What was happening here?
That single thought filled every mind present.
They could not understand why, nor could they fully accept what they were witnessing.
Yet one thing felt undeniable. The man standing before them now felt profoundly different from the man who had stood in the same place only minutes ago.
His aura alone made bodies flinch without conscious thought. His quiet charisma stirred hearts, forcing breaths to hitch and pulses to falter. Sharp eyes swept across the gathered crowd, leaving skin prickling as if stripped bare under his gaze. Then there was his voice. Dangerous, calm, and heavy with authority, yet gentle enough to steady trembling hearts. Without realising it, they found themselves breathing easier.
Aether looked over everyone slowly, allowing the silence to settle. A gentle smile formed on his lips. He lowered his head in a respectful bow,
