Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Eyes Behind the Sky
The arena slowly returned to normal after the sparring match ended. The energy barrier faded, and the instructors began speaking quietly among themselves. Most of them had witnessed many battles before, yet the expression on their faces suggested that what they had just seen was unusual even for experienced tars.
Aether, however, appeared completely relaxed.
He stood near the center of the arena while the Fire Pup circled him happily, its flas flickering with quiet pride. The small beast clearly enjoyed the fight.
Rovan walked closer, recalling his silver wolf.
"You held back," he said.
Aether tilted his head slightly.
"So did you."
Rovan smirked.
"That’s true."
For a mont, the two of them observed each other silently.
Then Rovan spoke again.
"You’re going to cause trouble in this faction."
Aether smiled faintly.
"That wasn’t my plan."
The Fire Pup barked as if disagreeing.
Liora approached from the sidelines.
"That’s exactly what your existence does," she said.
Aether shrugged.
"I’ll try to keep it minimal."
The silver-haired elder stepped forward again, drawing everyone’s attention.
"The test is complete," he announced.
So of the faction mbers nodded and began to disperse, but the elder continued watching Aether carefully.
"You learn quickly," he said.
Aether replied calmly, "I just pay attention."
The elder nodded once.
"That will be useful."
But his gaze shifted briefly toward the sky above the arena, as if he sensed sothing unusual.
Of course, the hidden drone was already gone.
---
Far away, inside a facility hidden beneath layers of technology and security, several analysts were reviewing the data captured from the arena.
The room was dim, illuminated only by holographic screens displaying energy graphs and combat simulations.
At the center stood a tall woman wearing a dark uniform marked with the insignia of the **Genesis Evolution Authority**.
Her na was Commander Serith.
She watched the footage silently as Aether’s Fire Pup clashed with Rovan’s silver wolf again on the screen.
One of the researchers spoke.
"The energy pattern matches the signal we detected during the trial gate event."
Another added,
"And the resonance is increasing."
Serith narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Confirm the lineage projection."
The researcher adjusted the display.
A paused image appeared — the faint shadow of the three-headed hellhound behind the Fire Pup.
"Yes, Commander," he said. "It’s consistent with a high-tier infernal lineage."
Serith folded her arms.
"That alone wouldn’t matter."
Another analyst brought up additional data.
"But there’s more."
The screen shifted to show a deep crimson and gold energy pattern.
Serith’s gaze sharpened.
"Red-gold resonance."
The researcher nodded.
"We believe the subject’s contract ability is evolving beasts without external catalysts."
Silence filled the room.
That kind of power was extrely rare.
One of the analysts hesitated before speaking.
"If that’s true... then he might be—"
Serith interrupted him.
"Do not speculate."
But her expression suggested she was already thinking the sa thing.
After a mont, she gave a quiet order.
"Continue surveillance."
The researcher nodded.
"Understood."
Then he asked carefully,
"Should we inform the higher council?"
Serith looked at the screen one more ti, where Aether’s calm expression was visible.
"Not yet."
Her voice was steady.
"But prepare a retrieval plan."
---
Back at the Skygate compound, the rest of the day passed with a mix of training and orientation for Aether.
Unlike most recruits, he wasn’t overwheld by the new environnt.
Instead, he spent most of his ti observing.
The Fire Pup accompanied him everywhere, occasionally running around the training grounds and investigating the other beasts.
So of them were curious.
Others were cautious.
A few clearly sensed sothing unusual about the small fla-covered creature.
In the afternoon, Aether and Liora were sitting on a quiet platform overlooking the lower training area.
Several young tars were practicing basic command techniques below.
Aether watched them silently.
Liora spoke first.
"You’re not asking many questions."
Aether replied casually,
"I’m learning by watching."
She looked at him carefully.
"That’s not normal for soone who just joined."
Aether shrugged.
"I never said I was normal."
The Fire Pup jumped onto the railing beside them.
Liora sighed slightly.
"You’re going to attract a lot of attention here."
Aether glanced at her.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it’s true," she replied. "Skygate is one of the ten major factions in this world. If you stand out here, people outside the faction will notice."
Aether leaned back slightly.
"That’s fine."
Liora frowned.
"You don’t seem worried at all."
Aether looked toward the distant skyline of Ashvale City.
"I’ve been thinking about sothing."
"What?"
He hesitated briefly before answering.
"Last night, I saw sothing."
Liora’s expression changed.
"What kind of sothing?"
"A mory... maybe," Aether said slowly. "Or a vision."
The Fire Pup tilted its head.
Aether continued.
"There were two people."
Liora listened carefully.
"They were fighting," Aether said. "Not just enemies... but sothing much bigger."
She frowned.
"You think it’s connected to your ability?"
"Probably," Aether replied.
He paused before adding,
"I also think it’s connected to who I really am."
The wind blew softly across the platform.
Liora didn’t speak for a mont.
Finally, she said quietly,
"You said you were an orphan."
"I thought I was," Aether replied.
That was the truth.
At least, the truth he had known until now.
But the more his power awakened, the more it felt like sothing from the past was trying to reach him.
Sothing hidden.
Sothing important.
---
That evening, as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, the Skygate compound grew quieter.
Most tars had finished their training and returned to their quarters.
Aether was walking alone through one of the outer pathways of the compound.
The Fire Pup trotted beside him.
The night sky above was clear.
Aether looked up briefly.
"Feels like soone’s watching."
The pup looked around alertly.
But the pathway appeared empty.
Still, Aether’s instincts were rarely wrong.
What he didn’t know was that sowhere far away, powerful forces had already begun moving because of him.
So wanted to observe.
So wanted to control.
And so... wanted him gone.
But Aether remained calm.
Because deep inside him, the red-gold resonance was growing stronger with every passing day.
And soon, the truth about his origin would begin to surface.
The Fire Pup suddenly stopped walking and looked ahead.
Aether noticed imdiately.
"What is it?"
The pup growled softly.
At the end of the pathway, a tall figure was standing under the dim light of a street lamp.
Aether narrowed his eyes slightly.
The figure stepped forward slowly.
Then a calm voice spoke.
"I was wondering when we would et."
Aether looked at him carefully.
"And you are?"
The man smiled faintly.
"A friend... of your parents."
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