eyes trailed to a part where the light magic greatly radiated from. Kurei.

She approached it, lifting layers of concrete. And there he is asleep, curled as if a child. She felt a pang in her heart when she realized. Kurei has no Aether. Pity took over her, to be honest, that is all she could give. Not after his careless rampage.

Days sped by. The press has been clamoring about the incident, asking if it is a punishment to the Faes for attempting to expel 10 students for not being exceptional by their standard. The students healed and were glad none of them died. 

Aloisius glanced out the window of his dorm room. Looking at the students trying to recreate the peacefulness that disappeared that day. No one has heard from Kurei since. Aloisius saw what really happened that day. He witnessed the process of losing one's aether.

Did he feel sorrow? He couldn't quite put it into words. But he wouldn't wish for it unto his enemies. Especially since he knew what a Human goes through in life. A knock in his door can be heard.

"The faes want to meet you Aloisius," Llouie said sounding out behind the door. "Well, aren't you lucky to be called by all the faes Aloi, I personally only met 4 out of the 10 high faes."

Aloisius nodded. Whatever it is they want, he won't bend.

"Welcome Aloisius, Take your seat," a booming deep voice sounded. Llouie stayed outside after escorting him to the room.

"Well isn't he a darling," said another tapping her sharp nail on the table. The faes sat around an elongated table as if having lunch. Aloisius sat on the other end of the greatest fae of the generation.

"Well, well, what to do with you," Vonmun said, stroking his beard.

"Aren't you an apprentice of that Llouie boy?" asked another with a light fleeting voice.

"Well I would like to know how you summoned the Goddes of Light, after all you are aetherless," asked a blonde woman.

"How can someone like you, not a fae, summon a God?" asked another with distaste.

Among the chaos, Aloisius tried to respond but with all their eyes on him, he froze. He can feel their aether carefully checking his body out. Entering and exploring his veins. He took a deep breath, slowly guiding them out of his body as they watched with curiosity.

"You have excellent control young man," the man sitting at the table said, causing everyone to seize their aether back.

Vonmun was the one who spoke. The one with the beard. The greatest fae among the faes. He stood undefeated for more than thousands of years, with excellent control of all the elements.

"Thank You, Sir," he said sighing in relief.

He gave a signal and the faes started asking him questions again, in an orderly manner this time. When not talking to him, the faes talked among themselves, passing drinks and food like it was just a normal afternoon.

After they ate, the happy atmosphere simmered down leaving silence between them.

"Julrith, Llouie's mentor would like to talk about your request," Vonmun said motioning to the left side of the table where a short man sat.

Short for a fae that is, Julrith is still taller than Aloisius.

"Sharing the knowledge of... What would you like to call your way of having aether?"

"Runes, sir"

"Yes, Runes would leave me with a disadvantage. Let's make a deal. One that is supported by all the faes. If you can give me information equivalent to the Runes, you will be free to share them with halflings," Julrith said, his voice rough.

The fae's eyes were gleaming, something that he hoped the fae would conceal. Aloisius nodded and shook hands with the fae. Using a knife, Aloisius engraved a rune on his hand, draping the wisteria paper over it, he shook Julrith's hand.

The faes watched intrigued as the same rune he drew showed up on Julrith's hands. A sign of a deal has been made. Usually, there would be no mark but an exchange of aether. One that only they could feel. So it was strange to see the manifestation of the deal.

"Rafaela, a fae of light magic, would like to ask about the goddess of light," Vonmun said, allowing the woman to speak.

"Good Day Aloisius, what can you say about that?" the eager woman almost floated out of her seat.

"I-I don't know why she appeared, I just opted for a flash of light magic since you know, they cancel out each other," he said feeling shy with the admiring gaze of the fae.

"Well, well. If she does appear again, do tell us. I would like to speak to the GODDESS, EEK" Rafaela said floating up from her chair. A ray of light magic shot down from her to Aloisius's hands. She gave him a summoning ring. Upon destroying it, he would be able to summon her. A valuable item.

"I do want to take you under my wing, Aloisius," The faes froze. They all looked at Vonmun in shock. He would have a new disciple for the first time after 500 years. An Aetherless Aetherian.

Absentmindedly, Aloisius walked back to his dorm. For the short time, he was in this school, he made great improvements and for once he felt normal..?

His story is just starting and he can't wait but see, what's waiting for him on the other side.