Sovereign of The Abyss

Chapter 2

Miko waited until the last student exited the room, hesitating only a moment before grabbing his battered bag and slinging it over his shoulder. The hallway outside was alive with movement, filled with the buzz of students heading eagerly toward the training grounds. He kept his head down, hoping to blend into the crowd and avoid drawing any attention.

A cluster of voices rose above the noise, catching his attention despite himself. At the center of the approaching group was Elena, her silver hair shimmering under the hallway lights, her graceful stride and effortless presence commanding the space around her. Miko’s chest tightened as he recognized her and her entourage.

“Well, look who it is—the pride of Clan Dusk,” a boy sneered, his voice loud enough to echo over the chatter.

“Careful,” a girl chimed in mockingly, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Stay too close, and you might catch whatever it is that keeps him at the bottom.”

Laughter followed, sharp and biting. Miko’s grip on his bag tightened, his knuckles turning white, but he said nothing. He fixed his gaze firmly on the ground, willing himself to be invisible.

“Still hauling around that piece of junk?” another voice jeered, dripping with disdain. “Guess it suits you—trash carrying trash.”

The taunts were relentless, cutting deeper with every word. As they passed him, Miko’s heart leapt for just a moment when Elena’s eyes met his. He searched her face, desperate for even a glimmer of sympathy or support.

“Say something, we’re engaged,” he thought, the words screaming in his mind.

But Elena said nothing. Her gaze flickered away almost immediately, and she continued walking as though he didn’t exist. The laughter and derision followed the group down the hall, leaving Miko frozen in place, his chest tight with a mixture of anger and despair.

A rough shove snapped him out of his stupor as another student barked, “Move it, idiot!” nearly knocking him into the wall. Miko staggered slightly but said nothing, forcing himself forward, each step heavier than the last.

The training grounds loomed ahead, an expansive open space bordered by towering stone walls. The faint shimmer of mana residue hung in the air, a remnant of countless previous sessions. Students clustered into groups near rows of practice dummies, their energy electric with anticipation.

“Alright, listen up!” boomed the commanding voice of the instructor, instantly silencing the crowd. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his black uniform adorned with silver trim that gleamed in the midday sun. “Today’s transfer trials will determine whether you stay where you are or prove yourself worthy of advancing. Only the best will rise—remember that.”

A murmur rippled through the students, some exchanging smug glances and whispered taunts.

“As you know,” the instructor continued, pacing with an air of authority, “the academy’s students are divided into four ranks of clans/houses. At the top, we have Clan Zenith, the elites in combat, strategy, and academics. Below them is Clan Aegis, known for their resilience and tactical acumen. Third is Clan Solace, skilled but lacking the edge to rise higher. And finally,” his voice hardened, “we have Clan Dusk—the lowest tier. Those expected to fail. If you’re here to prove me wrong, today is your only chance.”

Laughter and snickers erupted, and Miko couldn’t help but flinch as the words hit too close to home.

“Pairs will now be announced,” the instructor declared, pulling out a scroll. “Step forward when your name is called. You’ll battle your partner. The winner advances, the loser stays—or falls.”

Miko’s stomach churned as the first names were read out.

“Cara Veyne,” the instructor announced, prompting an auburn-haired girl to step forward with practiced confidence, drawing approving murmurs from the crowd.

“And Miko Asterion.”

The murmurs turned into outright laughter.

“Seriously? He’s up against her?” someone scoffed loudly.

“This’ll be over in seconds,” another added, chuckling.

Miko felt his legs grow heavy, each step toward the center of the training grounds an act of sheer will. Cara stood waiting, arms crossed, her expression dripping with disdain.

“Try not to embarrass yourself too much,” she said, smirking.

“Silence!” the instructor barked. “Take your positions.”

Miko took his stance opposite her, his heart pounding in his chest as the instructor’s voice rang out.

“Begin!”

Cara wasted no time, summoning a whirlwind of mana that swirled around her, a crackling display of raw power. She smirked. “Well? Are you going to do something, or are you just going to stand there?”

Miko raised his hands, summoning faint wisps of gray smoke that flickered weakly before dissipating.

The crowd erupted into laughter.

“Is that it?” Cara taunted. “Pathetic.”

Before he could react, she sent a blast of wind hurtling toward him. He threw himself to the ground, narrowly avoiding the attack.

“Stop crawling and fight me!” she shouted, her voice mocking.

Miko scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. He raised his hands again, trying to summon more power, but the smoke that emerged was too faint to pose any threat.

Cara smirked and launched another attack, the force of the wind slamming into Miko’s chest and sending him sprawling to the ground.

“That’s enough,” the instructor said sharply. “Cara Veyne is the winner.”

Cara flipped her hair over her shoulder, her expression smug as she walked off. Miko lay there for a moment, pain radiating through his body and humiliation burning in his chest.

As he limped off the field, whispers and derisive comments followed him.

“What did you expect from someone with an Ash element?”

“He doesn’t belong here.”

“Yes, I’ve got a useless element, you don’t have to remind me everyday of my life,” Miko thought as he clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms as he forced himself to keep walking.

At the edge of the grounds, he sat heavily, staring at his hands as faint wisps of smoke curled and faded.

“Why am I even here?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Footsteps approached, and his heart leapt when he looked up to see Elena. She was as poised as ever, her Clan Zenith emblem gleaming.

“Elena!” he exclaimed, standing quickly despite the pain in his body.

She raised a hand to stop him, her expression cool and distant. “We’re in public, Miko. Don’t embarrass me.”

Her words hit like a punch, but he nodded quickly. “R-Right. Sorry.”

She sighed. “My father wants to see you. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Miko’s stomach churned, but he nodded again. “I’ll go right away.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, feeling smaller than ever.

**

Miko walked towards the flashiest car parked in the driveway. Miko stood at the door, his hands clammy as he hesitated to knock.

“You can stay there,” came the deep voice of Gerald Valen, Elena’s Dad, before Miko’s knuckles even touched the door.

Gerald wind down the window.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Gerald said, leaning forward. “The trials today was an embarrassment. Your performance was abysmal, as expected.”

Miko lowered his gaze, his hands clenched into fists.

“I’ve upheld my promise to your father for over a decade,” Gerald continued. “I’ve housed you, fed you, and provided you with an education. But my patience has run out.”

Miko’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock. “W-What do you mean?”

“I mean that my debt to your father has been repaid. As of today, you are no longer a part of this household. The engagement between you and Elena is annulled. You’re on your own now.”

The words struck like a hammer, leaving Miko breathless. “But… but I—”

“Enough,” Gerald said, his tone final. “You have nothing more to say.”

Miko stood shakily, his vision blurred by tears he refused to let fall.

“Driver,” Gerald said softly, and the reply was a rev from the engine and a zoom-off.

Miko watched the car dissappear from his field of vision.

For the first time, Miko was truly alone.