Earth's Greatest Magus

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After the funeral, Emery called a meeting, bringing together the Earth's forces to discuss their situation. The air was thick with tension, and it wasn't long before Thrax's fury erupted.

"Those Nephilim bastards!!" Thrax's voice cut through the somber atmosphere, his anger bubbling over. For days, he had been seething, unable to contain the fury that had been building within him. The loss of Fuxi, combined with the unresolved mystery surrounding the attack, had pushed him to the edge.

His frustration turned toward the two Romans, Marc Anthony and Octavius. "... and where is your Emperor!? why isn't he here?!" Thrax lashed out, his irritation palpable. Both of them exchanged uncomfortable glances, their silence speaking volumes. They had no answers and no means to receive news from Julian.

"Stop it, Thrax!" Klea interjected, her voice sharp and commanding. The weight of their grief was still fresh, and the last thing they needed was internal strife. Emery, sensing the growing discord, stepped forward.

The room quieted as he began to share all the information he had gathered so far, detailing the clues they had and the obstacles they faced. Despite the uncertainty, he assured them that he would continue the investigation, vowing to seek justice for Fuxi. However, Emery's determination was tempered by a growing concern for their immediate safety. The attack had shaken them all, revealing vulnerabilities. Before they could identify and catch the attacker, Emery recognized the urgent need to bolster their defenses.

With less than two years remaining before the critical duel, ensuring their security became a top priority. Hearing this, Chumo's voice carried a hint of despair. "Without Senior Fuxi… do we even stand a chance?"

A heavy silence settled over the room as everyone grappled with the harsh reality of their situation. Emery took a deep breath, his eyes hardening with resolve.

"Even if there is little chance of success… so what?! We are still going to fight them all!"

With that, the discussion turned to the composition of their team. With Fuxi's loss and the uncertain statuses of Julian and Fjolrin, it was crucial to identify and prepare other potential candidates. Emery had called together the strongest individuals from Earth to deliberate on the matter.

Emery, Klea, Thrax, Chumo, Morgana, and Ashaka were already confirmed to participate, bringing their combined strength and experience to the forefront. Damo, who had recently achieved a breakthrough in the Magus realm, stepped forward as the seventh name, eager to contribute.

11:35

Emery, Klea, Thrax, Chumo, Morgana, and Ashaka were already confirmed to participate, bringing their combined strength and experience to the forefront. Damo, who had recently achieved a breakthrough in the Magus realm, stepped forward as the seventh name, eager to contribute.

The candidates discussed for the remaining three slots were Octavius the Roman, Brandt the Vanir, Glita of the Fey Village, and Gwenneth from Brittania. Each brought their unique strengths and backgrounds, making them viable choices for the team.

As the discussion progressed, the four academy acolytes—Ha Ron, KingRig, Titus, and Armenius—who had only recently become aware of the dire situation, expressed their eagerness to join the duels.

Emery, however, shook his head firmly, his expression one of determined resolve. "No!", his voice brooking no argument. "Although you may have high potential, you are still young and have bright futures ahead of you. I cannot risk any of you getting hurt from this duel"

The Earth Magus present understood Emery's decision and supported his choice, recognizing the wisdom in safeguarding their young talents. As for the four acolytes, they dont dare to argue with their master, except one.

Shinta stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the gathered faces.

With a resigned sigh, she addressed the group. "Unless any of them can reach the Magus realm, you might as well leave the position empty." Her words resonated with many, and she turned to Emery with a hopeful smile. "I think… I am the one most likely to reach the Magus realm in two years. Don't you agree, Father?"

Emery fell silent, his thoughts a turbulent mix of worry and resolve. The truth was, not only did Emery have confirmation that Shinta was allowed to participate in the duel, being a direct bloodline of Earth magus, but Emery had also been training her over the past year with the possibility of her participation in mind.

However, the recent death of Fuxi shifted his perspective dramatically. The stakes were now higher than ever, and Emery was deeply concerned about the dangers facing his daughter and the other young acolytes. The thought of involving them in such perilous circumstances weighed heavily on him, and he found himself at a crossroads, torn between his daughter's potential and his desire to protect her.

Seeing the tension between Emery and Shinta, Klea intervened, gently placing a hand on Shinta's shoulder, she said,

"Let's not argue. A lot can change in two years." Turning to the group, she continued, "Our focus should be on getting stronger and preparing ourselves for whatever lies ahead. We can make our final decisions closer to the time."

Klea's words had a calming effect on the room, helping to ease the tension. Emery, though still deeply concerned, found himself more open to the possibility.

The shift in focus meant that not only did all nine candidates need to undergo rigorous training, but Emery also had to prioritize their safety and ensure they were adequately protected as they prepared for the coming challenge.

Shinta and the four academy acolytes—Ha Ron, KingRig, Titus, and Armenius—would have the protection of the Magus Academy, ensuring their safety during their training.

For the other four candidates—Octavius, Brandt, Glita, and Gwenneth—Emery planned to arrange their training at a secure location. He chose Brittania Island, a place known to him and relatively secluded. To ensure their safety, Emery planned to station a group of experienced Magus on the island to oversee and protect them.

Lastly, Damo, who had recently broken through to the Magus realm and was a crucial witness to Fuxi's murder, required an even more secure environment.

Emery decided to consult Tessa, and the Karat heiress agreed to create a secret identity for Damo, allowing him to train safely and move freely within the Magus world without drawing unwanted attention.

Thank you for reading

Avan