2025-01-12 11:03:50The 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!!!!!!!”
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The stadium was in complete silence, the only sound the distant echo of the commentator’s voice still ringing in the air. The crowd murmured in disbelief, their voices rising in volume, some in awe, others in confusion. The spectacle of a mage with two elements. They had always known Miko as the weakling with the Ash element, barely able to conjure a puff of smoke. Now, he had just summoned fire. Pure, blazing fire. “Wait… did he just… use fire?” someone whispered, their voice trembling in disbelief. “He’s an Ash mage… Ash, not fire!” another voice, filled with confusion, responded. The murmurs grew louder, echoing through the stands, bouncing off the stone walls of the arena. Even the respected Professor Ryn was taken aback, his eyes wide in astonishment. He exchanged a glance with another professor sitting nearby, both of them still processing what had just happened. “Impossible…” a voice from the back of the stands stuttered. “You need two separate affinities to use two e
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 11
Luna stepped forward, her Wind magic spiraling around her as if she were a tempest in human form. Her eyes were filled with disdain, but there was an edge of curiosity too. “So, the so-called weakling has more up his sleeve than we thought,” she said, her voice smooth, almost mocking.Miko’s gaze remained steady. “You think this is surprising? You haven’t seen anything yet.”Jace, standing beside Luna, clenched his fists. He stared at Miko with disbelief. “How did you… how could you…” His words faltered. He was so sure Miko was just some Ash mage, barely able to do anything. But now?“You can’t just have fire,” Jace continued, his voice rising. “It doesn’t make sense. You’re supposed to be an Ash mage! This isn’t possible.”Miko smirked. “That’s your problem, Jace. You think things should make sense. But I never cared about what you thought. I just do what I want.”Luna stepped forward, raising an eyebrow. “So you think you can just show up and take us down with your tricks?”Miko’s f
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 12
Suddenly, A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as a group of figures in pristine white garments and suits entered the stadium's VIP section. "The Church," someone whispered, the words spreading through the crowd like wildfire. "Oh, you don't know who they are?" A female student spoke up excitedly from the stands, addressing the confused faces around her. "Those people are from the church." "What makes them so special?" another student asked, eyes fixed on the white-clad figures. "The Church controls everything about healing magic and swordsmen," she explained hurriedly. "They regulate dungeons, monitor mage activities, even decide who gets to be trained as a knight. Those white garments? They're worn by people who have direct authority under the priest." "I thought the church were just religious figures?" "No, no," she shook her head vigorously. "They control everything that should be public knowledge. Especially about dungeons. Nobody really knows how dungeons work
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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 frustra
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The arena was electric, the crowd's excitement buzzing in the air as the final battles loomed on the horizon. Clan Zenith’s representative, stood across the battlefield from Clan Solace, and there was an air of anticipation as Elena from Clan Zenith took her position.The bell rang, and just like that, Elena was in motion. Her fiery hair flashed like a burst of power as she flung herself into the battle.Without hesitation, Elena raised her hand, and the flames around her surged to life. "Let's see how strong you really are," she murmured under her breath, her fiery energy crackling like thunder.Luna, from Clan Solace, attempted to summon her wind, the air swirling around her to form a defensive barrier. "You won’t beat me that easily!" she shouted, her voice full of determination.But Elena wasn’t playing games. She released a massive ball of fire straight at Luna, who barely managed to deflect it with her wind barrier. The explosion that followed sent Luna hurtling backwards, her w
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The arena fell silent as Ian stepped forward, his footsteps echoing across the battlefield where Elena had just fallen."Well, well," Ian's voice dripped with disdain. "The ash user who thinks he can play with double elements."Miko wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to catch his breath from his fight with Elena. "What do you want, Ian?""Want?" Ian's laugh was sharp. "I want to know how someone like you suddenly has this power. Do you know how many of us have trained for years trying to get where we are? How many nights have we spent perfecting our techniques?"In the stands, a professor leaned toward his colleague. "This should be interesting. Ian's never lost his composure like this before.""He's jealous," another professor whispered back. "Can you blame him? He's spent years trying to gain a second element.""Let's make this simple," Ian called out, raising his hands. "Show everyone what a fraud you are!"The ground erupted beneath Miko's feet, but he was already moving, slidi
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For a moment, all that could be heard was heavy breathing and the tension in the air. The silence stretched until—Clap... Clap... Clap...A lone figure stood in the upper stands, their slow applause echoing through the arena."Did you see that?" a voice called out. "Did you all see what he just did?"Another person stood, joining the applause. "He beat Ian! He actually beat him!"The applause spread like wildfire, until the entire stadium was on their feet."Miko! Miko! Miko!""The ash user did it!""This is incredible!"A student leaned over the railing, shouting, "Hey, Ian! How's it feel to have your perfect technique read like a children's book?"Ian pushed himself to his feet, his voice tight. "You... you planned this from the start?""No," Miko replied, keeping his voice level. "I just learned to watch. Something you never had to do."The Principal rose from his seat, raising his hands. The crowd gradually fell silent."Well," he said, his voice carrying across the arena, "it
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 17
"What is that?" someone coughed.Clang. Clang. Clang.More canisters followed, thrown to cover every corner of the arena."Tear gas!" Elena shouted, already creating a barrier of fire around her team members. "Everyone, cover your faces!"Chaos erupted as students pushed toward the exits. Through streaming eyes, Miko spotted a figure walking calmly through the growing smoke toward the arena's center."Look," he grabbed Akiya's arm, pointing. "Their movements...""Too controlled," she agreed, wiping her eyes. "Shit! This was planned."The figure reached the center, and Miko's breath caught in his throat. In their hands was a mirror, its surface seeming to drink in what little light remained."No," he whispered. "Not here. Not now.""Miko?" Liam appeared through the smoke, coughing. "What's wrong? What are they—""Everyone back!" Miko's voice cut through the panic. "Get away from the center!"But it was too late. The figure had already knelt, placing the mirror on the ground.On the mir
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Liam had claimed a corner table—the one with the slightly wobbly leg that he insisted gave the space "character." A half-eaten slice of cheesecake sat before him, more decoration than actual dessert. A spoon balanced precariously on the bridge of his nose, defying gravity with the same casual ease that he seemed to approach most of life."I'm telling you," he announced to his teammates, the spoon wobbling with each word, "this is a legitimate stress-management technique."Akiya rolled her eyes, flames dancing between her fingers—a nervous habit she'd never quite managed to control. "Balancing cutlery is your idea of stress management?""Some people meditate," Liam replied, not breaking his concentration. "I balance spoons."Across the table, Anna hunched over a stack of research papers, her dark hair falling forward to create a curtain between her and the world. Mumbled calculations escaped her lips—something about artifact resonance and magical frequency patterns."Did you say someth
Chapter 58
A group of four approached quickly, their expressions filled with irritation. Their leader, a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp features, was the first to speak.“What the hell happened to you lot?” His tone was demanding, accusatory. “We were supposed to stick together, but your team disappeared. You abandoned the plan.”Anna, still nursing a bruise on her temple, raised a hand as if to calm him. “We didn’t—”“Don’t.” The man cut her off, his voice low but firm. “We found a clue. A direct lead to the relic. And instead of following procedure, your team vanished into thin air. We spent hours trying to figure out where you went.”“We had a lead of our own,” Anna tried again, her voice even. “We had no choice but to follow—”A sharp whistle cut through the tension.Hayes,The senior officer stood near the entrance of the makeshift command post, arms crossed, his face unreadable. But there was an unmistakable weight behind his stare as he looked directly at Miko and Keisha.“Is that
Chapter 57
Time seemed to slow as Miko faced his impossible choice. The wraith loomed over him, obsidian face mere inches away, reflecting his own distorted image back at him."Your decision time has expired," the wraith said, its voice laced with cruel amusement. "The relic. Now."Miko didn't move."Very well," the wraith's form seemed to expand, darkening the tunnel further. "Then you leave me no choice but to demonstrate the consequences of defiance." It gestured toward Akiya who was still struggling to her feet. "Perhaps I'll start with the fire girl. Her flames were... delicious.""No!" Anna tried to throw up another barrier, but her magic fizzled weakly, her reserves nearly depleted."How touching," the wraith mocked. "Such loyalty. Such devotion. Completely wasted, of course." It turned back to Miko. "Final opportunity, boy. Surrender the relic, or watch your friends suffer before they die."The tension in the tunnel was suffocating. Keisha clutched the relic container to her chest, her k
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"Wise advice from the Stormweaver," the wraith conceded. "But unnecessary. I don't need to create division when the truth will do it for me." It drifted closer. "Why do you think you were assigned to this mission, ash-wielder? Why you specifically?""Enough talking," Miko's fire burned brighter. "We're leaving.""Are you?" Another artifact in the wraith's shoulder began glowing, and suddenly the tunnel behind them collapsed, cutting off their retreat. "I think not.""Anna!" Miko called.She understood immediately, throwing up her strongest barrier between them and the wraith. But instead of attacking, the creature simply placed one elongated hand against the magical shield. The barrier didn't break—it dissolved, the magic seemingly absorbed into one of the artifacts embedded in the wraith's palm."Magic nullification," Anna gasped, stumbling backward. "That's not possible.""All things are possible with the right tools," the wraith replied. "Your human magic is just crude manipulation
Chapter 55
Miko didn't answer, but he had a feeling Keisha Stormweaver wasn't someone who gave up easily once her curiosity was aroused.The relic pulsed in its container, its blue light seemingly synchronized with Miko's heartbeat for just a moment before returning to its own rhythm. Whatever connection existed between them, Miko knew instinctively that it was only beginning.Someone had brought this team together specifically to find this relic. And he was increasingly certain that someone was playing a much longer game than any of them realized.Then suddenly,"That's the third time we've passed that support beam," Liam said, coming to a stop. His usual lazy demeanor had given way to sharp alertness, eyes darting between familiar markings on the tunnel wall. "The one with the red mining symbol, this is the third time we’ve passed it.""That's the third time we've passed that support beam," Liam said, coming to a stop. His usual lazy demeanor had given way to sharp alertness, eyes darting bet
Chapter 54
The guardian was now moving agitatedly around the clearing's perimeter, its wooden body creaking with tension. The forest itself seemed to respond to its distress—the not-sunlight dimming, the plants curling inward, the glowing insects scattering.Keisha made a quick decision, pulling a specially lined container from her pack. "This should contain it temporarily." She lifted the relic carefully, and as it left the pedestal, several things happened simultaneously.The forest darkened completely, plunging them into momentary blackness before Akiya's fire provided light. The guardian let out a sound like splintering wood and collapsed to the ground, its body suddenly lifeless. And from the direction they had entered, came a chittering noise that raised the hair on the back of their necks."Move!" Miko ordered as fire erupted around his hands. "Back to the entrance, now!"They ran, Keisha clutching the containment box, Akiya lighting their way with controlled flames. The forest that had s
Chapter 53
The branches parted slowly, deliberately. Squad Seven formed a defensive line instinctively—Miko and Keisha at the center, Akiya and Liam flanking, Anna providing barrier support from behind, with Trent and Devra protected in the rear, their detection equipment humming with activity.First came the sound—a clicking unlike any natural creature. Then movement—smooth, yet somehow mechanical. Finally, the figure emerged fully into the dappled not-quite-sunlight.It stood roughly the height of a tall human, but the resemblance ended there. Its body appeared to be made of interlocking wooden segments, like armor crafted from living trees. Where a face should have been, there was only a smooth wooden mask with intricate carvings instead of features. Tiny plants grew from crevices in its form, and glowing insects similar to those in the forest drifted lazily around it."Holy shit," Akiya whispered, flames dancing nervously between her fingers.The creature tilted its empty and featureless hea
Chapter 52
“They said we should all gather suddenly,” “Yeah let’s go,”Voices could be heard along the hall.The hall hummed but Coordinator Hayes stood at the center platform, his weathered face impassive as he surveyed the assembled teams. The morning's confrontation in the cafeteria seemed distant now as the reality of tomorrow's mission settled over everyone."Attention," Hayes called, his voice cutting through the chatter without needing to shout. "Final briefing for tomorrow's dungeon operation."The lights dimmed as a three-dimensional projection materialized, showing a complex network of tunnels and chambers carved into a mountainside."The Redstone Mining Complex," Hayes explained, "abandoned fifty-three years ago following an Abyssal breach. While the breach itself was contained, residual corruption remains throughout the facility."The projection highlighted different sections in color-coded threat levels – red for severe, yellow for moderate, green for minimal."As previously announ
Chapter 51
Suddenly, someone stepped up. With a plate on his shirt written, coordinator Hayes. Coordinator Hayes stood at the center, his weathered face betraying nothing of his thoughts as teams filed in."Punctuality," he noted as the last recruits took their places. "A promising start."The lights dimmed, and a three-dimensional projection of the mining complex materialized before them, rotating slowly to reveal its multiple levels."This facility," Hayes began, "was once the Redstone Mining Operation, abandoned fifty-three years ago following an Abyssal breach. The breach itself was contained and sealed by AAU response teams, but not before corruption spread throughout the complex."The projection highlighted sections in different colors – red for high corruption, yellow for moderate, green for minimal."As previously stated, Class A will investigate the deepest level." The lowest section glowed bright red. "Class B the middle chambers." The central area pulsed yellow with patches of red. "
