/n/earths-greatest-magus-1172/c-2022
chapter-2021

As Emery followed Magus Urix towards Hall 120, he couldn't help but be awestruck by the sheer grandeur of the surroundings. The center mountain soared into the sky, its majestic peak shrouded in mist and mystery, with a quarter of its height hidden from view. Despite Hall 120 being situated on the lower slopes of the mountain, it still stood elevated several miles above sea level, offering a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.

With the mountain range stretching over 200 miles in diameter, each hall enjoyed a spacious territory, with approximately 10 miles of distance separating them. This ensured a sense of privacy and exclusivity for the acolytes and instructors alike.

Approaching the magnificent hall, Emery marveled at its imposing stone structure, reminiscent of a fortress or castle, but grander in scale than even the Terra Palace. The hall boasted a sprawling training yard, complete with lush gardens and a tranquil body of water fed by a cascading waterfall. The air was imbued with a rich spirit energy, and the vista of the forested spring region added to the hall's natural splendor.

As they entered the hall, Emery's gaze swept over the dozens of empty bedrooms and chambers. Despite its magnificence, the hall felt eerily empty, devoid of life and activity.

Determination flickered in Emery's eyes as he turned to Magus Urix.

"Now let's figure out how to fill up this place,"

Joining a hall needs a mutual agreement, a symbiotic between the instructors and the acolytes, with each party seeking to benefit from the arrangement. The more gifted the acolytes, the higher their chances of being accepted into a higher-ranked hall. Conversely, talented acolytes sought out halls with superior facilities and resources. However, with each hall having a maximum capacity of 50 acolytes, even the most gifted individuals sometimes had to settle for lower-ranked halls once the top halls reached their limit.

"Well… we are in Hall 120… the lowest rank. How hard could it be?" Klea teased with a mischievous smile, but Emery brushed off her remark, eager to hear Magus Urix's assessment.

With his status as senior staff, Magus Urix had access to the most up-to-date data. In a flick of his wrist, Magus Urix activated a crystal device, projecting a holographic display that showcased the current statistics of the inner halls.

"There are currently 4,887 inner halls acolytes," he began, his voice projecting clarity and authority. "Of these, 1,581 are third-year, 1,943 are second-year, and 1,363 are first-year students who have successfully passed the mountain test."

The dynamics of the inner halls were shaped by the varying levels of experience and cultivation among the acolytes. Those who had been studying at the academy for one or two years held a distinct advantage, their skills honed through rigorous training and exposure to advanced teachings. It was these seasoned acolytes who primarily populated the higher-ranked halls, their refined abilities positioning them as frontrunners in the academy's competitive landscape.

The academy games served as a crucial arena for these experienced acolytes to showcase their prowess. With their cultivation at a more advanced stage, they held a greater chance of success, aiming to solidify their positions within the hierarchy of the inner halls. However, this also meant that they faced higher expectations from their instructors, who rigorously evaluated their performance and progress.

Yet, even among these seasoned acolytes, competition was fierce. Every year, a portion of them failed to meet the stringent standards set by their instructors, resulting in the loss of their placement and subsequent replacement by newer, more promising talents. This created a constant influx of candidates vying for coveted spots in the higher-ranked halls, intensifying the competition and raising the stakes for all involved.

"Currently, there are 42 third-year, 98 second-year, and 353 first-year acolytes who have yet to decide on their halls. However, these numbers could quickly decrease, or there might still be some who will change their placement—all possible until the deadline in 18 days."

Emery couldn't help but feel a tinge of concern creeping in as he absorbed the implications of Magus Urix's report. As he surveyed the available seats in the middle-ranked halls, Emery's apprehension deepened.

The realization dawned on Emery that the competition for acolytes would be fierce, with each hall vying for a limited number of candidates. The lower-ranked halls, including Hall 120, faced an uphill battle in attracting promising talents, particularly when pitted against the allure of the more prestigious middle-ranked halls.

Upon witnessing Emery's concern, Magus Urix swiftly attempted to assuage his worries by offering additional insight. Through the crystal, he displayed what appeared to be the publicly available information pages for Magus Academy's inner halls.

Emery's curiosity was piqued as he observed the details laid out before him. Each hall profile provided a comprehensive overview, featuring the main instructor's biography, historical background, and specialized areas of expertise. It was akin to a promotional page designed to attract prospective acolytes.

[Inner Hall 78 - Lower]

[Specialization: Ice and Fire]

[Main Instructor - Shoto]

[Realm - Full Moon Magus]

[Founder of Ice and Fire clan, creator of Cold Flame Technique]