Earth's Greatest Magus

The bluish lightning crackled ominously above, swirling in turbulent currents like a celestial storm barely restrained. This was no ordinary tribulation—this was a Grand Tribulation, the mark of a true Tier 9 creation. Unlike its lesser counterpart, the standard lightning tribulation for Tier 8 pills, this was several magnitudes stronger, a trial by heaven itself. The sheer intensity of the energy sent shudders through the air, making even seasoned alchemists shiver in awe and apprehension.

For Horus, this moment was the pinnacle of his career, a chance to etch his name into the annals of alchemy history and bring honor to the Kreed Clan. He had worked tirelessly for this and had pushed his skills to the very edge of mastery. He stood on the precipice of greatness, yet the expressions of Grandmaster Calidorne and the panel of judges remained unmoved, their gazes sharp and knowing. Unlike the awestruck spectators, they recognized the truth—this was not a full-force Grand Tribulation.

The bluish hue of the lightning lingered only in half-measures, an incomplete manifestation. The first crackling sparks promised divine retribution, but as the bolts descended, the brilliant blue dissipated, replaced by a powerful yet standard white lightning strike.

KABOOM!

The impact was staggering. The entire arena trembled, the reinforced pillars struggling momentarily before they absorbed and diffused the blast. The force of this tribulation was undeniably greater than the previous ones, sending waves of energy rippling through the atmosphere. The scent of charred ozone filled the air, mingling with the herbal fragrance emanating from Horus’s cauldron.

As the smoke cleared, anticipation held the arena in a breathless grip. The pill hovered, glowing with a soft, radiant light. A judge approached, scrutinizing it with a practiced eye before declaring,

“It’s a Tier 8 pill, masterpiece quality, with 116% potency!”

A murmur spread through the crowd. It was an extraordinary feat, yet Horus’s expression darkened. Disappointment flickered across his face as he beheld his creation—only six colors shimmered within the pill, falling short of the seven rainbow flowers he used. He had aimed for perfection, but the results spoke otherwise.

He quickly masked his frustration, forcing himself to accept that this would secure him a place among the top five. But before he could settle into his self-assurance, a new disturbance rippled through the arena.

Across from him, Kaeylin, the mysterious Fey alchemist, was reaching the final stages of her concoction. The flora surrounding her pulsed with raw nature energy, an ethereal aura enveloping her cauldron as if the very essence of life itself was weaving into the mixture. A silky cocoon of mist enclosed the vessel, shimmering with magic. The moment the cauldron’s lid lifted, the heavens responded.

A vivid blue lightning bolt split the sky, its brilliance undeniable. A tremor followed, the power of true Grand Tribulation descending with its full, unrestrained might.

“This is the real thing! A Tier 9 pill!!”

The words sent a jolt through the crowd. Gasps and cries of amazement filled the air. Unlike Horus’s incomplete tribulation, this was the genuine article. The sheer force required all eight defensive pillars to fully pacify its strength. The residual energy crackled across the arena floor, sending sparks cascading like fallen stars.

As the energy dissipated, the pill emerged—a flawless white orb graced with intricate seven-colored runes, a testament to its unparalleled refinement.

“A Tier 9 pill! 98% excellent quality… An almost masterpiece!”

Horus clenched his fists. The murmurs of the crowd stung worse than the tribulation’s aftermath. His earlier bravado was now being mocked in hushed whispers, his creation deemed an imitation while Kaeylin had succeeded where he had failed. He forced himself to maintain composure.

She’s from a Fey clan, he rationalized. They have special techniques. Losing to her won’t tarnish my reputation.

More alchemists completed their work after her, but none could match the wonder she had displayed. At best, a handful produced Tier 8 pills of masterpiece quality, respectable but nowhere near her divine creation.

Then, just as Horus was regaining confidence in securing his place among the top five, a new disturbance shook the heavens.

The sky darkened once more, a deep blue hue rolling in like an ominous tide. Excitement and confusion swept through the spectators.

“Who is it?! Is it Master Ada or Galeli?!”

All eyes turned to the unlikely source—Graknar Blueflame, the giant alchemist, stood at the center of the storm. His ritual was unlike anything the others had performed. With grim precision, he completed the final step of his art—a shocking, gruesome act. One of his assistants fell to the ground, his lifeblood drained, his heart torn from his chest to be used as the catalyst.

A horrified silence fell over the arena. But alchemy was an art that often treaded the line between creation and destruction, and the results spoke for themselves.

KABOOM!

The sky roared in response, unleashing a surge of blue lightning. It crackled ominously, surging down in a blinding arc—only to falter at the last moment. As it reached the ground, the brilliant blue dissipated, replaced by an immense white bolt that crashed into the arena with explosive force.

“It was another fake Grand Tribulation!”

Despite the downgrade, the sheer force of the strike sent a stronger pressure than any before. Horus felt it immediately—Graknar’s concoction had surpassed his own. He watched with growing dread as the judge examined the pill, anticipation thick in the air.

“It’s a Tier 8 pill, masterpiece quality, with 118% potency!”

The declaration hit Horus like a hammer. His body tensed, his mind whirling. 118%… Two percent higher than his own.

Defeated.

Not only by Kaeylin, but now by Graknar as well. A giant. A so-called savage race, one that he had never considered as his equal, had outperformed him in a craft he prided himself in.

A hot surge of frustration burned in his chest.

“Bastard… how could this be?!” he muttered under his breath, his nails digging into his palms.

While containing his anger, Horus’s eyes were drawn to one particular person—the other outsider alchemist named Emery.