I Was the Stepping Stone novel Chapter 19

Chapter 4

Aether’s gaze was as sharp as a blade, locked onto Ethan as if he meant to tear him apart.

But Ethan remained utterly unshaken, returning the glare with cold defiance.

Aether’s temper flared instantly at his attitude.

Just as he was about to lash out, Shael rushed forward and grabbed his arm tightly.

“Aether, how could that amber pendant possibly be real? It must be a cheap imitation,” she said softly.

“The trial is about to begin. He might not even survive the first wave of flame-why stoop to his level?”

Hearing that, Aether’s expression eased somewhat.

He nodded and gave Shael’s hand a gentle squeeze.

I simply watched them with cold amusement. It was almost laughable.

Moments later, the King descended and opened the Divine Power Awakening Ceremony, summoning the clan members

one by one to undergo the trial.

Most of them could only withstand a single flame of the Sacred Fire. The strongest among them managed three at most.

Seeing this, the King’s eyes flickered with disappointment.

Then it was Aether’s turn.

He stepped forward with full confidence-and to everyone’s surprise, Shael followed him closely.

The crowd exchanged looks of disbelief.

They all knew how terrifying the Sacred Flame was. For someone like Shael, whose divine strength was feeble, even a single spark could reduce her to ashes.

Yet Aether turned to her with a gentle smile. “Don’t be afraid. Do you still doubt my power? Besides, Serin is here. With her

watching, she won’t let me fail.”

“You just wait-I’ll come back and marry you.”

Shael’s eyes dimmed slightly at those words. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, she raised her head and spat out her own

Heartflame Core.

It was small, glowing faintly, but the moment it left her body, her face paled drastically.

Even a strand of hair near her temples turned suddenly white.

“Shael, what are you doing? We agreed-you were only meant to stay by my side. That’s all,” Aether cried out.

“If your Heartflame Core is damaged, it could ruin your future!”

the Caddess of the Starfire

family. But I’ve always wanted to do something for you.”

“So let this Heartflame Core help you through the trial.”

Aether’s eyes instantly filled with emotion.

The others watching were stunned.

“What use is that little Feathergale girl’s core? It’ll burn up in less than a second,” someone murmured.

“She really must love him. What kind of charm does this Aether have to attract so many?”

“She’s not afraid to die? If Aether fails to withstand the Sacred Flame, the core will be the first thing to break. Without it,

she’ll lose all her power and die.”

“It’s because she thinks Goddess Serin will help him with everything. The Starfire family has rebirth power. If she steps in,

she might help him survive the flames. Honestly, what’s so great about this man? Why is even the Goddess so blindly

devoted?”

Whispers spread through the crowd, many of them laced with envy.

I merely stood there, watching coldly. This scene had never occurred in my past life, which only made me more curious

about what would come next.

Aether stood at the edge of the molten lava, face alight with excitement.

The lava began to churn-and shockingly, he summoned nine flames of the Sacred Fire all at once!

The skies above the volcano darkened abruptly, violet-gold fire pulsing through the lava.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

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