Earth's Greatest Magus

8 years ago, in one of the Cross Faction research facilities.

"T-This… This thing is not human!"

"The whole point of the project was to create an advanced human to match those half-bloods!"

"A human being! Not this… this abomination!"

"What a failure… Shut down the project immediately!"

"Then, what should we do with this failed product? What about this kid?"

Despite hearing the alarming remarks mixed with fear from the adults around him, the kid who was the topic of the conversation remained silent with his head hung down.

At this moment, the 12-year-old Anzi knew he was standing at death's door. As an unwanted failed product, being disposed of was already a fixed outcome for him – there was nothing he could do to change it.

As the fear of his future loomed over him, the sound of footsteps approached him.

A pair of father and son wearing luxurious clothes and neat appearances. Even with just a look, it was clear they were nobles.

"Shatter, what do you think?" the father asked his son. "He can be your playfriend. Something to replace your dead pet?"

The boy next to the noble man looked at him with a smile.

A boy of similar age, yet from a completely different life than his.

"What's your name?"

"U… Ur…"

"Pardon my impertinence, sir, but this boy can't speak yet… I don't think taking him would be a very good idea…" one of the men behind the boy, who was discussing about what to do with his colleagues, interjected.

"Hmm, that's unfortunate…"

The noble man had a tinge of disappointment on his face, but the boy next to him surprisingly displayed another reaction. He showed an amused expression as he stared at the boy his father offered, or rather, scars that covered half of his body.

"I want this one, Father!"

The man slightly frowned. "Are you sure, Shatter?"

"Yes! I name you… Anzi! Anzi, you are my new pet now!"

…

Weeks and months passed after the fateful encounter. Unexpectedly, even after so long, the noble child did not get bored with his new pet toy.

He fed him, taught him, and shared things with him.

Eventually, he was assigned to be the boy's shadow ever since, to become his protector, which he was more than willing to do.

For the failed product named Anzi, the noble boy gave him what he had never experienced before.

Life and purpose.

Until…

"How could you lose to that low-realm wolf acolyte?! You disappoint me, Anzi!"

"Anzi, do not fail me again."

With these words, the Inhuman Anzi was determined to give his all, to not let his master be disappointed again.

Even with his head chopped off, the living organisms within his body allowed him to retain his consciousness.

Although his body became extremely difficult to control as a result, Anzi managed to put himself in a position of close proximity to his opponent. Now, he just needed to let his limb grow like a plant to restrain the Dragon Protégé.

When he finally succeeded in positioning himself, Anzi immediately used his ultimate skill,

[Toxic Rampant]

While his hardened root held his opponent still, pitch-black blood erupted from the gaping wound of his headless neck and chest. And, as if it was a living creature, the liquid soared and began to cover the Dragon Prince's body like a bloated bubble.

The divine spell was one that worked in perfect synergy with the living organisms within his body.

His opponent, the dragon half-blood, tried to resist by tearing apart the exceptionally durable roots, but with each limb that broke, another quickly replaced its place as Anzi was able to regrow his limbs endlessly.

All in an effort to make sure that the living organisms remained in contact with Zach's body.

Things went smooth-sailing, with his opponent now completely covered with his pitch-black blood from top to bottom. With this, he was certain that his victory was guaranteed. At least that was what he thought.

All of a sudden, an extreme burst of heat came from within the entanglement of roots.

[Mega Flare]

The overbearing flames engulfed the two of them as black smokes soared into the sky. The extreme heat burned even the inside of his bodies, but Anzi persisted and didn't let go of his hold over his opponent. In fact, he tightened it even more.

He must hold on for as long as he could.

At the center of the arena, the audience could clearly see the scene of the two figures covered in such enormous flames that they even could feel the scorching, almost unbearable heat from their seats.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Inhuman had finally lost almost all of his consciousness. His body was now extremely weak, with almost all of his skin burned to crisps by the raging fire.

Upon noticing this, Zach promptly mustered all his might to break the Inhuman's body apart to pieces.

With the uniqueness of Anzi's skill, it took the new magus referee a few seconds to examine the condition of the acolyte's limb pieces. And when the referee noticed the spirit energy within them was dwindling at a rapid pace, he finally announced the result of the match.

"Zach Talon wins!"

Immediately after, the crowd roared loudly for the exciting battle. Although many cursed the half-blood for once again mercilessly killing their opponents.

However, to the surprise of everyone, what followed was Zach falling to a kneel. Now that the flames and smokes had died down, everyone could finally see what had happened to the Dragon Protégé.

All the veins in his body had turned black and extreme pain stabbed all over his body.

The powerful-looking Dragon Protégé screaming in pain, in turn, was not something the spectators expected. Under their surprised and confused expressions, the medical team soon rushed and helped bring Zach out of the arena.

At the same time, Shatter Cross and the Cross family also rushed into the arena. Piece by piece, they delicately collected Anzi's remains into a special tube.

Shatter himself was seen slowly picking up the Inhuman's head at the side of the stage as he whispered to its ear, "Well done, Anzi, I am proud of you… You did your best."

Emery, who had been watching the match with his group from the sidelines, became anxious when he saw Zach's condition. In the end, with Magus Shena's advice, Emery decided to rush to check on him.

In the medical facility, Emery immediately noticed Zach struggling to endure the pain as his now dark veins bulged out of his body, causing his entire body to be covered with ominous black lines.

Despite the unbearable pain he was feeling, Zach called on him upon seeing his arrival. His eyes were bloodshot as he said while gritting his teeth,

"You… must defeat that monk… you must…"

Before he could finish his words, Zach's body jolted in shock and the medical staff hurriedly put him on the medical tube.

After handling Zach's situation, a senior magus who was part of the medical team approached Emery and said, "This is one of the most aggressive bacteria there is. Most humans would have died already, but the young man fortunately has an amazing physique."

The senior magus then examined the data once more before continuing, "His life is not in danger. However, it is going to take about half a day before he can completely heal up."

Hearing the senior's explanation, Emery's previous relief from the earlier sentence instantly disappeared.

Zach still had another fight today. With 12 hours of required recovery time, this meant he would not be able to attend his next round. In other words, he would be disqualified from the tournament.

Which meant, Emery had become the last hope of the half-bloods.