The world didn't feel the same after Aether devoured a god-ranked executioner.
News spread like wildfire.
A nameless student…
An E-rank with a trash class…
Had consumed a celestial skill and crushed a Starblade Executioner.
It shouldn't have been possible.
But the impossible now had a name: Aether.
Aether walked through the ruins of the academy.
Students parted like waves. Professors lowered their heads.
Some whispered blessings. Others curses.
But all shared one thing in common—fear.
Nahida trailed behind him, unsure if she was allowed to speak anymore.
His back seemed broader. His aura no longer mortal.
And then—he stopped.
Because the sky opened.
Divine Trial – Summoned
You have been summoned to the Divine Trial.
Court: Celestial Balance Tribunal
Reason: Unapproved Skill Devouring & Murder of Celestial Entity
Participants: Chosen of Fate, Tribunal Judges, and One Condemned
Time: NOW.
Aether was ripped from reality in an instant.
He appeared in a realm built of floating islands and blinding light.
Chains of divine law wrapped around his limbs—not restraining him, but attempting to.
Warning: Devourer Heart resisting celestial chains. Suppression: Failed.
Three figures appeared before him—radiant, faceless, godlike.
One boomed, "Aether, you've violated sacred balance by absorbing what was forbidden. You must choose."
CHOICE:
Sacrifice one of your powers
Let a thousand innocents die in your place
Aether smiled coldly.
"This again? You're still using innocents as pawns?"
The center judge growled, "Decide. Or the judgment will be made for you."
Nahida's voice echoed from the realm below. "Please, Aether, save them… don't become what they fear."
He didn't look at her.
But he clenched his fist.
"…Fine."
Chosen Sacrifice: [Soul Devouring – Phase I]
Effect: You can no longer consume soul fragments of enemies.
Chains shattered.
Aether dropped to one knee—sweating, gasping.
Losing part of the Devourer core was like amputating his own heart.
But…
Thousand Lives Saved
New Title: [Breaker of Divine Judgment]
Fame Across Realms: +4,000,000
God Realm Threat Level: ELEVATED to Tier 6
The judges disappeared without a word.
And Aether fell back to the mortal realm.
Back at the academy, celebrations began.
The innocents returned.
The stars no longer wept.
People began calling Aether:
"The Reversed Fate."
"The Demon Who Saved Thousands."
"The Devourer Saint."
But Aether himself…
…was silent.
He didn't smile. He didn't speak.
He just sat on the edge of the tower, watching the clouds pass.
Because even though he'd saved them—he remembered everything.
The betrayal.
The blood.
The screams.
And the truth that still hadn't been spoken.
Far away in a floating castle, Lucien—his so-called brother—watched through a mirror of blood.
He clicked his tongue.
"So he remembers now… and still chose to save them?"
A red-robed figure stepped beside him. "Should we move?"
Lucien smirked.
"Soon. But not yet. Let him think he's rising. Let him feel loved again."
The red-robed figure chuckled. "Then we rip it all away?"
Lucien nodded.
"Exactly."
Night fell.
Aether walked into the dark forest alone. No one dared follow.
He stood before a silent lake, and whispered to the reflection of the moon:
"I was weak once. I let love blind me. I let brothers betray me. I let gods bind me."
He raised his hand—still trembling from the sacrifice.
"But I'll devour fate itself… if I must."
Then, as if answering his vow—
A gate opened.
Dark. Massive. Breathing like a living thing.
Secret Dungeon Discovered: [The Belly of the Devouring God]
Level Requirement: Unknown
Entry Status: EXCLUSIVE – Devourer Only
Aether stepped in without hesitation.