Sovereign of The Abyss

Chapter 13

Somewhere in the team training rooms. The tension was through the roof as the members of Clan Zenith gathered around their table.

The previously bustling atmosphere of the arena was now far behind them, replaced by a stifling quiet.

They had been watching the final moments of the battle, and it didn’t take long for them to realize what had happened: Clan Dusk had secured the lead.

Elena sat in the center, trying her best to project calmness to her team. Her usual composure, however, was strained. Even though she had experienced Miko’s sudden rise to power, nothing could have prepared her for how quickly the tide had turned.

Clan Zenith, always the frontrunner, was now sitting in second place. A position they hadn’t been in for years.

The team was in disarray, their faces twisted in frustration. They had always been the best, and now they were forced to swallow the bitter pill of second place.

“Everyone, calm down,” Elena said firmly, her voice betraying a hint of frustration despite her calm demeanor. “It’s just the first round. We have time to recover.”

But her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. The members of Clan Zenith were too rattled by the loss. Some were glaring at each other, while others were pacing back and forth, muttering under their breath.

Suddenly, the door to the room swung open, and in walked the Top 1 Student of the academy, Ian Carter. Known for his arrogance and cocky attitude, Ian didn’t bother with pleasantries as he strode into the room.

His eyes were sharp, scanning the faces of his team as if he were analyzing each one for weakness.

“I’m taking the lead back,” Ian announced confidently, his voice loud and unyielding. “You all know it’s just a fluke. Clan Dusk will have their fun for now, but they won’t last.”

His arrogance filled the room, and the others, already on edge from the loss, tensed even more.

“Ian,” Elena said, her voice steady but laced with a warning. “That’s not the reason we lost. It’s not just a fluke. It’s your pride. You didn’t take the fight seriously, and now we’re paying for it.”

Ian didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned back, folding his arms as if he were above it all. “You’re wrong, Elena. All the other teams are gunning for Clan Dusk now. They’ve shown their cards, and they’ll be eliminated in the next round. I’m telling you, I’ll reclaim the victory for us.”

Elena’s brow furrowed as she stood up, her expression unwavering. “That’s exactly the problem, Ian. Your arrogance blinds you. This isn’t a game where you can just walk in and take what you want. You can’t keep thinking you can win just because you’re ‘the best.’ You’ve seen how fast things change. This isn’t about brute strength. It’s about strategy.”

But Ian remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the floor as if he were already beyond the conversation. “I don’t need strategy. I’m the top student. It’s a matter of time before the others realize they’re outclassed. Clan Zenith will take first place again, no matter what.”

The rest of the team fell silent, clearly not agreeing with Ian’s logic but too intimidated to challenge him directly. Elena shook her head, frustration flickering across her features. The gap between their pride and their reality was too wide.

Meanwhile, in a quieter section of the academy, Principal was having a conversation with Gerald Valen, Elena’s father. The principal, a tall and imposing man with a voice like gravel, eyed Gerald with concern.

“Well,” the principal said, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity, “I have to ask… how long has Miko been staying with you? All these years under your roof, and you didn’t know about his abilities?”

Gerald shifted uncomfortably, his expression unreadable. He had always been proud of the training he provided to his daughter, Elena, and had never paid much attention to Miko beyond his role as a foster child. After all, the boy’s elemental affinity—Ash—had always been regarded as weak, unworthy of attention.

“Miko?” Gerald repeated, a faint furrow in his brow. “I knew he had potential, but I never thought it was anything extraordinary. Ash element is practically useless. I never thought to look deeper. He was always so quiet, focused only on the basics.”

The principal raised an eyebrow. “But you must have noticed something recently. He used two elements, Gerald—Fire and Ash. That's unheard of. Even for the people in the capital. The boy’s abilities are on another level entirely. I would’ve thought you'd have seen the signs by now, considering he’s been under your care for so long.”

Gerald’s mind raced as the principal’s words echoed in his head. Double elements. The very idea of it was enough to make his heart skip a beat.

Double elements were rare, almost mythical. To possess such an ability meant Miko was not just special—he was a prodigy.

“Speaking of people in the capital, I heard most of the capital geniuses used high grade artifacts to augment for a second element,” Gerald said.

“Which means, Miko’s case is different,” The principal added.

Gerald’s gaze shifted away, his mind already racing with possibilities. The boy he had dismissed all these years could very well be the one who could surpass Elena, maybe even eclipse him. The very thought sent a shiver down his spine.

“Do you think this could be a threat to Elena’s standing?” the principal asked, sensing Gerald’s inner turmoil.

Gerald quickly regained his composure, masking his unease with a forced smile. “No. Elena is one of the top students and the second best, in a few years- top best and no one will surpass her.”

“I think it’s best to keep Miko’s Ash element's true powers hidden from even Gerald,” The principal thought to himself.

Back in the arena,

The arena had become a battleground of intense energy, the air thick with the anticipation of the crowd. The commentator’s voice crackled over the loudspeakers, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the ultimate Clan vs. Clan match-up! The first battle of the day: Clan Dusk versus Clan Aegis!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reverberating throughout the stadium.

“My life spiraled more than I could imagine,” Miko said, looking at the clan’s organizing themselves for the matchup.

“From falling into the abyss through an abyss portal, to discovering the abilities of my pendant and, learning the techniques the mysterious man from the abyss taught me,” Miko continued.

it was his chance to finally show everyone that he was more than just the boy who lived in the shadow of his father’s debt.