[Ascendance: The Journey to Type 7. Ch_012]
After an hour had passed, Kael found himself flanked by a pair of imposing guards, their armor gleaming ominously in the opulent light of the palace. With each step toward the Royal Conference Stage, he felt his heart pounding in his chest, a thunderous rhythm echoing through the vast hall.
As he entered, the atmosphere thickened with palpable tension, the eyes of countless onlookers boring into him.
The grand hall was a spectacle of magnificence, adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the history of the Royal Galaxy.
Golden embellishments reflected the light, casting a warm glow over everything. Finally, Kael's view cleared, and he beheld the king seated upon a magnificent throne. The king was striking, his athletic build accentuated by a regal ancient-style robe.
Beside him sat a woman of breathtaking beauty, exuding an air of authority and grace. Kael also spotted Thalia, seated on a throne of her own, her expression a mix of pride and concern.
Flanking the thrones were rows of ornate chairs filled with dignitaries and nobles, each draped in royal talismans that gleamed under the hall's light, a reminder of their power and status.
Behind them rose two platforms, where an eager crowd sat, their murmurs creating a sense of urgency in the air. As Kael stepped further into the hall, whispers rippled through the assembly,
curiosity and judgment washing over him.
"Silence!" the king commanded, his voice resonating through the hall like a crack of thunder. The crowd fell into an expectant hush, the tension hanging heavily. As the king's gaze softened slightly, he addressed Kael, "Welcome, Kael Ashvale. I've heard so much about you.
It seems you have quite the reputation—defeating one of our Celestial Guard five and a half [Planet Vesperia] years ago." [1 year in Plant Vesperia is 1.25 year on Earth]
Kael felt a surge of panic rise within him, memories of that chaotic night flooding his mind—his desperate fight for survival, and the aftermath. "I… I am honored to meet you, my king," he stammered, bowing his head respectfully, though his heart raced like a runaway starship.
The king's expression remained inscrutable, but Kael detected a flicker of intrigue in his piercing gaze. "Honored, indeed," the king replied, leaning forward slightly, his voice now laced with curiosity. "Your prowess has not gone unnoticed. In a realm where power dictates fate, it seems you possess something rare."
What could the king want from him? Kael's mind raced, uncertainty swirling within him. He felt Thalia's presence beside him, a grounding force, reminding him that he wasn't alone.
The beautiful woman beside the king, who had remained silent until now, leaned forward, her voice smooth and captivating. "Kael Ashvale, your journey thus far has been remarkable. But tell us, what do you seek? What drives you in this vast galaxy?"
Kael hesitated, the weight of their expectations pressing down on him. "I… I seek to protect my family and find my place in this world," he replied, his voice steadying as he spoke from his heart. "I want to understand my abilities and how they fit into all of this, and to protect my family I must be Strong."
The king's brow furrowed thoughtfully, the intensity of his gaze making Kael's stomach churn. "A noble pursuit," he acknowledged, his tone a mix of admiration and caution. "But the galaxy is fraught with danger. You may soon find that the path you walk is riddled with challenges far beyond mere combat. You have potential, Kael, but with it comes responsibility."
Kael nodded slowly, feeling the weight of the king's words settle in his chest. He glanced at Thalia,
who met his gaze with unwavering support, her eyes shining with belief in him. He steeled himself for whatever was to come next.
"Very well," the king continued, rising from his throne, his regal presence commanding the room.
"Now, Let's get to the point."
As the king spoke, Kael's determination surged within him, a warm fire igniting his spirit. He had come this far; he was ready to face the challenges ahead, whatever they might be. The royal audience had only just begun, and he would not shy away from his fate.
The king's commanding voice echoed in the vast hall, "Bring forth the Identifier!" Kael's heart raced as he tried to process what was happening. He glanced at Thalia, who looked equally perplexed, yet intrigued.
The room buzzed with anticipation as two guards emerged, wheeling in a peculiar machine that resembled a cross between an arcade game and an advanced scientific device. The black carbon fiber body gleamed ominously, and where a screen would typically be, a fluid filled the space, undulating in a mesmerizing dance that defied gravity.
As the machine settled, the king gestured toward Kael, his eyes locked onto him with an intensity that sent a shiver down Kael's spine. "You will demonstrate your power against this identifier. Show us your most Powerful Attack."
Kael nodded, a surge of determination coursing through him. What was this fluid? The questions raced through his mind, but he quickly pushed them aside. He needed to focus. "Alright," he said, taking a deep breath. Silence enveloped the hall, anticipation hanging thick in the air.
"Eternal Fist!" he shouted, channeling all his energy into the spell.
[Skill Activating: ETERNAL FIST]
A brilliant blue aura erupted from his heart, enveloping his fist, forming a fierce dragon that roared with raw energy. The sound was thunderous, reverberating through the hall as it surged forward, racing toward the Energy Identifier.
The impact was monumental. [Boom!] Kael expected the dragon to blast through the fluid, shattering it into a thousand pieces. Instead, to his shock, the dragon was swallowed by the liquid as if it were an insatiable beast.
The fluid shimmered and pulsated, absorbing the energy with a mesmerizing glow. Kael stood frozen, disbelief washing over him.
As the holographic display flickered to life, everyone in the hall leaned forward, their expressions shifting from curiosity to astonishment.
The Machine was AI Powered, It can Generate Quests as It Liked, It Can even Issue the rewards for that Quests.
The machine began to display data:
[Destructive Power: 244 [ETERNAL FIST!]]
[Energy Source: ???]
[New Energy Detected]
[Naming Ceremony Engaged]
[Choosing a Fitting Name : Aetherium]
[Name Given : Aetherium]
[Familiar Structure Detected, Closet Match : Aetherflux]
[Aetherflux : Energy Harnessed By E*********s]
[Universal Quest Alert : Descover the Source of Energy "Aetherium"]
[Price : 10,000,000,000 Universal Credits or (18,000,000,000 Galactic Credits)]
As Kael Saw The Name E*********n, He Panicked. and though that "it's the One Who's Tergeting me, But the Identifier Stated. Energy Harnessed by E********n, Does that mean it's a Race or it's a individual !?", Kael's Face turned Pale as he though. "Is the whole race Targeting me!?, Is it Because of the Energy I possess"
The room erupted in murmurs, the nobles exchanging glances filled with intrigue and concern. "Aetherium?" Thalia whispered, her eyes wide. "Even Energy Identifier don't have the Information related to Kael's Energy Source!."
Kael felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. "What does that mean?" he asked, glancing at the king, whose face remained inscrutable.
The King Said, "as For the Aetherflux it's the Energy Granted to Us Lower creatures by the mysterious Entities, Because they never reveal themself to us. and don't even give us their full names, so we call them, Deities. if Your Energy is related to Them."
The king, his expression shifting from surprise to a calculating gaze, studied Kael intently.
"It Could be a source of energy that transcends the known realms. If you possess it, it could change the balance of power in our galaxy," he stated, his voice steady yet laced with authority. "This is extraordinary, Kael Ashvale. But we must understand its implications."
Kael's mind raced. Extraordinary? Or dangerous? "I didn't intend for this to happen," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, uncertainty gnawing at him. "I just wanted to protect my family."
The beautiful woman beside the king leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Do you have any control over this Aetherium, Ashvale? Can you wield it safely?" Her voice was melodic yet commanding, drawing Kael's attention.
"I… I don't know," he stammered, frustration creeping into his voice. "I've only just begun to understand my powers. I didn't even know this energy existed until now."
Thalia stepped closer to Kael, her expression a blend of concern and support. "You've come so far, Kael. We'll Eventually figure it out" she assured him.
The king regarded the two of them, a mixture of intrigue and contemplation on his face. "This Aetherium may pose both opportunities and threats. We must explore its potential without risking the stability of our realm. I'll assign a team of experts to assist you in understanding this newfound power."
Kael nodded, feeling a flicker of hope amid the uncertainty. "I am Grateful, my king. as well as I'm honored" he said, determination rekindling within him.
As the King commanded "DISMISSED!", Kael knew this was just the beginning of a much larger journey—a journey that would lead him to uncover the true depths of his powers and the mystery of Aetherium.
After 2 Days The King Summoned Kael again in the Royal Conference Stage.
The king straightened on his throne, a glimmer of purpose in his eyes as he looked down at Kael. "Kael Ashwale, I would like to present you a Gift." he began, his tone both solemn and resolute. "If channeled wisely, it could become an invaluable asset to our galaxy and beyond.
As such, I am prepared to extend to you an offer that few ever receive—a starship, fitted with an elite crew, to support you in your travels and pursuits."
Kael's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. The sheer magnitude of the offer struck him. A starship? A team of his own? He stole a glance at Thalia, whose approving smile reassured him, and then nodded slowly, trying to process what this meant.
The king clapped his hands, and a procession of figures filed into the grand hall, lining up in an orderly row. Kael's gaze swept over the group—sixteen people in total.
Six young women in their early twenties, all looking determined, followed by seven young men, some in their early twenties, others closer to their mid-twenties, each bearing the same fierce resolve.
At the back of the group stood two men who appeared older, both around forty, their faces etched with the scars and wisdom of countless battles.
One of the older men stepped forward, his expression steely, yet a flicker of recognition crossed his face as he looked at Kael.
Kael's heart skipped a beat—he knew this man. It was the same Celestial guard he'd fought with five and a half years ago. The man's gaze was intense, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Commander Voss," the king introduced him. "One of the most respected veterans of the Celestial forces. And his comrade here," the king gestured to the second man, who bowed slightly, "is Lieutenant Alaric, another formidable warrior. Both have served me and this realm with unwavering loyalty."
Kael managed a respectful nod, still somewhat stunned. The memories of his brawl with Voss came flooding back—how they'd clashed in a no-holds-barred contest.
He could tell Voss remembered it, too, though his expression betrayed no bitterness, only a strange kind of admiration.
"Your team has been handpicked, Kael," the king continued, his gaze unwavering. "They are each highly skilled in their own right, but as a group, they will need guidance and training.
That will be Voss and Alaric's responsibility—to prepare this crew for galactic patrol under your lead. You will need all the help you can get to control this Aetherium power."
Voss stepped forward, crossing his arms with a smirk. "You've grown, Kael. I hope you're ready for what's ahead. You'll be working with some of the best, but make no mistake—being the best takes discipline." His voice was gruff but carried an undertone of respect.
Kael felt his confidence return, bolstered by the supportive glances from Thalia and the gathered crew. "I'll do what it takes," he replied firmly, holding Voss's gaze.
"And I'm grateful for the guidance." He extended a hand, which Voss clasped in a strong handshake.
"Good," Voss replied with a nod, his grin fading into a look of seriousness. "We'll start training immediately. And we'll see if you can keep up."
The king rose from his throne, his voice echoing through the hall. "Then it's decided. Your ship, The Astral Vanguard, awaits you, Ashvale. You will all embark tomorrow." He turned his gaze to the crew, his tone becoming even more commanding. "Remember, you serve with honor, and you protect the stability of our realm."
The gathered crew saluted in unison, each voice echoing the loyalty and pride ingrained in them. "Yes, my king!"
Kael's heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and responsibility as he looked at his team.
This wasn't just an offer—it was a new beginning, one that would challenge him to his limits and unlock the full potential of his mysterious powers.
TO BE CONTINUED.