The King said, almost as an explanation to the crowd.
Then he raised a hand and sent a stream of divine energy into Aether’s body
Aether slowly came to, and was dragged from the pool in complete humillation,
Once, the attendants had treated him with great respect, knowing I’d favored him.
Now that he was injured and disgraced, they were indifferent, even disdainful
Someone had come to Aether’s aid, but Shael wasn’t so fortunate.
She had sacrificed her Heartflame core for him
Now that it was shattered, her body aged rapidly-
In just a breath’s time, she looked like an old crone in her eighties.
Tears streamed down her withered cheels. She tried to speak, but in the noisy crowd, no one paid her any attention.
Aether, at least, had learned one thing. He didn’t ask me for anything else.
He just stared at me, dazed
The King’s gaze fell on me. I nodded casually in return.
It was I who had asked him to spare Aether.
Aether caught the small gesture immediately.
His eyes lit up.
Staggering toward me, he suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud
Serin, I was wrong.
Regret was written all over his face
Serin, please forgive me. I only want you. I’ll devote myself to you I swear, I won’t ever think of anyone else again!”
I stared into his eyes, watching him hold his breath in nervous anticipation. It was thrilling
Then I lifted my foot and kicked him aside.
Shock crossed his face as he fell back
I leaned down, my lips almost touching his ear, close enough to smell the fear radiating from his body.
Word by word, I asked, “Aether, did you ever imagine this day would come
when you ripped out my Heartflame core with your own hands?”
His pupils contracted violently.
He collapsed, unable to stay upright.
I spared him no more glances. Taking Ethan’s hand, I headed for the summit.
“Come on. I’ll go with you.”
But for some reason, Ethan didn’t move.
“What’s wrong?”
Everyone’s eyes tumed to us- even the King looked puzzled.
Arther’s expression twisted with hatred.
“He doesn’t want to go! Serin, did you really think everyone loved you?”
Chapter 7
Ethan’s gaze was tender, filled with an endless, quiet affection.
Serin, I’d like to try it myself,” he said.
I was
taken aback.
He gently squeezed my hand. “The Sacred Flame is no ordinary fire. I know you possess immense power. You’re a goddess, but if you were to get hurt by this flame, its force might be difficult to suppress even for you.‘
“I don’t want you to suffer any damage to your divine power because of me,”
His serious gaze shook me to the core.
Before I could gather my thoughts, Ethan let go of my hand. The golden magma rippled beneath his steps as he moved forward. Sitting cross–legged in the lava pool, the flames gradually devoured his thin robe, revealing the fine contours of his muscles.
The Sacred Flame began to gather.
The onlookers lifted their heads in anticipation, only to soon look disappointed.
“Why is there just one cluster of flame…
Π
But in the next second, fire burst forth like a searing dragon,
It crashed into the Divine Lava Pool, stunning everyone.
That first wave of Sacred Flame was already more powerful than what most achieved with their second or cultivation was far beyond the others.
third wave. It proved that Ethan’s
As I watched the shock take over the faces of those who once sneered and scored him, I couldn’t help but smile. In our past life, Ethan had endured five waves of Sacred Flame all on his own.
One flame after another rained down. When the fifth one hit, I thought he would rise
But to my surprise, he remained perfectly still
“Ethan?” I called softly, frowning in concern. He was already covered in burns, clearly reaching his limit.
But he only smiled at me. “I can do this.”
The next moment, an enormous surge of fire descended. I held my breath, tense with worry.
Just a few seconds later, the flame faded and he had withstood the sixth wave.
He had surpassed even his past self. If we didn’t count Aether’s achievements in our previous life, Ethan was now the foremost god of the Dravon family.
I watched him stagger to his feet and bow to the King
The King’s expression lit up with satisfaction.
But just as Ethan was about to step out of the Divine Awakening Pool, I called out, “Wait.”
I walloed over slowly. He flinched, his pupils tightening the moment more flames began to condense
“Careful!” he warned.
I took his hand and soothed him gently. “Don’t be afraid ”
That day, Ethan’s name was etched into the history of the Dravon family.
He had withstood six waves of Sa
Sacred Flame on his own, and with my help, he endured three more.
He successfully awakened his divine power.
”
And because only absorbed three waves for him, I remained completely unscathed.
I looked at him, a warm feeling bloomed in my heart.
