Shadow Over the Heavenly Throne-Chapter 73: The Ascension Ritual… begins!

Gentle morning light seeped through the silk curtains as someone gently shook Sylphia’s shoulder. The girl mumbled something incoherent, burying her face in the pillow.

"Sylphia," came a familiar, gentle voice. "Time to wake up. Today is your day."

Sylphia rubbed her sleepy eyes and, upon seeing her mother sitting beside her, furrowed her brows.

"Mom? What are you...?"

Veynessa smiled, her hand brushing against her daughter’s forehead.

"Today is your Ascension Ritual."

In an instant, all drowsiness vanished from Sylphia. She shot up, her eyes wide as saucers.

"Really?! Already?! Finally!" She jumped out of bed like an arrow. "These three years dragged on forever!"

She no longer looked like a helpless six-year-old. Her features had sharpened slightly, and though her frame remained small, it now held more grace. At six, she already looked like a nine-year-old, standing with the eager determination of one about to begin the path of cultivation.

"Do I really have to wear all this?" Sylphia grumbled, frowning as her mother reached for another layer of clothing.

Veynessa didn’t answer. A single glance—cool, calm, and utterly undeniable—made the girl fall silent at once and lower her gaze.

Moments later, Veynessa slipped a dress of white silk over her daughter’s head, adorned with delicate golden embroidery. As she reached for a hair ornament, she paused behind her daughter and slowly combed her hair, carefully arranging each strand.

"The higher you rise, the more you must look like someone who knows their place," she said quietly, without a trace of mockery. "This is one of the most important days of your life, Sylphia. You should look like the world should know it."

Sylphia didn’t reply but stopped fidgeting. Veynessa wove a small ornament shaped like petals into her hair and adjusted a strand near her ear.

Sylphia glanced at the mirror. For a child, she looked... truly radiant.

"Remember," her mother said while fastening a brooch at her neck, "there will be children from the lesser royal lines as well. On the great arena, one by one, you will be asked to touch the core and absorb its qi. It will reveal to the world which roots have awakened in your body." frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

"And what if... what if nothing awakens?" Sylphia asked suddenly, more quietly. "Or if my body can’t handle it?"

Veynessa paused, placing her hands on her daughter’s shoulders and looking straight into her eyes.

"There are those for whom that happens," she said calmly, smoothing the fabric of the dress. "Qi can be merciless. Sometimes children try to absorb too much, sometimes their bodies simply aren’t ready. Some... don’t survive."

Sylphia swallowed, her fingers nervously tightening around the fabric of her dress.

"But you, my dear," Veynessa added, lifting her chin, "are the last person who needs to worry. Your body is stronger than that of any ordinary child. Royal blood runs through your veins. And no matter what awakens today, you are ready."

***

Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, a child’s laughter rang out.

"Finally!" Shion exclaimed, spinning before the mirror.

Her red hair had grown to her shoulder blades, braided into an elegant plait—nearly identical to Calista’s. Her face beamed with joy, and her bright eyes sparkled with excitement. She wore a light green dress threaded with silver, perfectly complementing the red tones of her hair and eyes, making their intensity shine.

"Today Sylphia awakens her root! Calista, do you think it’ll be something amazing?"

Shion was already nine years old, and it was hard to believe that just a few years ago she looked gaunt and lifeless. Now she radiated health and energy, her presence practically lighting up the room.

Calista leaned against the doorframe, watching the girl with a soft smile. Her copper-brown hair, woven into a refined braid, fell over her shoulder, shimmering with a warm firelight. A black gown with intricately embroidered lace and a deep-cut back accentuated her figure—sensual, yet regal. Long earrings glittered with dark gems, and a delicate necklace resembling a blade adorned her graceful neck. Her eyes held warmth, but behind it lurked a spark of unease.

"Yes... It’s a big day for Sylphia," she replied. And in her thoughts: Let’s just hope everything goes well.

***

Elegantly dressed, Sylphia walked through the palace corridors, holding her mother’s hand. The paths, ones she’d never walked before, seemed to lead deeper into the heart of the palace. Eventually, they stopped before a massive obsidian portal pulsing with qi.

"Ready?" Veynessa asked softly.

Sylphia nodded, though something fluttered nervously in her chest.

Together, they crossed the threshold.

What Sylphia saw beyond the portal stole her breath away. Her feet halted as if the floor beneath her weighed a ton. Each step echoed like the hall’s qi was greeting new arrivals in its own rhythm. Sylphia instinctively tightened her grip on her mother’s hand, chills running down her spine.

The hall stretched out in majestic grandeur—vast, cool, and almost unreal in scale. Sunlight filtered through narrow skylights high above, refracting through the air like crystals, casting golden beams amid the fine qi dust. At the center stood a circular platform made of concentric levels, each adorned with glowing runes that pulsed in the rhythm of something beyond sensory grasp. The rings radiated power and ancient presence.

Around it rose balconies—carved stone adorned with spiritual scrolls of protection. Each one was filled with figures in ceremonial robes, their silent presence heavy with expectation. These were members of the royal bloodlines.

Veynessa smiled faintly.

"Go. Join the other children."

Sylphia nodded and stepped forward.

Once she disappeared into the crowd of young adepts, Veynessa teleported to one of the balconies. Aldrich was already waiting there.

"Unusual to see almost the entire royal family gathered," she whispered, glancing around.

"Well," Aldrich replied, raising an eyebrow slightly, "apparently everyone wants to see what root Sylphia will awaken."

Veynessa sighed quietly, her gaze fixed on the balcony rail.

"I’m still a little worried... No one in recent years has awakened anything above a Medium root," she said softly.

After a moment, she asked casually:

"And Kaelis? How is he doing?"

Aldrich smiled faintly, without amusement.

"Terrifyingly well. He was recently promoted—he now sits on the Academy Council. Thanks to him, several young geniuses finally spread their wings."

Veynessa nodded with approval.

"That’s the Academy’s greatest strength. Teaching these geniuses builds a web of loyalty and gratitude that becomes invaluable over time."

She glanced at Aldrich.

"In the end, it was a good idea... letting him show his true abilities during the tournament."

Aldrich nodded, falling silent for a moment. A flicker of memory passed through his eyes.

"After that defeat... he became even quieter. But also... terrifyingly diligent."

Veynessa sighed almost imperceptibly.

"Well... I suppose it was worth it," she muttered more to herself than to him. "Even if it cost me that damned box for Calista."

Among the dozen or so children on the platform, Sylphia stood out with her posture—upright, chin slightly raised. Though her hands clenched the fabric of her dress and her breath was quickened, determination burned in her eyes. The others glanced at her now and then, some with curiosity, others with a shade of respect—but no one spoke. The silence between them was taut with tension, as if everyone feared being the first to break it.

Sylphia looked around at the gathered children. Though she stood in their midst, she noticed that all of them kept a small distance from her—forming an invisible boundary. Their glances—brief, unsure—were full of tension and something akin to fear. No one tried to approach or speak, though for a moment she felt like they wanted to, but something held them back.

Probably their parents told them... not to say anything inappropriate... she thought bitterly but showed nothing on her face.

Her gaze swept across the hall. On the balconies, she recognized familiar faces—the royal family members she had seen during the tournament. Among them, she spotted Calista with Shion. The girl was practically leaning over the balustrade, bouncing on her toes, her braid bobbing with every movement. Among the stiff, solemn adult silhouettes, her figure stood out like a ray of sunlight. Shion, bouncing excitedly, looked like the only soul that had forgotten this was meant to be serious. She raised both arms, waving them enthusiastically, her face beaming with such joy it seemed she couldn’t wait to shout Sylphia’s name.

The corners of Sylphia’s lips lifted involuntarily as she saw Shion’s familiar, glowing face. Something trembled in her chest, and her heart beat faster. She hadn’t expected that this one simple, sincere gesture could warm her so deeply.

Suddenly, a soft, pulsing light flared on the raised platform—as if responding to the hall’s very breath. When it dimmed, an elder stood there. His long silver beard reached his waist, and he wore a heavy purple-and-gold robe embroidered with ancient symbols. His face was lined with wrinkles, and his deep, unreadable eyes seemed to pierce every child with a glance. Upon his head rested a tall ceremonial crown with a runic crystal at its center.

The children fell silent as if on cue. Some stepped back slightly, others held their breath. Even Sylphia felt her neck tense instinctively, though she didn’t look away. The elder stood in complete stillness for a long moment. Only his gaze moved among the children—penetrating, almost scolding. The silence seemed to stretch for an eternity until finally, his voice echoed—low and resonant like a bell.

"The Ascension Ritual... begins!"

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