Earth's Greatest Magus

After the meeting. Emery made his way to the Twin Halls to formally introduce their newest instructor-Shinta Ouroboros.

The reaction was immediate.

Kat and Bellana, the two younger instructors, practically lit up with excitement, and Master Atika greeted the Ouroboros princess with open arms. It took less than a minute before word spread through the entire hall: a legend of the academy had returned. A hundred acolytes whispered her name, awe rippling through the crowd.

At first, Shinta had been displeased, still questioning why her father had brought her into this role. But once Emery explained the true purpose behind his decision, her attitude shifted completely. She threw herself into the assignment with full dedication.

Emery had not brought her here simply to teach. He wanted her to become an example the acolytes could look up to. Her achievements and reputation would motivate the current students to push harder, and more importantly, draw new talent into the halls. This was exactly what Emery needed: a generation of rising stars who could one day strengthen Earth’s growing faction.

Kat, with her connections among the lower-ranked factions, and Bellana, with her ties to the insectoid clans, were already valuable. But Shinta-an Ouroboros princess with a direct link to the upper-tier half-blood alliances-brought a whole new level of influence. Together, the three young instructors formed a perfect bridge between different races and factions, each capable of attracting acolytes that the faction would otherwise never reach.

But the real reason Shinta grew excited had nothing to do with teaching or managing the acolytes. It was the covert task Emery entrusted to her-spying on several instructors he suspected of being connected to the secret faction, and, if possible, subtly weakening their influence.

Because of the danger involved, Emery assigned Feyanor and Soltz to remain close to her. They could not officially take instructor positions, but they were allowed to stay within the academy as visiting grand magus. With luck, by the time of the next qualification exams, their registration status would be cleared, and they could openly assist in raising the Twin Halls back to top-hall status.

Soltz was, as expected, the hardest to convince. The old man only agreed after Emery promised him time inside the academy’s treasured life spring. Until the exams, he preferred to stay unbound and free-unless Emery offered a more interesting assignment.

Either way, Emery had accomplished what he needed to do: he had placed his daughter in a safer environment while also demonstrating his growing influence to the headmaster.

There was still another matter Emery wished to settle in the academy-meeting his senior, Fjolrin. However, the man remained sealed inside one of the cultivation caves for closed-door training. Emery had hoped to confirm the details about Fjolrin’s encounter with his future self, but that would have to wait.

Before parting, Emery recalled Shinta, “Send me a message when Senior Fjolrin comes out.”

“Okay, Father.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she spun around and immediately began shouting orders at the Twin Hall acolytes. “No slacking! This year, our goal is to rank number one!”

Her voice echoed through the hall long after Emery had stepped outside.

On his way back toward the portal, a whisper slipped into his mind-a familiar voice calling to him through spirit sense. Emery stopped, narrowed his eyes, and turned to Soltz.

“Return to Centauri first,” he instructed quietly.

Emery shifted his trajectory toward the outer edge of the island. He flew over the rolling shoreline, the salty wind brushing past him, until a small, solitary landmass emerged ahead-little more than a rugged outcrop crowned by a single stone house. Despite its simplicity, the place radiated an aura of calm isolation, almost like a hermit’s sanctuary preserved from time.

He descended quietly, landing before the plain entrance. Just as he raised his hand to knock, a calm, composed female voice drifted out from within.

“Enter.”

Emery stepped inside.

The interior was modest, dimly lit by a few crystal lamps, yet somehow warm. The air felt still-contemplative. Sitting within the room was a woman with long, flowing blonde hair that cast a soft glow across the stone walls. Light seemed to lean toward her, as if acknowledging her presence.

Grand Magus Aurora-Deputy Headmaster of the Academy.One of his former teachers. One of the few he still addressed with genuine reverence.

Emery bowed his head.”Master, I am here!”

Aurora looked up. Her golden eyes focused on him, piercing yet gentle, seeing deeper than the surface-as if she was reading not only who he was, but who

he was becoming.

Then she smiled.

“I’m glad.”

Emery wasn’t completely sure what she was glad about-his arrival, his progress, or perhaps something she had foreseen-but he followed her graceful gesture and took a seat on the lounge across from her.

“I see you’ve already spoken with the headmaster,” she said.

Emery nodded. By now, he was accustomed to this uncanny foresight. Grand Magus Aurora, the Oracle. She would know the results of a meeting before the meeting itself ever happened.

“Have you been well, Master?” Emery asked.

Aurora’s smile softened, as though she comprehended the true meaning behind his question.”Yes, I am well. And yes-Headmaster Goldstein has pushed me away from most academy affairs. And I see you’ve begun to understand the

reason why.”

Emery’s expression grew thoughtful. He had indeed begun to notice the subtle undercurrents within the academy.

“Is there anything I can do to help you, Master?” he asked sincerely.

Grand Magus Aurora chuckled, a light, almost teasing sound.”I am happy…

you’ve grown so much that you can now offer help to your poor master,” she said with a purposely dramatic sigh, her lips curling into a dry, sarcastic smile.

Emery laughed awkwardly.

“Haha… that’s not what I meant.”

A gentle silence followed-comfortable, familiar.

Then Aurora spoke again, her voice quieter, deeper.

“All things happen in their time… just as they did for you. You weren’t ready

then. But you are now.”

Emery straightened slightly.”What do you mean, Master?”