Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 37: Awakening of the Flame Sovereign

The arena remained loud long after the match ended.

Students continued discussing the battle between Aether and Valen as if they had witnessed something historic. Many had expected a close fight, but very few had imagined that Aether would push the battle to such a level that even Valen chose to stop it himself.

Among the academy students, one realization spread quickly.

Aether was no longer just a rising student.

He had become a true contender.

But while the academy buzzed with rumors and excitement, Aether himself had already left the arena.

---

The training grounds behind the academy were quiet.

Tall stone walls surrounded a large circular practice field used mostly by advanced students for beast training.

The sun had begun setting, painting the sky with shades of orange and crimson.

Aether stood alone in the field.

Beside him sat the Fire Pup.

The small beast was unusually silent.

Its flames flickered softly around its body, but unlike before, the fire felt deeper... denser... almost like molten energy hiding beneath the surface.

Aether knelt beside it.

"You felt it too," he said quietly.

The Fire Pup looked up at him.

A soft growl escaped its throat.

During the battle with the Thunderclaw Direwolf, something had changed.

The Fire Pup had reached the limit of its current evolution stage.

The battle pressure.

The intense energy.

The constant control over flames.

All of it had pushed the beast to a critical point.

And now—

It was ready to evolve.

---

Aether placed his hand gently on the Fire Pup’s head.

A faint golden glow appeared around his palm.

This was not ordinary energy.

It was the unique bond energy that existed between a beast tamer and their contracted beast.

When a beast evolved, the bond between tamer and beast played a crucial role.

Without trust...

Without synchronization...

Evolution could become unstable.

But for Aether and the Fire Pup, such a problem didn’t exist.

Their connection had been forged through countless battles and shared growth.

The Fire Pup slowly stood up.

Its flames began to rise.

The temperature in the training field increased rapidly.

Aether stepped back slightly.

"Let it happen," he said calmly.

The Fire Pup lifted its head toward the darkening sky.

Then it howled.

A burst of flames erupted around its body.

---

Inside the academy’s monitoring tower, several instructors suddenly noticed the surge of energy.

Instructor Dren frowned slightly.

"That direction..."

Another instructor checked the readings.

"Training Field Seven."

Dren immediately understood.

"He’s evolving his beast."

---

Back in the training field, the flames had grown intense enough to form a swirling vortex around the Fire Pup.

The ground beneath its feet cracked from the heat.

But the beast did not look like it was suffering.

Instead—

It looked powerful.

The small body of the Fire Pup began changing.

Its legs grew longer.

Its body stretched slightly.

Flames no longer flickered randomly but instead flowed smoothly like a cloak of fire surrounding it.

Its fur changed color as well.

The bright orange flames deepened into a rich crimson.

Two flame-shaped markings appeared above its eyes, resembling ancient runes.

The evolution was happening quickly.

Aether watched silently.

His expression remained calm, but deep inside, he understood the importance of this moment.

This was not just an ordinary evolution.

This was the transformation into the highest possible form allowed within this world’s level.

If the Fire Pup succeeded, it would become something far beyond a normal fire beast.

---

The flames suddenly exploded outward.

A pillar of fire shot toward the sky.

For a brief moment, the entire training field looked like it had been swallowed by a blazing sun.

Then—

The flames slowly faded.

Standing in the center of the field was no longer the small Fire Pup.

Instead, a magnificent beast stood there.

Its body had grown to the size of a large wolf, but its shape remained sleek and agile.

Its fur looked like flowing fire.

Its tail had split into two flame tails that moved like burning ribbons in the air.

Most striking of all were its eyes.

They glowed like molten gold.

The Fire Pup had evolved.

It had become a Flame Sovereign Pup.

---

Aether stepped forward slowly.

The evolved beast lowered its head slightly.

But its presence was completely different from before.

It was no longer just a playful young fire beast.

It now carried the aura of a true flame predator.

Aether spoke softly.

"You did well."

The Flame Sovereign Pup wagged its twin tails slightly.

Then it pressed its head gently against Aether’s shoulder.

Despite its powerful appearance, its affection for him had not changed at all.

Aether smiled faintly.

Their bond had grown stronger than ever.

---

Moments later, Instructor Dren arrived at the training field.

When he saw the evolved beast, his eyes widened slightly.

"So it reached that stage already."

Other instructors who arrived behind him were equally surprised.

"That’s the Flame Sovereign line..."

"And it’s the peak form allowed in the lower realm."

One instructor whispered,

"This beast could become legendary if it continues evolving in higher worlds."

Dren nodded slowly.

"And it has the right tamer."

---

Aether turned toward them.

"Instructor."

Dren crossed his arms.

"You realize what this means, right?"

Aether nodded.

"Yes."

The evolution would drastically increase the Fire Pup’s combat strength.

But more importantly—

It would attract attention.

Power always did.

Dren sighed slightly.

"Well, it’s too late to hide it now."

He looked at the Flame Sovereign Pup again.

"This evolution alone will place you among the academy’s strongest students."

Aether remained silent.

Because strength alone was not his goal.

He needed more.

Much more.

--- 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

As night fell over the academy, the Flame Sovereign Pup walked beside Aether through the quiet academy pathways.

Students who saw the beast immediately stopped in shock.

"Is that...?"

"His beast evolved!"

"That’s insane..."

The rumors began spreading again.

But Aether ignored them.

He was thinking about something else.

Because while the Fire Pup had reached the peak of this world’s evolutionary limit...

There were still many paths ahead.

And soon—

He would need another companion.

Another beast.

One that would shape his future battles.

---

Far away from the academy, deep inside an ancient forest valley, something stirred.

A mysterious creature slowly opened its glowing eyes.

Its body shimmered like liquid moonlight.

Chains of ancient sealing runes surrounded the valley.

But the creature looked toward the distant horizon.

As if sensing something.