Wish Me Luck

Raegar stared at the pack of nobles and one of them went to step forward, but a girl stopped him with a wary expression. ''That's Rhaelor Vaelthorne's cousin. They have the same white hair which runs in that family, but this one has red eyes instead of blue.''

The others, clearly annoyed by this, walked away while he gave them a shit-eating grin as lightning arched across his body, but he was annoyed as people knew who he was. Raegar shook his head before turning to the blonde girl with big grey eyes who was staring at him.

She had smooth rich chocolate brown skin, sandy blonde hair, and flawless features that any girl on Earth would have love to have. Her eyes sparkled, complemented by a delicate button nose and plump, inviting lips.

'Haven't seen many dark-skinned girls since coming to this word, but she's gorgeous,' he thought while noticing her pointed ears, which amazed him. 'She's a half-elf?'

''Thank you for the help,'' she muttered in a quiet voice that he barely heard above the surrounding noise. ''I didn't know people were so unfriendly to half-elves in the capital.''

Raegar smiled before waving her away. ''It's okay, no need to thank me. I don't like the way nobles act. They are so high and mighty, which is annoying after a while.''

The girl giggled when hearing that and held out her hand, which he took as she introduced herself. ''I'm Zahara. I come from a town far to the south called Duskwater Hollow. It's on a peninsula that is cut off by a dark forest and mountains.''

''I haven't heard of it,'' he answered. ''But I'm Raegar Blackwood and I live just outside of the trade city, Southwood.''

Zahara's eyes widened before she spoke in an excited voice, ''I've been there with my father, who is the towns traders. That was our first and last journey together until Edmund found me.''

''He found you?'' he asked with a raised eyebrow. ''Are you a cat?''

The girl giggled softly while explaining. ''No, it's not like that. He visits our town because of his manor on the outskirts. He believes I have a massive Aether Pool and could become a talented mage.''

Zahara's eyes sparkled in excitement as she continued, ''My father was so thrilled about it that he insisted I accompany him and Edmund on their journey back to the capital. They normally travel together''

''Oh,'' Raegar replied, raising an eyebrow. ''Interesting. Well, I'd better get in line for the test. Looks like it's getting crowded.''

He went to walk off but Zahara grabbed his sleeve while asking in a sweet voice, ''Can I join you please? Edmund is busy and I have no friends here.''

''Of course,'' he answered before grabbing the brown-skinned beauty's hand and dragged her over to the center of the hall.

Hundreds of kids were waiting as the temple staff efficiently lined them up. Raegar scanned the room and spotted a nearby line, which they entered. While standing there, he noticed something Zahara's cheeks were dark because of embarrassment.

His gaze drifted to their still-joined hands, lingering for a moment before he glanced away while letting go. ''Sorry about that, but we can wait here until taking our test.''

Zahara nodded with a smile as Raegar turned to a boy who was putting his hand on a translucent gem. Seconds later, it glowed a bright blue just as a man announced, ''Water!''

He watched the boy get excited and next was a girl with rabbit ears. Moments later, she had two elements as the gem glowed brown and red, which caused the crowd to murmur as the same staff member exclaimed, ''Earth and Fire!''

This continued until the nobles that were giving Zahara trouble, most had one element while a couple had double which impressed the staff, children and watching adults. When the blonde saw them she grabbed his sleeve causing Raegar to reassure her, ''Don't worry about them, they won't bother now your friends with a Vaelthorne.''

The brown-skinned girl looked confused before whispering, ''You'd be friends with a commoner like me? Despite belonging to a noble family.''

''Yes,'' he answered with a charming smile. ''I don't care about status or rank, merit is what's important to me.''

She stared at him as if he were an alien, her expression so bewildered that Raegar couldn't help but burst into laughter. The tension eased, and they both turned their attention to the other children taking their tests.

He watched closely, curious about the results. So far, every child tested had been a dual-element wielder, but none had displayed anything more extraordinary. Two hours later, it was finally Zahara's turn.

She brushed off her dress, which was clean as they stood in line. Her excitement and nerves were obvious as she turned to him with a radiant smile. ''Wish me luck,'' she said, her grey eyes sparkling with anticipation.

''Good luck,'' Raegar said as she walked to the center where Edmund was waiting.

The blonde man nodded at him just as Zahara put her hand on the Aether Gem, which lit up. As three colors appeared, the hall went deathly silent as a bright white, blue and brown colors lit up the surroundings.

'She's a Triarch Mage!' he was internally shocked.

Raegar caught sight of Edmund's eyes widening in shock before he quickly ushered Zahara out of the hall, his movements hurried and almost frantic. Zahara glanced back over her shoulder, her brow furrowed in confusion.

He met her gaze with a charming smile and a casual wave, hoping to ease her worry. She hesitated for a moment before vanishing through the doorway with Edmund. Following that, it was his go, which made his excitement grow.

The temple staff motioned for him to step forward for his turn. As he approached the stand, he turned to the right and froze for a moment. His mother and Yuki were nearby in the stand watching hie.

Raegar quickly noticed the cat woman greeted him with a warm smile. Beside her, Victoria silently cheered him on, her hands clasped tightly in encouragement. He felt a surge of determination as he returned their gestures with a small nod.

''What is your name, boy?'' the official asked.

''Raegar Blackwood,'' he answered.

The man nodded before informing him, ''Please place your hands on it and don't remove them until I say so,'' the man informed him in a firm tone.

Raegar nodded and placed his hand on the gem, expecting something to happen, but at first, nothing did. A heavy silence fell over the hall, confusion etched on everyone's faces. Just as the murmurs began, the hall trembled and suddenly eight brilliant lights burst forth.

Red, blue, green, white, black, brown, yellow, and purple erupted in dazzling beams. Gasps of shock echoed through the hall as the colors danced across every surface, leaving the gathered crowd frozen in awe.

He blinked against the intense light, his own heart pounding which excitement as he sucked in so much Aether that it almost overwhelmed it, but he managed to control it while sending the energy into the nine pools.

While standing there basking in the Aether, Raegar started hearing the whispers and excitement that echoed throughout the hall, ''A Tetraarch Mage has been born!'' a man shouted.

''The Blackwood boy can use every element? I feel sorry for him,'' a girl said.

Raegar shook his head as the temple official approached him with a respectful look as he spoke, ''I cannot believe it but you're a Tetraarch Mage young master. I'm sure the temple leader would like to speak to you.''

He was just about to reply but more nobles moved in on him and overwhelmed him with question causing him to get ready to use his magic, but a commanding voice boomed across the temple.

''Leave my grandson alone! If you ignore my warning we can step outside,'' Griffin warned the crowd while approaching the stage.

Raegar smiled when seeing his grandfather and the old man winked at him before continuing, ''Noone is to bother him or they will have an issue with the Vaelthorne Family and you know the empress will want the boy to flourish.'' 

The nobles quickly retreated, their murmurs fading into the background, but Raegar couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Three men stood apart from the rest, their predatory gazes fixed on him like wolves sizing up their prey.

A nervous lump formed in his throat, and he gulped instinctively, as their aura was too much for him. He felt like heavy weights were pressing down on, forcing him to grit his teeth while steeling himself.

Griffin's sharp eyes caught the exchange, and his expression darkened with fury. Taking a step forward, he growled, his voice like thunder, ''Lucius, Charles, Henry, take your eyes off him, or we can dance like we did back in the academy.''

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