Chapter 108: Chapter 107: The City of Beasts
The road stretched endlessly ahead, winding through the vast expanse of the lower realm like a silent guide leading toward sothing greater. At first, it had been nothing more than a narrow stone path, uneven and weathered by ti, with only the occasional traveler passing by. However, as Aether continued forward, the path gradually widened, becoming smoother and more refined, as though shaped by countless footsteps over generations.
Villages began to appear along the roadside, their modest hos clustered together in quiet harmony. Smoke rose lazily from chimneys, and the distant sounds of daily life echoed faintly in the air. Farrs worked in their fields, rchants set up small stalls, and children ran freely without worry. Yet Aether did not slow his pace, nor did he spare more than a passing glance at these scenes.
To him, these places were rely transitional points—temporary fragnts in a much larger journey.
As ti passed, the villages transford into towns. The buildings grew taller, the roads more structured, and the population denser. Travelers increased in number, and the presence of beast tars beca more noticeable. So walked with confidence, their contracted beasts following closely behind, while others displayed their power more openly, allowing their creatures to roam freely as a sign of status.
Still, Aether remained unchanged.
His steps were steady, his expression calm, and his presence—thanks to the Heaven Eye—barely noticeable.
Inside his mind, the Fallen Succubus spoke with a faint trace of curiosity in her tone. "You have not shown even the slightest interest in anything we have passed so far. Most people would at least observe their surroundings more carefully, especially when entering unfamiliar territory."
Aether did not look around as he replied in a calm, even voice. "There is nothing here worth my attention."
She let out a soft, amused laugh. "You really have no interest in anything below your standards, do you?"
"Interest," Aether replied quietly, "is reserved for things that matter."
The Fallen Succubus did not respond imdiately, but there was a subtle shift in her presence, as though she found his answer more aningful than she let on.
Eventually, the towns gave way to sothing far greater.
At the horizon, towering walls began to rise into view.
They were massive—far beyond anything Aether had seen before. Constructed from dark stone that seed to absorb light rather than reflect it, the walls stretched endlessly to both sides, forming an unbroken barrier that encircled an entire city.
Ancient.
Immovable.
Enduring.
As Aether drew closer, the sheer scale of the structure beca even more apparent. The walls were not rely defensive; they were symbolic. They carried the weight of countless years, of battles fought and survived, of power accumulated and preserved.
Behind those walls lay the Imperial City—the central stronghold of influence and authority within the lower realm.
The Fallen Succubus’s voice softened slightly, her curiosity now more evident. "So this is the Imperial City. I can feel it even from here... the density of energy is far beyond anything inside the academy."
Aether did not respond verbally, but his gaze sharpened ever so slightly.
He could feel it as well.
Even before stepping through the gates, layers of energy overlapped across the city like an intricate web. So were stable, others volatile, and many were carefully controlled. It was not chaotic, but neither was it simple.
This was a gathering place.
For elites.
For power.
For influence.
And more importantly—this was a place where the strong naturally converged.
As he approached the gates, he noticed the guards stationed on both sides. Their armor was polished, their posture disciplined, and their gazes sharp. Unlike ordinary guards, these individuals were not rely watching for trouble—they were actively sensing the people who entered.
Their perception extended outward, brushing against each individual who passed through.
Testing.
Evaluating.
Judging.
However, when Aether stepped forward and crossed the threshold, none of them stopped him.
None of them questioned him.
None of them reacted at all.
Inside his mind, the Fallen Succubus spoke again, this ti with clear interest. "They didn’t even attempt to stop you. That level of indifference is unusual for a city like this."
Aether replied calmly, "They did attempt to scan ."
There was a brief pause before she responded. "...And the result?"
"The sa as always," he said.
The Heaven Eye had already responded the mont their perception touched him. Its effect was subtle, invisible, and absolute. It suppressed his presence, redirected external sensing, and erased anything that might draw attention.
To those guards, Aether was nothing more than an ordinary passerby.
Unremarkable.
Forgettable.
Invisible.
As he stepped into the city, the world around him changed instantly.
The streets were alive with activity. Crowds moved in all directions, rchants called out to attract custors, and carriages rolled steadily along wide, well-maintained roads. The air was filled with overlapping voices, the sound of footsteps, and the faint hum of energy from countless beasts.
Everywhere he looked, there were creatures of all kinds.
So were small and agile, perched on their owners’ shoulders or running at their feet. Others were massive, requiring careful control to prevent them from causing damage. Each beast carried a unique presence, reflecting its strength, lineage, and potential.
Yet despite the overwhelming variety, Aether did not slow down.
He did not wander.
He did not explore.
Because he already knew where he needed to go.
"The Beast House," he said quietly.
The Fallen Succubus responded with a faint smile in her voice. "Straight to the point, as expected."
At the center of the city stood a structure unlike any other.
It was not rely a building—it was a palace.
The Beast House.
Its gates were wide and adorned with golden inscriptions that shimred faintly under the sunlight. The architecture was grand yet refined, designed to reflect both wealth and authority. This was not a place for casual visitors; it was a hub for those who sought power through their beasts.
As Aether approached, the massive doors opened smoothly, as though responding to his presence.
Inside, the space was vast—far larger than it appeared from the outside. Multiple levels extended upward, each divided into sections that housed different categories of beasts. The atmosphere was controlled, with energy barriers ensuring that even the strongest creatures remained contained.
A well-dressed man approached him almost imdiately. His posture was straight, his expression polite, and his movents precise.
"Welco to the Beast House," the man said with a respectful bow. "How may I assist you today?"
Aether did not answer right away. Instead, he reached into his pocket and revealed his academy insignia—the symbol of the champion.
The man’s expression changed instantly.
His polite deanor shifted into one of clear respect.
"I see," he said, his tone becoming more formal. "As the academy champion, you have full access privileges. You may select one beast from any accessible tier within your clearance level."
Aether nodded once. "That is sufficient."
Without wasting any more ti, he began his search.
The first floor contained nurous beasts, each carefully displayed and labeled. Their abilities, lineage, and potential were all docunted for easy evaluation. To an ordinary beast tar, this would have been an overwhelming opportunity.
But to Aether—
They were all insufficient.
He walked past them without hesitation, his gaze analyzing each one in an instant.
"Weak," he said quietly.
The Fallen Succubus agreed. "Their potential is limited. Even with optimal evolution, they would never reach a aningful level."
Aether did not stop.
The second floor offered stronger beasts, with better lineage and more refined energy. However, the fundantal issue remained the sa.
They had limits.
"They can grow," the Fallen Succubus said, "but only within predefined boundaries."
Aether’s expression remained unchanged. "Then they are not what I need."
He continued upward.
The mont he stepped onto the third floor, the atmosphere changed completely.
The air grew heavier, denser, and more controlled. The beasts here were different—not just stronger, but more complex. Their energy was unstable, unrefined, and filled with untapped potential.
"This is more like it," the Fallen Succubus said, her tone now clearly interested.
Aether moved slowly, his gaze no longer dismissive but focused.
Each enclosure contained sothing unique. So beasts radiated raw power, while others displayed unusual traits that hinted at hidden capabilities. However, Aether did not rush his decision.
He observed.
Analyzed.
Rejected.
Because he was not searching for strength alone.
He was searching for sothing more.
Potential.
Evolution.
Endless possibility.
Then—
He stopped.
Not because sothing imdiately stood out, but because he felt sothing subtle.
A disturbance.
A faint pull that did not originate from sight or sound, but from sothing deeper.
"...You feel that?" the Fallen Succubus asked.
Aether nodded slowly. "Yes."
His gaze shifted toward a specific direction, his steps becoming more deliberate.
Whatever he was looking for—
Was close.
And for the first ti since entering the Beast House—
His interest was fully engaged.
The third floor remained silent, its atmosphere heavy with restrained power.
But sowhere within it—
Sothing was waiting.
Not for just anyone.
But for soone who could truly see it.
And Aether—
Was already moving toward it.
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