Earth's Greatest Magus

The blond-haired senior staff member appeared remarkably youthful, his age belying his authoritative position. Despite his appearance, he possessed only a modest new moon realm, a fact that seemed fitting given his youthful demeanor. However, Emery found himself unable to shake the feeling of familiarity upon seeing him.

"You don't recognize me, kid?!" The magus's jovial tone and casual address left Emery and the others perplexed, especially when he accused Emery of cheating.

Deciding to maintain his composure, Emery offered a respectful gesture. "I apologize for not recognizing you, May I inquire about your name?"

The youthful magus chuckled before responding, his voice tinged with amusement.

"I suppose I've undergone quite the transformation... This youthful form is all my family could muster, and my realm has certainly seen better days. Nevertheless, I'm very grateful... You saved my spirit soul from that wretched prison!"

Emery's mind raced as he processed the magus's words, and suddenly, recognition dawned upon him. "You're Senior Urix!" he exclaimed, surprised by the revelation.

Urix, the Magus academy instructors who had once guided Emery in learning the light elements, flashed a wide smile upon being recognized. However, his expression quickly shifted to one of mock indignation.

"Wait! Senior! Don't you remember? You called me Master before I died! Master!"

Emery couldn't help but chuckle at Urix's playful protest. "Hmm... It's not really appropriate to call someone so young 'master,' is it Senior?" he replied with a grin.

The playful banter continued between the two, a testament to the camaraderie they shared. Observing the exchange, Klea couldn't contain her happiness for Emery.

"Senior Urix, I assume you're the guide that the Deputy Headmaster sent?" she inquired.

Urix nodded in affirmation. "Yes, indeed. I'll be here to assist you, our new academy instructor, with any questions or needs you may have," he confirmed with a reassuring smile.

Magus Urix stood before Emery and his companions, a familiar figure from Emery's past studies at the Magus Academy. Urix had been a prominent disciple of Grand Magus Aurora, deeply involved in the workings of the Light Institute. Now, it seemed he had returned to assist Aurora once more, this time as a guide for Emery and his companions.

Emery wasted no time in posing his question about the Perseverance Mountain challenge, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious nature of the test.

"Is it really considered cheating if I uncover the secret behind the test?" he inquired, his tone laced with a hint of intrigue.

"To unravel the secret so swiftly, you truly are my best student," he remarked playfully. It was evident that Urix was pleased by Emery's keen perception and intellect.

However, Urix quickly dispelled any notion of cheating, emphasizing the importance of instructors possessing knowledge of the academy's inner workings. He explained that understanding the secrets of the academy's challenges could make a instructor more effective in guiding their students, offering them a unique advantage over their peers.

"Come on.. Spill!! Let us hear what you have found?" Magus Urix said

Emery's explanation unfolded with clarity. He illuminated the root cause of their struggle: a reliance solely on their physical prowess, neglecting the potent potential of their spirit force.

"The restriction placed upon the students prohibits casting any spells, However, it does not impede access to their spirit core"

He delved deeper into the essence of the trial, outlining its intricacies. Acolytes were tasked to align their spirit energy with the mountain's peculiar frequency, channeling it throughout their bodies to erect a protective barrier. This barrier would amplify their physical capabilities, enabling them to overcome the force presented by the ascent.

Emery postulated that as they climbed higher, they would need to refine their control over their spirit force, attuning it to the mountain's vibrations. Ultimately, success rested upon their mastery of spirit manipulation and their unyielding determination to conquer the challenge within the stipulated time frame.

"Bravo, bravo!" Magus Urix exclaimed, his hands coming together in applause as Emery divulged his insights into the Perseverance Mountain challenge.

The realization of the challenge's true nature brought a wave of mixed emotions to the four young acolytes. While understanding the concept intellectually was one thing, putting it into practice proved to be a daunting task. Emery's estimation of the time required for mastery stretched into days, possibly even weeks, a prospect that weighed heavily on their minds.

Magus Urix's reminder of the remaining time "You have 20 days left!" he exclaimed, his words echoing with a sense of both opportunity and consequence.

With the stakes laid bare before them, the determination in their hearts surged anew. They understood the gravity of the situation: failure meant relegation to the ranks of outer acolytes for the remainder of the year, with only a slim chance of redemption the following year. The prospect of leaving the academy loomed ominously if they couldn't surmount the challenge.

Yet, despite the weight of these consequences, the resolve of the young acolytes remained unshaken. "We have to succeed," said Titus followed by the others. With renewed determination burning brightly in their eyes, they rose to their feet, ready to tackle the Perseverance Mountain once more.

They made their way back to the gate, each step fueled by the unwavering belief that they could overcome this trial.

Magus Urix watched them depart saying "Such high-spirited students," he mused to himself, a faint smile gracing his lips. "I am sure they will succeed."

Upon hearing Klea's inquiry about the number of successful candidates and her concerns about the remaining spots in the inner halls, Magus Urix offered reassurance. "Don't worry about this, it's not as many as you thought," he remarked, his tone calm and reassuring.

He proceeded to explain the current state of affairs regarding the test.

When the trial commenced ten days prior, there were over 15,000 acolytes vying for a coveted spot in the inner halls, comprising both new students and those from the previous year. However, as time passed, only 1,300 had managed to succeed thus far, leaving approximately 1,200 spots still available.

Magus Urix's insights shed light on the situation, indicating that the number of successful candidates might not attain capacity.

"Having another 500 by the deadline will be amazing already,"

He credited the decrease in engagement to the challenging nature of the trial, noting that while thousands once congregated, only half that number were now present, indicating that many had opted to give up their endeavors entirely.

As Magus Urix's words sank in, Emery couldn't help but ponder the implications for the four youngsters' chances of success. The odds appeared daunting, yet the prospect of success lingered tantalizingly within reach.