Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2255

The list of 200 acolytes competing in the final stage of the personal examinations served as a microcosm of the power dynamics within the Alpha Quadrant's factions. The roster was a testament to the dominance of the quadrant's most powerful groups.

The Imperium Technomagus, known for its specialized training and unique prowess, was notably absent due to its distinct focus. However, the other grade 5 factions—The Nephilim, the Arkaland, and the Arcanum—each claimed a significant portion of the spots, taking up a quarter of the participants. These elite factions were well-represented, showcasing their formidable influence and the strength of their acolytes.

Another quarter of the spots were occupied by acolytes from grade 4 factions, such as Proxima, which wielded considerable power and influence over Centauri City. These factions, while not at the pinnacle of the quadrant's hierarchy, still held enough sway to secure a strong presence in the final stage.

However, what stood out the most was the surprising prominence of the half-bloods. Despite making up less than 5% of the academy's total enrollment, they occupied an impressive 15% of the final spots. Thirty half-bloods from four different halls had fought their way to this last stage, demonstrating their exceptional abilities and the growing influence of the half-blood community within the academy. This unexpected representation added a layer of intrigue and unpredictability to the already intense competition.

Hall 9, led by Lucius, boasted an impressive contingent of twelve half-bloods among the final competitors. Sirin, the Peafowl Empress from Hall 24, added six more half-bloods to the mix, while Toleno, the Spectral Swarm from Hall 37, contributed five. Even Instructor Harambe, the mighty Kong from Hall 62, managed to have two half-bloods representing his hall. The remaining half-blood participants had been nurtured by various powerful human factions.

These numbers highlighted the undeniable advantage that half-bloods held over their human counterparts. Their unique abilities and powerful bloodlines had propelled them to the forefront of the competition.

However, despite their numbers and natural strengths, no half-blood had managed to break into the top 10 ranks in the last three years since the academy's formation. This absence from the highest echelons of the rankings had become a source of determination for many of these young half-bloods. They were driven by a shared goal—to be the first of their kind to reach the coveted top 10.

For Damo, the young monk specializing in support spells, his goals were more modest but no less significant. His focus was on bringing recognition to the Earth faction by securing a spot among the top 100. To achieve this, he knew that winning both of his first-day fights was crucial.

Being one of the lower-ranked participants among the 200, Damo was quickly matched against a formidable opponent—one of the academy's top 10 rankings: Bjorg the Titan. Ranked 8th on the list, Bjorg was a giant among acolytes, towering nearly three times the size of most. His massive frame and battle prowess reminded Emery of his old rival, Zetto the berserker.

As the battle began, it became clear that Damo was facing an insurmountable challenge. Despite his mastery of martial arts and support spells, none of his techniques could penetrate the Titan's defenses. Bjorg's immense size and resilience rendered Damo's attacks ineffective, and the young monk found himself overwhelmed. Every move Damo made seemed futile against Bjorg's unyielding strength, and before long, the inevitable happened—Damo was defeated, the match ending in a crushing defeat.

After Damo's crushing defeat against Bjorg, Emery stepped in to heal the young monk's wounds personally. Despite the bruises and broken bones, Damo's spirit remained unbroken. His determination to succeed in the final stage was unwavering, even though his next opponent was ranked 85th—a challenge that still placed him at a significant disadvantage.

The battle was grueling. Damo relied heavily on his [Golden Bell] technique, a formidable defensive maneuver that allowed him to withstand the relentless attacks from his opponent. Every time he saw an opening, he would use the [9 Suns Divine] technique to heal his injuries, allowing him to continue fighting despite the pain. The fight was a test of endurance and willpower, with Damo constantly switching between defense and healing, refusing to give in to his injuries.

After what felt like an eternity, Damo finally emerged victorious, though he was barely standing, covered in blood, and nursing broken bones. The victory was hard-fought, and it left him utterly exhausted, but the sense of triumph was undeniable. His victory breathed new life into the hopes of Hall 60 acolytes, who had been anxiously following his progress.

When the day ended, 50 of the 200 participants had been eliminated, and the atmosphere among the Hall 60 acolytes was tense as they awaited the results. A collective sigh of relief swept through the group when they learned that Damo was not among those eliminated. His victory had secured him another chance to fight in the next round, keeping Hall 60's hopes alive in the fiercely competitive final stage. Emery carefully observed the results of the first day's battles, his mind occupied with the performances of the acolytes under his watch.

Dillion, his determination unyielding, proved his strength by defeating a silver insignia fighter and another acolyte ranked 70th. These victories secured him a place in the second-day tournament, keeping his hopes alive and marking him as a formidable contender.

Shinta, too, displayed her prowess on the battlefield. Despite being matched against a rank 48 acolyte, she emerged victorious with an impressive display of skill and strategy. Her second opponent ranked 63rd, also fell before her, unable to withstand her relentless attacks. Shinta's victories solidified her position, making her one of the standout fighters in the tournament.

However, the day wasn't as kind to all. Among the 30 half-blood acolytes who had reached this stage, a dozen failed to make the cut, and their dreams of advancing to the next round dashed. The competition was fierce, and even the slightest misstep could mean the end of their journey.