Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 38: Trial of the Flame Sovereign

The night after the evolution spread through the academy faster than any rumor before it.

By morning, nearly every student had heard the same thing.

Aether’s Fire Pup had evolved into a Flame Sovereign.

Some spoke about it with excitement.

Others with jealousy.

And a few with quiet fear.

Because in the world of beast tamers, evolution did not just mean growth.

It meant authority.

---

The main courtyard of the academy was unusually crowded.

Students gathered in small groups, whispering about the event.

Near the center fountain, Kael leaned against the stone railing while listening to several students discuss the evolution.

One of them said nervously, "They say the flames turned the entire training field into a sea of fire."

Another added, "Instructor Dren personally confirmed it."

Kael frowned slightly.

"Flame Sovereign..."

He had seen strong beasts before.

But a Flame Sovereign was different.

It was not just an advanced evolution.

It was a dominant evolutionary line.

Beasts like that often stood at the top of their tier.

Kael sighed.

"Looks like the rankings will change again."

---

Inside the academy’s combat hall, Aether stood quietly near the center platform.

Across from him stood Instructor Dren.

Several other instructors had gathered as well.

But this was not a battle.

It was a trial.

Dren spoke calmly.

"Before an evolved beast can be officially recognized by the academy, it must pass a stability trial."

Aether nodded.

"That’s understandable."

Evolution often brought unpredictable power spikes.

If a beast lost control, it could become dangerous even to its own tamer.

So the academy had a rule.

Every newly evolved beast must demonstrate **complete control over its power**.

Dren gestured toward the arena.

"Summon it."

---

Aether placed his hand forward.

A golden summoning circle appeared on the ground.

Flames slowly rose from the center.

Then the Flame Sovereign Pup emerged.

Gasps spread across the watching instructors.

Even though they had heard about it, seeing the beast directly was different.

Its body radiated heat, yet the flames around it moved smoothly like flowing silk.

Twin flame tails swayed behind it.

Its golden eyes calmly scanned the arena.

Unlike most beasts after evolution...

It showed **no instability at all**.

Dren raised an eyebrow.

"Impressive."

But he still lifted his hand.

"Begin the trial."

---

The first test started immediately. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Mechanical training constructs emerged from the arena floor.

These were specially designed machines used to test combat capability.

Four of them appeared around the Flame Sovereign Pup.

Dren said,

"Attack patterns will escalate gradually."

"Demonstrate control."

Aether simply said,

"Ready."

---

The first construct attacked.

A metal blade shot forward toward the Flame Sovereign Pup.

Before it even reached the beast—

A small flame appeared in the air.

The blade melted instantly.

The instructors exchanged looks.

"That control..."

The Flame Sovereign Pup had not even moved.

It simply controlled the flame around it with extreme precision.

---

The second phase began.

Two constructs attacked simultaneously.

One launched projectile spears.

The other charged directly.

Aether spoke calmly.

"Low spiral flame."

The Flame Sovereign Pup moved slightly.

A spiral of crimson fire swept across the arena floor.

The spears melted mid-air.

The charging construct was pushed backward by a wave of heat.

But the attack stopped just before destroying it.

Perfect restraint.

Dren nodded slowly.

"Excellent."

---

The third phase was more serious.

All four constructs activated.

Their combat speed doubled.

Blades, projectiles, and crushing strikes filled the arena.

Students watching from the observation balcony gasped.

"This is too much for a new evolution!"

But Aether remained calm.

He spoke softly.

"Crimson step."

The Flame Sovereign Pup disappeared.

For a moment, it looked like a blur of fire.

Then flames appeared behind each construct.

Four precise strikes.

Not explosive.

Not wild.

Just controlled bursts of heat.

The constructs shut down one by one.

The entire exchange lasted less than ten seconds.

Silence filled the hall.

---

One instructor whispered,

"That level of control is unbelievable."

Another replied,

"It’s not just the beast."

They looked toward Aether.

"The tamer is controlling the flow perfectly."

Dren crossed his arms thoughtfully.

He had seen many talented students.

But very few could synchronize with their beasts so naturally.

---

Dren raised his hand.

"The trial isn’t over yet."

The arena floor shifted.

This time, a larger construct appeared.

This one resembled a beast-shaped machine.

It was built to simulate high-tier monster combat.

Dren said,

"This is the final test."

"If your beast can defeat it without losing control, the evolution will be officially recognized."

Aether looked at the construct.

Then he looked at his beast.

The Flame Sovereign Pup’s golden eyes gleamed.

It was excited.

Aether smiled slightly.

"Let’s finish this."

---

The beast construct roared and charged.

Its metal claws tore through the arena floor.

But the Flame Sovereign Pup did not retreat.

Instead—

It stepped forward.

Flames surged along its body.

Aether gave the command.

"Flame Crown."

For the first time since the trial began, the Flame Sovereign Pup unleashed a powerful attack.

A ring of fire erupted around its body.

But unlike normal flames...

These flames formed a circular crown pattern.

The heat compressed inward.

Then exploded outward.

The construct’s armor began melting instantly.

The beast machine tried to counterattack.

But the Flame Sovereign Pup moved like living fire.

It slipped past the strike and delivered a concentrated flame burst directly to the construct’s core.

The machine shut down.

Completely.

---

Silence filled the arena again.

Then Dren spoke.

"Trial complete."

He looked at Aether.

"Evolution officially recognized."

The other instructors nodded in agreement.

There was no doubt.

This was a successful evolution.

And more importantly—

A perfectly controlled one.

---

Later that evening, Aether walked alone along the academy’s outer wall.

The Flame Sovereign Pup walked beside him.

The academy lights glowed across the campus.

Everything looked peaceful.

But Aether knew something.

This calm would not last.

Because the academy’s task board had already posted a new mission earlier that day.

A dangerous one.

A mission located far beyond the academy’s territory.

Most students would not dare take it.

But Aether had already decided.

He stopped walking and looked toward the distant mountains.

"That’s where we’ll go."

The Flame Sovereign Pup wagged its twin flame tails.

It understood.

Because somewhere in those distant lands...

Something powerful waited.

A creature sealed in an ancient ruin.

A creature that would soon become Aether’s new companion on his journey.