An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2397

Chapter 2397

“Stop! Stop! Mr. Rhys, I surrender!”

With the tip of his sword at her throat, Abigail raised her hands, decisively admitting defeat. She knew she had no chance of winning; she just wanted to use the fight to gauge Dustin’s strength and test her own skills. Now, it was clear—there was still a wide gap between them.

“You’re already impressive, Abigail. In a few more years, even I might not be able to keep up with you,” Dustin said, smiling as he lowered the Celestial Blade.

He wasn’t just being polite; he truly believed in her potential. The black Phoenix flame she wielded had a fierce corrosive power, even resisting his pure mystical energy. Simply put, Abigail’s black flame was a warrior’s worst nightmare.

But with only two years of training under his belt, Dustin hadn’t yet fully harnessed the abilities of the Phoenix bloodline. With more experience and rigorous practice, his future was boundless.

“Mr. Rhys, there’s no need to comfort me. I’m nowhere near your level,” Abigail said, shaking her head. Her progress was thanks to the Phoenix bloodline, which, while formidable, still fell short of matching Dustin’s natural, unmatched talent.

After all, as she improved, Dustin wasn’t standing still either.

“Mr. Rhys, you have to bring your A-game for the finals!” Abigail cheered, waving her fist with a supportive smile before stepping off the stage. She’d done her best and had no regrets about losing.

“The second match of the semi-finals—congratulations to Dustin on the win!” Orion Foster, the referee, announced.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

Before the match, most of the spectators weren’t betting on Dustin. Abigail, after all, wasn’t just any opponent; she was the Saint of the Mystic Arts Order and the second most powerful warrior on the Legendary List—ranked even higher than Fenley. Meanwhile, Dustin, though impressive throughout the competition, didn’t come from a prestigious background. Despite his strength, most placed their bets on Abigail.

But now, everyone was in awe. Dustin, the unexpected contender, had shattered expectations and secured a spot in the finals. Defeating Abigail, ranked second on the Legendary List, solidified his reputation as an unpredictable powerhouse.

“I can’t believe Mr. Rhys took down the Saint of the Mystic Arts Order. He might just win the championship!” Halle exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. She never thought that the man she’d met in passing would make it to the finals.

“Looks like we really underestimated him. This is what true hidden talent looks like,” Rivka added, amazed. Any thoughts of catching up to Dustin had long disappeared; they were leagues apart now.

“What a shame. If only Mr. Rhys were interested in joining the Sword Union—we’d have a star warrior on our side,” Sullivan said, shaking his head in regret.

“I knew it! You’re Dustin Rhys!” Briggs muttered to himself with a smirk. From their first encounter, he’d had a feeling Dustin was something special. Now, his hunch was confirmed. Only someone of Dustin’s caliber could defeat Abigail and move on to the finals.

Amidst the thundering applause, Dustin stepped down from the ring. Fenley had already forfeited, so third place automatically went to Abigail. Now, all that remained was the final showdown: Dustin versus Glenn.

The anticipation was electric, with many now guessing Dustin’s true identity. This championship match was the one everyone had been waiting for.

During the break, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Abigail even quietly reopened bets, hoping to capitalize on the frenzy as gamblers rushed in for a chance to profit.

Just three minutes before the final match, Alloy Marshall returned to his seat. The Celestial Alliance may have lost, but the championship battle was not to be missed. Deep down, he hoped Dustin would win. Although the odds were slim, there was still a chance. And win or lose, he was determined to recruit Dustin after the competition. He couldn’t let the Sword Union or the Mystic Arts Order get to him first—doing so would shut down any hope for the Celestial Alliance’s future.

“Back again, Master Marshall? I thought you’d ducked out to save face,” Cyrus said with a sly grin.

“Victory and defeat are all part of the game. No big deal. If you lose now, there’s always another chance to win later,” Alloy replied coolly.

“Later?” Glenn scoffed. “Your star pupil has already lost his edge. I doubt he’ll recover in this lifetime.”

“We’ll see. Some people rise stronger after setbacks. I’m confident Fenley isn’t done yet; one day, he’ll be as strong as Glenn,” Alloy said firmly.

Cyrus let out a mocking laugh. “Keep dreaming.”

“Alright, enough. The match is starting,” Penelope interjected, ending their banter.

At that, the two men fell silent, eyes fixed on the ring.

After a brief rest, the championship match officially began.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the grand finale of the competition.”

“Whoever wins will be crowned champion.”

“Now, let’s welcome the contenders!”