The First Tetraarch Mage

Raegar was staring at endless grasslands that were littered with woodlands. He spotted a town in the far distance causing Griffin to explain, ''That's Nightshade Grove, a small farming settlement that is home to the Nytherian Border Guards. They are strong and can fight Tier Three monsters.''

''Interesting, can I visit there to trade and buy myself some supplies?'' he asked the older man.

Griffin shook his head before answering, ''No, it's too far unless you can fly, which won't happen for a few years.''

Raegar looked offended. ''Why's that? I have a lot of Aether and big enough pools to try a flying spell,'' he questioned.

''Yes, you have,'' the old man replied, turning to face him. ''But that doesn't mean you can use every spell ever created.''

His grandfather paused, his tone growing more serious. ''You can handle three for now, but trying to learn more will put a heavy strain on your mind. If I remember correctly, once you become a Tier Two Aether Mage, you'll be able to learn more. But for now, that's all you can handle.''

''So it would knock me out just like when I run out of Aether?'' he asked.

Griffin nodded in confirmation, ''Now let's get you to the forest, I have some business to attend to in the Nytheria Kingdom.''

Following that, the old man grabbed Raegar by the scruff of his neck and continued with his weird teleportation skill, which made him feel sick. By the time they stopped, he was throwing up.

Minutes later, Raegar calmed down, only to realize he was in a clearing surrounded by primal-looking trees and thick underbrush. The atmosphere gave him the creeps, as it felt like someone was watching him.

'Am I in Jumanji? The books didn't say it looked like this,' he thought as goosebumps rushed over his body.

Griffin started laughing before speaking in an amused tone. ''Welcome to Bloodfang Forest, my boy. The place where hundreds of our relatives have trained and dozens have lost their lives.''

Raegar stiffened but quickly steeled himself as the old man pulled out a pile of items, which fell to the ground with a heavy thud. His grandfather leaned over, picking up a wooden case with careful hands.

''These will stay with you for years,'' he said with an excited voice. ''They're Tier Two weapons called the Everfang Daggers, crafted by an old friend of mine many moons ago.''

Griffin handed him the case, and Raegar opened it to reveal two long daggers resting inside. What caught his attention, however, was the faint glow of Aether emanating from them. He shook his head in awe before carefully examining the weapons.

'What is this? It feels like they are calling to me?' he pondered.

The inside of the blades curved upwards and were forged from a beautiful black metal that gleamed under the morning sun. The handles were crafted from black wood, looking both durable and tough, designed for a firm grip.

''What you're feeling is an enchantment called Return,'' Griffin revealed with a proud smile. ''If you lose them during a fight, just send some Aether into the markings and they will return to you.''

When Raegar heard this, his eyes widened, but he asked with a curious voice, ''Markings?''

''Yes, they will bind to you once you touch them,'' the older man said while holding the case. ''Try them out boy, see if they accept you as their master.''

He frowned in confusion, glancing at Griffin with a raised eyebrow. The older man immediately snapped, ''Don't give me that look. My friend told me his father crafted them decades ago, but every time someone tries to touch them, they get shocked.''

Raegar nodded and reached for one dagger. As his hand closed around the hilt, a shock coursed through his fingers, though it wasn't as bad as he'd expected. Taking the other dagger, he suddenly felt a sharp burning sensation in his hand.

He winced as a tiny knife-shaped marking etched itself into his skin. The burning faded after a few seconds. When Griffin saw this, his smile grew wider as he exclaimed, ''I knew they would accept you! I know they're not swords, but you've trained with daggers in the past.''

''I know, I'll get used to them while fighting,'' he replied to his grandfather.

The older man nodded before handing him a belt while grabbing a satchel bag and handed it to him. ''This is a basic magic bag that I picked up in. It will allow you to carry 500 lbs worth of stuff, but after that you will need to head to the Dreadshade Castle to sell what you've collected.''

He strapped the belt around his waist and slung the bag over his shoulder. Griffin then handed him a sturdy wooden box. ''This is a basic survival kit,'' his grandfather said firmly. ''It'll help you in the forest, but ensure to keep it dry.''

Taking the box, Raegar opened it to inspect the contents. Inside, he recognized a few key items: an Everlight Lantern, Flamekindle Stones, a waterskin, a jar of Healing Salve, and a small pouch of tea.

''Thank you, grandfather,'' he said while putting the survival kit away.

''Don't thank me yet,'' Griffin replied with a sly smile. ''Let's see if you survive the Bloodfang Forest before thanking me.''

With a flick of his wrist, he sent a surge of Aether into the small, square package. In an instant, it expanded, and a small tent appeared out of thin air, causing Raegar to jump back in surprise.

The old man chuckled at his reaction, clearly enjoying the moment. ''This is a magic tent,'' he explained, still grinning. ''If you set it up somewhere out of the way, no one will find you.''

''Okay, this will be useful at night,'' Raegar said, nodding as he carefully tucked the tent away. ''Monsters are more active once the sun goes down.''

Once that was done, Griffin's sudden hug caught him off guard, but the older man said, "Please come back to me, boy. Many of our kin haven't, and I don't want to lose you in there."

When Raegar heard this he returned the hug while reassuring the older man, ''I'll be fine, grandfather. I need this to grow stronger so I can become the best Aether Mage in the Dawnfire Empire.''

His grandfather bellowed with a hearty laugh, ruffling his hair. ''Go make me proud, boy! I'll see you in a year. But in case anything happened and I'm not around, head north, and you'll find Dunmara City.''

Raegar nodded in understanding while readying himself as the older man concluded with a chuckle, ''Your little girlfriend gave me a pile of books you'd like. I put them in the magic bag and added some of my own that you will enjoy.''

''Thank you, old man,'' he said while looking into the bag.

Griffin gave a firm nod, offering his last words before vanishing. ''Now, grow stronger and slay many monsters.''

Raegar stared at the spot his grandfather was just standing and steeled himself before entering the treeline and started traveling through the forest while readying his blade in case he came across any monsters.

Thanks to his training, he could traverse through the underbrush with ease until coming across a small lake with murky water. The place gave him the creeps, but he scanned his surroundings.

After he vanished into the trees, Griffin reappeared while watching him vanish as Vlad appeared beside him and spoke in a concerned tone. ''Do you think the boy can save the village? Those monsters are Tier Three, at least.''

''Yes, my old friend,'' he replied, his voice echoing with confidence. ''My grandson is far stronger than he appears, and will become a legendary warrior, one who will surpass me, his grandmother, and every Vaelthorne that came before him. That is why I spared no expense on the Everfang Daggers. They are worthy of the greatness he will achieve.''

Vlad turned to the blonde man, his eyes wide with surprise. ''I thought you were buying them for Rhaelor? Won't he be angry?''

Griffin's expression remained unshaken as he responded, his tone firm. ''I don't care. That boy's become cocky of late, and I can't stand that attitude.'' He paused, his gaze distant. ''Raegar is our future. He has the drive and compassion to build a better world from the mess we find ourselves in.''

''You truly believe in him, don't you friend?'' the vampire king questioned. ''You're willing to tear apart the Vaelthorne's for him? A family you've been building for the last sixty years.''

''I am, most of the young men are cocky and bloated on their own ignorance while the women are hard to get along with but then comes Raegar Blackwood, a humble but intelligent boy from a count's family ended up becoming the first Tetraarch Mage in generations and is a Devil Killer.''

Vlad's red eyes widened and slowly nodded. ''Just know that the Nytheria Kingdom will support the boy from any threat he faces.''

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