Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2355

"That's him!… That's the instructor of Hall 6!"

"I have never seen him… he looks so young, is that really him?"

"Yes… he's been in seclusion for months, but that's definitely him."

The moment Emery stepped into the personal exam arena, whispers spread like wildfire among the gathered acolytes and instructors. His presence immediately drew attention, a mixture of awe and curiosity rippling through the crowd.

Though he had been out of the public eye for half a year, his reputation had only grown in his absence. The astonishing achievements of Hall 6 had solidified his place as one of the academy's most respected, yet controversial, figures.

Emery strode forward, walking side by side with Klea, together, they ascended to the special instructors' balcony, an elevated platform that overlooked the arena.

Hundreds of eyes followed them, some gazed with admiration, others with envy, and a few with barely veiled resentment. The legacy of Hall 6 had stirred animosity from rival halls, particularly those that had been overshadowed by Emery's rising popularity. Emery remained unfazed by the glances, the whispers, and the undercurrents of emotion swirling around him. His eyes were fixed on his destination—the corner of the balcony where several familiar figures were waiting.

Gathered there was a group of his peers. Sirin, the Peafowl Empress, Harambe, the Mighty Kong, Toleno, the Spectral Swarm, and then, leaning nonchalantly against the railing, with his usual smug grin, was Lucius Corvin. This gathering wasn't just to observe the final days of the personal exam—they were here to celebrate their acolytes' hard-earned success.

The half-bloods have been making waves since the beginning of the mid-exam, showcasing their newly honed skills and remarkable progress. There was a record number of half-blood acolytes who had achieved bronze and silver insignias. This surge in success is attributed to a combination of improved collaboration among the half-blood halls and the potent effects of the newly created elixirs.

Lucius was glowing with satisfaction, shamelessly taking most of the credit of the achievements.

"This is amazing, how many in total?" Lucius asked with a smirk.

Klea, quick with a response, answered "38 acolytes."

As much as Emery still harbored a distaste for Lucius, he recognized the importance of fostering cooperation among the half-blood factions. Klea had been adamant about strengthening these ties, emphasizing that it was crucial not only for the academy's reputation but also for the future of the Earth faction. To lighten the mood further and break the ice, Klea decided to stir things up with a little mischief. With a sparkle in her eye, she proposed a small bet.

"Let's make this more interesting, shall we?" Klea said, her tone teasing. "I say we place a wager on how many half-blood acolytes will reach the top 100?"

"Oh, I'm all in!" Lucius declared confidently and the rest followed.

The wager was set, and as everyone placed their bets, they wagered their precious academy points—valuable currency that could be exchanged for resources, training sessions, or even access to rare knowledge. The stakes were low, but the camaraderie and competition between them gave the bet an air of playful tension. As the tournament progressed, it became clear that the half-blood acolytes were leaving their mark. 38 half-bloods competed among the 200 to gain the top 100 golden insignia. Many expected names, like Shinta, Rajh, and Blaine, were a sure bet to reach the top ranks, but after the first two rounds, it was confirmed that eight other half-bloods managed to push their way into the top standings, bringing the total number of 11.

Kehinde, the formidable wolf-blooded warrior, and Bellana, the insectoid acolyte, fell just short of making the cut. Their performance, while impressive, wasn't enough to place them among the top 100, and with that, Emery found himself on the losing side of the bet.

"I win!" came the triumphant voice of Grand Magus Sirin, her victory brought a wave of laughter and playful banter among the gathered instructors.

Seeing the group had warmed up to the friendly competition, Klea capitalized on the energy. Ever the instigator, she kept the fun going by introducing new bets for each match, making the tournament even more thrilling.

The next rounds showcased some fresh talent and rising stars. Yubei, the Mythical Monkey, dazzled the audience with his swift movements and unpredictable fighting style. Rurik Kenaz, a Pyro Bison half-blood, became a crowd favorite for his raw power and fiery attacks, charging through his opponents with unstoppable force. His battle cries echoed through the arena, earning cheers from all corners.

Another name that drew attention was Elara Greenheart, a Mythical Deer bloodline acolyte known for her healing abilities and her stunning command over nature magic. As for Emery's own Hall, there was a wave of pride when Evalice and Blaine the talented insectoid half-blood, won their third match.

However, all eyes, including Emery's, gave special attention to one particular acolyte—Shinta Ouroboros. She stood out as the strongest, and her reputation only grew as the tournament progressed. Starting from rank 6, Shinta didn't have the luxury of facing lower-ranked opponents. Her first few fights were already against some of the academy's most elite acolytes, and by her third match, she was pitted against the third-ranked acolyte: Stella, a famous fighter from Hall 1.

Stella was a prodigy under the tutelage of the Star Tower Lord, known across the academy as "the seven-star blade." Her mastery of starlight techniques had earned her the title of the strongest female acolyte in her generation.

But Shinta was not one to be underestimated. She had been honing her Khaos power, and she also had been boosted by the new gene elixirs Emery had tailored specifically for her, amplifying her already immense strength.

The battle between Shinta and Stella was nothing short of spectacular. Stella's techniques were flawless, her mastery of starlight leaving trails of shimmering energy in her wake. But despite her prowess, Shinta's strength was undeniable. The Khaos energy swirled around her, each burst to push back Stella's light, creating a mesmerizing contrast between the darkness and light.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats, gasping at the intensity of the fight. However, in the end, Shinta stood victorious and claimed the title of the strongest female acolyte.

Emery and the other half-blood instructors cheered in unison, united by the sense of pride that came with Shinta's incredible performance. Despite their differences, all the instructors shared a deep sense of satisfaction seeing one of their own rise to such a level. Shinta's success was not just personal—it was a victory for all half-bloods, proof that they could compete among the best in the academy.

However, their joy was tempered with frustration. Shinta was not given a chance to fight the top two ranked acolytes, which left many feeling the rankings were rigged against her.

"This is bullshit!" Toleno grumbled with a scowl. He was convinced the academy deliberately kept a half-blood from taking the top spot, a sentiment that simmered in the air. Emery could understand the frustration. He too had expected Shinta to be allowed to prove herself against the first and second-ranked fighters. Despite the irritation, he remained calm, knowing that such complaints wouldn't change the outcome. For now, they had to accept the result and take pride in what they had achieved.

After the initial venting, the mood shifted. Even with the apparent bias, the final result was impressive, and everyone in the half-blood faction could see how far they had come. The list of rankings was displayed for all to see, marking the accomplishments of those who had fought valiantly:

[Rank 90 - Yubei - Hall 42]

[Rank 77 - Rurik Kenaz - Hall 9]

[Rank 64 - Evalice - Hall 6]

[Rank 48 - Elara Greenheart - Hall 26]

[Rank 25 - Blaine - Hall 6]

[Rank 18 - Rajh Rakugan - Hall 9]

[Rank 3 - Shinta Ouroboros - Hall 9]