Chapter 44 -Path of Sovereignty
The world around Lucas spun violently as he and his companions were suddenly thrown into the air, their bodies colliding with something solid. A violent shock shook him, followed by a powerful impact, causing sharp pain in his head as he groaned, tasting the bitter blood in his mouth as he forced himself to sit up. The wind howled through his messy hair, and he could still feel the faint hum of energy lingering in the air from the portal that had just transported them. His vision was blurry, but he managed to see a familiar figure standing a few meters away, unaffected by the chaos they had just experienced.
Siman. His presence was as commanding as ever, his long black hair swaying gently in the wind. His eyes, always calm and calculating, assessed him with a sharp gaze, sending a shiver down his spine. There was something different about him today something more dignified, more determined. Lucas, Andre, and Darlene had barely processed their surroundings when Siman spoke.
"Alright. First, stand up," he ordered, his tone cold and indifferent as usual.
In the blink of an eye, Lucas felt confused for a brief moment before summoning the strength to push himself to his feet. His head throbbed with pain, but he ignored it. There was an urgency in Siman's presence, and Lucas sensed that this was no ordinary coincidence. Something big was about to happen.
Siman continued, his voice steady but laced with a hint of frustration. "Now... I feel like you're making no progress at all. So, I've decided to make a plan. A plan that will make you incredibly strong in one month because I want you to participate in the Multiversal Tournament for non-SS ranked fighters, and you will represent my planet."
Lucas blinked. The words didn't immediately register in his mind, as his thoughts were still spinning from the sudden change in his reality.
Multiversal Tournament? Non-SS rankings? Represent his planet?
His thoughts were in chaos, but Siman wasn't waiting for him to catch up.
"What? What are you saying?" Lucas finally managed to speak, his voice still trembling.
Siman narrowed his eyes, a hint of irritation creeping onto his face. "Silence. Let me finish."
He stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Lucas.
"First, I'll take Darlene and Andre to hunt monsters and make them stronger," Siman began, his tone pragmatic. "Second, you will go to my planet, Planet Tian, and train under my father's supervision. In one month, I expect you to reach at least SS rank. After that, you, Andre, and Darlene will join the sub-tournament for non-SS ranked fighters."
Lucas's thoughts became entangled.
Sub-tournament?
His mind was spiraling in endless circles as he tried to understand the words. Everything seemed too large to grasp all at once. But the part about his father caught his attention more than anything else.
"Wait... your father will train me? You have a father?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow.
Siman nodded slightly, the corners of his mouth moving slightly, though it wasn't a smile. "Yes. My father is the Sovereign of Planet Tian."
A chill crept down Lucas's spine at the mention of the word "Sovereign."
The Sovereign of Planet Tian?
The weight settled on his shoulders. There was no doubt that the power he would gain from training under someone like that would be immense.
"Alright, what about this Multiversal Tournament?" Lucas insisted, trying to focus on the details. He needed to understand what this tournament was and what it meant for them.
Siman fixed his gaze on him, his voice becoming steady, almost rehearsed. "I've told you before about the sub-worlds there are 13 sub-planets. This tournament will determine the strongest among them. But this tournament is specifically for fighters under SS rank."
Siman smiled slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching, and added, "I want you, Andre, and Darlene to represent our planet."
Lucas's lips curled into a small smile, realization starting to form in his mind.
So this is the plan. I train to fight in this tournament...
He nodded, and suddenly excitement began to rise in his chest. "Ah... I understand now. Alright, I'm in. But what kind of training will your father provide me with?"
Siman's expression changed for a brief moment. His eyes seemed distant, as if recalling something old. "Hmm... he'll train you like he trained me. He is in rank X, the highest sub-universal rank in our galaxy."
Lucas's eyes widened, and the words took a moment to sink in.
Rank X?
He had heard of rank S, even SS, but rank X was something entirely different.
"Rank X? What does that mean?" Lucas asked, his voice filled with surprise and confusion.
Siman crossed his arms, his expression becoming colder as he began to explain. "Every sub-planet ruler is in rank X. But the ruler of your planet the planet we're on right now is a rank beyond X, called Planet Ruler. And the strongest being in the entire galaxy who rules the whole galaxy is in Universal rank."
Lucas's heartbeat quickened. His mind raced as he tried to absorb the new structure Simeon was revealing.
Universal rank? Planet Ruler?
He could barely comprehend the magnitude of what Simeon was saying.
"What... there are ranks higher than SS?" Lucas whispered, still in shock.
Siman nodded steadily, his gaze unflinching. "Yes."
Lucas took a moment to process all of this. He had barely started to understand the powerful hierarchies in this universe. His heart raced as he realized he was on the brink of stepping into a world beyond his wildest imaginings. But despite the shock, there was a spark of determination in his chest. If rank X was the key to unlocking his potential, he wouldn't stop at anything to achieve it.
"Alright," Lucas said, taking a deep breath and steadying himself. "I'll participate in the tournament."
Siman gave a small smile, barely noticeable, but it was there. "Good."
Without another word, Siman pulled a small golden cube from his cloak. He raised it, examined it for a moment, then threw it to the ground. The cube glowed with an otherworldly light, and as soon as it touched the ground, a massive, twisting magical circle exploded from it, crackling with energy.
Siman turned to Lucas. "I'll perform the array. You'll go alone. You'll arrive at my family's palace, and you'll meet my father. He knows you'll be coming and that you'll train under his supervision."
Lucas nodded, a sense of resolve filling him. "Done."
Then Siman turned his attention to Andre and Darlene. "While you train, I'll take these two to the dungeon. They'll hunt monsters and grow stronger during this month."
Lucas glanced at them, his thoughts briefly scattered as he looked at his companions. They had been through so much together, but now their paths were diverging.
"Done," Lucas said, his voice steady. He looked at Andre and Darlene, then back at Siman. "Listen to his orders while I'm gone."
The two responded in unison, their voices firm despite the doubts lingering in the air. "Yes, sir!"
Siman nodded once, then turned his attention back to Lucas. "Alright, goodbye."
Without another word, Lucas stepped into the swirling dark energy circle. The world around him began to spin faster, pulling him in every direction at once. His vision blurred, his body twisted, and he felt a magnetic force pulling him away from the world he had known. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything went silent.
When Lucas opened his eyes, he found himself standing in front of a massive pair of black palace gates. Gigantic black trees loomed in the distance, their twisted branches reaching upwards like gnarled fingers against a blood-red sky.
The air was heavy with power, and Lucas felt the weight of the place pressing on him. This was the beginning of his journey toward rank X. The beginning of his transformation into something greater than anything he had imagined.