Earth's Greatest Magus

Emery immersed himself in the tranquil waters of the Myriad Spring of Life, feeling the soothing currents envelop him in a cocoon of revitalizing energy. As he absorbed the essence of nature and light, he focused his mind on channeling the energies to fortify his soul and refine his core.

Utilizing his Nature Grasp technique, Emery amplifies his connection to the spring's energy and accelerates the absorption process making the most of his limited time.

Emery felt the pulsating rhythm of his soul force surging through his being, invigorating him from within. The gentle whispers of the spring's consciousness seemed to guide him, offering insights into the intricate interplay of nature's elements.

Gradually, his comprehension of the laws of nature expanded, A glimmering bluish light flowed into his core, and with each passing second, he could sense his soul force surging, the very essence of his being invigorated by the spring's energies:

[Soul force has increased by 2 points]

[Soul force has increased by 1 point]

[Soul force has increased...]

[Successfully comprehended the law of nature by 1%]

There was a notable shift in his grasp of light as well. However, as the four hours drew to a close, Emery sensed the consciousness within the spring fading, as if acknowledging that he had reached his limit.

Exiting the spring with a calm demeanor, Emery donned his robe and inspected his gains:

[Law of Nature: 24 (25)%]

[Law of Light: 19%]

During the past four years of rigorous training, Emery had devoted countless hours to honing his spirit reading ability. Despite the challenges he faced, he managed to elevate his comprehension of light by a significant margin, achieving a remarkable increase of 3%.

As he emerged from the Myriad Spring of Life, he could feel the lingering resonance of its potent energies coursing through his veins, infusing him with renewed vitality and clarity of mind. With each passing moment, he sensed his understanding of light deepening, poised to breach the coveted 20% mark in comprehension.

In contrast, progress in his comprehension of the law of nature had been slower and more arduous. Despite his best efforts, Emery had struggled to advance beyond a mere 1% increase over the past four years. The intricacies of this elemental domain eluded him, and he had yet to encounter the necessary resources or opportunities to facilitate his growth.

However, the transformative experience of bathing in the Myriad Spring of Life reignited Emery's determination to overcome this obstacle. He believed that prolonged immersion in the spring's mystical waters could provide the breakthrough he desperately sought, perhaps even propelling him to the coveted realm of the full moon.

With newfound enthusiasm, Emery resolved to redouble his efforts in preparation for the upcoming academy games and review.

Upon returning to their temporary residence near Spring City, Emery found Asahaka deeply engrossed in meditation. Surrounding him were the four young acolytes, each absorbed in their practice, their brows furrowed in concentration as they sought to master the intricacies of controlling their spirit cores. Emery couldn't help but smile at the sight, proud of their dedication and determination.

Before long, Klea arrived, accompanied by Magus Urix, their expressions brimming with anticipation. "So, did you secure the inner hall?" Klea inquired eagerly.

Emery responded with a nod, proudly displaying the new inner hall token. Klea and Magus Urix exchanged relieved smiles, their excitement palpable. However, Magus Urix's curiosity was piqued by Emery's mention of expected trouble, prompting Emery to recount the confrontation with the five outer halls instructors, particularly Coral and Sadis.

"I knew it," Magus Urix muttered under his breath, shaking his head in dismay. "Those two are nothing but trouble."

Before delving further into the matter, Emery turned his attention to the four young acolytes, asking about their progress in conquering the formidable Perseverance Mountain.

Over the past two days, the four acolytes had embarked on the daunting ascent six more times, each attempt a test of their endurance and determination. However, despite their earnest efforts, the outcome had left much to be desired.

Ha Ron had emerged as the frontrunner, surpassing the 8000-

step mark. Kingrig, not far behind, had managed to ascend to 7800 steps, his progress a testament to his unwavering resolve. However, the two young centurions, although showing promise, still struggled to make significant progress, with their step counts plateauing at 6500 and 6600 barely halfway to the summit.

Reflecting on their multiple attempts, Emery understood that their progress was a reflection of their talent in controlling their spirit cores and adapting to the challenges of the mountain. Each climb tested their limits, pushing them to refine their techniques and hone their skills.

Emery knew all too well that these struggles were common among acolytes from lower realms. Many had never encountered such daunting trials, having spent their lives confined to their home planets. For these four acolytes, who had primarily relied on their spirit cores to enhance their physical prowess or unleash spells, navigating the complexities of Perseverance Mountain presented a formidable challenge.

The meditation training led by the Abbot held promise as the optimal solution for their current predicament. Emery understood that rushing into Perseverance Mountain would only lead to further frustration. Instead, mastering the art of meditation would allow the acolytes to attune themselves to the natural elements, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the mountain with newfound clarity.

Emery envisioned a strategy where the acolytes would divide themselves into regions aligned with their elemental strengths. By immersing themselves in the unique energies of these regions, they could deepen their connection with their elements and prepare themselves for the challenges ahead. Emery realized this was the true purpose of the outer regions

—to serve as a training ground for spiritual attunement and elemental mastery.

As he contemplated the path forward, Emery couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. With only 18 days remaining, the acolytes would need to swiftly grasp the teachings of Ashaka and demonstrate tangible progress. Otherwise, Emery would be forced to commence his inner halls class without them—a prospect he hoped to avoid.

The looming deadline served as a stark reminder of his own responsibilities. Emery's focus shifted to the task at hand: registering a minimum of 20 acolytes to fill his hall within the allotted time.

"We don't have much time, let's go check out the new hall," Emery said.

With a determined nod, Magus Urix led the way toward the newly constructed facility.