Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2319

The Terra City Magus tournament was more than just a spectacle. It was a strategic effort to foster growth among the newer, younger magus generation, to allow them a stage to showcase their talents while reinforcing the bonds between Terra Magus and its allies.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the crowd eagerly awaited the battles to come. Tens of thousands of Terra City residents filled the arena, their voices creating a powerful wave of cheers and chants for their favorite participants.

However, it quickly became apparent most of the top magus leaders abstained from participating. Chief Beowulf of the Twilight Hall, a formidable presence in any battle, was noticeably absent from the roster. Likewise, Grisa and Silica, two of Terra City's renowned leaders, chose to sit out, watching from the grandstands rather than competing.

Klea and Chumo also opted for the same, preferring to remain a spectator.

This, in turn, left Thrax in a moment of indecision. His competitive spirit always drove him to prove his strength, and he had initially hoped that Julian's arrival would spark some exciting rivalries on the field. To his disappointment Julian declined to compete, citing that he was still not in his prime health. As Julian's gaze flickered toward Emery, it was clear there was more unsaid beneath his polite dismissal.

With the leaders and Terra's strongest choosing to step aside, it became clear that this tournament was for the up-and-comers, a chance for them to shine and gain recognition.

At the center of the bustling arena, Magus Rosia ascended the podium, her presence commanding attention. Dressed in ceremonial robes that shimmered in the light, she prepared to officially kick off the event.

The cheers erupted as Rosia began her address, the energy in the air electric. Then, three figures stepped forward, the known Grand Magus of Terra City: Fantasme, the wolf half-blood, Shena, the dragon half-blood, and Anpu the hybrid. They would serve as the judges, ensuring that the tournament was conducted with honor and fairness.

Rosia's voice echoed through the arena as she announced, "Let the first challenge start!"

Anpu, the hybrid grand magus, began the first challenge with an imposing display.

Massive dark rocks, a formidable tier 7 material, were levitated into the arena, their surfaces gleaming ominously under the sunlight. These rocks were renowned for their near-impenetrable hardness, traditionally used to measure a magus' raw strength and power.

The task was simple in concept but daunting in execution—each participant was to choose among the provided weapons and attempt to make even the slightest scratch on the rock within a mere 10 seconds.

All eyes turned toward the 118 magus participants, a mix of Terra forces, Alvanic magus, Twilight Hall, and the Nova Roma. One by one, each stepped forward selecting their weapons from an array of tier 5 options: swords, hammers, axes, and a few even prefer to use bare hands.

The crowd watched intently as the first participant swung his weapon with all his might, striking the rock with a loud clang.

Despite the immense force, the rock remained unscathed, its surface smooth and unyielding. The contestant's face twisted with frustration, but time was up, and the next challenger stepped forward.

Magus after magus took their turn, each testing their strength against the unforgiving rocks. Some tried to enhance their weapons with magic, while others used brute force, summoning every ounce of their training.

As the challenge progressed, a few exceptional magus began to stand out, not just for making a scratch but for surpassing expectations. Some were able to crack the rock sending shards flying into the air, and some were even able to pierce the rock, leaving a gaping hole where his sword struck.

30 participants failed to make even a dent in the rock—all of them were new or crescent-moon realm magus.

The atmosphere shifted as the next round of challenges commenced, with Grand Magus Shena stepping confidently into the center of the arena.

Her presence commanded attention. With a graceful wave of her hand, she summoned forth 60 water familiars, each taking the form of vibrant, flying birds that danced and darted through the air, their feathers glistening in shades of blue and aqua.

"To pass this challenge, each of you must catch one of these familiars. Only those who succeed will move on to the next round."

As soon as the signal was given, chaos erupted.

The 88 participants surged forward, each of them vying for a chance to seize one of the elusive water birds. Some participants quickly formed temporary alliances, pairing up with friends to strategize and increase their odds. They would launch spells and distractions, hoping to confuse the birds long enough to catch one.

The crowd erupted into cheers, fully engaged in the spectacle. Gasps and applause filled the arena as participants displayed their skills.

As the challenge progressed, the initial frenzy began to calm, and participants started to showcase their true abilities. Some used clever spells to manipulate the environment, creating gusts of wind or temporary barriers to funnel the birds toward them. Others relied on agility and speed, weaving through their competitors with expert precision.

By the end of the chaotic spectacle, only 60 participants remained, half of the original number. The cheering crowd celebrated their victories, while those who had fallen short left the arena with a mixture of disappointment and resolve.

Emery watched with a discerning eye, noting the talents that emerged and the strategies employed. This round had not only tested their physical abilities but also their ingenuity and adaptability.

The third round began under the watchful eye of Grand Magus Fantasme, whose reputation for mastering the battlefield of the mind preceded her. The challenge for the remaining participants was simple in theory, yet grueling in execution: only 32 of them would move on to the next round, and their task was to resist for as long as possible.

Fantasme extended her hands, and in an instant, the world around them began to shift. The grand arena, once filled with the roar of the crowd and the shimmer of daylight, filled with cosmic power conjured from her battlefield domain.

The spectators saw nothing but the serene figure of Fantasme standing motionless in the center of the arena, but for the participants, reality was replaced by a brutal and chaotic mental battlefield. They faced horrors and fears crafted to break their will—phantoms of past failures, visions of overwhelming despair, and enemies that only existed within the deepest recesses of their minds.

The sheer weight of the illusion was suffocating. It became clear to everyone watching that Fantasme had recently advanced to the second cosmos realm, her mastery over illusion magic now honed to a terrifying level.

Within moments, the weakest among the magus began to falter. A dozen participants, unable to withstand the mental assault, fled the arena in panic, their minds shattered by the illusions. Some crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Others clutched their heads as if trying to physically block out the relentless attack on their psyche.

After half an hour, the ordeal finally came to an end. The illusions faded away, and the battlefield once again became the familiar sight of the Terra City arena.

Only 32 participants remained standing, their bodies visibly exhausted but their eyes gleaming with the pride of having survived the challenges. The tournament, though winding down, was far from over. As the final 32 participants stood in line, their names and identities were announced to the roaring crowd. Each competitor had earned their place, but the reveal brought another layer of excitement, as the factions they represented were now made known.

Among the final contenders, the Twilight Hall stood strong with 9 magus making it to the final group. Terra's own forces, bolstered by their recent influx of talent, had 11 participants still standing. Six of the remaining magus hailed from the subterranean world, a group whose numbers had steadily increased since their migration, now proving their strength in the face of Terra's challenges.

However, what caught Emery's attention most was the Nova Romans. All six of Julian's chosen magus had not only survived every round but had done so without a single one being eliminated. Their immaculate performance did not go unnoticed, and whispers filled the audience as the crowd marveled at their unbroken streak. The prowess and discipline of these Nova Romans were undeniable, a clear sign of the careful selection and rigorous training they had undergone under Julian's guidance.