Earth's Greatest Magus

It was three losses and only one win.

All three of Hall 120’s best—Ha Ron, Blaine, and even Kat—could only secure one victory among them, leaving four more silver insignia acolytes left to fight. This was unsurprising, given that the silver insignia signified the top 500 best in the academy.

Damo advanced confidently, drawing the gaze of the onlookers. Having earned recognition as a distinguished silver insignia acolyte the previous year, he held considerable sway among the spectators. While known primarily for his adeptness in the support path, there were doubts about his capability to emerge victorious in a solo duel against another silver insignia. Nevertheless, Damo had some unexpected tactics prepared.

The monk began casting multiple buff spells on himself, each enhancing his combat abilities.

[Stone Skin – Earth tier 3]

[Oak Flesh – Plant tier 4]

[Slip Stream – Water tier 3]

[Bless – light tier 4]

Having two buffs active simultaneously was standard for most rank 9 acolytes, and only a few rare experts could manage three. However, for Damo, being able to cast four buffs was a feat typically seen only in the Magus realm. Empowered by these enhancements, Damo unleashed his martial arts prowess to the fullest, executing his signature technique, the [18 Dragon Subduing Palm], with unparalleled precision.

“You’ve been hiding this skill during the personal ranking round!” shouted his opponent, visibly frustrated as Damo’s explosive strikes cornered him. With relentless pressure, Damo ultimately defeated his adversary.

After his victory, Damo offered his usual polite respect and humbly explained, “This is something I just recently learned.”

“Bullshit!” his opponent spat, still in disbelief.

The next silver insignia acolyte approached, prepared for a fierce battle. What followed was an intense exchange, nearly a hundred clashes, with Damo’s precise and powerful strikes keeping him in control. Once again, the monk emerged victorious, his calm demeanor intact despite the grueling fight.

However, Damo decisively forfeited his next fight and placed his trust in Dillion.

“Huh!! they are so arrogant!! There are two of us. I’ll tire him out first!” declared the fourth Hall 60 acolyte, determined to wear down Dillion.

Dillion strode into the arena with unwavering confidence, his colossal sword catching the glint of the arena lights. Wasting no motion, he launched into a relentless assault, each strike executed with immense power and precision. In less than twenty exchanges, he had firmly seized control of the bout, swiftly dispatching his opponent and leaving only one challenger for the final showdown.

This last opponent carried a formidable reputation as one of the top silver insignia acolytes. However, even his lofty status couldn’t secure an advantage against Dillion, whose mastery had earned him a coveted gold insignia and an impressive rank of 48. With a series of calculated maneuvers, Dillion decisively clinched the victory for Hall 120.

The crowd erupted in cheers, thrilled by the high-level acolyte battle that had just unfolded. However, for those familiar with Hall 120’s instructor, the real anticipation was reserved for the upcoming instructor battle. The whispers and murmurs among the spectators hinted at the expectations and excitement for what was to come next.

To their surprise, instead of the newly risen-to-fame savage Magus, an unknown female magus in the half-moon realm entered the arena. This unexpected twist caught the crowd off guard and left Hall 60’s instructor, Magus Endo, raising an eyebrow.

Despite his surprise, he showed no disrespect and didn’t underestimate his opponent. As soon as the battle commenced, he unleashed a tier 7 spell, [Lightning Form]; enhancing his speed, strength and also giving him some defensive capabilities.

Klea, observing this with a smile “He’s one of the smart instructors… no wonder he could nurture so many silver insignia acolytes,” she thought to herself.

In response, Klea decisively unleashed an identical tier 7 spell, [Lightning Form]. Although this spell was a commonly use magus spell, her ability to cast it at the half-moon stage was still a surprise to many.

The crowd anticipated a fierce fight between two similar lighting magus, but none expected Klea to win, especially since she was one realm below her opponent. As the two prepared to clash, Klea made a quick gesture with her arm and unleashed another spell.

[Reverse Flow Cloak – water tier 6]

Despite being a tier 6 spell, it was one of the rare rank A ones. Spectacularly, it covered her body with layers of spirit energy that moved around like a flowing river. The spectators barely had time to comment on her dual buff spells before Klea cast two more. Her skin was suddenly covered with icy crystals.

[Crystal Body – Ice tier 5]

Then, majestic wings sprouted from her back.

[Roc Soaring Wings – Wind tier 5]

The spectators quickly realized where the previous monk acolyte had learned his buff skills from.

Gasps filled the arena as the multiple buffs transformed Klea into a formidable force. Her body shimmered with the combined power of water, ice, and wind elements, making her a captivating and intimidating sight. The layers of protective and enhancing spells gave her an otherworldly aura, her form a harmonious blend of raw power and graceful beauty.

Magus Endo’s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, launching his first attack. Lightning crackled around him as he moved with incredible speed, his form a blur of electrical energy.

Klea, however, was ready, she drew her tier 6 staff, the [Aeroblitz Rod], which enhanced her wind and lightning spells. Without wasting a moment, she cast her specialty long-range combination spells, [Wind Shard] and [Lightning Torrents].

The barrage of spells she unleashed was a breathtaking display of raw power and precise control. Whirling shards of wind and torrents of crackling lightning filled the arena, creating a mesmerizing and deadly storm.

Spectators gasped and cheered, awestruck by the spectacle. Even Magus Endo seemed taken aback for a moment before he swiftly reacted. His high comprehension of lightning magic allowed him to dodge most of Klea’s attacks with impressive agility.

“My turn!!!”

Endo countered with his own formidable long-range spell, [Lightning Serpent]. The high-grade tier 6 spell sent serpentine bolts of lightning hurtling toward Klea, moving with rapid speed and the ability to change trajectory mid-flight. Klea’s Roc Soaring Wings gave her exceptional maneuverability, allowing her to evade the majority of Endo’s attacks. She glided and darted through the air with grace, her movements fluid and swift. The few lightning serpents that managed to strike her were deflected by her [Reverse Flow Cloak], which acted as a shield, nullifying the energy of the attacks.

Torrents of wind and lightning crackled and swirled around the arena, painting the sky with vivid hues of blue and white. Spectators marveled at the spectacle, mesmerized by the display of magical prowess unfolding before them. However, despite Klea’s dazzling array of spells and enchantments, keen-eyed spectators could discern the toll it was taking on her. The multiple buffs she had cast strained her spirit pools, draining her energy with each passing moment. Even her formidable water cloak, once a fierce river of protective energy, now waned in its intensity.

Klea recognized the uphill battle she faced against her seasoned opponent. She knew that the veteran magus she now faced was leagues above the young full moon magus she had encountered in the celestial expeditions.

As the pressure mounted, so too did the worry among her Hall 120 acolytes, who watched anxiously from the sidelines.

It was only a matter of time before the veteran magus instructor saw his opportunity. With a decisive gesture, he unleashed a close-range attack, summoning ten serpent-like lightning bolts that encircled Klea menacingly.

Magus Endo braced himself for victory, poised to deliver the final blow, when he was suddenly taken aback by Klea’s unexpected smile.

“I’ve got you now!” she declared with a steely determination.

A shimmering rune glowed on Klea’s forehead as she unleashed her counterattack. With a swift motion, she invoked [Recharge – Lightning Tier 5], tapping into stored-up spirit energy that surged forth as she released the formation seal. Simultaneously, she invoked [Spirit Explosion – Water Tier 5], channeling the spell’s power to amplify her [Reverse Flow Cloak] to its utmost potential.

In a blinding flash of light, the arena erupted with energy as Klea’s spell rebounded with unprecedented force. The ten lightning strokes that had once threatened her now surged back at Magus Endo with unstoppable momentum.

BAM!!! BAMM!! BAMM!!

The lightning bolts crashed into him with ferocious intensity, each impact reverberating through the arena. If not for his [Lightning Form], Endo would have been gravely wounded, if not outright defeated. Despite the onslaught, he refused to yield, rising to his feet with unwavering determination, unwilling to concede defeat.

As Magus Endo surveyed the arena, his eyes widened in realization as the entire space began to shimmer with an intricate formation array.

“You’re a formation magus!” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment.

Klea, no longer wielding her staff, had instead produced her [Lotus Jade Pen], swiftly inscribing multiple runes that acted as a seal, effectively restraining the veteran magus instructor.

In a moment of clarity, Endo understood. Throughout their intense battle, Klea had been quietly and skillfully laying the groundwork for her formation. With a resigned acceptance of defeat, the magus acknowledged Klea’s strategic prowess.

The outcome of their duel meant victory for their halls, securing their advancement to the middle hall.

As the 21 acolytes erupted into jubilant celebration, Klea breathed a sigh of relief, her thoughts drifting to Emery. “I’ve done my part… you better succeed in bringing her back.”