Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 100 - 99: The Choice That Defies Expectation
The ceremony had officially concluded, yet the impact it left behind refused to fade.
Although the arena had begun to empty and the structured order of the event had dissolved into scattered groups of departing students, the energy in the air remained unsettled. Conversations echoed through the wide corridors and open courtyards of Skygate Academy, carried by excitement, confusion, and an almost restless curiosity.
No one spoke quietly.
No one moved on easily.
Because what they had witnessed was not merely a final match—it was something far beyond their expectations.
Groups of students gathered in clusters, each discussion overlapping with another, forming a constant hum of speculation.
"Did you see the moment he stepped through her attack? That shouldn’t have been possible."
"No, you’re missing the point. It wasn’t just about speed or timing. He predicted something deeper—like he understood how her ability worked."
"But that’s exactly what doesn’t make sense," another student argued, frustration evident in his voice. "Liora’s ability wasn’t something you could just ’figure out.’ It controlled outcomes. It forced inevitability."
"And yet," someone else interrupted, lowering their voice slightly, "he broke it."
Silence followed that statement, brief but heavy.
Because that single fact—more than anything else—refused to settle in their minds.
However, even that was not the most shocking part.
The true storm had begun only after the battle ended.
Aether’s decision.
That was what no one could understand.
"He refused evolution," a student said, still sounding unconvinced, as if repeating it might somehow make it logical.
"Not just refused it," another added, shaking his head. "He chose a treasure instead. Out of everything offered, he picked the one option no one else would."
"But why?" someone pressed. "Evolution is guaranteed growth. It’s the safest way to become stronger. Why would anyone reject that?"
No one answered.
Because no one could.
And that uncertainty only made the decision more unsettling.
It was not simply unexpected.
It felt deliberate.
Calculated.
As if Aether had seen something others had not.
---
Aether, however, was no longer within earshot of those discussions.
He had already left the arena behind without a single glance backward.
His steps were steady and unhurried as he moved along the quiet stone pathway that led away from the central grounds. The noise of the academy gradually faded with each step he took, replaced by a calmer, more controlled silence.
In his hand, the emblem he had received glowed faintly.
It was not bright enough to draw attention, but its presence was undeniable. The energy within it was stable, refined, and layered with complexity far beyond what a simple reward should contain.
It was not merely an item.
It was access.
A key.
A gateway to something far more valuable than what most people would recognize at first glance.
Aether’s grip on it remained relaxed, yet firm.
His gaze stayed forward, calm and focused.
Behind him, soft footsteps approached.
Measured.
Unhurried.
Familiar.
He did not need to turn around to recognize who it was.
Liora’s voice broke the silence, her tone composed yet carrying a subtle edge of insistence.
"You are going to explain your decision now, aren’t you?" she asked, her words clear and direct, yet not confrontational.
Aether slowed to a stop.
For a brief moment, he said nothing.
Then he turned slightly, just enough to face her without fully shifting his stance.
"You already made your choice," he replied calmly, his voice steady and unaffected.
Liora crossed her arms lightly, her silver hair shifting with the movement.
"Not entirely," she said, her eyes narrowing just slightly as she studied him. "I chose the materials, yes. But I have not used them yet. That means the decision is not final."
Aether nodded once, a small but deliberate motion.
"That’s good," he said.
Liora blinked.
For a moment, she seemed genuinely caught off guard.
"That’s all you have to say?" she asked, a faint trace of disbelief slipping into her tone. "You made me delay something this important, and your explanation is just ’good’?"
Aether’s gaze met hers directly.
"No," he said quietly. "That’s not all."
He took a step closer, his voice lowering slightly—not out of secrecy, but out of clarity.
"Take the materials they gave you," he continued. "Keep them. Study them if you want. But do not use them to initiate evolution."
The air between them grew still.
Liora did not respond immediately.
Instead, she watched him carefully, searching his expression for hesitation, uncertainty, or even the slightest hint of doubt.
She found none.
"You’re serious," she said after a moment, her voice softer now, more measured.
"Yes," Aether replied without pause.
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"Then explain why," she said. "Because if you expect me to trust you on something like this, you need to give me more than vague instructions."
Aether remained silent for a brief moment, as if considering how much he should reveal.
The truth was not simple.
It was not something that could be explained in a few words.
And more importantly—it was not something that should be spoken openly.
Not here.
Not yet.
"If you use those materials now," he said slowly, choosing his words with precision, "you will lock your beasts into a predetermined evolution path."
Liora’s expression shifted slightly.
She did not interrupt.
"So?" she asked after a moment. "That is how evolution works. Every path is based on known results. That is what makes it stable."
Aether shook his head faintly.
"That is what makes it limited," he corrected.
That single sentence carried weight.
Not because of how loudly it was spoken—but because of how certain it sounded.
Liora’s arms lowered slightly, her posture relaxing just enough to show that she was no longer dismissing his words.
"You’re saying there’s a better path," she said slowly.
"Yes," Aether replied.
"For both of your beasts."
This time, the silence lingered longer.
Because what he had just said was not a minor claim.
It challenged the foundation of everything the academy taught about beast evolution.
Liora’s gaze remained fixed on him.
"And you know this better path?" she asked.
Aether nodded once.
"I do."
There was no arrogance in his tone.
No attempt to impress.
Only certainty.
That, more than anything else, made his words convincing.
Liora exhaled softly, her eyes lowering for a brief moment as she considered everything he had said.
Then she looked back up.
"...Fine," she said.
The decision was simple.
But the meaning behind it was not.
"I will wait," she continued. "But if you are wrong—"
"I’m not," Aether interrupted calmly.
That immediate response caused a faint, almost amused smile to appear on her lips.
"...You really don’t hesitate, do you?" she said.
"There’s no reason to," he replied.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Liora turned slightly, her gaze shifting away as if the conversation had already reached its conclusion.
"...Then I’ll trust you," she said quietly.
---
Inside Aether’s mind, a soft laugh echoed.
The Fallen Succubus’s voice carried a hint of amusement.
"She trusts you more than she realizes," she said.
Aether responded without changing his expression.
"She understands value," he said calmly.
"Or perhaps," the Succubus replied, her tone deepening slightly, "she understands you."
Aether did not answer that.
Because the conversation outside mattered more.
---
While this quiet exchange took place, the academy itself was already reacting.
The news spread rapidly.
Faster than anyone expected.
Within hours, discussions had reached not only students—but instructors, administrators, and even the higher authorities of the academy.
Inside a secluded chamber, several elders sat around a long table, their expressions calm but their eyes sharp.
"She refused immediate evolution?" one of them asked slowly.
"Yes," another replied. "At Aether’s suggestion."
The room fell silent.
"That boy again," a third elder murmured.
This time, no one dismissed the statement.
Because Aether was no longer just a talented student.
He had become something else.
A variable.
"Liora is not an impulsive individual," one elder said. "Her decisions are calculated. If she followed his advice, then she must have seen something worth trusting."
"Or," another added, "he convinced her."
Both possibilities were equally concerning.
"...Watch him," one elder finally said.
His tone was not hostile.
But it was firm.
"Closely."
---
Meanwhile, Aether had already moved on to his next destination.
The restricted section of the academy.
An elder walked beside him, his presence composed and authoritative.
"You made an unusual decision today," the elder said.
Aether did not look at him.
"I made the correct one," he replied.
The elder studied him briefly before speaking again.
"My name is Kael," he said. "I will be guiding you to the treasury."
Aether nodded slightly.
They continued forward.
Soon, a massive structure came into view.
It was not merely a vault.
It resembled a palace—ancient, imposing, and layered with countless protective mechanisms.
"This is where the academy stores what cannot be easily replaced," Kael explained.
As they entered, Aether felt it immediately.
Presences.
Hidden.
Watching.
Powerful.
Not hostile—but not passive either.
Guardians.
Entities bound to protect what lay within.
"Many would not survive entering this place without permission," Kael added calmly.
Aether said nothing.
But he understood.
This was not a place meant for ordinary access.
Inside, the treasury stretched endlessly.
Rows of artifacts lined the halls, each radiating immense energy.
Weapons, cores, rare materials—each one valuable enough to change a person’s future.
"You may choose one item," Kael said.
"No restrictions within your clearance."
Aether walked forward slowly.
His gaze moved across everything.
He saw the value.
He recognized the power.
But he ignored most of it.
Because he was not here for strength.
He was here for control.
"I need something that hides my presence," he said quietly.
Kael’s gaze sharpened slightly.
"That is a rare request," he said.
Aether continued walking.
"My level. My beasts. My existence," he added calmly.
The Fallen Succubus spoke softly.
"You are thinking ahead," she said.
"I have to," Aether replied.
Because strength alone—
Was not enough.
Not anymore.
And somewhere deeper within the treasury—
Something was waiting.
Something that had already begun to respond.
To him.
