Solvyrn Academy [2]

Through the small window beside him, Brandon gazed at the enormous expanse of the Solvyrn Academy that stretched across the landscape below.

The Academy wasn't just one singular building, it was a sprawling complex of interconnected structures, training arenas, libraries, research labs, and towering dormitories, all surrounded by lush greenery and protective barriers powered by ether energy.

The evening sun bathed the campus in a golden hue, casting long shadows that stretched across the grounds.

Sitting across from him, Eira watched him in silence as the golden sun rays painted his handsome face.

Eira couldn't help but feel a strange sense of admiration.

Her gaze lingered a moment too long, and just as she was about to speak, the door to the shuttle chamber slid open with a soft hiss.

"Eira..."

Eira lifted her head, smiling slightly "Calistra."

Calistra's indifferent gaze softened just a fraction as she gave a small nod "Come with me."

Then she glanced at Brandon briefly "We've arrived. And they're waiting for you."

Eira hesitated before standing and brushing down her uniform "I'll come too."

---

The three of them exited the shuttle, stepping onto a large landing platform just outside the central research wing of Solvyrn Academy.

Brandon's eyes widened slightly at the sight that greeted them.

Dozens of people stood waiting.

Many wore the distinctive uniforms of the Sovereign Circle's military divisions—the Sentinels of Vryis, easily recognizable by their black-and-blue uniforms lined with golden ether patterns.

Others wore the white robes of the Academy's researchers and scholars.

And there was a beautiful woman standing at the front with her crimson hair pulled into an elegant braid, and her piercing violet eyes looked at Brandon curiously.

"That's Lady Aveline Tenebraux, an Empyrean." Eira whispered to Brandon.

"Step forward," Lady Aveline uttered in a cold tone.

Brandon hesitated only a second before taking a step toward the gathered crowd.

Every eye was on him, and he could feel the weight of their scrutiny 'It feels weird when they all look at me like that...'

Aveline's gaze narrowed "You are the one who used ether?"

"Yeah..." Brandon replied and his voice was steady despite the anxiety building in his chest.

Aveline looked at him for a moment before she turned on her heel. "Follow me."

With that, the crowd parted, and Brandon followed Aveline into the towering research facility ahead.

Eira and Calistra looked at the back of Brandon and they knew they couldn't follow him.

---

Long, white corridors stretched endlessly, lined with glass panels that showcased various research labs.

Ether-fueled lights hummed softly overhead, casting a cold, clinical glow.

As they walked, Brandon caught glimpses of researchers hunched over complex instruments and holographic displays.

Some were analyzing ether crystals, while others were running simulations of Aberrant combat scenarios.

Eventually, they reached a large, circular room at the end of the hallway and there were already some women researchers waiting inside.

The walls were covered in glowing crystals, and the center of the room was dominated by a raised platform with circular glass surrounding it.

"Stand there," Aveline muttered pointing at the platform.

Brandon stepped onto the platform and the crystals on the floor lit up, pulsing with blue light.

He felt a strange tingling sensation spread through his body.

Aveline raised her hand, and a holographic display appeared above the platform.

Streams of data flowed across the screen, showing complex readings that Brandon couldn't even begin to understand.

"Impossible," one of the researchers muttered in surprise.

"His ether signature is… unstable, but it's there."

"It's fluctuating," another added.

"Almost as if it's… mimicking other ether signatures."

Brandon's gaze narrowed in thought. Mimicking? Was that because he absorbed Eira's ether?

Aveline stepped forward and asked, "How did you gain access to ether?"

With a sigh, Brandon spoke "I don't know. It happened after I gave Eira CPR. I think… I absorbed some of her ether energy."

With a nod, Aveline spoke "Mhm, we did hear it from those two students. You could even use their skill..."

One of the researchers spoke "That's never been documented. Ether transfer through physical contact? And skill mimicry?"

Aveline raised an eyebrow "Call Ravène Morcelle, she could handle this better."

With that, she looked at the remaining researchers and waved her hand "Now, you all leave..."

Hearing her command, the researchers glanced at each other.

They are very curious to research this experiment piece standing in front of them.

However, they can't refuse her words.

So they all nodded and left the room.

As they left, Aveline glanced at Brandon in the corner of her eyes 'You owe me one, Charlotte for looking after your little brother.'

Her gaze narrowed in thought 'But still, he really got himself into a tight situation huh.'

'The oldies in the Sovereign circle would surely won't tolerate him...'

With a soft sigh, she looked at Brandon "Brandon Kael, I think you already understand what kind of situation you are in."

She took a slow step forward as her boots clicked against the metallic floor "I am Charlotte's friend... Aveline."

Big Sister's friend?

Brandon sighed in relief and replied "Yes, Miss Aveline."

With a nod, Aveline spoke "I will try my best to keep you safe..."

Upon hearing this Brandon smiled softly and replied "Thank you, Miss Aveline."

A few minutes later, the door opened and a mature woman with brown hair and black eyes stepped in wearing a lab coat.

She was wearing a sexy lab coat and half of the upper coat was unbuttoned showing her collarbone and the deep cleavage of her G-cup breasts.

Stepping in, she glanced at Aveline "Miss Aveline, I will take it from here on."

Looking at the woman, Brandon's jaw dropped in surprise 'What the fuck? Isn't she?'

Aveline nodded her head and quickly left the room.

As soon as she left, a big teasing smile appeared on Ravène Morcelle's lips "It's been a while, Little Kael."

Brandon snapped out of his surprise "Aunt Rave? What the hell are you doing here?"

Ravene is someone close to Brandon, she is Elize's closest friend, so she often comes home and spends time with him.

With a giggle, Ravene winked her eye "Are you shocked?"

She hurriedly walked to him and hugged him tightly "Oh my poor boy, I missed you..."

Brandon felt his face getting squeezed in her soft breasts and a muffled sound escaped his lips "Aunt Rave... wait, wait.. what are you doing here?"

Pulling back from the hug, Ravene titled her head playfully "Because I am a lead researcher in Solvyrn Academy?"

Brandon blinked his eyes "You... never told me about that. I thought you are just a friend of Aunt Elize..."

With another giggle, Ravène reached out and pinched his cheek lightly, just as she had when he was younger "You're such a clueless little boy sometimes."

She again hugged him pressing his face into her breasts and affectionately patted his head.

Brandon sighed inwardly, just like Elize, Ravene also spoiled him very much and he also had a good bond with her, often teasing each other.

But now it made sense why she always had a busy schedule and rarely came to meet him.

"Aunt Rave, now is not the time to press your breasts on my face..."

Ravene smiled playfully "Why not? I thought you liked my breasts?"

Hm? Brandon raised an eyebrow "Why do you think that?"

Ravene rolled her eyes "Why you ask.. Hmmm, well whenever I squeeze my breasts on your face, you always have that perverted little smile on your lips as you rub your face against my breasts."

"So I thought you liked my breasts very much."

Brandon was dumbfounded and felt a little embarrassed.

But then he let out a sigh "Well, yeah... it's true that I love your breasts, but now is not the time for that stuff."

"Aunt Rave, you know the situation I am in."