As the cheers and applause from the crowd began to fade, Aetherion stood in the center of the arena, his wings still spread wide, the soft glow of celestial fire surrounding him. The duel with Azraelis had been more than just a test of power—it had been a delicate balancing act, one that required him to suppress his Primordial nature and fully embrace the guise of an angel.
But now that the duel was over, it was time to return to the form that allowed him to blend in more easily at the academy.
With a deep breath, Aetherion closed his eyes and focused inward, drawing the flames back into himself. His magnificent wings of fire shimmered for a moment before retracting into his body, transforming once again into the ring of creation that circled him in his Primordial form. His hair shifted back to its disguised black, and his glowing celestial aura faded, leaving behind the more subdued presence of a skilled mortal.
As the last remnants of divine light flickered away, Aetherion opened his eyes to see the headmistress approaching. Her expression was calm, but there was a hint of something else—suspicion, perhaps, or curiosity. She had clearly noticed more than she let on.
The headmistress walked toward Aetherion with purposeful steps, her sharp eyes locking onto him. There was no applause or congratulatory smile as she reached his side. Instead, she gave him a long, assessing look before speaking.
"That was an impressive battle," she said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of wariness. "But it seems to me that you haven't been entirely truthful about your identity."
Aetherion remained calm, his expression unreadable. "I'm not sure what you mean," he replied evenly, though he knew exactly what she was referring to.
The headmistress raised an eyebrow, her gaze never wavering. "Angels are rare enough in this world, but you… There's something about you that doesn't quite fit the mold. You may have passed yourself off as an angel during the duel, but I suspect there's more to you than that."
For a moment, Aetherion said nothing, letting the weight of her words settle. He knew he couldn't reveal the truth of his Primordial nature, not here, not yet. But he also knew that outright denial would only raise more questions.
"I came here to learn," Aetherion said finally, his tone measured. "What you saw today was a part of who I am, but I'm not bound by the expectations of celestial beings."
The headmistress studied him for a moment longer, then nodded, though the suspicion in her eyes remained. "Very well," she said. "You've earned your place here. But I'll be watching you closely, Aetherion."
With that, the headmistress's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained formal. "As the top scorer in the entrance exams, you've earned more than just a place at this academy. You've earned your own private residence."
Aetherion inclined his head, acknowledging her words. He had expected some kind of recognition for his performance, but a private residence was more than he anticipated.
The headmistress continued, her eyes flicking briefly to the now-vanished wings. "Given your... status, we can't have you rooming with the other students. That would only cause confusion—and likely chaos. So, you will reside in the tower at the top of the academy, where you can focus on your studies without interruption."
Aetherion nodded again, sensing that this arrangement suited him perfectly. A private residence meant privacy, and privacy meant freedom to continue his plans without prying eyes.
"Follow me," the headmistress said, turning toward one of the large archways that led out of the arena.
Aetherion followed the headmistress through the winding corridors of the academy, their footsteps echoing in the quiet halls. The further they walked, the more isolated their path became, until they finally reached a grand staircase that spiraled up to the highest point of the academy.
The headmistress led the way up the stairs, her movements precise and deliberate. "This tower was once reserved for the academy's most promising students," she explained as they ascended. "It's been vacant for some time, but given your unique circumstances, it will serve you well."
When they reached the top, the headmistress stopped in front of a large, ornately carved door. With a wave of her hand, the door opened, revealing a spacious and elegant chamber. The room was bathed in soft light from large windows that overlooked the entire academy grounds, and the furnishings were simple but refined.
"This will be your residence for the duration of your time here," the headmistress said, her tone professional. "You'll find that it's well-equipped for your needs. Take some time to settle in."
With that, she turned to leave, but not before offering one final, meaningful glance. "Remember, Aetherion," she said, "this academy values knowledge, but it also values honesty. I'll be watching."
Without waiting for a response, she disappeared down the stairs, leaving Aetherion alone in his new residence.
Once the headmistress was gone, Aetherion took a deep breath and surveyed his new surroundings. The privacy of the tower was exactly what he needed—space to plan, to strategize, and, most importantly, to maintain his connection to his followers and the sanctuary.
He walked over to one of the large windows, staring out at the academy below. The duel with Azraelis, the suspicions of the headmistress, the challenges of maintaining his secret—it was all starting to weigh on him. But Aetherion had never been one to shy away from a challenge.
"I need to check on the sanctuary," he muttered quietly to himself.
He reached out to the system once more. "Is it safe to use Voidbreaker here? I need to return to the sanctuary without drawing attention."
The system's voice was calm, but offered a warning. [You can use Voidbreaker, but breaking through the void from here won't be easy. You're still within the academy's magical wards, which will make it harder to create a stable rift.]
Aetherion nodded. He expected as much. But he had used Voidbreaker before, and he trusted in his ability to make it work. "I'll manage."
Aetherion stepped into the center of the room, the soft light from the windows casting long shadows on the floor. He closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself to summon the Primordial Flame. The power surged through him, controlled and focused, as he extended his will into the void.
The air around him began to shimmer, and a faint ripple appeared in front of him. Aetherion concentrated harder, trying to stabilize the rift, but the magical wards of the academy resisted his efforts. The ripple flickered, then collapsed, leaving only a faint pulse of energy behind.
He exhaled slowly, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Not easy," he mutered, though he wasn't surprised. The academy's wards were strong, designed to prevent exactly this kind of manipulation of space. But Aetherion wasn't one to give up easily.
He closed his eyes again, this time focusing even deeper. He visualized the sanctuary, the feeling of safety and power that emanated from it, and the connection he had with his followers. The Primordial Flame within him burned brighter, and he channeled that energy, carefully shaping it to pierce through the magical barriers.
The air shimmered once more, and this time, the rift began to stabilize. Aetherion's fingers twitched as he guided the energy, opening a passage through the void. The shimmering portal grew larger, swirling with the cosmic hues of the void.
Finally, after what seemed like hours but was only moments, the rift solidified. The swirling darkness of the void beckoned, and Aetherion stepped forward, his body disappearing into the rift as it closed behind him with a soft hum.
On the other side, he emerged in the familiar warmth of his sanctuary. The valley was serene, the flames of the Primordial Flame flickering gently in the distance. His followers were going about their tasks, unaware of his brief absence from their realm. The sanctuary had remained safe and secure, but Aetherion could feel that something was shifting—both in the mortal world and in the celestial realms.
The system's voice echoed in his mind once more. [You've done well, Aetherion. You managed to break through the void despite the wards. But be cautious—each time you use Voidbreaker, the academy may begin to notice.]
Aetherion nodded, understanding the risks. "I'll be careful," he replied, though his thoughts were already turning to the challenges that lay ahead. The academy, Azraelis, the headmistress's suspicions—they were all pieces of a larger puzzle, one that Aetherion needed to solve if he was to ascend further toward his ultimate goal.
But for now, in the quiet of the sanctuary, he allowed himself a brief moment of peace. His followers were safe, his plans were intact, and the path ahead—though fraught with danger—was still his to walk.