Sovereign of The Abyss

Chapter 9

The sun blazed high above the academy’s arena, casting a golden hue over the expansive grounds. The stands were packed with parents, lecturers, and students, their excited chatter building an almost tangible energy in the air. The Transfer Trials had officially begun, and everyone was eager to see which clans would prove their worth—or disgrace themselves further.

In the VIP section, Gerald Valon, dressed in a finely tailored suit, took his seat with an air of authority. His piercing gaze swept over the crowd before settling on the lecturers and parents who approached him with deference.

“Lord Valon, it’s an honor,” A Professor greeted, his tone laced with respect as he shook Gerald’s hand firmly.

“The honor is mine, Professor,” Gerald replied smoothly, his expression calm and unreadable. “I trust today’s games will be as enlightening as always?”

Professor Ryn chuckled lightly. “Indeed. It’s always a spectacle to see the determination—or lack thereof—of the students.”

Gerald’s sharp eyes drifted briefly to the far end of the arena, where a lone figure stood apart from the rest. Even from this distance, he recognized Miko. The boy wore a hooded cloak, his face partially obscured as he leaned against a column, watching the commotion around him.

Gerald’s lips tightened in disgust, his gaze narrowing for a fraction of a second before he turned back to the conversation at hand.

“Let’s see if the boy can do something worthwhile for once,” he murmured.

The commentator’s voice boomed through the arena, instantly silencing the chatter.

The commentator’s voice boomed, electrifying the crowd as the game began. The arena buzzed with energy as the teams gathered, their excitement palpable.

**

“Welcome, everyone, to the highly anticipated Clan games. The first game is the SafeGuard Flag! All clans are participating in this round, and the rules are simple: Each team must protect their own flag while trying to capture the flags of other teams. The team with the most flags by the end of the match wins. Let the games begin!”

The field quickly transformed into a chaotic battleground, flags waving on pedestals at each team’s base. Each clan stood poised, ready to defend their flag and seize others.

Clan Dusk stood at the edge of the platform, their members preparing for the battle ahead. Miko stood still among them, his dark cloak trailing behind him, the sword at his side gleaming.

“Miko,” Liam, called, a playful grin on his face. “You sure you don’t want to join the fun up front? We could use some extra ashpower.”

Anna hits Liam and he bursts into laughter.

Miko simply shook his head. “You guys focus on getting flags. I’ll handle ours.” His voice was calm, almost too calm, but there was a confidence in his stance that his teammates noticed.

Akiya smirked as she adjusted her gear. “Alright, we’ll trust you to hold down the fort, Miko.”

“Yeah,” Anna added with a wink. “We’ll bring back plenty of flags, just leave ours to you.”

With a silent nod, Miko watched as his teammates zoomed off into the fray.

As Miko sat cross-legged near Clan Dusk’s flag, his cloak covered his face, and he appeared to be completely at ease. The commentator’s voice echoed through the arena, commenting on the action.

“And here we have Clan Dusk, playing the offensive game as always. Their members are out there causing chaos, but let’s see if their flag remains safe. Clan Solace, on the other hand, is on the defensive—could they be the first to steal a flag Covertly?”

Suddenly, there was movement—a pair of figures appeared on the horizon, heading straight for Clan Dusk’s flag. Miko narrowed his gaze as Luna and Jace from Clan Solace neared the base.

But Miko didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned back slightly, crossing his legs as if he were sitting in a quiet meadow. The confidence in his posture remained unshaken, and a strange calmness seemed to hang around him.

“Uh-oh!” the commentator’s voice crackled over the loudspeakers, the excitement in his tone rising. “Looks like Clan Dusk’s flag is under attack! Two members from Clan Solace have made their way right to it. It’s two against one—Clan Dusk better be ready!”

Miko remained still, his cloak trailing around him like a shadow as he watched Luna and Jace approach. They stopped just a few feet away from him, eyeing him with a mixture of mockery and amusement.

“Well, well,” Luna said with a sneer, her Wind magic twirling around her. “Is this really the best Clan Dusk has to offer? A lone defender? I thought they might’ve put up a better fight.”

Jace smirked, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. “Yeah, you’re looking pretty vulnerable, Miko. This’ll be easy.”

The crowd murmured, watching the scene unfold. Some jeered, others looked on with curiosity, wondering what Miko would do.

But Miko didn’t respond. Instead, he remained sitting with his eyes closed, seemingly unfazed.

“What’s he doing?” a spectator asked. “Is he really just sitting there, waiting to be taken down?”

The commentator continued, his voice full of disbelief. “Well, folks, Clan Dusk might just be the first to lose their flag, and it looks like they have no intention of putting up a fight… or do they?”

Luna and Jace both stepped forward, ready to make their move, but just as they were about to reach the flag, Miko raised one hand, palm out, without ever opening his eyes.

For a moment, the air around him seemed to thicken, the atmosphere crackling with tension.

The crowd held its breath.

And then... nothing.

“Is he really not doing anything?” someone whispered from the stands. “He’s just sitting there…”

“I’m done with this pity play! Show’s over Clan dusk,” Luna said as she took a step forward.

But suddenly,

Fire engulfed Miko and a fire barricade engulfed the flag.

The arena erupted!!

“W-what? F-fire? How?”

“Isn’t he an Ash mage? Doesn’t he have the Ash element? How come he’s using fire element?”

The crowd murmured.

The commentator was the first to regain himself from the shock.

“I..I.. I don’t believeee itt!!!! Double element?!!!” The commentator screamed, “Miko Asterion, is a double element mage!!!!!!!”