As Aetherion stood at the center of the arena, facing Azraelis, the tension in the air was palpable. The crowd watched with bated breath, eager to witness the upcoming duel between two celestial beings. But for Aetherion, this duel was not just about winning—it was about maintaining his secret.
An angel. The presence of an angel at the academy had taken him by surprise. Angels, especially those outside the service of a deity, were rare and powerful beings. He knew that facing Azraelis would require more than just skill. It would require him to conceal his Primordial nature while presenting himself as a formidable celestial rival.
Internally, Aetherion called out to the system, his mind racing. "If an angel like Azraelis can attend this academy without raising suspicion, is there a way for me to pass myself off as one?"
The system's voice was calm and immediate. [Yes, you can assume the appearance of an angel. But remember, Aetherion, you currently have no wings. Your transformation into a Primordial replaced your wings with the ring of creation.]
Aetherion frowned slightly, considering this. "Can I reverse that? Turn the ring back into wings?"
[Yes,] the system replied. [The ring of creation is a manifestation of your power, but you can transform it back into wings if needed. Be warned, though—doing so will suppress your Primordial aura, and you will temporarily take on the presence of an angel.]
Aetherion nodded. It was a risk he was willing to take. His goal was to blend in, and if that meant taking on the form of an angel, so be it. "Then let's do it," he said quietly. "I'll take on the form of an angel for this duel."
As the duel was about to begin, Aetherion closed his eyes and focused on the Primordial Flame burning within him. He reached deep into the core of his power, where the ring of creation circled around him, glowing with cosmic light. Slowly, he began to channel his energy, shaping the ring back into the form it once held.
The air around him shifted as flames began to swirl, engulfing his body in a radiant blaze of white fire. The crowd gasped, watching in awe as the flames intensified, obscuring Aetherion from view.
His black hair turned back into its natural brilliant white, glowing with the purity of celestial energy. His aura, once that of a Primordial, shifted into something different—something divine, yet contained. The crown of flames atop his head faded away, replaced by a more subtle glow of divine light.
And then, with a burst of fire and light, the ring of creation that had once circled him split and transformed into two magnificent wings. The wings were vast, shimmering with the same white and rainbow hues as his ring had, but now they were feathers of divine flame, glowing with an ethereal beauty.
When the flames receded, Aetherion stood revealed in his new form. His wings were fully spread, and his body radiated the power of an angel, not a Primordial. His aura, too, had changed—it no longer carried the overwhelming presence of creation but instead felt like the powerful, focused energy of a celestial being.
The crowd was stunned into silence. Even Azraelis, who had been calm and composed, raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by the transformation.
The system's voice echoed in Aetherion's mind, explaining the transformation in more detail. [You have successfully shifted into an angelic form. Your Primordial aura has been suppressed, and you now possess the aura and appearance of an angel. Your wings will function as your ring did, channeling your power, but your abilities are now limited to what an angel of your level could feasibly possess.]
Aetherion nodded inwardly. It was a clever disguise, and it would allow him to blend in while still maintaining a significant amount of power. His true nature as a Primordial would remain hidden, but he could still fight as a powerful celestial.
Azraelis studied him for a moment, her serene expression betraying only a hint of curiosity. "I see. You, too, are no ordinary being. You wear the guise of an angel, but I sense something more within you."
Aetherion met her gaze calmly. "We are all more than we appear."
The headmistress, watching from the sidelines, seemed intrigued by Aetherion's transformation but made no comment. She raised her hand to signal the beginning of the duel. "Let the challenge begin."
As the duel officially began, Aetherion's wings flared with white light, and he lifted into the air, his movements fluid and graceful. Azraelis followed suit, her silver-white wings unfolding as she ascended to meet him. The air between them crackled with the tension of divine power, and the magical wards around the arena shimmered with increased intensity, prepared to contain the immense energy that was about to be unleashed.
Azraelis moved first, summoning a wave of holy light that shot toward Aetherion like a spear. The light was pure and radiant, a focused beam of celestial energy that could pierce through even the strongest defenses.
But Aetherion, now fully in control of his angelic form, reacted swiftly. He raised his hand, calling upon his wings of fire to form a barrier of divine flame. The flames roared to life, shimmering with the same white and rainbow hues as his wings, and they absorbed the holy light without faltering.
Azraelis tilted her head slightly, impressed by his defense. "Interesting," she murmured.
Without giving her a chance to regroup, Aetherion retaliated. He summoned a series of flaming blades, each one glowing with celestial fire, and sent them spinning toward Azraelis. The blades whirled through the air with deadly precision, but Azraelis moved with ease, dodging them gracefully and countering with a burst of celestial wind.
The wind struck Aetherion, but he remained steady, using his wings to anchor himself in place. He countered the wind with a surge of lightning, the bolts crackling through the air as they arced toward Azraelis. The lightning, infused with his celestial energy, crackled with intensity.
Azraelis dodged again, but this time Aetherion pressed his advantage. He moved in closer, his wings beating rhythmically as he closed the distance between them. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a column of fire that erupted from beneath Azraelis, forcing her to retreat higher into the air.
Azraelis, now taking Aetherion's power more seriously, decided to escalate the duel. Her wings flared with divine light, and she summoned an ancient spell—a celestial storm that engulfed the arena in a swirling vortex of wind, light, and energy. The storm was powerful, and its chaotic energy threatened to overwhelm even the magical wards protecting the spectators.
Aetherion's eyes narrowed as the storm surrounded him. The power was immense, but he could feel that Azraelis was holding back,testing him rather than unleashing her full potential. Still, the celestial storm was no small challenge. The swirling winds whipped around him, and the radiant light flashed with an intensity that could easily disorient a lesser opponent.
But Aetherion had faced far worse. With a deep breath, he summoned the Primordial Flame within him—carefully controlled and disguised as celestial fire. His wings flared brighter, casting a brilliant glow through the storm as he pushed against the raging winds. The flames around him intensified, creating a barrier of radiant heat that tore through the swirling vortex.
Azraelis watched in awe as Aetherion's wings seemed to grow even more powerful, cutting through her storm with ease. She smiled faintly, clearly impressed, but her eyes glinted with a competitive edge. "You truly are remarkable," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the storm. "I haven't faced someone like you in a long time."
Aetherion's expression remained calm, though inside he was fully focused on maintaining his disguise. He couldn't afford to slip, not even for a moment. "You're holding back," he observed, his voice steady.
Azraelis tilted her head, her smile widening. "As are you."
The duel continued, but the tone shifted slightly. Azraelis, intrigued by Aetherion's skill, began to test him more subtly, weaving complex spells that required more than brute force to counter. She used divine energy in creative ways, forming traps and illusions meant to confuse and disorient.
Aetherion met her every move with a calculated response, using his flames to dispel her illusions and counter her divine traps. He could feel the crowd's eyes on him—students and instructors alike were captivated by the duel. To them, this was a battle between two angels, each testing the limits of their celestial power.
What they didn't know was that Aetherion's true nature was far more complex than they could imagine. Still, for now, he played the role of an angel perfectly, his movements graceful and his power immense but contained.
As the duel raged on, Azraelis suddenly paused mid-air, her wings beating softly as she looked down at Aetherion with a thoughtful expression. "You fight well, Aetherion," she said, her tone softer now, almost respectful. "But I believe that's enough for today."
Aetherion lowered his hands, his wings retracting slightly as the flames around him dimmed. "Agreed," he said, though inwardly he remained cautious. He had won the duel without revealing too much of himself, but the challenge had been a reminder that there were others—like Azraelis—who could sense there was more to him than met the eye.
The headmistress, who had been observing silently from the sidelines, raised her hand, signaling the end of the duel. "The challenge is over. Both students have shown exceptional skill."
The crowd erupted in applause, their awe and admiration palpable as they cheered for both Aetherion and Azraelis. It wasn't just Aetherion's victory that impressed them—it was the way he had held his own against a being as powerful and enigmatic as an angel.
As the applause echoed through the arena, Aetherion descended slowly, his wings folding neatly behind him. He felt the weight of his celestial disguise pressing down on him, a reminder of the delicate balance he had to maintain.
Azraelis, still floating gracefully in the air, smiled down at him one last time before turning to leave. "We will meet again, Aetherion," she said quietly, her voice carrying a sense of promise. "You are more interesting than I thought."
Aetherion watched her go, his mind already racing with questions. What did she know? Did she sense something more about him? And why was an angel like her so interested in attending this academy?
Before he could dwell too long on these thoughts, the system's voice spoke in his mind. [You performed well. But be careful, Aetherion. Angels, especially ones like Azraelis, can be perceptive. She may not know what you truly are, but she suspects something.]
Aetherion nodded slightly. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the crowd began to disperse, and the energy of the duel faded, Aetherion took a moment to reflect on the events of the day. He had faced challenges from both mortal and celestial beings, and though he had won each time, the weight of his secret felt heavier than ever. He was no longer just a mortal navigating the academy—he was a Primordial masquerading as an angel among angels.
And he knew that the challenges were far from over.