Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 14: The Theory of Evolution

The morning after the recent events at the academy began quietly, but Aether could sense that the atmosphere inside Skygate had subtly changed.

The conversation with Darius the previous night had stayed in his mind. The names of the two families—Caelthera and Solmyra—and the mention of the Genesis Evolution Authority continued to echo in his thoughts. Yet despite all that, life inside the academy did not stop. Classes continued, training schedules remained strict, and students still competed to prove their worth.

For Aether, this was actually useful.

Because while others focused on rivalry and status, he was more interested in learning everything he could about this world.

The knowledge he gained here might one day help him understand his parents, his sister, and the strange power growing inside him.

And today’s class was especially important.

---

The central academic hall of Skygate Academy was a massive structure that stood at the heart of the compound. Unlike the training arenas, which were built for combat, this place was dedicated to knowledge, research, and the deeper understanding of beast taming.

Students from many divisions gathered here every morning.

When Aether arrived, the courtyard outside the hall was already filled with people.

Some students noticed him immediately.

A few whispered.

Others pretended not to stare.

But word of his duel had clearly spread.

The Fire Pup walked calmly beside him, its small flames flickering gently as it observed the surroundings with curious eyes.

Liora approached from the side path, holding a stack of academy documents.

"You’re early," she said.

"I prefer it that way," Aether replied.

She nodded approvingly.

"Good. Today’s class is important."

Aether glanced at the hall.

"What are we studying?"

"Beast Evolution Theory."

The Fire Pup’s ears twitched slightly.

Aether noticed.

"So even you’re interested," he murmured.

The small beast gave a quiet bark.

---

Inside the lecture hall, rows of seats were arranged in a semi-circle around a large central platform. Hundreds of students sat with their beasts nearby—wolves, hawks, serpents, elemental creatures, and even a few rare spirit-type companions.

The energy in the room felt lively but focused.

Aether and Liora found seats near the middle.

The Fire Pup settled beside him, curling its tail around its body while small embers occasionally drifted into the air.

Soon, the instructor arrived.

Professor Halden.

He was a tall man with silver hair and sharp, observant eyes. Unlike most combat-focused instructors in the academy, Halden was known for his deep knowledge of ancient beasts and evolution paths.

The hall quieted instantly.

Halden looked across the room slowly.

Then he began.

"Today," he said, his voice calm but powerful, "we will discuss one of the most misunderstood topics in beast taming."

He raised his hand, and a large projection appeared behind him.

Several beasts were displayed, each showing different stages of evolution.

"Most of you believe that evolution happens only through strength or rare materials."

Some students nodded.

Halden shook his head.

"That is only part of the truth."

Aether leaned forward slightly.

This was exactly the kind of knowledge he wanted.

Halden continued.

"True evolution depends on three things."

He raised three fingers.

"Bloodline."

"Resonance."

"And destiny."

The hall grew very quiet.

Because those words were rarely mentioned together in academy teachings.

Halden walked slowly across the platform.

"Every beast you see in this world carries traces of ancient bloodlines," he explained. "Even the most common beasts may possess hidden potential that has not been awakened for thousands of years."

He changed the projection.

Now it showed several branching evolution paths.

Some simple.

Some extremely complex.

"However," Halden continued, "unlocking these paths normally requires extraordinary conditions."

One student raised a hand.

"Professor, do you mean rare evolution materials?"

"Yes," Halden replied. "That is the most common method."

Another student asked,

"What about battle evolution?"

"That can work," Halden said. "But it is unreliable."

Then he paused slightly before saying something that caught Aether’s full attention.

"In extremely rare cases... evolution occurs through resonance between a tamer and their beast."

Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Because that was exactly what had happened with the Fire Pup.

Halden continued.

"When a beast finds a master whose energy perfectly matches its bloodline, evolution can happen much earlier than expected."

Students started whispering.

Liora glanced sideways at Aether.

The Fire Pup flicked its tail.

Halden noticed the movement.

His gaze briefly lingered on the small beast before he continued speaking.

---

The lecture moved deeper into advanced topics.

Halden began explaining how ancient civilizations had studied evolution paths long before the current factions existed.

He showed records of lost beasts that had once dominated the skies and oceans of the world.

Some of the images were incredible.

Massive dragons made of lightning.

Serpents large enough to swallow mountains.

Spirit beasts that could bend time and space.

Many students were amazed.

But Aether was studying something else.

Patterns.

Connections.

And possibilities.

Because his ability to evolve beasts without materials meant that his path was already different from everyone else in the room.

Then Halden changed the projection again.

This time, the image that appeared caused the entire hall to go silent.

A massive three-headed infernal beast surrounded by dark crimson flames.

Its eyes burned like stars.

And beneath the image, the title appeared.

Hell Cerberus — Mythical Evolution Lineage.

The Fire Pup immediately reacted.

Its flames deepened slightly.

Aether felt the connection between them strengthen for a brief moment.

Halden noticed.

He continued speaking.

"This is one of the rarest evolution paths recorded in ancient archives," he said. "A beast of destruction and guardianship."

Students stared at the projection in awe.

"Very few records confirm its existence," Halden added. "And no known tamer in this world has successfully guided a beast through this evolution."

Aether didn’t react outwardly.

But inside, something had already been confirmed.

His Fire Pup was not ordinary.

And its path had already begun.

---

The lecture continued for another hour.

Halden discussed synchronization techniques, emotional resonance, and how a tamer’s growth directly influenced their beast’s potential.

These lessons were extremely valuable.

Because Aether was not just planning to grow stronger.

He was preparing for something much larger.

Eventually, the class ended.

Students began leaving the hall while discussing the lecture excitedly.

Some debated evolution theories.

Others talked about upcoming missions.

But a few students kept glancing at Aether and the Fire Pup.

Liora walked beside him as they exited.

"You were very focused today," she said.

"It was useful."

She nodded.

"That professor rarely shares information like that."

The Fire Pup trotted ahead proudly.

Liora looked at it.

"That Cerberus evolution... your beast reacted."

Aether didn’t deny it.

"It did."

She studied him carefully.

"You’re hiding something."

Aether smiled faintly.

"Maybe."

---

From the entrance of the hall, Professor Halden watched them leave.

His expression was thoughtful.

"Interesting," he murmured quietly.

Because during the lecture, he had sensed something unusual from Aether.

A faint energy.

Something ancient.

Something that did not belong to ordinary tamers.

He made a mental note.

Aether was someone worth observing.

---

Meanwhile, across the academy, inside one of the highest towers, several representatives from major factions were discussing the latest academy reports.

One of them placed a file on the table.

"This student again."

Another opened it.

"Aether."

A third person spoke calmly.

"The one connected to the red-gold resonance."

Silence filled the room for a moment.

Then one of them said,

"Keep watching him."

Because whether Aether realized it or not...

His life inside the academy was no longer ordinary.

Powerful factions were beginning to notice.

And the lessons he was learning now would soon become the foundation of something much bigger.

A path that would eventually lead him beyond this world.

But for now, Aether simply walked back toward the training grounds with the Fire Pup beside him, thinking about everything he had learned.

The academy had only just begun to reveal its secrets.