Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2325

The weight of their problem hung thick in the air: they simply didn't have enough magus for the duel. This wasn't like a group battle, where numbers or teamwork could shift the tide. It was a one-on-one contest, meticulously designed to test each faction's ability to field strong individuals capable of defending their planet. The structure ensured that no faction could rely on a singular figure to dominate.

Since the duel was established 15 years ago, they had lost two of their most crucial pillars—Grand Magus Izta and Fuxi, both gone. Fjolrin, the third senior magus, had disappeared without a trace, leaving them without his guidance. This left only Morgana and Ashaka, the last of their dependable magus, to bear the brunt of the upcoming challenge.

Emery's mind swirled with indecision. His daughter, Shinta, had the potential to participate, but he was reluctant to expose her to such risk, especially when the stakes were so high. Damo, too, was still recovering, his condition unstable. Then there were the four acolytes training in the Avalon realm. Despite their progress, they were nowhere near prepared for the brutal intensity of what lay ahead.

As they sifted through the compiled intelligence on Kronos' magus, the atmosphere in the room darkened with an increasing sense of doubt. The deeper they went into the details, the more their initial confidence crumbled. Their opponents weren't just any magus—they were seasoned warriors, veterans of countless battles, each possessing dangerous abilities honed over decades. The looming challenge felt almost impossible, a daunting wall they weren't sure they could scale.

Thrax, normally brimming with defiance, let his frustration slip. "What can we do to win this?"

Klea, always the voice of reason, spoke up. "We can each pick an opponent and focus our training on countering them, using this information to prepare."

Her plan, though simple, struck a chord with the group. It was a strategy they could hold onto amidst the uncertainty. They gathered around the table, pouring over each opponent's strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies, carefully selecting who would best match up with whom. The discussion grew more animated, as they began to map out their tactics.

Emery, recognized as the strongest of the group, had taken on the immense responsibility of stepping into Fuxi's role to challenge Kronos himself. He had already begun preparing himself to counter Krono's intricate and formidable time spells.

Julian had initially volunteered to face Perses, the second strongest of Kronos' magus, but Emery disagreed. While Julian was formidable, Emery believed that Morgana, with her raw and fiery power, would stand a better chance against someone like Perses, who relied heavily on brute strength. Instead, Emery recommended Julian to face the more versatile Zeus, whose cunning and strategy made him a better fit for Julian's more tactical approach.

As they solidified their battle plans, they turned their attention to the next three full-moon magus matches. Thrax, fueled by his fiery spirit, would take on Ares, the god of war. Chumo, with his steadfast nature, was set to face Poseidon, while Klea, ever resourceful and tactical, prepared to confront Hera.

These matchups were the minimum preparations they could make, yet each one was critical. They understood that winning all six fights was not just a goal—it was the only way to secure victory in the duels ahead. Each fighter felt the weight of their task, knowing that their success could determine the fate of their world.

"We have two years to prepare. What are all your plans?" Emery inquired, looking around the table at his determined companions.

Thrax, who had spent the last year deeply immersed in meditation, spoke first. He had dedicated himself to comprehending the depths of his abilities, and now he sought to push the boundaries of his law of slaughter. His ambition was clear: he wanted to immerse himself in life-and-death battles on the frontline.

"The more dangerous the battle, the better!!" He planned to join Lord Izta's old battle-borne unit, which was always at the front of the battlefield and fought the most difficult battles.

Julian suggested that Thrax join him, explaining his plan to expand his conquest to another planet—a middle realm planet filled with war—where Thrax could battle thousands of enemies while Julian could increase his dominion and improve his law of sovereignty.

"Fighting for your flag? Not interested!" Thrax retorted.

Julian sent invitations to the others as well, but Chumo strictly refused. He had no intention of leaving Terra City, offering no explanation for his decision, which only heightened Emery's concern for him.

Klea, on the other hand, was focused on her responsibilities at the Academy. With the end-of-year exams approaching in just two months, she was fully committed to her role. Julian, however, openly criticized this, his gaze fixed on Klea as he voiced his concerns. "I see the good things you've done, but we need to focus on strengthening ourselves, not on these youngsters."

"Well, if you think I don't benefit from being an instructor, you're mistaken, Teaching is just as much a part of my growth as any battle" Her tone was measured but firm.

Emery also knew that Klea had been spending considerable time getting to know other instructors, particularly Grand Magus Neytiri, who taught in Hall 5. Neytiri was the daughter of the supreme magus who owned the island and had been offering valuable guidance to Klea in mastering her ice and water elements.

As for himself, Emery felt the weight of the techniques he had recently learned pressing down on him. He needed time to consolidate and refine these new skills, to weave them into his existing arsenal. He planned to return to the Academy for focused, closed-door training within his domain.

The air in the room thickened with purpose as the five friends exchanged determined looks, each of them acutely aware of the journey ahead. They each had their own paths to follow, understanding that the next two years were crucial for them to grow stronger and achieve their aspirations.