Earth's Greatest Magus

When it came to the top 10 ranking, the standard of acolytes escalated dramatically.

These weren’t just prodigies; they were anomalies, freaks of nature whose talents defied the norm within the Magus Alliance. Each of these top-ranked acolytes possessed a raw, overwhelming power that set them apart from even the most gifted peers.

Shinta found herself facing one of the most daunting opponents imaginable—a Nephilim from the esteemed Aztebas family, the most influential of the three great houses within the Alpha Quadrant. His name was Raphael Nephilim, a first-year acolyte who had already earned the prestigious Rookie of the Year award. This alone spoke volumes about his abilities and the fearsome reputation he had built in such a short time.

As for Emery, he had his concerns about Shinta’s opponent. Raphael was the strongest acolyte from Hall 6, previously led by Ishtar. Emery could only hope that the replacement instructor, the young-looking Grand Magus who had been watching, had no ill intentions toward this fight.

Like Shinta, Raphael was still in his seventh pillar, but from the moment they stepped into the arena, Shinta could feel the difference. His aura was suffocating, an oppressive force that seemed to press down on her from all sides, stronger than any opponent she had ever faced. It was as if the very air around him crackled with energy, a palpable manifestation of his latent power.

“I’ll start,” the young man declared, his voice calm but edged with a quiet confidence.

As Raphael Nephilim spoke, his golden hair caught the light, shimmering with an almost divine radiance. Without another word, he unleashed one of the Nephilim’s most revered techniques: the [Angelic Descent].

In an instant, four majestic wings sprouted from his back, but they were unlike the usual ethereal wings associated with the technique. These wings were silvery and metallic, glistening ominously, and covered with a delicate layer of frost that sent chills through the air. They weren’t just for show—each wing exuded an icy aura, making the air around Raphael grow cold, the temperature in the arena plummeting as if winter itself had arrived.

Raphael then drew his weapon—a bluish crystal sword that gleamed with an otherworldly light. With a flick of his wrist, he cast a spell, and suddenly, a dozen shining mirage swords materialized around him, each one hovering with lethal intent, their tips aimed directly at Shinta.

Shinta knew she had no time to waste. She swiftly invoked her [Shaman Form], her body enveloped in an emerald glow as she summoned her Verdant Vines. The vines erupted from the ground, twisting and coiling around her in a protective circle, their thick, thorny tendrils forming a living barrier. The vines twisted and coiled, creating a barrier between her and Raphael’s impending assault.

As the vines solidified, she unsheathed her own sword, the blade glinting menacingly as she prepared for the inevitable clash.

The two sides collided in a breathtaking display of power and skill. Raphael’s mirage swords streaked through the air, each one a deadly missile, while Shinta’s Verdant Vines lashed out, intercepting and deflecting the attacks with remarkable precision. The arena was filled with the sound of shattering ice as Raphael’s wings beat with incredible force, sending shards of frozen air hurtling toward Shinta. In response, her vines surged forward, their razor-sharp edges cutting through the icy projectiles and keeping the relentless assault at bay.

The fight was nothing short of spectacular, a whirlwind of swordplay and magic that left the audience breathless. Every strike, every parry, and every spell cast was executed with the skill and finesse of warriors far beyond their years. The arena buzzed with excitement, the tension growing with each passing second as the two acolytes fought for dominance.

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On the opposite side of the arena, Dillion was called to face another top 10 opponent—Zhiruo, the Hua Sect genius ranked 9. Their history added weight to the encounter.

“We meet again,” Zhiruo said, her voice calm, though her graceful stance spoke of her readiness. The system seemed to have perfectly matched them, pitting Zhiruo’s delicate, fluid Ten Thousand Blossom Technique against Dillion’s heavy, straightforward sword style.

The battle began with a series of clashes, Dillion’s massive sword meeting Zhiruo’s precise, petal-like strikes. Her movements were graceful, almost dance-like, as she conjured an illusion of swirling blossoms around them. Each petal was a weapon, sharp and elusive, making it difficult for Dillion to land a solid blow.

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Between the two arenas, Dillion was the first to falter. A swift, precise strike from Zhiruo’s blade cut deep into his waist, a clear reminder of her superior technique. Across the way, Shinta was launched to the ground by the force of Raphael’s powerful spirit blade, the blow leaving her momentarily stunned.

But neither Shinta nor Dillion was ready to give up. Despite the injuries, both acolytes were driven by their desire to break into the top 10. Gritting their teeth against the pain, they rose again, summoning every ounce of strength and determination to continue the fight.

As Dillion and Zhiruo’s duel reached its climax, the intensity of their swordplay was breathtaking. Zhiruo, the Hua Sect genius, finally unleashed her formidable third form, [Scattering Plum Blossom Strikes]. Her blade danced through the air, creating a flurry of piercing strikes that tore through Dillion’s defenses, leaving multiple wounds on his body.

But Dillion was not out of the fight. In the midst of Zhiruo’s assault, he activated his gravity spell, channeling all his remaining strength into a desperate counterattack. His heavy ruler swung back with a crushing force, landing a devastating blow on Zhiruo’s back. The impact sent them both crashing to the ground, bloodied and exhausted.

For a moment, it seemed like the battle might end in a draw. But Zhiruo pushed herself back to her feet, staggering but still standing. The crowd held its breath as she was declared the victor.

At the same time, Shinta found herself in a dire situation. Her sword shattered and left her defenseless as Raphael’s terrifying flying swords and icy assaults bore down on her. The spectators watched in suspense, certain that Shinta was moments away from defeat.

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, she unleashed the true extent of her power. With a fierce howl, Shinta revealed her true power—the newly upgraded rank 6 Kimoyin Nightmare Wolf. HOWLLL!!!

With a powerful howl, Shinta fully unleashed her Shaman form, her body now glowing with intricate runes that pulsed with power.

The air around her crackled with energy as she drew on the strength of her Poison Calamity Body. Each movement she made was precise and lethal, her claws now infused with dark energy that could siphon Raphael’s spirit energy with every scratch. The potent poison she delivered with each strike began to take its toll, slowly but surely wearing down the Nephilim.

Raphael, once so confident, found himself struggling as the minutes ticked by. His silvery wings, once majestic, began to falter, and the ice that had formed around him melted away as the poison coursed through his veins. His face grew darker, twisted with pain as he fought to stay on his feet. Finally, with a heavy gasp, Raphael dropped to his knees, his body unable to continue the fight.

The arena erupted in cheers as the announcer’s voice rang out, “Shinta wins!”

Shinta, breathing heavily but victorious, stood tall. She had claimed the much-coveted rank 10, a feat that no one had expected. Meanwhile, Dillion, despite his valiant efforts, finished at rank 19. Though he had not achieved his goal of breaking into the top 10, his performance was nothing short of extraordinary.

The end-of-year personal examination concluded with the sight of Vega, the rising star from the battle frenzy super race, defeating the third-year champion in a spectacular duel. Vega claimed the title of rank 1, solidifying his position as the strongest acolyte in the academy.