Sovereign of the Ashes

“Shadow creatures? I recall reading in the library that they are subspecies of shadowy creatures, yet they differ fundamentally from shadowy creatures,” Gade commented.

“These creatures are native to a few rare planes in special star domains under the control of Magus Civilization, known for feeding on light sources. Have they all attained Rank One?” he wondered.

“So far, we haven’t truly tested each other’s strengths. Would you like to demonstrate your capability here?” Gade proposed as he moved to the center, his gaze fixed on Sein.

Gade’s insights into the shadow creature piqued Sein’s curiosity about this unique and elusive species.

As for Gade’s challenge, Sein remained indifferent.

He was not one for ostentatious displays of power; such showiness was not in his nature.

However, he was also equally reluctant to share his valuable collection of specimens with anyone else.

Realizing the necessity of action, Sein contemplated, “A Rank One shadow creature, huh?”

“I wonder how effective my Solar Eye magic will be against it,” he murmured to himself and approached one of the cages.

As the magic locks of the cage clicked open, the medium-sized shadow creature emerged. It stood about four or five meters tall, yet was incredibly thin.

Upon its release, the shadow creature exhibited clear signs of fear and timidity. Sein pondered whether this was an inherent trait of the species, or if it sensed imminent danger.

Sein had begun chanting his incantation the moment he approached the cage.

The shadow creature, sensing the futility of escape, emitted a shrill, eerie whistle and transformed into a black shadow, lunging directly at Sein.

Just as it was about to strike, Sein completed the incantation of his Solar Eye spell.

Six golden eyes materialized in front of him, and his Solar Eye Mask, ready for activation, unleashed its power.

Countless golden beams of light were unleashed, engulfing everything before Sein and casting a dazzling brilliance in the surrounding darkness.

Although Gade was already familiar with Sein’s Solar Eye spell and mask, the display still left him astounded.

His face bore an expression of sheer astonishment as he mumbled, ”This is...”

His reaction was mirrored by several other initiates. They were all equally stunned.

Despite having witnessed Sein’s Solar Eye spell before, its sheer power exceeded their understanding. The spell’s magnitude was simply beyond what was considered normal for their level of magical prowess as an initiate!

Upon releasing the seventy-two beams of his Solar Eye spells, the shadow creature that had emerged from the cage completely disintegrated into fragments.

These palm-sized, writhing shadow pieces became Sein’s trophies in the final trial.

Dispatching a Rank One shadow creature so swiftly and decisively was a feat only Sein, a mage with powerful advanced pyro-lumen magic spell, could achieve.

The other initiates in the special space remained in awe for a long time.

Meanwhile, the two remaining Rank One shadow creatures, sensing the peril, became agitated and began to twist and thrash.

Yet, only few paid them much attention as they were securely confined in their cages.

For rare beings like these in the Magus Civilization, ending up as specimens in a mage’s laboratory was an inevitable fate.

***

When the final trial concluded, Sein emerged from the trial space with an impressive 220,000 points.

Awaiting Sein outside were six formidable figures with overwhelming presence comparable to that of the formidable Sandworm King.

Out of the top ten initiates, it appeared that Sein, with the highest score, was the only one bestowed this honor.

Among them, two individuals stood out—a woman in green magic robe, standing closest to Sein, and a mature woman wearing a red dress, enveloped in a swirling aura of the pyro element.

Each of these formidable beings could easily crush Sein with just a lift of their finger.

Rather than sensing any threat, Sein detected a clear sense of appreciation in their gazes.

“Well done,” commended the Tower Master of Land Academy, who was clad in yellow mage robe.

“This is your reward, little one. May you achieve even greater heights,” said the woman in the red dress.

The slender strand of golden light, twirling around her fingertip, darted toward Sein.

It vanished into Sein’s body so swiftly that he could not even trace its path.

Once inside, it seemed to merge seamlessly with him. Sein could not discern its presence, feeling its effects only at a subtle, cellular, and spiritual level.

From within Sein, a soft glow began to emanate, enveloping his figure.

A flame and a strand of golden light materialized in his left and right hands, respectively.

Holding these elemental energies, Sein felt an enhanced mastery over the pyro and lumen elements.

He speculated that his Solar Eye spell would now be more potent.

The extent of this enhancement, however, would require further experimentation and relevant data for analysis.

The woman’s scarlet lips curved into a small smile. She cast a meaningful glance at Sein before announcing, “Well, it’s time for me to leave. May our paths cross again in the future.”

She slowly faded away, seemingly employing a form of spatial magic, though Sein could not determine this with absolute certainty.

“It’s been an honor, Summer Guardian!” the tower masters said in unison, bowing slightly in respect.

Sein quickly bowed his head, offering the most respectful gesture of respect among spellcasters.

“So that was the Summer Guardian, the one who effortlessly struck and grievously wounded the Sandworm King?” Sein mused, his curiosity piqued.

He discreetly raised his head, looking in the direction where the Summer Guardian had vanished.

Though her figure had long disappeared, Sein could still see her smile in his mind and feel her fiery, passionate aura.

With the Summer Guardian’s departure, the atmosphere among the tower masters present noticeably lightened, becoming more relaxed and informal.

The Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, after all, was primarily a trial for the initiates. The emergence of three phenomenal initiates had briefly impressed the Masters, but such occurrences were not novel enough to dwell upon extensively.

These seasoned divine tower masters had witnessed many such wars and the rise of numerous phenomenal initiates every five decades.

Tower masters such as the one from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, having experienced only a few academy wars and celebrating such an achievement for the first time, naturally reveled in a prolonged state of delight.

Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, the divine tower masters began to take their leave.

After all, their presence here was mainly the appearance of the Summer Guardian, rather than the academy war itself.

However, the female tower master in green magic robe, who had been standing closest to Sein, remained behind.

After the departure of the Summer Guardian, her attention was mostly on Sein.

Sein had already figured out her identity. While he was contemplating how to address this esteemed and powerful tower master, she unexpectedly initiated the conversation, catching him off guard.

“I’m considering taking you as my first apprentice. What do you think?” the green-robed female mage inquired.

“Huh-... Wha?” Sein was momentarily stunned, frozen in place by the unexpected proposition.