Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 30: The Clash of Strategies
Dust still drifted slowly through the ruined battlefield.
The broken arena had transformed into something completely different from the beginning of the match. What once looked like a controlled training ground now resembled the aftermath of a real battle. Half-collapsed pillars, shattered walls, and glowing fire marks covered the terrain.
At the center of it all stood Aether and Kael.
Both tamers had now realized something important.
This was no longer about a simple ranking match.
It had become a test of pride, strategy, and strength.
And neither of them intended to lose.
---
A slow wind passed through the battlefield, carrying bits of ash into the air.
The Fire Pup stood beside Aether, its small body surrounded by steady flames that pulsed like a heartbeat.
Across from them, the Steelfang Panther lowered its body slightly, muscles tense, metallic fur reflecting faint energy lines across its surface.
Kael cracked his neck slightly and smiled.
"You know," he said, "this is the most fun fight I’ve had since entering the academy."
Aether didn’t react immediately.
Instead, he carefully observed both Kael and the panther.
Then he spoke calmly.
"You’re still holding back."
Some students in the audience were shocked to hear that.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And you aren’t?"
Aether’s answer was simple.
"No."
---
High above the arena, the instructors had become completely focused on the battle.
Instructor Dren crossed his arms.
"They’ve already exceeded the expected level for first-year ranking battles."
Another instructor added,
"And they’re both adapting mid-fight."
Dren nodded.
"That’s what makes it dangerous."
---
Back on the battlefield, Kael finally stopped smiling.
"Alright," he said. "Let’s stop testing each other."
His eyes sharpened.
"Steelfang — Phase Two."
The panther’s body suddenly emitted a dark metallic glow.
Its claws extended slightly, becoming sharper and heavier, while faint lines of energy moved across its armor-like fur.
Students gasped.
"That’s a combat enhancement!"
"And he didn’t even use it earlier!"
The pressure in the arena increased immediately.
Even from a distance, many students could feel it.
---
Aether noticed the change instantly.
He gently placed his hand on the Fire Pup’s head.
"Stay calm."
The Fire Pup gave a small growl.
But instead of panicking, its flames became more controlled.
Denser.
Hotter.
More focused.
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"So that’s your answer."
Without warning—
The Steelfang Panther disappeared.
This time, its speed was significantly faster than before.
---
A shockwave exploded across the battlefield.
The panther appeared directly behind Aether.
Claws slashed forward.
But Aether moved just in time.
Still—
The attack grazed his sleeve.
Students watching the fight stood up from their seats.
"That was close!"
"He almost got hit!"
But the attack wasn’t finished.
The Steelfang Panther attacked again immediately, its movements now almost impossible to track.
Claw strikes.
Rapid dashes.
Powerful jumps across the broken terrain.
This time, the battlefield control Aether had created earlier was being overwhelmed by pure speed.
---
Kael moved alongside his beast.
He wasn’t just commanding anymore.
He was participating in the fight directly.
"Aether!" Kael shouted while launching forward.
"Let’s see if your strategy can keep up!"
---
The next moment—
Both sides collided again.
The Fire Pup released a burst of spiraling flames that forced the panther to shift directions mid-air.
But the enhanced speed allowed it to dodge more efficiently than before.
The two beasts clashed again and again.
Each attack shook the ruined arena.
Each movement created sparks, heat waves, and shockwaves.
Students watching the battle had completely stopped talking.
No one expected a first-year match to look like this.
---
Meanwhile, Aether remained extremely focused.
His eyes moved constantly across the battlefield.
Analyzing.
Predicting.
Adjusting.
Then he whispered quietly.
"Now."
The Fire Pup suddenly changed its pattern.
Instead of chasing the panther, it retreated slightly.
Kael noticed immediately.
"Trying something new?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Aether replied calmly.
"Yes."
---
The flames across the battlefield suddenly ignited simultaneously.
Not randomly.
But in a precise formation.
The fire lines Aether had placed earlier were still there.
Even though the terrain had changed.
And now—
They activated all at once.
A massive ring of flame erupted across the battlefield.
Students shouted in shock.
"He rebuilt the trap!"
"When did he even do that?!"
---
Kael realized the situation immediately.
"Jump!"
The Steelfang Panther launched into the air to avoid being surrounded by flames.
But that was exactly what Aether had predicted.
The Fire Pup leaped upward as well.
A spiraling flame attack collided directly with the panther mid-air.
BOOM.
The explosion echoed across the arena.
Dust and sparks filled the sky.
---
For a moment—
No one could see clearly what had happened.
Even the instructors leaned forward slightly.
Then the dust slowly cleared.
Both beasts had landed on opposite sides of the battlefield again.
Neither had fallen.
But now—
Both were breathing heavily.
The pressure had increased significantly.
---
Kael wiped a bit of dust from his shoulder.
He was still smiling.
But this time, there was something different in his eyes.
Respect.
"You’re really good," he admitted.
Aether replied calmly.
"So are you."
For a moment, the battlefield was silent again.
But this silence felt different from before.
Because now—
Both sides had revealed much more of their strength.
---
In the audience, Liora watched the fight carefully.
"He’s pushing Aether more than anyone else so far."
A nearby student asked nervously,
"Who do you think will win?"
Liora didn’t answer immediately.
Because even she wasn’t sure anymore.
---
Back in the ruins, Kael placed his hand on the Steelfang Panther.
"You ready for the real fight?"
The panther growled.
Its metallic claws dug into the stone.
At the same time, the Fire Pup’s flames began changing slightly.
Not bigger.
But deeper.
More concentrated.
Aether’s eyes became sharper.
"Final phase."
---
The air in the arena grew heavy.
Even the instructors sensed something coming.
Instructor Dren murmured quietly,
"This next exchange might decide the match."
---
Both tamers stepped forward at the same time.
No hesitation.
No testing anymore.
This was it.
The moment where strategy and power would collide completely.
Kael shouted,
"Go!"
Aether spoke calmly at the same moment,
"Move."
The Steelfang Panther dashed forward like a storm of steel and shadow.
The Fire Pup surged ahead like a blazing comet.
And once again—
The battlefield exploded into battle.
But this time, everyone watching knew something important.
This fight was far from finished.
________________________________________
Hey guys, I am want fo you guys decide the next beast. The options are 👇🏻
1. Seer Owl
2. Skip Snail
3. Fallen Succubus
4. Spirit
You, can comment on this Chapter for the beast you want to see with MC, In his journey.
Also please support this novel with power stones and your time.
Big Thanks from my heart ❤️
