Chapter 20: Chapter 20: THE HUNT BEGINS!

Ana rose from the bed, using Aether's chest as a temporary backrest. Her chemise clung to her curves, sending a jolt through him as she made her way towards another room to dress.'Crazy woman,' Aether thought with a wry smile, his heart hammering a chaotic rhythm against his ribs – a clear sign of his growing feelings for her.Still dazed, he reached for his discarded shirt on the floor, his mind replaying the previous night's events on a loop. Ana reappeared before he could fully process it, dressed in a simple medieval style with her hair neatly braided.She threw her arms around him in a swift hug, catching him slightly off guard – despite his heightened senses. "Leaving already?" she teased, her voice playful.Aether stammered, "Just… finishing Mary's gift."Ana's eyes widened dramatically. "Heavens! I'm late!" she exclaimed, squeezing past him in a flurry of activity. Reaching the doorway, she turned back with a mischievous grin. "Hey," she called out before disappearing, "meet you after the celebration, alright?"Aether stood there, bewildered. "The women…" She began, her voice trailing off into the empty hallway.A muffled explanation from down the corridor reached him, "They'll kill me if I don't help with the preparations!"Left alone, Aether muttered to himself, "How am I going to handle this crush when it morphs into full-blown love?" He let out a soft chuckle, the sound echoing through the quiet room. Shaking his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation, he headed out to train, his mind buzzing with thoughts of Ana and the upcoming celebration.****Aether beamed with satisfaction. The fruits of his training hung heavy in the air – he was on the verge of manipulating his mother's excess mana, albeit in small doses. This would be the perfect present for her. As usual, Lumi guided him through his morning exercises. Afterwards, he settled into meditation, diligently circulating mana through his body. The process remained a challenge, but each struggle was a testament to his growing strength. Over the past five hours, he had meticulously memorized the feeling of mana flow.Clenching his fist in triumph, he declared, "I'm ready, Mom! Time for your treatment!"But before he could rise, Lumi's voice cut through the air, cold and urgent. "[Hostiles approaching the village. Host is advised not to engage]"Aether's blood ran cold. Panic gnawed at him as he bombarded Lumi with questions, but the system remained stubbornly silent, repeating the initial warning. Noon approached – the very hour the festivities were to begin. A grim mask settled on his face as a plume of smoke rose in the distance, twisting lazily towards the village.His recent training had gifted him basic control over wind magic. Applying this newfound knowledge, he channelled a small wind around him, propelling himself forward in a desperate dash towards the village. Prayers and anxieties swirled within him – for his mother, for Ana, for the villagers. Would he reach them in time? Were they even alive? Hope flickered like a dying ember as he raced against the encroaching danger.****A guttural roar echoed through the air, shattering the peaceful pre-festival atmosphere. A weathered face, hidden beneath a greasy leather cap, emerged from the smoke. He gripped a woman's hair with a vice-like hold, his grime-caked beard bristling with rage. A jagged scar, a story etched in violence, ran across his cheek. A rusty longsword, its leather worn smooth from countless battles, hung menacingly at his hip.Another figure, clad in worn leather armor and wielding gleaming daggers, mirrored the companion's confusion. "Settlement or town?" he rasped, a cruel grin splitting his face. "Looks like we hit the jackpot, boys!"A brutal kick sent a villager crashing to the ground, a spear held by a hulking figure hovering menacingly above him. A chilling smile stretched across the attacker's face as he savored the man's terror.Then, a heavy figure emerged on horseback, clad in imposing plate armor. His gaze, cold and calculating, landed on the spear-wielding man."Captain," the man stammered, a tremor in his voice.The Captain's voice was a low growl. "Secure the goods first. You can have your fun later."With a curt nod, the captain spurred his horse onwards, leaving a trail of fear in his wake. The spear-wielding man, a flicker of defiance momentarily replacing his terror, plunged his weapon into the fallen villager's side before dashing off with a twisted grin. Slave-taking, as per the Captain's orders. The hunt was on, and the once peaceful village was now a hunting ground for these ruthless invaders.