As everyone readied themselves and started to move toward the Academy, chatter filled the air.
Soon, they departed from the Palace and arrived at the Teleportation Station.
“Whoa!” Aether exclaimed as he laid eyes on the huge entrance adorned with strange ruins.
“Teleportation… ah. That means we are travelling quite a distance from here,” Aether muttered inwardly, noting the significance of teleportation and its implications for their journey. He picked up his luggage as well since, as a slave, he needed to fulfil his duties.
The Teleportation Station was a hub of magical energy, pulsating with the power needed to transport individuals across vast distances in an instant… It helps to travel between Empires.
And the Academy they were talking about was situated in a different Empire.
Aether marvelled at the sight of colossal roots extruding from the ground, forming a pathway that seemed to defy conventional spatial logic. These roots, intertwined with weird magnificent symbols and glowing with Arcane energy, created a pathway that parted to create an entrance into the teleportation portal.
As the scene unfolded at the Teleportation Area, Aether observed with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. The sight of people stepping into the pathway and disappearing into the portal left him deep in thought, contemplating the wonders of magical travel.
“Hmm…” Aether nodded to himself, his mind abuzz with questions and excitement about the teleportation process.
Delphine, noticing his contemplative expression, couldn’t resist teasing him gently. “Can’t contain your smile?” she chimed in, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she observed his attempts to hide his astonishment.
“Hah…” Aether chuckled, his smile breaking through. “This is my first time venturing into a new life without constant watch by others,” he admitted with a sense of freedom.
Delphine smiled warmly, leaning closer to him. “Good for you then,” She replied.
Meanwhile, around them, workers in the Teleportation Area were busy with their tasks, their movements precise and focused. They bowed their heads respectfully to the Empress and diligently prepared for the upcoming teleportation.
“Kai, Selene, please stay safe and don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything,” Velc said, his face showing traces of tears.
“My son, please do whatever it takes to avoid that monster,” Alfred added, his voice tinged with fear and concern.
“Do your best, my dear,” Empress chimed in, offering a supportive smile.
The atmosphere grew heavy with emotions as the realization of parting from their loved ones sank in. Kai couldn’t hold back his tears as he hugged Velc tightly, and Alfred’s eyes were also moist as he embraced his son, emphasizing the need to avoid “that monster.”
‘Tsk, He’s still calling me a monster!’ Aether clicked his tongue in annoyance. Alfred, who had acted so imposing before, now avoided even looking at him.
Suddenly,
“!!” Aether flinched when he felt Delphine hug his hand tightly. He looked at her with a surprised expression.
Delphine whispered softly, “I guess this is as far as I can help you… From now on, do your best.”
Aether felt a surge of emotion as he sensed something crawling inside his hand, knowing it was her, Snowflake…. but he couldn’t hide his sadness as he gazed at Delphine.
He was genuinely sad as he realized what she meant. She was his Survival Donor, and the thought of parting from her filled him with despair. How could he survive without her?
“Delphine,” Aether couldn’t help but mutter with a broken expression.
Delphine wore a teasing smile, finding his despondency amusing. “Oh my~ Are you going to miss me?” she teased, but she didn’t anticipate his earnest response.
“Yes!” Aether replied earnestly, his expression showing his genuine feelings as he almost pleaded with her, “Please come with me!”
“W-Wait!” Delphine was taken aback, trying to free her hand from his tight grip as he seemed unwilling to let her go.
“A-Aether, stop, everyone is going to look at us!” Delphine urged, concerned that their display might lead others to misconstrue their relationship. She truly worried about what others would think!
She knew she would never be able to face anyone if things escalated further!
“Please, I will really miss you~” Aether’s eyes turned teary as he acted like a child who didn’t want his mother to leave.
[+10 Affection]
Delphine’s face turned red as she glared at Aether and muttered, “Aether, let me go, otherwise–”
“Otherwise?”
Both Delphine and Aether flinched as they slowly turned their heads and saw Empress standing before them, her gaze carrying a smile that wasn’t really a smile, but rather a dangerous aura.
“I-It’s not what you think it is,” Delphine said quickly, her voice faltering under Empress’s scrutiny. Empress’s eyes lowered, focusing on Aether’s hand that tightly held Delphine’s hand.
Delphine jerked Aether’s hand away before excusing herself, saying she needed to bid farewell to her nephew and niece, her face still flushed with embarrassment.
‘That woman…’ Aether thought with a betrayed expression before looking at Empress and stammering, “E-Empress…”
“….” Empress remained silent, her gaze still fixed on Aether for a few more seconds, making him sweat nervously.
“…”
Empress kept a deadly stare until the operator came and announced they were ready to begin the teleportation process.
‘Sigh,’ Aether visibly sighed, feeling a mix of relief and frustration, and glared at Delphine, who was giggling softly.
“Now, everyone is ready to enter…” The operator glanced at Kai, Selene, Timmy, Princess, and Aether, and one by one, they entered the teleportation area, waving their hands at their loved ones.
As Aether was about to step into the portal, he turned around and looked at Delphine with a mischievous smile.
Delphine’s face turned sour as she anticipated that Aether was about to say or do something shitty.
With a parting weird laugh, Aether said, “I am truly grateful that Ms. Delphine took care of my snake in her bosom. Thank you, Ms. Delphine… hehehe.”
He entered the pathway, leaving everyone stunned, especially Velc, whose mouth hung wide open in shock. His expression was so incredulous that it seemed like a mosquito might have flown into his mouth and come out of his ears…. just kidding, but he truly had a horrified expression.
Alfred looked at Delphine with a disbelieving expression, clearly caught off guard by Aether’s parting words.
“W-Wait! T-This is not what it looks like!! That damn brat is not good with words!! Believe me!!.. He is clearly the worst at wording!!” Delphine exclaimed with a horrified face, trying to explain the situation.
“Is that so? Why don’t we have a small talk?” Empress chimed in with a small smile, as she also heard reports saying Aether entered Delphine’s room most of the time.
Delphine froze in the realization of the impending conversation, her expression turning from shock to dread before she couldn’t hold it in any longer and shouted, “AETHEEERRRR!!!!”
…..
…
“Achoo!” Aether sneezed as he rubbed his nose, and when he opened his eyes, he found a lady welcoming him.
“Welcome to our Aerionis Zephyra Empire,” the lady said warmly.
Stepping through the portal, Aether found himself standing before the welcoming lady without feeling the usual nausea associated with teleportation, a surprise considering what he had read in novels.
“Oh! Thank you, Miss! Have a good day!” Aether replied politely, bowing before following the others while carrying Princess’s luggage.
“Hehe… good child,” the lady stationed to welcome everyone smiled warmly, pleased to see someone reciprocate her kindness. Her smile seemed to brighten as if her energy had been replenished, and she continued to welcome the others with the same gentle demeanour.
“Why are you late?” Selene inquired, noticing Aether’s delayed arrival.
“K-Kind of forgot something,” Aether offered a vague excuse, eager to move on from the question. Soon, everyone exited the Teleportation station.
‘New Empire… ah,’ Aether mused, gazing up at the sky, where suddenly…
‘Flssshhhh,SSHHHHHH’
“FUCK!! That’s a Dragon!!” Aether’s eyes widened in awe and excitement as he beheld the majestic sight of a colossal dragon soaring through the sky.