Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 31: The Battle of Endurance

The moment both beasts surged forward again, the battlefield erupted into chaos.

Flames spiraled through the air like living serpents while the Steelfang Panther cut through the ruined arena with terrifying speed. Every step it took left deep claw marks in the shattered stone.

The Fire Pup met the charge head-on.

Instead of retreating this time, it accelerated.

The two beasts collided again.

BOOM!

A shockwave burst outward, pushing dust and debris across the battlefield.

Students watching from the stands gasped as the ground itself cracked under the impact.

"This fight is insane..."

"I’ve never seen first-years fight like this!"

But inside the battlefield, Aether and Kael were already moving again.

Because both of them understood something important now.

This fight wasn’t just about a single decisive attack.

It had become a battle of endurance, intelligence, and adaptability.

And that meant the one who made the first real mistake would lose.

---

Kael moved across the battlefield quickly, jumping onto a half-destroyed pillar.

From above, he could see the entire arena.

That had been his goal.

"Steelfang, pressure him from the left!"

The panther obeyed instantly.

It vanished again into the shadows between the broken structures.

Meanwhile, Aether stood calmly near the center of the battlefield.

His expression hadn’t changed.

But his mind was working constantly.

Analyzing movement patterns.

Tracking energy fluctuations.

Predicting the next attack.

The Fire Pup stayed close to him, its flames glowing brighter than before.

Aether spoke softly.

"He’s trying to stretch the fight."

The Fire Pup gave a low growl.

Because it understood the meaning.

If the battle lasted longer, stamina would become the deciding factor.

And Kael clearly believed his beast had the advantage there.

---

High above the arena, the instructors were discussing the fight.

Instructor Dren spoke quietly,

"Kael is switching tactics."

Another instructor nodded.

"He’s forcing a prolonged battle."

Dren continued watching carefully.

"But Aether hasn’t shown any signs of fatigue yet."

That was what surprised them the most.

Most tamers would already be exhausted from controlling their beasts at this level.

But Aether remained perfectly composed.

---

Suddenly—

A blur of metal and shadow shot toward Aether again.

The Steelfang Panther attacked from the side corridor.

Faster than before.

More aggressive.

Its claws tore through the air like blades.

But Aether had already moved.

He stepped backward just as the Fire Pup unleashed a burst of concentrated flames.

The panther dodged mid-air and landed on a broken wall.

Then attacked again.

This time, it didn’t retreat after the strike.

It kept attacking.

Claws flashing repeatedly.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Every clash between fire and steel created explosions across the battlefield.

---

Kael smiled slightly as he watched the exchange.

"Good."

He could see the pressure increasing.

That had been his plan all along.

Instead of waiting for an opening—

He would create one through relentless attacks.

---

Back on the battlefield floor, the Fire Pup jumped backward while releasing waves of flame to slow the panther’s advance.

But the Steelfang Panther was adapting quickly.

It had already learned the Fire Pup’s attack rhythm.

And now—

It was closing the distance faster.

Aether noticed immediately.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"He’s pushing for close combat."

That made sense.

If the panther managed to reach Aether directly, the fight could end instantly.

The Fire Pup growled.

Its flames intensified.

---

Suddenly, Kael jumped down from the pillar.

This time—

He charged forward alongside his beast again.

Students watching the fight were shocked.

"He’s attacking the tamer directly again!"

"Isn’t that risky?"

But Kael had already made his decision.

"Aether!" he shouted while running forward.

"You’re strong!"

His expression became serious.

"But let’s see if you can handle this!"

---

The Steelfang Panther suddenly changed its movement.

Instead of attacking directly—

It created a distraction.

A feint.

Aether noticed immediately.

But that was when Kael attacked.

He moved faster than before, using the broken terrain to close the distance.

The audience gasped.

For the first time—

Aether was under real pressure.

---

But Aether didn’t panic.

Instead, he whispered calmly,

"Step four."

The Fire Pup reacted instantly.

Flames exploded across the ground again, forming a defensive spiral around Aether.

The Steelfang Panther tried to break through—

But the flames forced it back.

Kael stopped just outside the spiral.

Then he laughed.

"So you were saving more tricks."

Aether replied quietly,

"I always am."

---

The battlefield had now changed again.

The spiral of flames created a temporary safe zone for Aether.

But it also limited the Fire Pup’s movement.

Which meant Kael had forced a stalemate situation.

And both of them knew it.

---

In the stands, Liora leaned forward slightly.

"This fight is turning into a chess match."

A nearby student asked,

"What do you mean?"

Liora replied,

"Every move now will decide the next ten."

---

Inside the battlefield, Kael slowly walked around the flaming spiral.

The Steelfang Panther followed his movement carefully.

Aether watched them both.

Then Kael spoke again.

"You know something interesting?"

Aether didn’t answer.

Kael continued anyway.

"Everyone in the academy thinks this ranking battle will decide who’s strongest."

He stopped moving.

But his eyes were sharp.

"I don’t think that."

Aether finally replied,

"No?"

Kael shook his head.

"This fight is just the beginning."

For a brief moment—

Both of them understood something important.

They were not just rivals in a ranking match.

They were competitors who would likely face each other many times in the future.

---

Then suddenly—

Kael attacked again.

This time, the Steelfang Panther used its enhanced strength to leap high into the air.

Not toward the Fire Pup.

But above the spiral of flames.

Aether noticed instantly.

"Intercept."

The Fire Pup launched upward as well.

Mid-air collision.

BOOM!

Flames and metal clashed violently above the battlefield.

The impact created a shockwave that extinguished several of the smaller fires below.

Students watching the fight were stunned.

Because both beasts had now reached their limits.

But neither side was backing down.

---

When they landed again, both beasts were breathing heavily.

Their bodies showed clear signs of fatigue.

Yet their eyes still burned with determination.

The battle had reached a new stage.

Not just power.

Not just strategy.

But will.

---

Kael looked at Aether again.

This time, his voice was quieter.

"You’re the strongest opponent I’ve had here."

Aether replied calmly,

"You’re not bad either."

But inside his mind—

He was already calculating the final phase of the battle.

Because one thing was now certain.

This fight could not last much longer.

And the next major exchange would likely decide everything.

---

Above the arena, Instructor Dren nodded slowly.

"They’re approaching the final stage."

Another instructor asked,

"Who do you think will win?"

Dren didn’t answer immediately.

Because at this point—

Even he wasn’t completely sure anymore.

And down in the battlefield, both tamers prepared themselves.

The decisive clash was coming.

And the entire academy was watching.