Earth's Greatest Magus

The tension in the room grew palpable as each participant's sphere revealed the number of glowing orbs, indicating their respective stages.

Elowen, with only six orbs shining, showed a mix of disappointment and frustration. Hanna, the Whispering Wraith magus, had managed to reach the seventh stage, matching Emery's achievement. Nimbus, the Calming Wave monk, and the hybrid Mindflayer both had eight orbs glowing, even Zephyr, could only show 9 glowing orbs, just one short of the elusive tenth stage.

"This is impossible!" Zephyr exclaimed, his frustration evident in his voice. He had always been accustomed to excelling in his endeavors, and this unexpected outcome was hard for him to accept.

In stark contrast to Zephyr's frustration, the Duke Damian Alabaster remained calm, his smile unwavering. He congratulated all six participants, commending them for their performance.

"Congratulations to all six of you," the Duke said, his tone carrying genuine warmth. "You all were one of the best batches I have seen for years."

The participants exchanged glances, puzzled by the Duke's response. He then calmly explains "The ten orb target was meant to give you the extra pressure to the challenge, but I never actually expected any of you to succeed."

As if to solidify his words, the Duke made a sweeping gesture with his hand. Six scrolls materialized, hovering over each participant. Emery reached out and took hold of his scroll, and as he did, a flood The Manual was a coveted prize—a treasure trove of knowledge of information and knowledge flowed into his mind.

[Astral Awakening Manual - Beginner]

The Manual was a coveted prize—a treasure trove of knowledge reserved for the crescent moon and half-moon category winners. Emery felt a surge of gratitude for the unexpected reward.

As the Duke extended his generosity, Emery watched with curiosity as additional scrolls appeared, gliding gracefully toward Nimbus, the serene monk, and the mysterious Illithid hybrid. It was the second part of the manual—a progression that hinted at the depth of their abilities.

Emery's heart skipped a beat when another identical scroll was sent his way.

"This is for you, to be able to reach stage 7, despite being only a half-moon magus"

[Astral Awakening Manual - advance]

The reward came with a mental note from the Duke <You have a high raw talent, but unrefined, untrained, come see me after you finish understanding these two manual>

With a deep sense of gratitude, Emery bowed respectfully to the Duke.

As for the Nephilim, the Duke said "For being the most talented in this competition, you are given access to the third manual and if you may choose, you can stay here a month to be trained by me on the path of Spirit Magus."

However, to the surprise of everyone present, the Nephilim declined the generous offer. He attempted to convey his decision with polite words, but there was a distinct lack of sincerity in his tone. The attitude did not go unnoticed, and some of the Alabaster magus exchanged uneasy glances.

The Duke, ever composed and perceptive, addressed the Nephilim directly. "Young Nephilim," he began, "I can see that you desire something else. Please, share your intentions."

Zephyr, with unwavering determination, pointed directly at one of the young magus standing beside the Duke. His voice carried an unspoken challenge. "I want to challenge him!"

Amidst the hushed whispers and murmurs that rippled through the gathered spectators, Emery learned that the magus challenged by Zephyr was none other than Uria—a formidable opponent. Uria held the esteemed title of the youngest and tenth-ranked member of the Alabaster's top 10 spirit masters. He was the same age as Zephyr and had long been a rival to the Nephilim genius. The main motivation behind Zephyr's participation in the competition was to prove his superiority over this particular magus.

In a gesture of respect and fairness, the Duke, ever the composed host, allowed the challenge to take place. Thus, the competition culminated in an unexpected showdown.

The duel that ensued between Zephyr of the Nephilim and Uria Alabaster was a clash of two extraordinary geniuses from their respective factions. The entire gathering of spectators had gathered to witness this remarkable battle—a true spectacle of spirit magic.

Zephyr, a master of spirit manipulation who wielded an arsenal of flying weapons, faced off against Uria, who held a delicate jade flute and harnessed the power of ethereal tunes in his combat.

For Emery, who had considered Zephyr to be the pinnacle of talent among magus, the battle served as yet another eye-opener. He quickly realized that Uria was equally exceptional in his abilities. The two combatants engaged in an intense struggle that lasted for half an hour, showcasing their incredible skill and determination.

In a surprising turn of events, Uria chose to halt the battle. His voice carried a tone of humility and sportsmanship as he conceded, "I only won because Magus Zephyr was still tired from the competition."

The acknowledgment of Zephyr's fatigue displayed not only Uria's skill but also his respect for his rival. The duel had come to an honorable end, and the spectators watched in awe as these two remarkable magus demonstrated their prowess on the battlefield.

Zephyr's readiness for another round of combat was palpable, and he seemed determined to prove himself. However, his intentions were abruptly halted by a female voice, one that carried an air of authority and confidence that immediately commanded attention.

"You have lost, cousin. Don't further embarrass yourself," the voice declared.

The audacity of someone addressing the Nephilim in such a manner left everyone in attendance stunned. Emery and Julian, however, recognized the significance of this woman's presence. She was none other than Jinkan Nephilim, a member of the Nephilim royalty.

Zephyr's annoyance only intensified upon Jinkan's arrival, and in response, he decided to lead his Nephilim group away from the scene. On the other hand, Emery couldn't help but notice that Jinkan had arrived with a person he instantly recognized: Grand Magus Duncan.

After paying their respects to the gracious host, Jinkan approached Emery with a warm smile. "I guess we have a lot to talk about," she remarked.

The trio eventually left the opulent Alabaster palace, not forgetting to collect their well-earned spirit stone rewards. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of their departure, one young magus seemed to have slipped their mind.

"Emery! Julian!! Where did they go!? Damn!!, I haven't even learned that pretty succubus's name!"