Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

He came to her occasionally, always weary, his tired eyes reflecting the weight of endless responsibilities. Even though she yearned to bridge the gap between them, her own anxiety and a maturity that felt more like a shield than a strength kept her from speaking up.

She learned to navigate the vast, echoing halls of their estate with a quiet resolve, seeking solace in the endless rows of books. The library became her sanctuary, a place where magic, strategy, and history filled the emptiness left by the absence of human connection.

When she started school, her grandfather tried to integrate her into the world of other children. Lyra, Emeric, and Ren became her classmates, and for a while, Aria felt a glimmer of hope that she might find something like companionship.

Yet, despite their efforts, the loneliness lingered, a constant companion overshadowing her budding friendships. Nine years passed in this somber dance of solitude and brief, fragmented interactions.

Then came the day of her Awakening. Aria\'s heart soared when she discovered her affinity with all five elements—fire, air, water, earth, and lightning. Her ability was revealed to be of Galactic Tier 3 star quality, though her grandfather chose to announce it as Solar Tier 4 star, a calculated move to obscure her true potential.

The name of her ability, "ChronoVeil," was both cryptic and compelling. It allowed her to see the flow of time, from the past to the present. She could see the past anytime she wished without any side effects or setbacks.

Her excitement was palpable, a rare moment of genuine joy. For a fleeting moment, it seemed her grandfather was truly invested in her success. Yet, when she attempted to use ChronoVeil, the power remained elusive. Despite her grandfather\'s guidance and various methods to unlock its potential, all she saw were fractured glimpses of her lonely past, a cruel reminder of the isolation she felt.

"Just practice, and it will come," her grandfather had said, though his words did little to ease the sting of her perceived failure. His calm encouragement felt like a mask for his disappointment, deepening the shadows within her heart.

The academy exams came next, and Aria excelled beyond expectations. But to her shock, another student—someone who seemed as lonely and lost as she once felt—achieved even greater results. This mysterious figure intrigued her, a spark of curiosity lighting up her normally indifferent demeanor. However, he vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Aria with more questions than answers.

It wasn\'t until a rainy, stormy day that everything changed. The sky crackled with lightning, and the storm\'s fury seemed to mirror the tempest within Aria. It was on this day that light finally pierced through the darkness surrounding her life, as if the storm itself had cleared the way for something new and profound.

"Hmmm..."

Aria sat on her bed, the memories from that stormy day flowing back with vivid clarity. The day when, for the first time in months, her power truly awakened. She smiled at the thought, remembering how the rain and the storm mirrored the chaotic surge of emotions she felt. The sky had roared with thunder, and the city streets were slick and dark, reflecting the turbulence within her.

She had just finished settling into her new dorm room, feeling both excited and apprehensive about the fresh start. The rain pounded heavily outside the academy, creating a rhythmic backdrop of nature\'s fury.

But then it happened—her vision blurred and darkness enveloped her.

Aria had expected nothing more than the usual shadows of her lonely past. Instead, the darkness gave way to an unexpected scene.

She saw rain pouring down heavily, just as it was outside, and two figures darting through narrow alleys. They were a boy and a girl, their faces partially obscured by the downpour. They were running from a group of masked figures, and Aria could feel the desperation in their movements.

The scene shifted abruptly, and she found herself watching the two figures cornered and surrounded. The alley was now thick with mist and smoke, making it difficult to see clearly.

Then, a new figure emerged from the shadows—another masked person, but different from the rest. This figure seemed to exude an aura of silent strength and determination. He stepped in to save the girl and the boy, his presence a fleeting beacon in the chaos.

Aria\'s heart ached with a confusing mix of admiration and sadness as she watched the battle unfold. The third figure fought valiantly, but the fight was uneven. His movements were desperate, his strikes more about survival than mastery. It was clear he was outmatched. Despite his bravery, the masked figures overwhelmed him, and soon he was left bloodied and exhausted.

The scene was almost too much to bear. The masked figures left him there, defeated and alone. As he lay on the ground, Aria saw his face for the first time—a face marked by loneliness, relief, and weariness. It was the same young man who had bested her in the entrance exams, the one she had noticed but never really understood.

The vision ended abruptly, leaving Aria with a heavy heart. Her eyes were subconsciously filled with tears as she recalled the scene. She had been so focused on her own struggles and isolation that she had missed the suffering of others around her. The young man, the lonely figure who had once seemed like a distant rival, had shown a level of selflessness and courage that pierced through her heart.

The storm outside had ceased, leaving a profound silence in its wake. Aria felt a strange sense of connection to the young man, as though their paths were intertwined in ways she had yet to fully understand.

And she wanted to find out more about this connection.

Determined to understand this connection, she left her room in search of him, driven by a newfound sense of purpose.

"...No," Aria muttered being nostalgic. "...I just wanted to find him... and save him..."

"But it turns out... we were fated to save each other."

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(A/N: Here is the chapter I wanted to write before but was holding back. A bit about Aria\'s past and ability and why she fell for Adrian.)