/n/earths-greatest-magus-1172/c-2143
chapter-2142

The final round of the exam continued in the grand hall, the atmosphere crackling with anticipation. Among the ongoing battles, one particular arena drew the attention of the spectators. Here, a young man wielding a massive ruler sword faced off against a graceful female acolyte who conjured flower petals with each strike.

Dillion fought with explosive strikes, his attacks swift and powerful. Each swing of his colossal sword reverberated through the arena, a testament to his immense strength. Yet, his opponent, Zhiruo, countered with an elegant and fluid style. Her movements were akin to a bamboo stalk bending under a fierce wind—no matter how hard he struck, she swayed back and returned stronger.

Zhiruo's flower petals weren't just for show. They formed an enchantingly beautiful yet deadly illusion, disrupting Dillion's spirit sense and leaving razor-sharp cuts on his flesh. The petals, delicate and seemingly harmless, could slice through metal, a testament to their lethal nature.

As the battle wore on, the toll on Dillion became apparent. His body bore dozens of wounds, Zhiruo, in contrast, appeared almost serene, her eyes holding an empty, detached gaze as she faced him. Her composure remained unbroken, a stark contrast to Dillion's growing fatigue and frustration.

Half an hour passed, the grueling fight showing no signs of slowing down. Each clash, each exchange of blows, seemed to draw the audience deeper into the spectacle.

They continued exchanging blows, the relentless rhythm of their battle echoing through the arena. Dillion's determination was unwavering, but Zhiruo's graceful defense proved insurmountable. Each of his powerful strikes was met with her fluid counters and the relentless dance of her razor-sharp petals.

The battle continued with a dozen more fierce exchanges. Each strike from Dillion's massive sword met the unyielding elegance of Zhiruo's defenses. Finally, the strain proved too much; Dillion coughed up blood, his spirit core in disarray. He dropped to his knees, his body aching all over. His sword, now battered and showing multiple cracks, was a stark contrast to the young woman still standing tall like an unbreakable wall.

Despite his entire body screaming to fight on, Dillion knew his limits. He stood up and admitted his defeat. He recognized that, for now, Zhiruo was beyond his reach. Yet, instead of frustration, he felt a deep gratitude. Sparring with one of the top 10 geniuses in the Magus universe had been an enlightening experience.

With a respectful bow, Dillion addressed her, "Thank you."

To his surprise, the young woman, who had remained silent throughout the entire fight, spoke. Her voice was calm and measured, "Come seek me when you improve."

Dillion's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by her words. Then, determination filled his gaze. "...Yes... yes, of course,"

The unexpected invitation from Zhiruo reverberated through the arena, surprising not only Dillion but also the spectators. The renowned Blossom genius, who typically trained with only the best, had shown interest in him. This unexpected recognition fueled Dillion's determination even more. He now had a new goal: with the remaining half a year time in the academy, he aimed to reach the peak and stand along with the other top 10 geniuses.

However, Dillion's long, grueling fight had taken a toll on him. As the next opponent was announced—a famous genius ranked 36th—Dillion felt the strain on his body. Despite the best efforts of the medics, he could only muster half his usual strength. His spirit core was still recovering, and he knew pushing himself further could risk serious injury. The words of his master echoed in his mind, reminding him of the necessary small steps to reach greatness. With a heavy heart, he decided to concede the fight.

Unknown to Dillion, his decision to forfeit caused a different kind of uproar. His opponent had been promised substantial rewards for delivering a severe beating to Dillion. The more injured Dillion became, the greater the reward would have been. As Dillion walked off the stage, his opponent's frustration boiled over, his plans for an easy windfall dashed by Dillion's choice.

Similar annoyance appeared among a group of Magus instructors watching the fight. These instructors harbored resentment towards Dillion, a lower realm acolyte, gaining so much attention and recognition. They hoped his concession would diminish his standing, but their hopes were dashed when the academy system awarded Dillion significant points for his battle with Zhiruo. By the end of the day, the final rankings were revealed:

[Dillion - Rank 48]

This was an impressive result, one worthy of celebration. Hall 120 erupted in cheers, and if Dillion hadn't been injured, they would have hoisted him into the air in triumph. As they returned to their hall, a feast awaited them, meticulously prepared to honor their accomplishments. Instructors Klea and Ashaka joined in, congratulating each acolyte on their hard-fought successes.

As the festivities continued, Dillion couldn't help but ask, "Where is Master Emery?"