Violet Moses
I stared at my sister in shock. Why was she here?
"Why are you here, Ivy?" I asked, still catching my breath from the impact.
"I have a job to do, Violet. But the bigger question is, why are you on the floor?" my sister, Ivy, questioned, her tone a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
"A Sovereign like you doing your work? Don't powerful people like you send your minions to do your dirty work?" I shot back, pushing myself to my feet and brushing the dust off my clothes.
Before Ivy could respond, the guard's voice interrupted. "Wait… I saw you on TV before! Ivy Moses, Poison Ivy! The Sovereign of Poison!" He looked stunned, his face a mix of fear and awe, likely because he realized he'd just attacked the sister of a Sovereign.
"You let that guard beat you? What a disappointment," Ivy said, her voice icy as she glanced at the guard.
"What! No! I didn't get beaten by him! It's just that I'm out of mana after a fight with this guy and ended up losing my ticket!" I explained, trying to defend myself.
"Hmm, I see. If you got beaten by the guard of the fighting dojo, it would've been understandable, but losing to another Ascender is more disappointing," she remarked, her eyes narrowing.
"N-no! He tricked me! I thought he was just a wind mage, but he turned out to be able to manifest some portals—"
"Portals?! What's his name?" Ivy cut me off, her tone suddenly filled with an eagerness I'd never heard before.
"Uh, Magnus something, I think. Why?" I asked, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor. Ivy was usually the epitome of calm and collected, a true Sovereign in every sense.
"I see. Bring me to him, Violet," she said, the excitement still lingering in her voice though she tried to mask it.
I nodded, slightly bewildered. It was rare to see my sister this interested in someone. As we moved towards the dojo entrance, the guard stepped in front of us again, his face pale.
"You need a ticket to enter," he insisted, his voice wavering as he stood his ground.
Ivy merely raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. With a flick of her wrist, vines sprouted from the ground, striking the guard. The vines were different from mine; they were stronger, with sharper thorns covered in a glistening purple liquid. The guard crumpled to the ground instantly, unconscious but alive.
"Let's not waste any more time," Ivy said, stepping over the guard as if he were nothing more than a minor obstacle.
Following her lead, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of awe and intimidation. This was the power of a Sovereign, a reminder of the vast gulf between us. Whatever Ivy wanted with Magnus, it was clear she wasn't going to be deterred.
A loudspeaker crackled to life, filling the dojo with the authoritative voice of Tri Tran, the martial arts master. "Attention, all competitors. The tournament will begin in one hour. Prepare yourselves and make your way to the designated waiting area."
Ivy paused, listening to the announcement. "Tri Tran, the martial arts master," she mused aloud. "Even with my title as a Sovereign, I'm not sure I could guarantee a win against him. His skills are legendary, and he's not even an Ascender."
I looked at her, surprised by the admission. It was rare for Ivy to acknowledge anyone as a potential challenge. "You think that highly of him?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
She nodded, her eyes scanning the dojo with keen interest. "Tri Tran is a master of his craft. His strength and precision are unmatched. It's not about raw power with him; it's about skill, discipline, and experience. Even for someone like me, he's a formidable opponent."
As we moved deeper into the dojo, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Ascenders and martial artists alike were stretching, practicing, and mentally preparing for the upcoming matches. The sheer variety of competitors was staggering, each bringing their unique style and abilities to the tournament.
As I looked around, I found my target—a tall individual with blue eyes and blonde hair, bandages wrapped around his arms and legs. Seeing him, I grew furious.
"Sis! I found him!" I exclaimed as I turned around.
Under Ivy were a bunch of small brown vines, camouflaged with the floor, traveling across the dojo, and connecting with other Ascenders. None of them seemed to realize that the vines had injected some brown liquid inside them.
"W-what are you doing?" I asked, scared. I realized that the vines didn't connect with me and Magnus.
"Doing what I came here for. To make sure that he wins this tournament. Every single one of his opponents will feel dizzy for these five days and will eventually fall asleep forever," Ivy said as she started walking to the exit of the dojo.
***
Ivy Moses
As I walked out of the Death Tunnel, I summoned my powers and flew back to the Sovereign Tower. Below me, the audience began to recognize who I was.
"Look, Mom! That flying woman has a green aura around her!" a child exclaimed.
'Kids these days are so cute,' I thought, but then I remembered my priority and pulled out my phone to call my master.
"What do you want, Ivy?" my master said harshly as soon as the phone was picked up.
"I just wanted to report that I have successfully planted poison in Magnus's competitors. How is your side going?" I asked.
"My side is good, too. The target's been killed, and evidence has been planted. Now we just need to wait until he returns."
"Very nice. Goodbye, master," I said, ending the call.