RHAZMIR
Talent…
They say there are those born with the natural gift to attune to Aether as if the very essence of power beckons them, and there are those who, through sheer will and unyielding determination, force it into submission. But where lies the true distinction between them? We often reduce it to one word: talent.
Even within the Dragneel clan, the legendary Dragon clan, we have witnessed such beings—transcendents, born to command forces beyond immortal comprehension, suppressing their potential only to ascend to unimaginable heights. Yet, what if a human—fragile and finite—could defy every expectation, surpass their own limits, break through the very boundaries of their existence, and ascend to the realm of gods? To call that mere talent would be an insult.
Genius? No.
The chosen? Inadequate.
An enlightened one? Too limited.
No, the only title befitting such an entity is that of a monster. And after beholding King Rhett's power, I know that monsters do walk among us. Today, I might have just created one.
The boy I encountered months ago—there was something off about him, something that lingered beneath his exterior. But it wasn't just his raw energy that set him apart. No, what he achieved goes far beyond anything even the most accomplished of Dragneel could hope to attain with ease. The Quadrant Cycle, the sacred flow of Aether reserved for beings of higher realms, is not something that should ever be within the reach of a human. And yet, at sixteen, he mastered it. Sixteen. To think a human could accomplish what entire generations of our clan struggle with is beyond reason.
What else can we call that? To command Aether in such a way, to claim mastery over the cycle… it defies all logic, all expectation. Tristan Welder, what will you turn out to be? A hero as you proclaim you what to become or doom as what your destiny has to be?
Verlorian roar
A thunderous explosion reverberated through the air as lightning, taking the shape of a colossal lion, tore through the landscape, annihilating everything in its wake. In a single, devastating surge, he obliterated two entire sections, leaving behind nothing but smoldering craters. The ground, once dense with trees, now lay barren, dark smoke curling from the charred remains of what once stood. And still, he pulsed with Aether—an inexhaustible ocean of energy swirling within him, unyielding, relentless, as though the very essence of Aether itself coursed through his lunaris, boundless and insatiable.
His mastery over body reinforcement and enlightenment was equally staggering, a defensive shell that cloaked him in impervious protection against any external threat. What astounds me is that I have never imparted such knowledge to him. I had merely sought to keep him here, to help him control the pure orb, so he could master the chaos of the impure one. Yet, even without my guidance, he ascended beyond the bounds of what I thought possible. He climbs toward heights that will soon eclipse everything I've built, and even without the power of the impure orb, he will be seen as a threat—an enemy to those who cannot fathom his rapid rise.
This is no mere growth—it is an eruption. An ascension so rapid, so profound, that even when they hear about him, they might perceive him as a threat.
"Rhazmir?" His senses finally registered my presence, the first time since he'd begun his rigorous training.
"Hey, kid." I hovered beside him, watching as he continued with his task. "You've gone beyond everything I expected. To master the four sides of Aether so quickly and effortlessly... it's nothing short of extraordinary."
"The four sides of Aether?" he scoffed, the arrogance in his voice unmistakable, a sharp edge to his question.
I sighed, the sound heavy with exasperation.
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised, given your lack of a proper education." He dropped to the ground, sprawling on the grass as he adjusted his boots, which were already beginning to strain under his growing size. His body had changed, taller, more solid—nothing about him resembled a sixteen-year-old anymore. He was outgrowing his childhood in more ways than one.
"Aether," I began, my voice taking on the patient tone of a teacher, "has three primary sides. The first is the Neutral Essence. It flows with a single heartbeat through the Lunaris, circulating through those who cannot perceive or interact with Aether. It's mostly used by the untrained, those who merely exist without understanding its depths. Then comes Effluent Aether, typically wielded by lower-ranked users—novice adventurers, in simple terms. They can only manipulate small amounts, using it for basic tasks and spells.
"Next is Enlightened Aether, a level where many skilled users find themselves. This allows them to channel Aether into their physical attributes and abilities, giving them greater control over their power. However, the most revered form is Pure Aether. Only ascendants and maidens can fully interact with it. It is the essence of true power, raw and unfiltered by worldly limitations.
"Yet, beyond these, there are rare beings who can tap into all these forms, blending and weaving them together. And at the very pinnacle of mastery are those who perceive a fourth side—a complete understanding, an all-encompassing view of Aether that very few ever attain."
"Wow, so I'm like a genius now?" He stares at his glowing hands, disbelief flashing in his eyes as if he's just unlocked some godly power.
"A monster, more like," I mutter, loud enough for him to hear, but not caring enough to explain further.
He shoots me a withering look, standing up with a lazy stretch. "Fine, genius, let's test this power out—"
"Hold up," I cut him off, my lips curling into a sly smile. "I've got something better in mind."
Before he can respond, I teleport us in front of an ominous, half-buried ruin—the dungeon, the only one on the island that no one's dared to explore.
His jaw drops. "What the actual hell is that? Every time I think I've seen all the crazy crap in this world, you show me something worse!"
*Wack!* I smack the back of his head, hard enough to shut him up.
"This," I say, pointing at the shadowy entrance that seems to swallow the very light around it, "is what we call a dungeon."
"A dungeon?" He scoffs, rolling his eyes.
"Listen closely," I continue, my tone dropping as I weave the tale. "Long ago, when everything was still in harmony with the heavens, an age where peace ruled and balance existed between all races, a challenger appeared. A man who wanted to claim the heavens for himself. He defied the order of the gods, wielding power that made him something more—something terrifying. His strength was beyond human comprehension, like a god walking among mortals. He cut down anyone who stood against him, and his name became synonymous with chaos itself.
He was known as the Chaos Bringer, and his reign of terror was called the Edge of Chaos.
When it finally ended, dungeons began to appear, scattered across continents like scars on the world. It's said these dungeons are remnants of his power, echoes of the chaos he left behind. And those who dare to clear them… might just earn his grace."
"Are you for real?"
"Yes!"
I mean technically speaking, just between us. I might have slightly changed it, not all, just slightly after all the story is true just the grace part.
"Ohhhh! I'm hyped!" Tristian grinned as he started striding toward the entrance, his steps eager.
"Tristian!" I called out, stopping him just before he disappeared from view. The moment he turned, I tossed him a blade—a long, broad, curved sword that gleamed under the light. Its surface was a pristine white, adorned with intricate rune symbols that shimmered faintly. The edge looked razor-sharp, and the dark, heavy hilt fit comfortably into his grip. "Take the Heaven Slasher with you. But remember, it's one of those artifact weapons—it will only respond to your will."
"Heaven Slasher?" Tristian raised an eyebrow, slinging the sword across his back with a scoff. "What a lousy name."
"Yeah, well," I shrugged, lowering my voice as he walked away, "I wasn't the one who named it."
TRISTIAN
I never encountered anything.
It was dark and silent; even my Aether sense couldn't detect any malice ahead.
Having finally mastered the Quadrant technique, I was able to sense all the negative emotions within my range.
Tip!! Tip!!
The sound of water drops grew more persistent as I ventured deeper.
The surroundings felt like a long, walled corridor. The walls were rough, but the path was well-trodden. As I pressed on, my senses detected a presence—something akin to a beast. It was not a lion, but its aura was predatory, reminiscent of a lion's hunger. It was feeding on something, a dark, pulsating energy that twisted in the shadows.
Suddenly, the beast lunged from the darkness with blinding speed. Its form was a blur, its movement a deadly dance of shadows and hunger. I barely had time to react as it slashed through the air with razor-sharp claws. I summoned my Aether shield just in time to deflect the attack, the impact sending a jolt through my arm.
The beast roared, its eyes glowing with a feral intensity. It was fast, its agility defying natural limits. I had to think quickly, adapting my fighting style to match its speed. I took a deep breath, centering myself with the Quadrant technique, and launched a series of precise, focused strikes, each powered by my enhanced senses.
The beast dodged and countered with brutal efficiency. My movements were fluid, and each attack was carefully calculated to anticipate its next move. I could follow its pattern, but it was faster and wasn't ready to leave.
"Okay then, let's dance," I muttered through gritted teeth.
The beast darted with an almost supernatural agility, its movements a blur of predatory intent. It dodged my attacks with brutal efficiency, and despite my fluid, calculated strikes, it remained elusive. I could track its pattern, yet it was faster and seemed relentless in its pursuit.
"Okay then, let's dance," I murmured, determination hardening my voice.
With a burst of speed, I lunged forward, summoning an aura blade crackling with intense electricity. The blade's electric surge cast a bright, pulsating light, illuminating the darkness around us. As I advanced, a new presence emerged from the shadows—a larger, more imposing beast with a thunderous roar. It was unmistakably the father, its bulk and ferocity radiating a palpable menace. The two beasts encircled me, their eyes gleaming with malicious intelligence, seemingly waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I readied myself, focusing on the three techniques that would turn the tide. The first move was Lousy Steps, a technique that disrupted my opponent's sense of timing and precision. With a series of rapid, unpredictable footwork, I blurred my position, making it nearly impossible for the beasts to anticipate my next move. They hesitated, their attacks coming in erratic, unfocused sweeps.
Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed Blade Lightning, channeling the electric energy from my aura blade into a blinding bolt of lightning. The surge of electricity crackled through the air with lethal intensity, arcing toward the first beast. The lightning struck it squarely, causing its body to convulse and twitch violently as the electric shock coursed through its form. The beast let out a guttural roar of pain, its movements becoming increasingly erratic.
But the father beast was not so easily deterred. It charged with a deafening roar, forcing me to pivot and defend against its onslaught. I quickly activated the final technique Devourer—a dark flame of malevolent energy I had recently discovered. The flames enveloped me, a swirling vortex of shadow and fire that radiated an oppressive heat. I directed the dark flames towards the father beast, the intense heat and consuming darkness searing its flesh. It writhed and howled in torment, its once formidable presence now diminishing under the relentless onslaught of the flames.
With a final, resolute swing of my aura blade, I combined the power of Lousy Steps, Blade Lightning, and Devourer into one decisive strike. The concentrated force overwhelmed the beasts, the father collapsing first, its massive frame crumpling into the darkness. The first beast followed, its energy dissipating into the shadows.
As the silence of the corridor enveloped me once more, I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling with the effort of the battle. Two green stones appear to where the two beasts were