The fallen God

The early morning mist clung to the sprawling grounds of Celestial Ascendancy Academy as Evolis made his way along the ancient stone corridors. Today felt different—not only was it his final year at the academy, but with his seventeenth birthday fast approaching, the threshold of adulthood in the Kingdom of Aurelia, an electric anticipation pulsed through every breeze.

Evolis paused before a heavy wooden door inscribed with the academy's motto: "From the Mortal Coil, Ascend to Divinity." Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the main atrium where stained-glass windows bathed the hall in radiant colours and depictions of ancient heroes and divine beings seemed to whisper long-forgotten secrets.

At a long oak table near the centre of the atrium, Master Gaius—an esteemed scholar with a silvered beard and eyes that sparkled with both wisdom and mischief—waited for the students. As Evolis joined the small group, Gaius began to unravel the intricate tapestry of their world.

"The Kingdom of Aurelia is steeped in history and mystique," Gaius intoned, his voice resonant. "Our capital, Aurora, is the heart of tradition and innovation, while the noble ducal families—House Altheon, House Xanthos, House Ferrell, House Marik, and House Corvin—each govern their regions with distinct strengths. For instance, House Altheon is renowned for its diplomatic grace and affinity with water and air, while House Xanthos is celebrated for their fiery temperament and mastery of commerce."

Master Gaius continued, "Now, let me explain how our realm's hierarchy aligns with our Cosmic Ascension Record, especially since here at the Celestial Ascendancy Academy, an institution reserved for the kingdom's nobility, your innate potential isn't the only measure of your worth."

He gestured toward a large, ornate tapestry hanging on the wall, which depicted the ruling structure of the Kingdom of Aurelia. "In our kingdom, the highest authority is the King. In terms of the Ascension Record, the King is said to stand at the absolute peak of the Dominion Lord Stage. His strength, leadership, and command over the divine laws are such that his very presence can reshape the balance of power in Aurelia. And in case you lot have forgotten, from lowest to highest, the ranks are: Mortal, Awakened, Novice, Advanced, Master, Grandmaster, and Ascendent in the Mortal Stages. Then Dominion Lord after you have entered the Dominion Stages."

Gaius's eyes swept over the assembled students. "Meanwhile, the Dukes—like those from House Altheon, House Xanthos, and the others—typically rank around the peak of the Ascendant Stage. Their influence is significant; while they don't match the King's direct authority, their command over regional affairs and specialized talents makes them formidable in their own right."

A hand shot up from the back. Aiden, one of the more curious students, asked, "Master Gaius, is there someone even stronger than the King? I mean, if the King is at the peak of the Dominion Lord Stage, can anyone surpass him?"

The old scholar allowed a small, secretive smile before replying, "Ah, a very good question, Aiden. Indeed, there is—though it's not really mentioned a lot. Beyond the Dominion Lord Stage, there exists our Emperor. He stands at what we call the Legendary Monarch Stage—a rank that, while known to a select few, represents the pinnacle of power which we know. In any case, there's no reason a few Mortal Stage students should be worrying about that now."

A hush fell over the group as the implications of Gaius's words settled in. "This," he said softly, "is why we say that in our dimension, the boundaries of power are ever-shifting. Even the King, who many view as the ultimate authority here, may someday find his strength surpassed. It is a reminder that our journey toward the unknown is a path without a true end—always evolving, always ascending."

The lesson on hierarchy then merged seamlessly with the earlier discussion on elemental affinities and the Talent Grading System, painting a picture of a world where innate potential and noble heritage intermingled. The academy, after all, wasn't just a school—it was a place where future kings, dukes, and perhaps even emperors were forged.

Evolis, listening intently, felt the weight of these revelations. As he considered his own place in this grand tapestry, the mysterious slip of paper tucked in his pocket pulsed with quiet intensity, a subtle reminder that his journey might one day elevate him far beyond the ranks of mortal nobility.

Master Gaius smiled, unfurling a large, ancient scroll decorated with cryptic symbols. "Every student is born with an innate affinity for Etherion. Most of you resonate with the common elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Some of you possess a deeper bond with the uncommon forces of Light, Darkness, Lightning, Magma, Ice, and Sound. And then there are those few whose very essence vibrates with the rarer forces of Gravity, Space, and Time. Although there have also been stories of legendary heroes who commanded the forces of life and death, and even destruction and creation, but those are merely myths"

He paused, letting his words settle. "Moving on, to measure your potential, we use the Talent Grading System. Most of you will fall within the C or B grade, but an S-grade talent is reserved for those whose potential is so extraordinary it can shake the academy's foundations. In today's world if one is found to have S-level talent even the King would scramble to hire you to work in his forces.

A hush fell over the room as Evolis felt an inexplicable stirring deep within him—a resonance that he couldn't quite define. His pulse quickened at the thought that perhaps his own talent might be something extraordinary.

Master Gaius's voice softened as he addressed them all, "Remember, your Talent is the foundation of your journey. The Awakening trial, where you'll shed blood and tears to achieve the best result you can, marks your transition into adulthood and will reveal not only the power you have honed through training but also the potential that has always been with you. Trust in your discipline, your control, and your determination, and your destiny will be revealed in time."

As the lecture ended, Evolis wandered through the academy's lush gardens—a place where manicured hedges and ancient trees whispered secrets of bygone eras. His thoughts drifted back to the archives, where earlier that day he had discovered a mysterious slip of paper.

Inside the dusty, hallowed halls of the archives, while browsing through a tome on advanced spear techniques, a small slip of paper had fluttered to the floor. The paper bore cryptic, glowing characters in a language he didn't immediately understand, and for a split second, a surge of warmth had pulsed through his veins. That moment had set his heart racing, and ever since, the slip had weighed heavily on his mind.

Now, as he strolled along a quiet garden path, Evolis found himself lost in thought about that enigmatic fragment. 'What was it trying to tell me?' he wondered silently. The slip was more than just a stray piece of parchment—it was as if a tiny window into his hidden past had opened for a fleeting moment. Though he couldn't decipher the message yet, the mystery of it hinted at a connection to the very power he was destined to awaken. It was a clue, a sign that the academy's ancient teachings and the Cosmic Ascension Record might hold the key to unlocking his true potential.

Later, on a stone bench beneath a blooming magnolia, Evolis joined Lyris, whose presence in the fading light was as captivating as ever. Her silver hair shimmered softly, and her deep amethyst eyes held both warmth and quiet concern.

"You look lost in thought," she observed, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

Evolis shrugged, trying to mask the intensity of his inner musings. "Just thinking about... things. You know, all this talk about elemental affinities, Talent grades, and that Awakening trial. It makes you wonder what's really inside you."

Lyris's gaze softened. "Maybe you're just overthinking it, Evolis. You've got a good head on your shoulders and a talent for making even the toughest challenges seem like a joke."

He grinned, though his mind lingered on the mysterious slip. "Maybe so. But sometimes I can't help but feel that the answer is out there, just waiting for me to find it. You know I've never really thought about what I'll do once I awaken. I know from here on out it'll just be a life filled with struggle and I don't know if I'm ready for it."

Lyris reached out and gently squeezed his hand. "Whatever happens, I'm here with you. We'll figure it out together. Besides, isn't it kind of exciting? The unknown, the possibility that you might be more than you ever imagined?"

Evolis chuckled, and tightened his grip around Lyris' hand, making her blush, his youthful tone light and teasing. "Yeah, exciting, sure. I just hope I don't awaken a C-rank talent or something."

Her laughter was soft, a promise of shared adventures yet to come. "If you do, I'll just carry you, don't worry, " she said as she patted her bicep.

Evolis chuckled, as he teased, "Yeah yeah, I'll definitely run to you if I ever get into any trouble."

As dusk settled over the academy, the ancient walls seemed to murmur with secrets and the promise of future revelations. The Talent Grading System, the elemental affinities, and the enigmatic slip of paper—all threads in the tapestry of a destiny still being woven—reminded Evolis that his journey was just beginning. With his Awakening trial looming on the horizon and the mysteries of the past beckoning him forward, the future was as uncertain as it was exhilarating.

That night, as the academy's torches flickered and the wind carried the distant echoes of ancient lore, Evolis lay awake in his modest dormitory. The mysterious slip of paper rested safely in his pocket, its glowing script a silent challenge. Somewhere in those half-remembered dreams, a promise of power and truth awaited—a promise that would soon change everything.