Chapter 37
The Aetherium Hall was a structure of silence and storm. Made of glass-thread stone and lined with celestial scripts that shimmered in response to a soul's pressure, it stood at the heart of Sanctum Astrae like a throne room meant not for rulers—but revelations.
By dawn, students lined its upper balconies. Whispers ran like lightning through the air. Even some fourth-years had come to watch.
Astern walked alone across the marble path leading to the center of the hall, his cloak trailing behind him, the twin sigils on his wrists hidden beneath tightly wrapped sleeves.
The council sat above.
Five angels. High instructors. Their eyes glowed softly with layered sight—seeing not just form, but intent, memory, bloodline.
Instructor Lyssan, the head of the assessment council, stood. Her voice carried with unnatural weight.
"Cadet Astern of Dorm D, you are here to determine whether your recorded potential exceeds the limits of your designated year. This trial is sacred, and all revelations herein shall be bound to the crystal archive."
A scribe angel beside her began etching floating runes into the air.
"Begin with the Resonance Test."
Astern stepped forward. A new orb was set upon a pedestal. Unlike the class version, this one was reinforced with layered sigil rings and stabilizers. It pulsed in anticipation.
He placed his hand on it.
The moment his spirit flowed into the core, the orb didn't shatter—it sang.
A deep, harmonic resonance filled the entire hall.
The runes floating above the council's heads distorted, flickered.
A pulse of black and gold spiraled from the orb, forming a corona around Astern like a dual eclipse.
The orb didn't break.
It bent.
Then imploded into itself, leaving a soft ring of light that hovered where it once stood.
Lyssan narrowed her eyes. "Proceed to combat evaluation."
A second-year angel stepped forward into the dueling circle. She was fast, armed with dual blades and a lightning attribute. Known for her speed.
She bowed. "Cadet Elira, reporting for sparring protocol."
Astern mirrored the gesture.
The barrier activated.
Elira struck first, a blur of motion and thunderclaps. Her blades met air. Astern had already moved.
He didn't counter.
He guided.
Every motion redirected her momentum. Within seconds, she was disarmed, stunned, and on one knee.
Not by force. But by precision.
Lyssan's voice came again, quieter now. "Final test. Manifestation."
Astern stepped into the circle's center.
For a heartbeat, nothing.
Then… his aura flared.
Black wings shimmered behind his back, threaded with streaks of radiant silver. Not real wings—a projection.
Umbracelestial.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
One of the council members stood abruptly.
"That bloodline—"
But Lyssan raised a hand.
Astern's projection faded.
Silence reigned.
The scribe angel finished the last rune.
Lyssan turned to the council. "Verdict?"
The five nodded.
She looked to Astern.
"Effective immediately, you are elevated to a provisional combat rank equivalent to Class II. You are to continue your studies, but will be subject to higher-risk missions should the need arise."
Astern bowed. "Understood."
He turned, cloak fluttering.
From the top balcony, Rylen gave a low whistle. Faye simply smiled.
Kaela and Lunaria waited at the stairs.
"You didn't just pass," Kaela said.
"You rewrote the scale," Lunaria added.
Astern didn't answer.
His thoughts were elsewhere—on the blade asleep in his soul, and the war creeping closer with every breath the heavens took.