In the arena,
Lucien shouted, "Whoever teams up with me, I'll make sure you get a serum!"
A few people didn't hear him, some ignored him, and others were wary. In the end, only twelve joined his team—including him and Sera.
The team formed a tight circle, backs to each other, and slowly advanced toward one of the nearest pillars. They had already picked their weapons—spears, swords, and daggers—before entering the arena. The ground was rough, dust rising with every step, and the distant growls of beasts echoed through the arena. Every shadow could hide a predator.
Suddenly, a hyena screeched from the shadows and lunged at Lucien. His reflexes were instantaneous. He swung his sword, decapitating the creature with precision. The pack froze for a split second, then surged forward, teeth bared and eyes glinting with hunger.
The team met them head-on. Spears jabbed, swords struck, and agile footwork dodged snapping jaws. One hyena lunged at Sera, but Lucien intercepted it with a swift, powerful slash, sending it sprawling. The fight was chaotic, but brief. Three hyenas lay dead; the rest scattered back into the shadows, snarling.
Heaving breaths, adrenaline pumping, the team pressed onward. Lucien scaled the nearest pillar with ease, picked the serum, while his eyes scanned the battlefield below. From his vantage point, chaos unfolded: only small groups of two or three had formed, while most children scrambled individually, attracting more beasts.
Lucien's team continued systematically, securing seven serums with minimal injuries. Only one spear user was scratched by a mad dog. The survivors had dwindled to around forty, while nine serums remained. The smell of blood from their kills drew more beasts. Packs of feral dogs and hyenas began stalking them from the edges, anticipating weakness, sensing blood, and the scent of human fear.
The team fought through swarming beasts, pushing toward the remaining pillars. Every step was a gamble; one slip could mean being dragged into the jaws of the monsters. Lucien's mind raced.
"We'll run out of safe zones soon… but the pillars… the pillars are our only chance!"
"Everyone, take your serums from me and climb the pillars! Beasts can't reach you there!" Lucien commanded.
A boy nodded. "Nice thinking, Lucien."
Others cheered and began climbing as the beasts prowled around their feet.
Remon's frown deepened as he watched.
Tsk, these brats figured it out sooner than I thought. Whatever… only twenty will survive, hehe.
Other students tried climbing, but each pillar held only one person. Chaos erupted—some fast climbers sabotaged others to secure a spot, pushing and shoving to grab the highest vantage. Finally, only twenty children remained atop pillars. Remon nodded slightly.
"Ok, assessment over," he declared. He clapped, but the sound felt empty.
The beasts retreated back to their cages, appearing trained, in contrast to their feral behaviour a while ago.
"Congratulations, all of you have passed!"
Silence met him. Cold stares replaced applause.
"What? Didn't you survive? You should be happy… sigh. Youngsters these days.
Take your serums and report to the command center tomorrow—if you survive, that is."
Lucien thought, What an irony. We take serums with a risk of death for a chance to survive…
The team gathered outside the arena.
"Let's keep in touch," Lucien said.
"Of course," smiled Arden, a muscular, kind-hearted boy—Lucien's closest peer besides Sera.
They went home to take their serums.
Sera and Lucien arrived together, with Sera announcing, as always, "We're back!"
Amyra emerged. "You're back early. What happened?"
Sera shook her. "EEE, Mom! Guess what!! We passed the assessment and got our gene serums!"
Amyra's eyes widened. "You're taking them now?"
"Yes!" Sera replied.
Lucien said, "Mom, we should take them now so we can get used to our powers. I'll watch over Sera."
"Okay!"
They entered Lucien's room.
Sera sniffed the serum, hesitant. "Lucy… what if it tastes bad? Like rotten egg? Yuck!"
"Stop kidding. Close your eyes and drink it all at once—you won't taste it," Lucien said, seeing through her fear.
"I'm scared," Sera admitted.
Lucien held her hand softly. "Don't worry, angel. I'll always be with you."
Encouraged, she drank the serum in one gulp, writhing in pain on the floor. Lucien supported her until her trembling subsided. He carried her and laid her on the bed. She lay still, breathing softly.
Lucien took a long look at her—blonde hair glinting, clear blue eyes reflecting the light, porcelain-like smooth skin, delicate curves in all the right places. Her beauty was natural, untouched—unlike most in these harsh times, where skincare and luxury were rare.
Lucien uncorked his own serum and drank it in one swift motion. Darkness engulfed him.
Lucien woke in a dim, endless space that resembled a throne room.
Steps led up to a throne above him.
He looked around, but all was black.
A magnetic pull urged him forward—the throne calling to every cell of his body, as if his bloodline itself demanded it.
Step.
His foot echoed in the void.
Step.
Another.
Suddenly, a black, living chain shot from the fog, piercing his back.
Pain surged through him—not flesh, but soul itself.
He screamed into the void.
Heaving, he regained a semblance of control.
Adjusting to the pain, he stepped forward again. Another chain pierced his leg, sending another scream through the void.
This is different… adjusting to pain is taking longer. My body might crumble before I reach the top. But… so be it.
I know if I stop here, I won't be able to go back, to them, to my family.
Do or die!
Darkness and determination fused.
Lucien's eyes shifted—the whites became black, and the pupils turned white, a mirror inversion of his normal gaze. Scales appeared with purple veins running underneath them, obsidian horns emerged, curling above his forehead.
Unconscious, he didn't notice—his will alone drove him.
Family… I must protect them.
I will reach the apex.
I will become the Sovereign.
Finally, he reached the throne. The chains withdrew, bowing as if in acknowledgment. He seated himself. A crown appeared, perfectly balanced above his horns.
Reaching into empty space, he grasped a katana, drawing it from its scabbard, he saw a black blade with violet carvings.
Lucien saw his reflection in the blade.
He looked exactly like his father, unbeknownst to him.
Black armor materialized, fitting seamlessly over his form. He controlled it to reveal his face.
Taking a deep breath, he shouted, "THE DEVIL SOVEREIGN IS HERE!"
The void around him trembled.
Uncountable silhouettes materialized—an army, myriad of voices, bowing in unison, fists over hearts, shouting:
"WE WELCOME THE SOVEREIGN!"
A violet message window appeared before him:
[WELCOME TO THE DEVIL SOVEREIGN SYSTEM]