Earth's Greatest Magus

As soon as the door swung open, Emery was enveloped by a rich, soothing breeze of light energy emanating from within the chamber. Stepping through the threshold, he beheld a breathtaking sight: a shimmering lake, its crystal-clear waters aglow with potent spirit energy. The tranquil beauty of the scene struck a chord within him, stirring a sense of wonder and reverence.

Even from a distance, Emery could sense the powerful energy of light and nature radiating from the spring, a force that seemed to resonate with his very being.

Unable to resist the allure of the spring, Emery wasted no time in requesting VIA, the artificial being, to analyze its identity. With remarkable efficiency, VIA identified the spring as the embodiment of two primordial wisps: one of light and one of watery nature. The energy infused every drop of the water, but its essence emanated from a floating plant at the center—a shining blue lotus flower surrounded by leaves that covered its central area.

Emery was shocked to learn that VIA had no name or database entry to match the mysterious entity. It was as if such a phenomenon had never before been recorded in the annals of history.

Emery could hardly contain his excitement as he eagerly asked, "Master, what is this?"

The grand magus referred to it as the Myriad Spring of Life—a name bestowed upon it by a supreme figure responsible for its creation. With a sense of pride, she revealed her modest involvement in its formation, emphasizing the crucial contributions of two supreme beings: Supreme Magus Altus Dresden and another Supreme Magus who governed the watery planet upon which the academy was built.

"This," she declared, "is the greatest treasure the academy possesses."

Emery grasped the significance of her words. The academy's previous greatest treasure had been the origin stones, each embodying the essence of its respective institute. On his journey to these chambers, Emery had noticed the presence of ten origin stones scattered around the mountain core. While these stones held immense allure for acolytes and proved beneficial for magus and grand magus individuals alike, Emery could discern that they paled in comparison to the awe-inspiring spring before him.

Emery couldn't help but envision the transformative effects that the Myriad Spring of Life would have on their cultivation practices. The mere thought of immersing himself in its rejuvenating waters filled him with anticipation and excitement.

To his surprise, the grand magus extended an invitation for him to enter the spring. It was an offer he couldn't refuse. With a mixture of curiosity and awe, Emery slowly approached the shimmering surface, feeling a surge of anticipation coursing through him.

With deliberate movements, Emery removed his robe and stepped into the spring, feeling the cool water enveloping him like a gentle embrace. Almost instantly, he sensed a rush of energy permeating his skin, suffusing him with the overwhelming power of light and nature.

As he waded deeper into the spring, Emery became aware of a faint whisper, a mysterious presence lurking within its depths. Though he longed to explore further, he sensed an unspoken boundary around the radiant blue lotus flower at the center, which was confirmed by the grand magus as a restricted area.

Despite this, Emery felt an undeniable connection to the ethereal beings inhabiting the spring, sensing their similarity with Gaia on Earth and the one on the Andora planet.

Without needing to exert any effort, Emery felt the entire spring come alive with a radiant glow, its spirit energies infusing his very being. In that moment, he felt the profound source of light and water, two essential elements that had been missing from his cultivation journey, hindering his progress in mastering the law of nature.

As he stood immersed in the revitalizing waters, Emery couldn't help but marvel at the synchronicity of it all. Was this the reason he had been chosen? A divine intervention orchestrated by the oracle, guiding him to the very source of energy he needed most?

Lost in contemplation, Emery received the grand magus affirmation, adding another layer to the revelation.

"I can sense the darkness energy within you has grown," she revealed, her words carrying a weight that Emery couldn't ignore. "It is my hope that this spring would provide the balance you need."

The grand magus's insight into his inner turmoil was both unsettling and comforting. It was a testament to her profound understanding of the intricacies of his spiritual essence,

With the benefits he received from his multiple expeditions to the Khaos waypoints, Emery had sensed a subtle shift within himself. His primal core, once broken, had begun to stir with newfound vitality, its dormant energies surging forth with renewed vigor. Yet, with this resurgence came a growing sense of imbalance.

This was also the reason Emery was willing to remove the Khaos guardian from himself; accessing the Khaos power would only further harm the balance and totally shut off his access to his nature core, cutting him off from using light and nature energy completely. Such a condition further increases his appreciation for the energy given by the spring.

As Emery immersed himself in the refreshing embrace of the spring, the grand magus elaborated on its intricate rules and significance.

She explained that the spring's energy was finite, replenishing itself over time but depleting with each use. Therefore, only selected individuals were granted access to ensure the spring's longevity.

The allocation of time within the spring varied depending on the instructor's rank. Instructors from the middle halls, were permitted 12 hours of time every 6 months. Those from the higher halls enjoyed a more substantial allowance of 36 hours, while top hall instructors were granted an entire week. However, as Emery was accepted into the lower halls, he was only allotted 4 hours of time.

Furthermore, she gestured toward the three lotus flowers gracefully floating above the shimmering spring's surface. With a serene smile, she explained that each year, these lotus flowers would bear a single fruit, a symbol of excellence and achievement. These fruits would be bestowed upon the three instructors who demonstrated the highest levels of dedication and accomplishment to the academy.

Emery's realization struck him profoundly. This spring was more than just a source of spiritual revitalization; it was the lifeblood of the academy, attracting esteemed magus individuals to serve as instructors. The allure of its rejuvenating waters explained why even grand magus individuals were willing to lend their expertise to the academy's cause.

As Emery listened intently to the grand magus's revelations, he felt a surge of motivation coursing through him. The prospect of annual reviews and semi-annual Academy games, each offering opportunities for promotion, filled him with determination. These events served as not only benchmarks of progress but also as avenues for recognition and advancement within the academy's hierarchy.

The grand magus concluded her explanation and prepared to depart, leaving him to spend his limited time effectively. However, Emery seized the moment to pose a question.

"Master, you mentioned that this spring is one of the reasons I was chosen. What is the other?"

Grand Magus Aurora's expression softened, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before deciding to divulge the information. "Destiny, plays a string of fate connecting people. You are here for such a purpose."

Emery's curiosity was piqued by her enigmatic words. "A string of fate?" he echoed, trying to unravel the meaning behind her words. He couldn't help but wonder who he was destined to encounter and what role they would play in his journey.

#####

Unbeknownst to Emery, the deputy headmaster left the chamber with a heavy sigh, her thoughts burdened by the weight of uncertainty. Soon, she found herself in another special room where a male figure awaited her arrival.

With a serious expression, the man inquired, "How is it? Is he really the one?"

The grand magus responded, her tone tinged with uncertainty, "I don't know."

Her ambiguous answer caught the man off guard. "How can you not know? You are the oracle..."

"He is indeed one of the destiny breakers," she explained, "This makes limitations on my vision of him"."

Furrowing his brow, the man pressed further, "All the signs are there. He possesses a powerful darkness within him, and he survived encounters with beings from the Nether realm. There is no one more suspicious than him!!"

"No," the grand magus countered, "we've reviewed the reports. If it weren't for him, the emergence would have happened at that time."

"And they haven't now?" the man challenged. "Have you seen the situation on the frontlines?"

The grand magus fell silent, her expression troubled. The man continued grimly, "It's fortunate that he's finally here now. We can observe him closely. Let's hope he truly isn't the one prophesied... Huh! the destroyer of worlds. Not on my watch."

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