Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Thursday quickly arrived.

After the classes, Adrian left the academy and made his way through the bustling streets of the city. He was careful, keeping a sharp eye out to ensure he wasn't being followed.

After making sure he was alone, he slipped into one of the safe alley houses he had discreetly purchased for situations like this. The modest building blended perfectly into the surrounding area—neither too extravagant to draw attention nor too poor to be suspicious.

Inside, Adrian quickly locked the door behind him and headed to the small, private room he had set up for these occasions. He activated the face-changing amulet, feeling the familiar sensation as his features subtly shifted. Sadly, he already used it when he met the mastermind woman. So, now, he had to stick with this face.

Next, he pulled out the black mask, the Shadow Veil, placing it over his face. The mask conformed to his features, obscuring his identity and giving him a mysterious, almost intimidating appearance. Finally, he took a small vial from his pocket and drank the Voice of Echoes potion, feeling his voice deepen and take on a slightly echoing quality.

Satisfied with his transformation, Adrian stepped out of the alley house and made his way to the meeting place. The location he had chosen was discreet, a single room with soundproof walls and other safety measures in place. It was exactly what he needed—private, secure, and unremarkable.

Adrian arrived first, as planned. He entered the room, quickly scanning it to ensure everything was in order. The room was modestly furnished, with a sturdy wooden table and a few chairs. He took a seat at the head of the table, ordering a selection of meals and drinks from the menu provided. Nothing too extravagant, just enough to show that he was serious but not over the top.

As he waited, Adrian's mind drifted to the upcoming meeting. He knew Mrs. Rena would be cautious, but he was confident that his preparations would pay off. This meeting was crucial, not just for the sanctuary, but for the connections and influence he was quietly building.

The door to the room creaked open, and Adrian's attention snapped back to the present. Mrs. Rena stepped in, her eyes immediately locking onto his masked figure. There was a brief moment of tension as she assessed the situation, but she quickly composed herself and took a seat across from him.

"Thank you for coming," Adrian said, his altered voice calm and measured.

Mrs. Rena nodded, her expression guarded. "I appreciate the invitation," she replied, her tone polite but cautious. "Though I must admit, this is quite the mysterious setup."

Adrian leaned forward slightly, his presence exuding a quiet authority. "I find that in matters like these, discretion is essential," he said smoothly. "I assume you received the note?"

"Yes," Mrs. Rena replied, her eyes studying him closely. "Your young friend delivered it to me."

'I think she didn't recognize me at all. Well, that's a good thing.'

Adrian inclined his head slightly. "Good. Then we can get straight to business."

He gestured to the food and drinks that had been brought in, inviting her to partake. Mrs. Rena hesitated for a moment before reaching for a glass of water. She took a small sip, her gaze never leaving his masked face.

"What is it you want?" Mrs. Rena asked, her tone direct.

'Direct, are we.'

Adrian smiled beneath the mask, though the expression didn't reach his eyes. "What I want is not important, but what you want is to ensure that your sanctuary remains safe," he said. "And to do that, I believe we need to discuss certain... arrangements."

Mrs. Rena's eyes narrowed slightly. "What kind of arrangements?"

"The kind that will benefit us both," Adrian replied, his voice steady. "You have something valuable, something that others might want to take from you. I can help protect that. In return, I would like to establish a partnership—a mutually beneficial relationship."

Mrs. Rena leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. At least he wasn't as bad as she imagined it to be. "And what exactly do you expect from me in this partnership?"

Adrian took a moment to consider his words carefully. "I expect loyalty," he said finally. "And in return, I will ensure that your sanctuary not only survives but thrives. We can discuss the finer details as we go, but for now, I want you to know that I am serious about this. I'm willing to invest in what you're building. I can give you the needed amount right away if you want as well.

Well, after signing an official contract."

Mrs. Rena studied him for a long moment, weighing his offer. Finally, she nodded slowly. "I appreciate your offer," she said. "But I need to know more before I can commit to anything."

"Of course," Adrian replied, his tone understanding. "This is just the beginning. There's no rush. Take your time to think it over, and we can meet again to discuss further."

Mrs. Rena seemed to relax slightly at his words. "Thank you," she said. "I will consider your offer carefully."

Adrian nodded, satisfied with how the meeting had gone. He knew that building trust would take time, but he was willing to be patient. This was a long game, and he intended to play it well.

As they finished their drinks, Adrian rose from his seat, giving Mrs. Rena a polite nod. "I'll be in touch," he said, his voice carrying a note of finality. "Just tell Adrian if you need to meet me."

'I bet it will be long till our next meeting.'

Mrs. Rena returned the nod, watching as he left the room. As Adrian stepped out into the cool evening air, he allowed himself a small smile beneath the mask. The meeting had gone exactly as he had hoped, and now, it was only a matter of time before things began to fall into place.

______ ___ _

Mrs. Rena watched as Adrian left the room, her expression unreadable. However, after the door was closed, her mask of composure cracked slightly, revealing a mix of relief and uncertainty. She had been prepared for the worst, but the meeting had gone more smoothly than she expected. The mysterious benefactor seemed genuine in his intentions, though she knew better than to trust appearances alone.

As she sat in the now-quiet room, Mrs. Rena replayed the conversation in her mind, considering the offer on the table. The sanctuary was her and her husband's life work and the idea of having a powerful or rich ally to help protect it was tempting. But there was still so much she didn't know about this man, and the thought of entering into a partnership with someone so enigmatic was unsettling.

She had to admit, though, that the young man who had arranged the meeting—Adrian—had a knack for finding solutions. He had been a quiet but reliable presence at the sanctuary, and she found herself trusting him more than she expected. If he believed that this masked figure could help, then maybe it was worth considering.

"So, he is more than just a "Dark Horse"..." Stay updated through m-v l|-NovelFire

Mrs. Rena sighed, reaching for her glass of water and taking a long sip. There was a lot to think about, and she would need time to weigh her options carefully. She knew the sanctuary couldn't afford to take risks, but at the same time, it couldn't afford to turn down help, either. Not right now.

As she finished her drink, she resolved to keep a close eye on the situation. She would need to do her own research, perhaps quietly ask around to see what she could learn about this mysterious benefactor. Trust was something that had to be earned, and she wasn't about to gamble the future of the sanctuary on a hasty decision.

But for now, she would wait. She would consider the offer and see what more she could uncover. If nothing else, today's meeting had opened a door—one that could potentially lead to great opportunities or unforeseen dangers.

And Mrs. Rena was determined to find out which it would be.