/n/earths-greatest-magus-1172/c-2259
chapter-2258

When it came to the top 10 ranking, the standard of acolytes escalated dramatically.

These weren't just prodigies; they were anomalies, freaks of nature whose talents defied the norm within the Magus Alliance. Each of these top-ranked acolytes possessed a raw, overwhelming power that set them apart from even the most gifted peers.

Shinta found herself facing one of the most daunting opponents imaginable—a Nephilim from the esteemed Aztebas family, the most influential of the three great houses within the Alpha Quadrant. His name was Raphael Nephilim, a first-year acolyte who had already earned the prestigious Rookie of the Year award. This alone spoke volumes about his abilities and the fearsome reputation he had built in such a short time.

As for Emery, he had his concerns about Shinta's opponent. Raphael was the strongest acolyte from Hall 6, previously led by Ishtar. Emery could only hope that the replacement instructor, the young-looking Grand Magus who had been watching, had no ill intentions toward this fight.

Like Shinta, Raphael was still in his seventh pillar, but from the moment they stepped into the arena, Shinta could feel the difference. His aura was suffocating, an oppressive force that seemed to press down on her from all sides, stronger than any opponent she had ever faced. It was as if the very air around him crackled with energy, a palpable manifestation of his latent power.

"I'll start," the young man declared, his voice calm but edged with a quiet confidence.

As Raphael Nephilim spoke, his golden hair caught the light, shimmering with an almost divine radiance. Without another word, he unleashed one of the Nephilim's most revered techniques: the [Angelic Descent].

In an instant, four majestic wings sprouted from his back, but they were unlike the usual ethereal wings associated with the technique. These wings were silvery and metallic, glistening ominously, and covered with a delicate layer of frost that sent chills through the air. They weren't just for show—each wing exuded an icy aura, making the air around Raphael grow cold, the temperature in the arena plummeting as if winter itself had arrived.

Raphael then drew his weapon—a bluish crystal sword that gleamed with an otherworldly light. With a flick of his wrist, he cast a spell, and suddenly, a dozen shining mirage swords materialized around him, each one hovering with lethal intent, their tips aimed directly at Shinta.

Shinta knew she had no time to waste. She swiftly invoked her [Shaman Form], her body enveloped in an emerald glow as she summoned her Verdant Vines. The vines erupted from the ground, twisting and coiling around her in a protective circle, their thick, thorny tendrils forming a living barrier. The vines twisted and coiled, creating a barrier between her and Raphael's impending assault.

As the vines solidified, she unsheathed her own sword, the blade glinting menacingly as she prepared for the inevitable clash.

The two sides collided in a breathtaking display of power and skill. Raphael's mirage swords streaked through the air, each one a deadly missile, while Shinta's Verdant Vines lashed out, intercepting and deflecting the attacks with remarkable precision. The arena was filled with the sound of shattering ice as Raphael's wings beat with incredible force, sending shards of frozen air hurtling toward Shinta. In response, her vines surged forward, their razor-sharp edges cutting through the icy projectiles and keeping the relentless assault at bay.

The fight was nothing short of spectacular, a whirlwind of swordplay and magic that left the audience breathless. Every strike, every parry, and every spell cast was executed with the skill and finesse of warriors far beyond their years. The arena buzzed with excitement, the tension growing with each passing second as the two acolytes fought for dominance.