Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 62: The Secret Within the Shadows

Morning arrived at Skygate Academy like it always did—calm, orderly, and deceptively peaceful.

Golden sunlight poured over the sprawling training grounds, casting long shadows beneath towering academy structures. Students moved in groups along the stone pathways, some heading toward lecture halls, others already sparring in designated arenas. The distant clash of weapons and bursts of elemental energy filled the air, blending into a familiar rhythm of disciplined chaos.

To anyone watching, it was just another ordinary day.

Nothing had changed.

Nothing had happened.

But for Aether—

Everything was different.

He walked along the main pathway without hurry, his steps steady and unremarkable. At his side, the Flame Sovereign Pup trotted quietly, its small body radiating faint, controlled flames that flickered gently with each step.

It looked the same as always.

Small.

Unassuming.

Harmless, even.

But appearances meant nothing now.

Aether’s gaze remained forward, calm and distant. There was no tension in his posture, no visible sign that anything had changed since returning from the ruins.

Yet inside him—

Something had awakened.

A second presence existed now.

Silent.

Observing.

Waiting.

---

"You’re thinking too much."

Her voice echoed through his mind again, smooth and laced with faint amusement.

Aether didn’t react outwardly. His expression didn’t change, and his steps didn’t falter.

"You’re talking too much," he replied internally.

A soft, almost playful laugh followed.

"I’ve been sealed for centuries," she said. "Let me enjoy this a little."

Aether ignored her.

Students passed by him, some glancing briefly at the Flame Sovereign Pup with curiosity, others whispering quietly as they recognized Aether himself.

His name had already begun circulating throughout the academy.

The tournament had made sure of that.

But now—

That attention felt insignificant.

Meaningless.

Compared to what he carried within him.

"Your control is unstable."

Her tone shifted slightly.

Less amused.

More observant.

Aether’s eyes narrowed just a fraction.

"What do you mean?"

"Your energy," she replied. "The golden one."

He didn’t answer immediately.

He didn’t need to.

He knew exactly what she meant.

"It leaks," she continued calmly. "Not enough for others to notice yet... but enough for me to feel."

Aether slowed his pace slightly.

The Flame Sovereign Pup glanced up at him, sensing the subtle shift.

"What happens if it leaks more?" Aether asked.

There was a brief pause.

Then her voice returned—quieter.

"They will find you."

This time, there was no humor.

No playfulness.

"For now, you’re weak," she continued. "But if anyone from the higher factions senses that power..."

She didn’t finish.

She didn’t need to.

Aether understood.

Power like that—

Did not go unnoticed forever. After some hesitation he asked the succubus’.

"Do you know what is this golden energy is"

After hearing what Aether said, succubus stunned for a moment. And then reply.

"Do you really don’t know what is this power" For which he only shrugged and lif his shoulders. As he truly don’t know the power inside him, he can only think that it is something related to his parents.

Succubus continued, " If no one told you then i assume they didn’t want to know you about it. So sorry, i cannot answer it, as it can cause destruction and effect every living being in all worlds."

Hearing this Aether fell into deep thought, that when he know about this power, when he can find his parents and his sister. Do he really find them in this lifetime.

After in some webs of thought, his eyes brighten as he have new light fo live.

He made a single gaol for life now that to become most powerful tamer in the universe.

Hearing his thoughts succubus said,

"Do you want to fix that leakage of Power".

He stunned for moment and said calmly.

"Then fix it,"

A soft chuckle echoed in his mind.

"Straight to the point," she said. "I like that."

Aether turned slightly, moving away from the main pathway toward a quieter section of the training grounds.

Empty.

Undisturbed.

Perfect.

"Sit," she instructed.

Aether stopped.

"...You’re serious?"

"Very."

He exhaled quietly, then lowered himself onto a flat stone platform.

The Flame Sovereign Pup curled beside him, its flames dimming instinctively as if understanding that this moment required calm.

"Close your eyes."

Aether did.

At first—

Nothing happened.

The world faded into silence.

Then—

"Feel it."

The golden energy within him stirred.

Unlike before, when it surged unpredictably—

Now it moved slowly.

Like a calm river flowing beneath the surface.

"Don’t force it," she whispered.

"Let it settle."

Aether focused.

Not pushing.

Not resisting.

Just observing.

The energy responded.

It didn’t rebel.

It didn’t lash out.

It flowed.

Naturally.

"That’s it..." her voice softened.

"For now, don’t use it."

"Hide it."

"Let it sleep."

Time passed quietly.

Minutes slipped by unnoticed.

Gradually—

The faint, invisible leakage of energy began to fade.

The presence within him stabilized.

Hidden.

Contained.

Aether opened his eyes.

"It’s gone."

"Hidden," she corrected.

"Not gone."

Aether stood slowly, his expression unchanged—but his awareness sharper.

"You’re good at this," he said.

She laughed softly.

"I’ve survived longer than your entire bloodline," she replied.

Aether didn’t respond.

But the memory returned.

The battlefield.

The war.

The destruction she had shown him.

"You want revenge," he said quietly.

"Yes."

No hesitation.

No denial.

The answer came instantly.

"Then why help me?. You can find anyone with strong power and they can help you in every minutes as you can provide them more power and you are also very beautiful in appearance, which most of male prefer."

There was a brief silence.

Unusual.

Then—

"Because you’re the only one who can break limits," she said.

Her voice softened slightly.

"And because..."

A faint pause lingered.

"...I chose you."

Aether didn’t ask further.

Some answers didn’t need to be explored.

Not yet.

--

"Hey!"

A familiar voice broke through the moment.

Aether turned.

Rylan approached with his usual relaxed grin, waving casually. The serpent coiled around his arm looked far more energetic than before, its scales glinting faintly under the sunlight.

"Found you," Rylan said. "You disappeared after we got out of those ruins."

Aether nodded slightly.

"I had things to do."

Rylan laughed.

"Same here. Been testing my new strength."

He stretched his arm, clearly pleased.

"Rank 1, Level 5 now."

Aether glanced at him.

"Not bad."

Rylan smirked.

"Not bad? That’s insane progress."

His eyes shifted toward the Flame Sovereign Pup.

"Your pet got stronger too."

Aether didn’t deny it.

"Somewhat."

Rylan leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"You sure we didn’t miss something inside those ruins?"

Aether met his gaze.

Calm.

Unshaken.

"No."

Rylan stared at him for a moment.

Something flickered in his expression.

Not memory—

But instinct.

Then he laughed.

"Yeah... guess not."

But the doubt didn’t fully disappear.

---

From above—

Someone watched.

A figure stood on the upper balcony of the academy building.

Silver hair swayed gently in the breeze.

Calm eyes observed everything below.

The armored woman.

Her gaze lingered on Aether.

Longer than necessary.

Her expression remained neutral, but something felt... incomplete.

Like a memory just out of reach.

Something important—

Missing.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, without a word, she turned away.

---

"You’re attracting attention."

Her voice echoed again.

Aether continued walking.

"I always did."

"Not like this."

He remained silent.

"Be careful," she added.

Aether’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"Of what?"

Her answer came slowly.

"Of those who notice what others ignore."

The academy grew quiet as night fell. The noise of the day faded into silence.

Inside his room, Aether stood near the window, looking out over the darkened grounds.

The Flame Sovereign Pup slept peacefully nearby, its flames reduced to faint embers.

For a moment—

Everything felt normal.

Still.

Unchanged.

Then—

She appeared.

Her figure materialized behind him, her form emerging like a shadow given life. For a brief moment, her wings flickered into existence—vast, imposing—before fading once more into concealment.

She walked slowly toward the window.

Her crimson eyes reflected the moonlight.

"So this is your world," she said softly.

Aether didn’t turn.

"For now."

She smiled faintly.

"It’s small."

"But it will do."

Her gaze shifted toward him.

"Do you know what comes next?"

Aether answered without hesitation.

"Stronger enemies."

She nodded.

"And stronger allies."

A pause.

Then—

"And war."

The word lingered.

Heavy.

Inevitable.

---

Aether stepped closer to the window.

The night stretched endlessly beyond the academy walls.

Dark.

Quiet.

Unpredictable.

He could feel it now.

Something had shifted.

The path ahead was no longer simple.

No longer limited to academy ranks or training.

This—

Was only the beginning.

Behind him, she smiled.

"Good."

Her voice carried faint excitement.

"Because I’m getting bored again."

The Flame Sovereign Pup stirred slightly in its sleep.

Aether closed his eyes briefly.

Then opened them.

Calm.

Focused.

Ready.

---

Far away—

Beyond the academy.

Beyond the lower world itself—

A faint ripple of golden energy pulsed once.

Small.

Almost imperceptible.

But not completely.

Somewhere in the vast expanse of higher realms—

A pair of ancient eyes opened.

Watching.

Waiting.

---

Back at Skygate Academy—

Aether stood silently beneath the moonlight.

Unaware—

That something had finally begun to notice him.