Earth's Greatest Magus

The sun rose gracefully, casting its golden hues across Hall 120 training grounds. The serene ambiance was punctuated only by the soft murmur of Magus Ashaka's guiding chants. Positioned at the front of the yard, the esteemed senior Magus sat in a dignified lotus position, his aura of tranquility enveloping the space.

Meanwhile, the 21 acolytes, arrayed in disciplined formations, mirrored Ashaka's posture with eyes gently closed. Each breath synchronized with the rhythmic flow of the morning meditation, their collective focus sharpened by the anticipation of the day ahead.

Unlike previous sessions, there was an undeniable intensity in the air—a palpable sense of determination that resonated among the acolytes. Yesterday's transformative treatments had infused their spirits with newfound vigor, igniting a renewed zeal within each of them. Some had already imbibed the provided high-grade Spirit potions, further amplifying the energy coursing through their veins.

As the morning meditation unfolded under Ashaka's masterful guidance, his centuries of experience in spiritual cultivation became evident through the melodic cadence of his chants. With each resonant syllable, he wove a tapestry of spiritual energy that enveloped the acolytes, guiding them toward deeper levels of introspection and enlightenment.

For the rank 9 acolytes, the meditation served as a catalyst for the refinement of their spirit pillars. As for the lower-rank acolytes it helped focus on honing their spirit foundations. With rapt attention, they absorbed Ashaka's teachings, striving to imbue their spirit core with newfound clarity and resonance.

From the vantage point of their private room overlooking the yard, Emery and Klea silently observed the training with keen eyes. Through the use of spirit reading, they meticulously monitored each acolyte's progress, noting those who approached the training with earnest dedication, as well as those who struggled to maintain focus.

As Emery's keen eyes swept across the yard, Klea couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration as Emery approached his role as an instructor with commitment.

On the other hand, despite her best efforts to focus on her duties, Klea's mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of the silver-haired girl and the incident in the woods. She had been grappling with the urge to report the situation to Emery, but his relentless dedication to the acolytes left little opportunity for her to broach the subject.

Furthermore, Klea found herself hesitating, unable to articulate the underlying reasons for her persistent surveillance of the girl.

"Is she truly Silva's niece, or..." Klea trailed off, her mind swirling with doubts and uncertainties. The memory of Annara's mocking laughter only served to intensify her suspicions, leaving her feeling increasingly unsettled and on edge.

As she grappled with her inner turmoil, Klea couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she needed to tread cautiously. She understood all too well the depth of Emery's affection for Silva and the enduring pain of her loss. The mere thought of causing him further distress by entertaining baseless conjectures weighed heavily on her conscience.

Klea resolved to exercise caution and refrain from voicing her thoughts until she had absolute certainty. She determined to find a way to gather more information discreetly.

It was at this moment that a figure approached the hall

To Klea's astonishment, it was the silver-haired girl, the one who had been occupying her thoughts. Her unexpected arrival sent ripples of unease through the acolytes in the yard, disrupting their meditation. Emery, too, was drawn to the commotion.

With a polite and apologetic gesture, the girl, Shinta, addressed the curious onlookers.

"I apologize for the interruption. I've come to see Instructor Emery," she explained.

Klea watched closely as Shinta's gaze met Emery's, her expression softening into a genuine smile. Emery, in turn, motioned for her to join him in the private room.

The sight left Klea and the others in the yard puzzled and apprehensive. "Why is she here?" echoed in their minds, with Klea herself unable to shake off memories of their previous encounter.

They quickly noticed Shinta's distinctive white uniform adorned with the symbol of seven on the collar, indicating her affiliation with the prestigious top hall 7. Some speculated about the reason for her visit, with a few even assuming it spelled trouble.

Ashaka scolded those whose attention strayed, reminding them to refocus on their meditation.

Despite the reprimand, some acolytes couldn't resist stealing glances as Shinta made her way into the instructor's personal room.

With a gesture of politeness, the silver-haired girl offered Emery and Klea a respectful bow. "Greetings to Instructors," she said as she gracefully took a seat opposite Emery, with Klea positioned at his side.

Emery greeted her calmly and said, "I see you decided to join Instructor Lucius's Hall."

Upon hearing Emery's words, Shinta offered another half-bow. "Yes, I'm here to apologize for not accepting your invitation earlier."

Emery's smile was reassuring as he replied, "There's no need for apologies."

Observing Shinta closely, Klea couldn't shake the feeling of suspicion. Knowing her crafty nature, she wondered inwardly, "What is she doing here?"

Shinta calmly retrieved an item from her possession—a box adorned with beautiful flowery silk fabric. With deliberate movements, she unwrapped the fabric, revealing its contents. Emery and Klea watched as she unveiled a wooden box filled with green leaves emitting an enchanting aroma.

"I prepared this as a token of my apology…"

Emery was about to respond, but Shinta preempted him by rising from her seat and making her way to the corner of the room where the tea sets were arranged. As she began to brew the tea leaves, she spoke softly, recounting their previous tea-

drinking experience together.

She explained that while the tea sets were special, the tea leaves they had used were no longer fresh, prompting her to procure a new batch.

"This is four-season tea leave, it has a wonderful calming effect"

Once the tea was brewed to perfection, Shinta returned to Emery's side and graciously served him a cup, her demeanor courteous and respectful.

"Please, give it a try... I hope you enjoy it," she said, offering the warm beverage with a gentle smile.

The entire gesture, from Shinta's meticulous explanation to her careful brewing of the tea for Emery, left Klea speechless. She watched in astonishment as Emery calmly sipped the tea, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, Klea couldn't help but wonder, "What am I witnessing here?"

Yet, before she could fully process her thoughts, Shinta prepared another cup of tea, this time offering it to Klea.

"This one is for you, Instructor. I also wish to offer a proper apology, for yesterday's matter"

Klea was taken aback by Shinta's initiative to address the matter herself.

"Yesterday... What matters?" Emery asks curiously.

Shinta explained the incident that had led to her apology and Emery's initial surprise gradually turned to understanding. When Shinta mentioned Annara, his reaction was subtle, a confirmation that Emery indeed knew about the girl's situation.

Emery turned to Klea and said "I should have told you about this matter," apologizing for not keeping her informed.

This response left Klea pondering whether she needed to delve further into the matter.

Afterward, Emery and Shinta fell into easy conversation, the tension in the room gradually dissipating... Emery asked about her new hall and why she wasn't engaged in her training. With a slight frown, Shinta explained how Instructor Lucius was absent, and the assistant instructors allowed more flexibility to all acolytes.

"I was feeling a bit bored, so I thought I'd pay you a visit," Shinta remarked nonchalantly, her tone lightening with each word.

Klea noticed a glimmer of relief in Emery's expression upon hearing this news. However, he didn't hesitate to offer a word of advice. With a hint of concern, he reminded Shinta of the importance of respecting her instructor and fostering good relations among her peers.

"Yes, Uncle, I understand," Shinta replied respectfully.

Emery's reaction to being addressed as "Uncle" stirred a range of emotions within him, a fact not lost on Klea as she observed the exchange with keen interest.

As Emery finished his cup of tea, Shinta quickly refilled it for him, her actions betraying a sense of eagerness or perhaps an ulterior motive. Klea observed the exchange closely, sensing there was more to Shinta's visit than mere courtesy.

"She must have come for a reason," Klea thought to herself.

As their conversation flowed and familiarity grew between them, Shinta finally broached the real reason, a request that she came to ask.

"Uncle, I've been pressured by the competitive atmosphere among the acolytes in my hall, and it reminded me of your... movement technique," Shinta began tentatively. "I'm really intrigued by it and would love to learn.... Can I maybe join your class sometimes?"

Klea couldn't help but feel a twinge of disbelief at Shinta's words. After all, she had previously rejected an offer to join their hall. She was about to interject when Emery spoke up.

"Of course, yes you can" Emery responded without hesitation.

"...."

The unexpected reply left Klea momentarily speechless.