Earth's Greatest Magus

[You have destroyed the Celestial Guardian]

[Your current points are: 243 (1,258)]

Participating in the destruction of the guardian rewarded Emery with a substantial boost in points, particularly considering his top-ranking position. The exhilarating kill confirmation resounded through the chamber, and it wasn't just Emery who benefited from this achievement. As the life left the celestial guardian, hundreds of celestial shards were released, scattering in all directions. One of them was drawn magnetically to Emery, and he expertly caught it in his grasp. Additionally, he acquired five medium soul shards, rare and highly valuable items comparable to those found in celestial temples. Recognizing the precious nature of these artifacts, Emery swiftly concealed them within his spatial storage.

With the spoils secured, Emery noticed a significant change in the chamber. The vault began to tremble, and the floor in the center of the room started to split open. Accompanied by this transformation came a critical notification,

[The second-floor Celestial ruins are open]

Emery's sharp eyes caught the gaze of the female high priestess, Loriel Starwind. Her lingering glance seemed to carry a message before she led the elves toward the newly revealed gate, and they disappeared into the depths of the second floor.

As Emery was about to join the Nephilim group, a squad of elves swiftly approached him. These were the entire contingent of dark elves from the group, totaling 40 individuals. The frosty glares they directed at him left no doubt that they recognized his past.

Their leader, a dark elf with short crimson hair, stepped forward and spoke, his words laced with an eerie menace, "You are him... the half-blood who managed to escape Demon's Pit."

Emery's response was nonchalant, "Yes, I escaped... I killed... and I also embarrassed the warden. I've done it all."

A sly smile played on the lips of the dark elf leader as he retorted, "Funny human... I wish to claim your grinning head as a trophy to bring back home."

However, as Jinkan and her group approached, Emery calmly suggested, "I truly believe... you should run now before your masters go too far. Or you can stay here and face a beating like a dog."

Amusement twinkled in the dark elf's eyes, and with a casual air, he and his fellow dark elves decided to depart and dive into the second layer.

Despite the temptation to eliminate a potential threat, Emery was well aware of the delicate balance maintained between humans and elves in this expedition. The two races might have been capable of navigating the ruins on their own, but they relied on the agreement to ensure their collaborative success. The consequences of upsetting that equilibrium were a complete failure of the expedition.

"Good job, Emery," Jinkan praised him, and her approval resonated with the rest of the group. It was an acknowledgment of the exceptional power he had demonstrated.

This occasion marked the first time Emery had unveiled his true capabilities to his fellow magus. The response from the Albatross and Proxima groups was a mix of awe and curiosity, as they exchanged glances, taking in the spectacle before them.

Uria, the renowned spirit master, regarded Emery with a particular interest, his look hinting at the multitude of questions swirling in her mind. 

Emery's rising popularity quickly drew a crowd of magus eager to see him up close, hoping to form friendships or, in some cases, simply wanting to ensure they didn't cross paths with him in the wrong way. Emery was well aware that the newfound attention was a double-edged sword, but he had come to the ruins with a clear purpose – to maximize the resources available.

This could only be achieved by stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight. It was a strategy that had been expected from Jinkan, one that would elevate her family's prestige in return for the protection of the Nephilim for him and his friends.

As more magus groups arrived, many were taken aback by how swiftly the guardian had been vanquished, considering it had only been seven hours into the expedition. Emery took note of their reactions as they entered the second gate, and Jinkan was ready to lead their combined forces into the next layer.

"Let's go!" she declared, and they ventured into the next passage, marked by multiple golden arches that would transport them to a new vault.

[You are entering Light Vault 225]

With fewer magus having ventured into the second layer, they could now safely divide into three groups. In a mere three hours, they each successfully cleared three temples, earning enough golden medals that grant them access to the third layer of the ruins. Although they could use the medals to enter the second Celestial Crossing, the gate to the guardian's room would remain sealed for another 14 hours.

With their celestial shards in hand, Jinkan decided to distribute them among the factions. Each faction received five medium-sized celestial shards, and she reserved one for Emery.

She then led the group to a concealed cave nestled within the labyrinthine Celestial Crossings. The cave was tucked away from prying eyes, offering the perfect environment for the magus for their personal training.

Fifteen members of their group began the absorption process, each one taking their position and focusing intently on the celestial shard in their hand. 

The remaining 15 members took up defensive positions, making sure no external threats would interrupt the delicate procedure. They maintained a vigilant watch, ready to respond to any potential danger lurking within the unpredictable depths of the ruins.

The decision to conduct the absorption in the heart of the ruins was based on a well-documented fact – doing so within this mystical environment greatly enhanced one's comprehension of the celestial legacy, a resource they were all eager to harness to its fullest.

As for Emery, he held in his hand a total of six celestial shards, each brimming with the promise of new insights into the profound mysteries of the law of light. He couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation and curiosity, wondering just how much his understanding would expand through this intricate process.