Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"I wasn't giving advice," Aurelius muttered, his voice cold as ice. Without waiting for a response, he bent his knees and launched himself into the air, his figure a blur of silver light streaking toward Cedric with terrifying speed.

Cedric scoffed, a sly smirk curling his lips. "You think you can take me head-on? Foolish." He thrust his hand outward, controlling the towering cyclone. With a sharp movement, he redirected its angle, twisting it toward Aurelius like a living beast intent on devouring him mid-flight.

The cyclone roared, its fiery vortex expanding as it swallowed Aurelius whole. The arena fell silent, a mix of anticipation and horror gripping the spectators as Aurelius disappeared into the searing flames and razor-sharp winds.

Cedric's grin widened. "Did you really think you could—"

His words were cut off as a sudden blast of energy erupted from the cyclone's center. A piercing streak of darkness burst forth, tearing through the heart of the vortex and sending fragments of fire and wind spiraling into chaos. The force was so intense that it created a shockwave, making Cedric stumble.

"W-What?!" Cedric barely had time to react before the dark streak hurtled toward him. It slammed into his hastily erected defensive barrier, shattering it like glass.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Aurelius emerged from the remnants of the cyclone, his fist cloaked in writhing darkness, his expression fierce and unrelenting. The sheer force of his strike connected with Cedric's chest, sending him hurtling upward.

Cedric coughed violently, the wind knocked out of him, but Aurelius wasn't done. With inhuman speed, he shot above Cedric, his movements a blur. Before Cedric could recover, Aurelius's darkened fist slammed into him again, this time driving him straight toward the ground.

The crowd gasped as Cedric plummeted at an alarming speed, the ground rushing up to meet him. But just before impact, his body stopped mid-air. A figure clad in sleek, storm-grey armor appeared beside him, holding him aloft with one arm.

The arena fell into stunned silence as everyone recognized the figure: Alami, the Thunderblade, the strongest Awakener in the kingdom. Lightning crackled faintly around him, his presence commanding instant respect.

Aurelius hovered in the air, his breathing ragged, his silver hair streaked with blood and dirt. Darkness still clung faintly to his form, a reminder of the raw power he had unleashed moments earlier.

His gaze was cold and sharp as it locked onto Alami and his already unconscious brother. Blood marked his face, his hair, and his torn clothes, making him appear as if he had just stepped out of a battlefield instead of a tournament arena.

Alami regarded Aurelius silently before nodding, an acknowledgment of the fight's outcome. He raised his free hand and spoke, his voice carrying authority. "The battle ends here. The victor is the Masked Man, Aurelius."

The words echoed across the arena, but no one moved.

No one cheered.

The atmosphere was heavy with an awkward tension, the spectacle of the fight leaving the audience too stunned to react.

For a moment, it seemed as though the silence would stretch indefinitely—until a voice rang out, clear and vibrant.

"Yeah! That's the Rainbow Blade for you!"

All eyes turned toward the royal viewing box, where Princess Alina, her vibrant green hair unmistakable, stood with both hands cupped around her mouth as she cheered loudly. "What a fight! Show them how it's done, Rainbow Blade!"

A few murmurs rippled through the crowd, but before they could gather momentum, another voice joined in—from the lower stands.

"Not bad, Rainbow Blade. Not bad at all," came the familiar drawl of Adrian, his smirk visible even from a distance.

The tension broke.

Slowly, others began to cheer, starting with those Aurelius had defeated in previous rounds. Their voices were hesitant at first but quickly grew louder, until the entire arena erupted into applause and shouts of admiration.

Aurelius blinked, his cold expression easing as he glanced toward Adrian, who was clapping slowly, his smirk teasing. Aurelius let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, a faint smile creeping onto his lips as he waved awkwardly to the crowd.

Inwardly, he muttered to himself. 'So… he already knew, huh?'

'And... he's mocking me... That guy hasn't changed.'

'But... If he's not changed at all...'

'So... I hope you changed...'

'Adrian.'

'I'm gonna steal his first place then...'

____ ___ _

As the applause finally began to subside, the real announcer stepped into the arena, his robes swaying with each step. He raised a hand to calm the lingering cheers, his voice booming through a magically amplified device.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" he began, his voice carrying the authority of someone used to commanding attention. "The result is official! The victor of this match is Aurelius, now known as the Rainbow Blade!"

The crowd erupted once more, this time with genuine enthusiasm. The announcer allowed the noise to build before raising his hand again to signal for quiet.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The final match to determine the strongest will soon begin. It will be between none other than the crown Prince Aurelius, the Rainbow Blade, and Adrian, the untouchable and undefeated young man!"

The announcement sent waves of excitement rippling through the audience, and scattered murmurs filled the arena.

"However," the announcer continued, "we must first allow the contestants proper time for treatment and recovery. Until then, we invite all our guests to enjoy the banquet, and our entertainers will perform in the arena after our skilled mages repair the battlefield!"

As the crowd cheered loudly, Aurelius descended from the air, his steps steady but his movements heavy with fatigue. Blood still streaked his face and hair, though his expression remained composed. The applause followed him all the way to the ground.

From the edge of the arena, a hooded figure stepped out, moving briskly toward him. The figure reached Aurelius's side and gently placed a hand on his arm, supporting him. Without speaking, they guided him toward the waiting area.

Adrian's sharp eyes followed them, narrowing slightly as a knowing smirk tugged at his lips. He muttered under his breath, his words meant for no one but himself.

"Wanted to surprise your brother, huh, little sis? You never change, will you?"

The hooded figure glanced around cautiously before pulling Aurelius into the secular part, ensuring no one disturbed them as they made their way to the waiting area.

Meanwhile, royal mages descended into the arena, their robes billowing as they chanted incantations. Tendrils of light and earth responded to their calls, filling craters, mending shattered ground, and extinguishing residual flames. Within moments, the arena was restored to a pristine state, ready to host the upcoming performances.

Adrian leaned back in his seat, his eyes scanning the bustling scene below. The crowd was already buzzing with excitement for the final match, but his focus was elsewhere. His gaze lingered on the waiting area's entrance, where the hooded figure had disappeared with Aurelius.

His smirk grew slightly as he tapped a finger against the armrest. 'I was going to go easy on you, Aurelius. But now you brought my sister back with you... I am gonna test you for real as her older brother... Hope you won't disappoint me this time.'