Earth's Greatest Magus

After five days of continuous flight, crossing tens of thousands of miles, Emery and the Azure Cloud group finally reached their destination. The sight before him was both impressive and perplexing—a sprawling city nestled on the outskirts of a vast mountain range, acting as a border stronghold. Despite being labeled a “border city,” it housed over five million people, bustling with life and activity.

As they approached the city gates, Emery couldn’t help but find the sight oddly amusing. The city’s architecture resembled the medieval style of Britannia, with towering stone walls, crenelated battlements, and fortified towers. Yet, upon closer inspection, he noticed faint glimmers of magic etched into the structures. Intricate magical runes adorned strategic points—above archways, along walls, and even subtly carved into the cobblestone streets—suggesting a careful integration of magic into everyday city functions.

What stood out even more were the guards stationed at the city gate. Dressed in simple uniforms, their appearance was unassuming, almost rustic. But Emery’s sharp senses immediately picked up their true strength—all of them were in the Magus realm. And it wasn’t just the guards; as he cast his divine sense across the bustling crowds, he realized something startling—one in every ten people he observed was a magus.

It was both surreal and fascinating to see magus-level individuals performing such mundane tasks. Men and women with potent magical auras were hauling cargo on their backs, laboring at construction sites, and even haggling with merchants over crates of supplies. The sheer concentration of magical power in such a seemingly ordinary city spoke volumes about the incredible standards of this realm.

“Mister Emery, have you never been to this border city before?” Ella asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she turned to him with a playful smile.

Emery hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. Over the past few days, he had learned that this city frequently served as a hub for trade and interaction with the beastman clans from beyond the mountains. Revealing his ignorance might raise unnecessary suspicions, so he chose the safer path of silence.

Ella’s smile brightened, and she gestured towards the bustling streets. “Welcome to the city then! The Azure Cloud estate isn’t far from here. Follow me.”

As they stepped through the colossal gates and into the city proper, Emery’s senses were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer vibrancy of life surrounding him. The streets were wide and paved with enchanted cobblestones that glimmered faintly under the sunlight, their intricate runic patterns subtly channeling magical energy throughout the city.

Humans and elves filled the bustling avenues, their diverse attire reflecting different social classes and professions—from elegant robes adorned with mana crystals to practical work uniforms smeared with dust and soot.

Among them strode towering figures—men nearly twice the size of an average human, with bluish-hued skin and broad, muscular frames. These were the giant race, moving with surprising gentleness despite their imposing stature, carefully navigating around the smaller city-dwellers as they inspected vendor stalls overflowing with exotic fruits, shimmering fabrics, and glowing trinkets.

The air was rich with activity and sound—the melodic hum of distant spells being cast, the chatter of bargaining merchants, and the rhythmic clatter of armored boots patrolling the streets.

In the distance, Emery’s sharp eyes caught sight of towering spires capped with crystalline structures that pulsed softly with light. He recognized them immediately as mana collectors—advanced devices designed to absorb ambient magical energy from the surroundings to power the city’s enchantments. They stood like beacons of magic, their glow casting faint halos against the sky.

Ella led the group confidently through the crowded streets, her presence radiating a natural authority. She paused occasionally to greet shopkeepers and exchange pleasantries with passersby, her bright smile and light steps revealing her familiarity with the city.

“This way, Mister Emery,” she said cheerfully, gesturing down a bustling avenue lined with market stalls and workshops.

Despite the city’s grandeur and the seamless coexistence of magic and commerce, Emery remained cautious. This realm was unfamiliar, its power structure unlike anything he had encountered before. And yet, its people—whether human, elf, or giant—moved with a shared discipline and quiet strength.

As they passed through a particularly lively intersection, Ella’s voice carried a note of pride. “My Azure Cloud family owns five prominent shops in this city. We’re one of the three largest merchant houses here.”

Emery’s gaze lingered on one such shop as they walked past—a finely crafted building with elegant golden inscriptions carved above its entrance. Its grand glass display showcased rows of vials filled with glowing potions, enchanted trinkets humming faintly with mana, and finely crafted magical equipment arranged meticulously on velvet cushions.

Curiosity piqued, Emery allowed his senses to drift through the shop’s wares. Through casual observation, he quickly realized something—while the raw materials present were undoubtedly rare and of high quality, the artifacts and potions themselves felt… unrefined. Compared to the wares he had seen in Golden City or other major hubs within the Magus Alliance, these creations lacked sophistication and polish.

This discovery planted a thought in Emery’s mind. Could it be that this realm is technologically less advanced than the Magus Universe?

His mind lingered, and soon enough, they arrived at their destination—the Azure Cloud Estate. The estate was an impressive sight, a sprawling compound surrounded by tall stone walls etched with protective runes that faintly shimmered under the daylight.

However, Ella’s cheerful expression quickly turned into one of deep concern as raised voices and the sound of heated arguments reached their ears from within the estate grounds.

“What’s going on?” Without hesitation, Ella rushed forward. Emery and the rest of the group followed closely behind.

As they entered the main courtyard, Emery’s immediately took in the situation. Two imposing figures stood in the center of the yard, both radiating the unmistakable aura of Grand Magus-level power. The air around them crackled with suppressed magical energy, creating an invisible pressure that weighed on everyone nearby.

One of the figures was an older man with sharp features, his silver hair tied neatly behind his head. He wore refined azure robes embroidered with golden patterns that marked him as someone of noble status. This was undoubtedly the Azure Cloud patriarch—Ella’s father. His expression was stern, his shoulders squared with dignity, but there was a faint crease of exhaustion and frustration on his brow.

Facing him was a brash-looking middle-aged man, broader in build with a rugged face and an arrogant smirk. His fiery presence flared aggressively as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Behind him, a group of armed magus-level subordinates loomed menacingly, their stances tense and ready for confrontation.

“You are going to pay all your debts today!” the brash Grand Magus voice carrying across the courtyard like a thunderclap. “Or… you will hand over all your shops to us!”