An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“H-Hold on! I-I surrender!” Abigail said urgently. With the sword inches away from her throat, she decisively raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

She didn’t expect herself to win the match. Her goal was simply to take this opportunity to test Dustin’s strength and also gauge her own progress. But now, it was clear that there was still a sizable gap between them.

“You’ve done well. In a few more years, I might not even be able to keep up with you.” Dustin smiled and lowered his Celestial Blade. His words weren’t flattery; he genuinely saw potential in Abigail.

The dark Phoenix flames carried a corrosive power that even his mystical pure energy couldn’t resist. In other words, Abigail’s black flames were the bane of any martial artist.

Her journey in the martial world was still short-barely two years. She hadn’t unlocked the full potential of her Phoenix bloodline yet. But with more training and experience, the sky was the limit for her.

“Don’t try to console me, Sir. I’m nowhere near your caliber.” Abigail shook her head.

Her current strength was due to her Phoenix bloodline. While her potential was sky-high, she still lagged behind Dustin, a peerless prodigy. She knew that, as she continued to train, there was no way he would stop improving either.

“Sir, next up is the final match. You’ve got to give it your all!” Abigail gave a quick fist pump before turning and walking off the battle ring. She had given it her all, so losing didn’t leave her with any regrets.

“Congratulations to Dustin Rhys for winning the second match of the semi- finals!” Oron announced.

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers.

Before the match, few had expected Dustin to win. After all, Abigail was the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, ranked second on the Legendary List, and far stronger than Fenley.

from a prestigious guild. Despite his impressive strength, everyone had placed their bets

and advance to the finals. He had easily defeated Abigail, the second-ranked on the Legendary List. It was only then that people truly realized his

strong. He even defeated the

with surprise. She never imagined that a stranger she

his strength. Turns out he’s been hiding it all along.” Crystal couldn’t hide her amazement. She had once thought about catching up to him, but now she had to

were simply on

were interested in joining the Sword Union, we’d have a true powerhouse.” Miles shook his

and murmured to himself, “Guess I was right. You’re really

meeting, He had sensed

his suspicions.

thunderous applause, Dustin slowly walked off the

without a fight. All that was

had figured out Dustin’s true identity, and

in the air

make a quick profit, she quietly set up a betting pool, and gamblers eagerly

had left earlier, returned to his seat. Despite Celestial Alliance’s earlier defeat, he couldn’t miss the final

slim-at least there was some hope. Regardless of the outcome, he planned

Mystic Arts Order. If that happened, Celestial Alliance’s chances of rising to the top would disappear