Earth's Greatest Magus

Emery devoted hours to the intricate process of absorbing the celestial shard, a seemingly straightforward act of channeling his spiritual energy into the crystal. Yet, the reaction it triggered transcended the ordinary, evoking a vivid and ancient memory.

In his mind's eye, he witnessed multiple nodes of radiant light traversing the sky, dancing among the billowing clouds. The sensation of warmth bathed his skin, and the luminosity that entered his eyes evoked a sense of profound familiarity, reminiscent of the primordial wisp that had once infused his being on the distant Andora planet. However, this encounter felt more distant, as though a bridge to the past had lengthened over time.

As Emery continued to gaze at the shard's intense luminosity, he discerned within its radiant depths a mesmerizing array of colors. Reds, yellows, greens, blues, and countless other hues converged, each imbued with a unique brilliance. Then, a message, unspoken yet profoundly understood, resonated within his mind: "Light is creation."

This revelation, laden with profound significance, stirred the depths of Emery's core. It simultaneously filled him with an influx of newfound power, as he grappled with the implications of this extraordinary knowledge. The celestial shard had not merely augmented his abilities; it had also unveiled a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces that governed his world and existence.

[Your comprehension of the law of light has improved]

[Soul force has increased by 4 points]

[Soul force 427(431)]

[Successful comprehension of the Law of Light by 1%]

[Law of Light - 7% (8)] 

[Law Comprehension - 42% (43%)]

Having now experienced the awe-inspiring essence of the celestial shard, Emery gained a profound understanding of why so many were willing to go to great lengths, even to the point of sacrificing their lives, to compete in this expedition. However, as he concluded the absorption of the first shard, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the passage of time. Three hours had swiftly slipped through his grasp.

Emery contemplated the sheer magnitude of the task ahead. "That was just one shard... absorbing all six and the dozens of smaller ones might well take the entire day," he mused. Doubts gnawed at him, making him wonder if he had erred in his approach. Despite these concerns, he resolved to press on and began the process of absorbing the second shard.

As with the first, a vision unfolded before him, its revelation instilling in him a deep comprehension of the law of light. Simultaneously, his soul force surged, marking his growing mastery of this profound power. The second shard absorbed two more hours of his time.

As he absorbed the second shard, a pair of notifications appeared:

[Your comprehension of the law of light has improved]

[Soul force has increased by 3 points]

Feeling both determined and intrigued, Emery decided to experiment further with one of the smaller celestial shards he had gathered. With a handful of these diminutive fragments in his possession, he set about channeling his spirit energy into all of them simultaneously.

This time, the experience resembled a grand fireworks display, with multiple smaller visions tingling through his mind. Despite their diminutive size, each shard contributed to a sense of enlightenment akin to the larger shards.

[Your comprehension of the law of light has improved]

[Soul force has increased by 2 points]

Despite the abundance of roughly 60 tiny shards, Emery found that they yielded only two points. The vast disparity in value between these smaller shards and the larger celestial shard became unmistakable, underscoring the exceptional significance of the latter.

When Emery was about to continue his absorption efforts, he noticed that Jinkan, Eeshoo, and Uria had already completed their respective shard absorptions. Jinkan possessed two medium shards, Eeshoo had three, and Uria had successfully absorbed four. On the other hand, Mahinder was still in the process of absorbing his third shard.

Recognizing the potential that lay within the celestial shards, the three magus decided to venture deeper into the ruins in search of more of these coveted treasures. Jinkan left one of her magus guards behind to ensure their safety as they continued hunting for more.

The dilemma faced by all the magus within the ruins loomed large. The celestial shards held a tenth of their potential when used outside the ruins, making it essential for everyone to make a critical decision. With a maximum of only seven days permitted within the ruins, the magu had to weigh the choice between dedicating more time to shard hunting or absorbing the shards they already possessed, knowing that the clock was ticking.

Emery assessed the four remaining medium shards at his disposal and decided to attempt absorbing two of them simultaneously. The endeavor was one that had been discouraged, and he quickly discovered the reasons behind the cautionary advice. Probing and channeling his energy into two shards at the same time subjected his mind to a substantial and taxing mental burden, inducing a sense of fatigue that weighed heavily upon him.

In such challenging moments, Emery's innate ability, [Emperor Focus], was spontaneously activated. This mental technique served to alleviate the strain and enhance his concentration, making the process significantly more manageable. The outcome was that he successfully absorbed two medium shards in just one and a half hours, representing an astonishing three- to fourfold increase in absorption speed. This remarkable feat not only highlighted the effectiveness of Emery's unique abilities but also the lengths to which he was willing to go in his pursuit of knowledge and power.

[Your comprehension of the law of light has improved]

[Soul force has increased by 5 points]

[Soul force 431(441)]

[Successful comprehension of the Law of Light by 1%]

[Law of Light - 8% (9)] 

[Law Comprehension - 43% (44%)]

As noted, the method of simultaneously absorbing multiple shards had a notable side effect. Despite his exceptional mental defenses, Emery was only able to effectively absorb a little over half of the shards he engaged with. 

In 10 hours, Emery managed to successfully absorb four medium-sized shards and a handful of smaller ones, resulting in a remarkable 2% comprehension of the law of light. This rate of progress was nothing short of extraordinary, representing an advancement that would typically require decades for most individuals and could be achieved within a matter of hours.

Upon further contemplation, Emery came to a decisive conclusion. His unparalleled mental defenses and advantageous abilities set him apart from other magus, granting him the confidence to prioritize the pursuit of celestial shards over the process of individual absorption. While absorbing multiple shards simultaneously had its drawbacks, he recognized that the lost comprehension could be replenished by acquiring a greater quantity of shards.

Time was the most valuable commodity. With this in mind, he forged ahead with unwavering determination, resolved to amass as many celestial shards as possible.