Drusilla was the first to dive in, and she hugged Dahlia. "No promises there either, but we'll try!"

The others followed, Selene with a shy embrace, Zahara with a fierce one, Dominique with a respectful nod, and Alice with a quick squeeze. Nivara hesitated, then offered a curt but genuine handshake, her usual sharpness softened for the moment. Yuki was next; her goodbye was special to him.

She started with him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest. ''I'll miss you,'' she said simply, voice muffled. ''Blackwood County's not too far, so don't be a stranger.''

Raegar couldn't help but lift the older woman's chin and place a passionate kiss against her soft lips, her pink hair tickling his nose. ''Wouldn't dream of it. Tell my parents I'll visit soon, yeah?''

She nodded, pulling away with a grin. ''Will do.''

She moved through the group, exchanging hugs and playful jabs. Drusilla ruffled her hair, earning a swat from Yuki's tail, while Selene and Zahara promised to send letters. Nivara and Yuki shared a knowing look, a silent acknowledgment of their shared affection for Raegar, before embracing briefly.

As the farewells wound down, Dahlia clapped her hands. "Right, no more stalling. Yuki, we've got an airship waiting." She glanced at Raegar and the others. "You all take the road, level up those elements, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That's a short list," Dominique quipped, sparking laughter from the group.

The group filed out of the dining hall, their laughter and chatter echoing through the palace corridors as they made their way to the courtyard. The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestones, and a crisp breeze carried the faint hum of machinery from the airfield beyond the palace gates.

Raegar led the way as the women were excited about the road trip ahead. Dominique and Alice followed, discussing logistics, with Nivara trailing behind, her red eyes scanning the bustling maids and guards with quiet curiosity. As they reached the courtyard, the silhouette of the airship came into view, its hull gleaming under the sunlight.

The vessel was a marvel of imperial engineering, runes etched along its sides that pulsed faintly with Aether as it flew off. The group stopped at the edge of the courtyard, giving the pair space but staying close enough to watch. Dahlia turned and waved, amber eyes catching Raegar's with a warm, lingering look.

Yuki, her pink hair tied back and tail swaying, grinned and blew a playful kiss toward the group, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ''Show-offs,'' Drusilla muttered, crossing her arms with a smirk. ''Look at them, acting all important with their fancy airship.''

Selene giggled, nudging her. "You're just jealous you don't get to fly today."

"Pfft, wings are better," Drusilla shot back, giving her dark fairy wings a dramatic flap.

Raegar chuckled, his gaze fixed on the airship as the engines began to hum louder, a low vibration rippling through the ground. The crew stepped back as the two women climbed the ramp, pausing at the top to wave one last time. Dahlia's voice carried across the courtyard. ''Don't burn Drakenwood down while I'm gone, Rae! And keep those girls in line!''

''No promises!'' he called back, his grin wide as the harem laughed around him.

Yuki cupped her hands around her mouth. ''I'll hold you to that visit, Rae! Blackwood County's waiting!''

The ramp lifted, and the airship's engines roared to life, sending a gust of warm air across the courtyard. They shielded their eyes as the airship lifted off. It ascended with graceful ease. The airship tilted slightly, banking southeast toward the distant horizon, cutting through the scattered clouds.

Raegar watched, a pang in his chest as Dahlia and Yuki's figures disappeared into the cabin. The ship grew smaller, a glinting speck against the vast blue sky, until it vanished entirely, swallowed by the distance. Zahara let out a low whistle. ''That thing's fast. Bet they're sipping tea before we even hit the road.''

''Speaking of the road,'' Dominique said, turning to Raegar. ''We should get moving. The carriages won't pack themselves, and I'd rather not camp in the middle of nowhere tonight.''

Alice nodded. ''I've already asked the maids to prepare our supplies. We've got enough for a couple of weeks, plus some extra gear for your training, Rae,'' she revealed.

Nivara stepped closer, her voice low and teasing. ''Training, huh? Hope you're ready to get sweaty again, human.''

Raegar shot her a playful glare. ''Keep that up, and I'll make you carry the luggage, assassin.''

The group burst into laughter, the mood lightening as they turned from the now-empty sky. Drusilla looped her arm through Selene's, dragging her toward the palace stables. ''Come on, let's make sure they don't skimp on the good horses. I'm not riding some creaky old cart.''

He lingered for a moment, his red eyes fixed on the horizon where the airship had disappeared. The weight of Dahlia and Yuki's absence settled briefly, but the warmth of his remaining women. He shook his head, a determined smile spreading across his face. ''Alright, Drakenwood's waiting. Let's hit the road.''

Following that, they sorted everything and got on the road as Selene controlled the wagon the group was riding in. Raegar was leaning back against the corners, arms draped over the edge as he glanced into the blue sky. Flocks of birds passed high above as howls echoed from the forest.

Zahara and Alice were going through their school books as Drusilla was in her smaller form, sleeping in his shirt pocket. Nivara scanned their surroundings while sharpening her daggers, sparks flying off the metal. Dominique was busy meditating to try to increase her Aether Pools, but was having no luck.

Raegar decided to improve one of his elements to Vapour and selected Dark. He retrieved the black pill Dahlia had given him. Swallowing it, he began circulating his Aether. Suddenly, his vision went black, plunging him into blindness. Teetering on the edge of panic, he steadied himself and continued, channeling his energy throughout his body.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus as the darkness enveloped his senses. The pill's energy surged within him, intertwining with his Aether like ink spreading through water. He could feel his Dark Element stirring, growing stronger, its essence deepening into something more potent, Vapour.

His heart pounded as the oppressive blackness intensified, not just in his vision but in the air around him, as if the shadows themselves were thickening. A faint hum resonated in his Aether Pools, and he sensed the Dark Element converging, its power amplifying beyond what he'd ever felt before.

Despite the overwhelming void, a thrill of triumph sparked within him; he was breaking through. Raegar's body trembled as the hum of his Dark Element reached a peak, the shadows around him pulsing like a living heartbeat. The transformation to Vapour was complete.

But as the darkness receded from his vision, a bone-deep exhaustion crashed over him. His knees buckled, and he sank into the wagon, gasping for breath. Every muscle felt leaden, his body drained as if the surge of power had sapped his strength entirely. Through the haze, Raegar felt a quiet pride; he became stronger, even if his body now paid the price.

He was resting, trying to recover the Aether he spent on moving to Vapour, causing him to take out a bottle of sake and down some, waking up thanks to the liquid burning his throat as the world around him woke up. Merchants traveled up and down the road as they passed by farming hamlets and trade villages.

While the chatter died off and everyone sat in silence, Alice spoke up, offering. ''We can stop off at my home? It's on the way to school, and we could do with some soft beds after a week on the road?''

''Will there be food?'' Drusilla questioned, her blue eyes sparkling with greed.

Raegar chuckled at her reaction as Alice answered. ''Yes, my mothers love to cook when father is gone.''

''Where will the Duke be?'' Zahara asked, a curious glint in her grey eyes.

''The same place Dahlia is going,'' the tanned beauty revealed. ''Just like Rae's parents and grandparents. Thanks to what happened, there's a big meeting happening in the southern Duchy, and Father is in charge of organizing everything.''

''Oh, that makes sense,'' Raegar muttered just as a dozen Dawnfire riders rushed by.

Following that, the day past by quickly, and soon the sun began to set, causing Selene to point into the distance. ''How about we camp there, handsome? It's a flat spot shielded from the wind if it appears?''

Raegar glanced in the direction she was pointing and spotted an abandoned barn that bordered a river. Nodding in agreement, he replied to the Demoness. ''Good place, Selene. I'll set up the tent once you park this thing.''

The red-skinned beauty ushered the horses forward until they reached their campsite. Everyone jumped off the wagon to prepare for the night.