Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 25: The Turning Flame

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The moment Aether gave the command — "Final sequence."

The entire arena seemed to hold its breath.

Students watching from the stands leaned forward instinctively. Some were standing now, unable to remain seated after witnessing the destruction of the crystal fortress that had dominated the battlefield for most of the match.

Even the academy elders observing from the high platforms were paying close attention.

Because what was happening now was no longer a simple student duel.

This had become a battle of strategies.

And the outcome would influence how the academy viewed Aether from this day forward.

---

The Fire Pup moved first.

Its flames surged upward like a living storm, swirling around its small body before condensing into a focused spiral of heat. The air around it distorted slightly as the temperature rose.

But Aether’s eyes were not on the flames.

They were locked on the Crystal Bastion Turtle.

Because he knew something important.

The fortress had collapsed.

But the real opponent had not.

Across the arena, Kellan also understood the situation clearly.

His beast’s defensive formation was gone.

However, the turtle itself was still incredibly powerful.

And now the battle had entered its most dangerous phase.

A direct clash.

---

"Crystal Core Defense," Kellan said calmly.

The massive turtle responded instantly.

The crystal patterns on its shell began glowing brighter than before — not spreading across the battlefield like earlier, but concentrating inward.

The energy compressed.

Strengthening the beast itself.

Students in the audience quickly noticed the difference.

"He’s focusing everything on the turtle now."

"That thing’s defense was already insane."

"Now it’s even stronger."

Liora watched silently, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"This is the real Kellan."

---

Aether remained calm.

Exactly as he had been the entire fight.

But inside, his thoughts were moving rapidly.

The fortress system had limits.

He had exploited those.

Now the battle was simpler.

But also more dangerous.

Because endurance monsters like the Crystal Bastion Turtle were extremely difficult to defeat directly.

Which meant he needed precision.

Not brute force.

---

The Fire Pup dashed forward.

Its flames now deeper in color — no longer playful, but focused.

Kellan immediately responded.

"Crystal Impact."

The turtle slammed its foot into the arena floor.

A wave of crystal energy surged outward like a shockwave.

The Fire Pup leapt into the air just in time, barely avoiding the attack.

But this time, Aether didn’t order a retreat.

Instead—

"Close distance."

The Fire Pup moved straight toward the massive turtle.

Gasps spread across the audience.

"He’s attacking head-on?!"

"That’s crazy!"

But Aether wasn’t reckless.

He was calculating something.

---

The Fire Pup unleashed a concentrated blast of fire directly toward the turtle’s shell.

Flames collided with crystal.

A powerful explosion of energy spread across the arena.

For a moment, it looked like the attack had done nothing.

The turtle stood firm.

Kellan smiled slightly.

"Direct attacks won’t work."

Aether didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, he watched carefully.

Because he wasn’t measuring damage.

He was measuring reaction.

---

Then he noticed it.

A small detail.

The moment the flames struck the shell, the crystal energy shifted slightly toward the point of impact.

Redistributing defense.

Strengthening specific areas.

Aether’s eyes sharpened.

"So that’s how it works."

---

"Left side," Aether said calmly.

The Fire Pup moved instantly, circling the massive turtle.

Kellan frowned slightly.

"He noticed already?"

The Fire Pup launched another attack — this time targeting a different point.

The turtle reinforced again.

And Aether confirmed it.

The turtle’s defense was powerful.

But it wasn’t absolute.

It was reactive.

Which meant it could be manipulated.

---

The audience began noticing the pattern.

"He’s probing the defense."

"Trying to overload it?"

"Wait... is that even possible?"

Liora smiled faintly.

"Yes."

---

The Fire Pup attacked again.

And again.

Each strike forced the turtle to shift its defensive energy.

Gradually.

Carefully.

Aether was guiding the battle toward a specific outcome.

Kellan finally spoke.

"You’re planning something."

Aether nodded.

"Yes."

---

The Crystal Bastion Turtle roared.

This time, instead of waiting defensively, it charged forward.

The entire arena shook.

Students gasped.

"That thing is moving fast!"

Aether immediately responded.

"High jump."

The Fire Pup leapt upward just as the massive beast crashed into the ground where it had been standing moments earlier.

But something else happened.

The turtle’s sudden movement disrupted its own defensive balance slightly.

And Aether saw it.

That was the opening.

---

"Now."

The Fire Pup descended rapidly, flames condensing into a sharp spear-like formation.

It struck the same point where several previous attacks had landed.

The crystal shell cracked.

Just a little.

But enough.

The audience erupted.

"He damaged it!"

"Impossible!"

Even the instructors watching above looked surprised.

Because the Crystal Bastion Turtle was famous among academy students for its near-impenetrable defense.

And yet—

Aether had found a weakness.

---

Kellan’s eyes narrowed.

"So that’s your plan."

Aether finally answered calmly.

"Yes."

"Defense can be strong."

"But if it keeps shifting..."

"It eventually fails."

---

The turtle roared again, this time releasing a burst of crystal shards across the battlefield.

Aether responded instantly.

"Retreat and circle."

The Fire Pup moved quickly, dodging the attacks while continuing to apply pressure.

But the fight had changed now.

The balance was shifting.

And everyone watching could feel it.

---

High above the arena, the faction representatives were discussing quietly.

One of them spoke.

"He broke the fortress."

Another added,

"And now he’s breaking the beast itself."

A third observer said something more concerning.

"This boy... is learning mid-battle."

---

Back in the arena, the tension was reaching its peak.

Kellan raised his hand again.

"Full defense."

The turtle’s shell glowed intensely.

A final defensive stance.

It was clear what Kellan intended.

If Aether wanted to win...

He would need to break through this final barrier.

---

Aether exhaled slowly.

Then looked at the Fire Pup.

"We end this."

The small beast’s flames burned brighter than ever before.

But instead of attacking immediately—

It waited.

Students watching were confused.

"Why isn’t he attacking?"

"Is he preparing something?"

Liora’s eyes widened slightly.

"He’s compressing the flame."

---

Aether spoke one last command.

"Spiral Burst."

The Fire Pup’s flames suddenly condensed inward before exploding outward in a controlled spiral of intense heat and pressure.

The attack struck the same weakened point on the turtle’s shell.

For a moment—

Everything became silent.

Then—

CRACK.

A loud fracture echoed across the arena.

The crystal shell split slightly.

The turtle staggered.

And the audience exploded into noise.

---

But the battle was not over.

Not yet.

Because Kellan had one final move prepared.

And the next moment—

The turtle’s entire body began glowing with a powerful surge of crystal energy.

A desperate counterattack.

A final clash.

And the fight...

Was about to enter its most dangerous stage.