Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 67: The Emperor Tournament Begins
Skygate Academy had returned to what most would consider normal.
At least—on the surface.
The wide courtyards were filled with movement as students walked in groups, their voices lively with anticipation. Some discussed battle strategies with serious expressions, while others debated rankings as if they could predict the future through speculation alone. Beneath towering stone arches, factions gathered quietly, observing potential candidates and evaluating strengths.
The training grounds were even more intense.
Beasts clashed relentlessly.
Elemental energy burst into the air in controlled explosions.
Instructors shouted commands, their voices sharp and authoritative as they pushed their students beyond their limits.
Everything felt structured.
Disciplined.
Predictable.
And yet—
Beneath that carefully maintained order...
Something had changed.
Something subtle.
Something unseen.
And only a very few could truly sense it.
---
Aether stood alone in one of the outer training fields.
The open ground stretched around him, marked with countless scars from previous battles. Burn marks spread across the stone like dark memories, deep claw imprints carved into the earth, and shattered fragments of reinforced training constructs lay scattered nearby.
Every mark told a story.
Every scar whispered of conflict.
And at the center of it all—
The Flame Sovereign Pup moved.
Crimson flames flowed around its small body like a living aura, smooth and controlled. The fire no longer burned wildly as it once had during its earlier growth stages. Instead, it moved with precision—tight, refined, and deadly.
It had changed.
It had evolved.
It had become something far more dangerous.
Aether’s gaze followed every single movement with unwavering focus.
"Run the sequence again," he said in a calm, steady voice. "But this time, don’t just focus on speed. I want complete stability during your acceleration. If your flames destabilize at the moment you increase velocity, your entire attack loses efficiency."
The Flame Sovereign Pup let out a soft sound, as if acknowledging the instruction.
Then—
It moved.
Its body blurred forward, leaving behind a streak of crimson light. The flames did not scatter or explode outward. Instead, they remained tightly compressed around its form, flowing like liquid fire.
It reached the training construct in an instant.
Its claws struck forward.
A burst of flame erupted at the point of impact.
Controlled.
Measured.
Precise.
Aether observed carefully, his eyes sharp and analytical.
"Better," he said slowly, though his tone remained neutral. "But you’re still allowing the flames to react to the impact instead of maintaining structural cohesion. You need to control the output even after the strike connects."
The pup tilted its head slightly, as if processing his words.
Aether continued, his voice steady but firm.
"Listen carefully. Speed alone will not win your battles. If your flames break formation at the wrong moment, you lose both offensive pressure and defensive stability. You need to treat every movement as a complete sequence—not separate actions."
The pup gave a soft growl in response, determination flickering in its eyes.
"Good," Aether said. "Now do it again. This time, slow down your initial movement and build momentum gradually. I want control first. Speed will follow naturally once your foundation is stable."
The Flame Sovereign Pup didn’t hesitate.
It moved again.
This time—
Smoother.
Cleaner.
More refined.
Aether remained still.
But his mind...
Was not entirely focused on training.
---
"You’re dividing your attention again."
The voice echoed softly within his mind.
Smooth.
Calm.
And faintly amused.
Aether did not react outwardly, but internally, his focus shifted.
"I’m still observing everything," he replied silently. "I haven’t missed anything."
A soft, knowing laugh followed.
"That’s not the point," she said. "You may still be watching, but your thoughts are somewhere else. Your body is here, but your mind... is not fully present."
Aether’s gaze remained fixed on the Flame Sovereign Pup.
"...The ruins," he said after a brief pause.
There was silence for a moment.
Then her tone shifted—losing some of its playfulness.
"You’re still thinking about that place?" she asked.
Aether’s response was calm, but firm.
"Yes. Because I don’t believe everything that happened there has truly ended. Something about it feels... incomplete."
Another pause followed.
Then—
She spoke again.
"He’s gone."
---
The Flame Sovereign Pup halted mid-motion, its flames flickering slightly as it sensed Aether’s shift in focus.
Aether raised his hand gently, signaling it to stop.
"...Explain what you mean," Aether said internally, his tone sharpening slightly. "When you say ’gone,’ are you referring to destruction... or absence?"
Her response came immediately.
"Absence," she said. "The presence I felt before—the one that did not belong to this world—is no longer here. Not in this layer."
Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"You’re certain?" he asked.
"I wouldn’t make that claim without certainty," she replied. "Before, it was faint... almost hidden. But it was there. I could sense it. Now..."
She paused briefly.
"...there is nothing. Not even a trace."
Aether remained silent for a few seconds, carefully processing her words.
Then he asked,
"Did it disappear... or did it leave on its own?"
A faint chuckle echoed.
"That’s a much better question," she said. "You’re learning to think beyond what’s immediately visible."
---
"He didn’t vanish," she continued slowly. "And he wasn’t destroyed either. If he had been, there would have been a reaction—some kind of disturbance in the surrounding layers."
Aether listened carefully.
"He left," she said simply.
Aether’s gaze lowered slightly.
"...Why would something like that leave?" he asked.
There was a longer pause this time.
As if she were choosing her words carefully.
"Because this world no longer had what he was searching for," she replied. "Or perhaps... he already found what he needed."
Aether’s eyes narrowed.
"And if that’s the case?"
"Then his next step is obvious," she said.
Aether didn’t hesitate.
"The middle world," he said quietly.
A soft hum of approval followed.
"Exactly. A being like that would not remain confined to this layer. If his objective extends beyond this world, then moving upward is the only logical step."
---
Aether exhaled slowly.
"So he hasn’t disappeared," he said. "He’s just... moved on."
"That’s right," she replied. "And more importantly, he has no reason to stay here anymore."
Aether looked across the training grounds.
Students continued their activities, completely unaware of what had just been discussed.
"...So for now, there’s no immediate threat," he said.
"For now," she repeated softly.
---
Aether’s gaze shifted toward the main academy building.
Large banners had already been placed across the entrance, each one bearing the symbol of the academy’s most prestigious competition.
Students were gathering.
The atmosphere had changed.
It felt heavier.
More serious.
"The tournament begins today," Aether said.
"Yes," she replied. "And this is where your real journey begins."
Aether turned and began walking.
The Flame Sovereign Pup followed closely behind.
---
The central courtyard was filled with hundreds of students.
The air buzzed with excitement and tension.
At the center stood a massive stone platform.
The Head Instructor stepped forward.
Slowly—
The noise faded.
Then he spoke.
"The Skygate Young Emperor Tournament will officially begin today."
The crowd erupted instantly.
Excitement surged through the students like wildfire.
Because this—
Was not just another academy event.
---
"This tournament," the instructor continued, his voice steady and authoritative, "will determine the three representatives of Skygate Academy who will advance to the National Emperor Championship."
A heavy silence followed.
Everyone understood.
This was their future.
---
"The top 512 ranked students will participate," he said. "The format will be single elimination. There will be no second chances."
He paused.
"If you lose even once... your journey ends.
"You’ll need to win seven consecutive matches," she said inside Aether’s mind.
Aether replied calmly,
"I’m not planning to lose even one."
---
A massive projection appeared above the platform.
Hundreds of names filled the air.
Aether scanned them carefully.
Searching.
Calculating.
"There," she said softly.
He found his name.
---
Then his gaze shifted upward.
Valen.
Rank 1.
She spoke slowly,
"He is not someone you can treat lightly. His strength is real—and unlike most here, he has already begun stepping beyond this level."
Aether nodded.
"I expected nothing less."
---
Then—
He found another name.
Liora.
Placed in the opposite bracket.
Meaning—
They would only meet in the final.
"You’re thinking about her," she said.
Aether replied calmly,
"She’s strong. That’s all. Also I didn’t see her after getting out of the ruins. As i were at training most of time."
A soft laugh echoed.
"That’s not what I meant."
---
The instructor’s voice echoed one last time.
"The first matches begin tomorrow. Prepare yourselves."
---
The crowd dispersed.
Excitement filled the air.
Aether turned away.
"You’ll rely only on the pup?" she asked. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"Yes."
"And me?"
"Not yet."
She laughed softly.
"Good. I have no interest in fighting weak opponents."
---
The sky darkened as evening approached.
A calm wind passed through the academy.
Students trained.
Prepared.
Waited.
And at the center of it all—
Aether walked forward.
Calm.
Focused.
Unwavering.
Because this time—
He would not remain in the shadows.
He would rise. He had to win the tournament for getting recourses so he could have beast gears and some rare tresures for himself.
