Earth's Greatest Magus

Utopia City

In different circumstances, arriving on this planet would have filled Shinta with excitement, but this time she had to adopt a new identity.

"Shura Ouroboros,"

"Yes, that's me," she affirmed when a checkpoint guard asked.

"And your reason for visiting?" the guard pressed.

"Doesn't it show there? I am here for the Magus Academy," Shinta replied, her tone reflecting a hint of impatience.

The Utopia city guard frowned at her attitude, but a more senior officer soon arrived and quickly cleared her identity. "Welcome to Utopia City," the officer greeted her warmly.

As soon as she passed the checkpoint, a familiar voice whispered in her ear from a tiny, familiar creature concealed behind it. <You did well>

"Huh, Auntie, shouldn't I maintain a lower profile?" Shinta questioned internally.

<No, most acolytes are top geniuses, so being arrogant is more natural… So, just be you>,

"...."

<Now, do as I asked>.

After casually strolling around the city and discovering the eastern side – the half-blood part – Shinta located a suitable room to rent. Later that day, Annara arrived to meet her.

All the clandestine measures were taken as an extra precaution. While Shinta had to assume Shura's identity, Annara's situation was more delicate. She was a fugitive and was known as the princess's closest guardian. Thus, she entered the city separately, using other unique means to ensure Shinta's safety and prevent any harm from befalling the princess.

"What about Uncle Bob?" Shinta inquired.

"He has other matters to attend to. Don't worry about him," Annara reassured her.

Despite being two weeks late for the Magus Academy entrance date, Shinta and Annara spent several additional days in Utopia City, meticulously preparing for Shinta's imminent enrollment. Annara drew upon her own experiences infiltrating the Magus Academy two decades prior, imparting invaluable knowledge and insights to Shinta. She shared tips, tricks, and strategies she had learned during her time at the academy, referring to them as the "Academy Survival Guide."

As the day of Shinta's entrance approached, Annara presented her with a storage ring filled with an array of essential items. High-tier weapons and armor were strictly forbidden within the academy grounds. Hence, she prepared her with the "Myriad Venom Suit," despite its classification as only Tier 3, It was a potent and highly poisonous protection.

Additionally, Shinta was equipped with several poison-related weapons, capitalizing on her high immunity to toxins – a strategic advantage that could prove crucial in her endeavors within the academy.

Annara's concerns about Shinta's abilities were minimal; she knew the princess was both intelligent and strong. Her primary worry revolved around how Shinta would handle encounters with her father. However, Annara realized that this was beyond her control. All she could do was caution Shinta against revealing her true identity, emphasizing the risks it posed to both the queen's plan and Shinta's safety.

"You are ready for this," Annara assured Shinta before providing her with a means of contact. "And don't forget to have fun," she added, offering a final word of encouragement.

Shinta's arrival at the academy on the twenty-second day left her with just eight days before the inner hall entrance closed. It was a brief window, enough to showcase her strength without much risk of the revelation of her true identity.

During the registration process, she immediately made waves with her aptitude test results.

"Dual elements: Plant and Darkness."

"It's… S aptitude… 95!! No… 96%!!"

The astounding score reverberated throughout the halls. 98% would have classified her as an SS talent, a rarity in one of 10,000 acolytes. Nevertheless, her 96% still placed her among the one in 1000 elite, distinguishing her as one of the top 10 candidates of the year.

As news of Shinta's remarkable aptitude spread throughout the academy halls, a curious crowd began to gather to witness her ascent of the perseverance mountain. Remembering the note from the academy survival guide—"Guide number 4: Show of strength will build a reputation"—she approached the challenge with confidence.

Harnessing her natural talents, physique, and mastery of the slithering cloud step, Shinta effortlessly conquered the challenge in just a few hours. Standing triumphantly at the peak, she couldn't help but notice the struggles of her fellow acolytes below.

"This is surprisingly easy," she mused, "Why do those morons look so miserable?"

Exiting the mountain, Shinta found herself surrounded by more than two dozen hall representatives, including several from the middle and high halls. The lower halls dared not approach her, a testament to her value.

As for how to deal with these representatives, Shinta encountered the situation with a keen sense of etiquette, guided by the principles outlined in her academy survival guide, specifically number 3: "Courtesy to the Superiors."

With this principle in mind, Shinta demonstrated her respect towards the magus assistant who approached her. She responded politely, declining the offers from the middle halls with tact, while expressing her intention to carefully consider those from the higher halls. This display of courtesy not only showed her respect for the representatives but also garnered further favor from them.

Observing her demeanor, murmurs of approval spread among the onlookers.

"She's not like any of those arrogant geniuses…"

"Yes, this is the first time I am happy to be rejected… she really knows her worth."

"She's only 15, yet so mature… what a rare breed. I must get her!"

However, despite the positive reception, disappointment lingered as there were no offers forthcoming from the top 10 halls—the very ones she had set her sights on. Nevertheless, Shinta remained poised and resolved to keep her options open in the coming days. If no offers materialized, she comprehended that she might have to heed her aunt's advice and consider joining the half-blood top halls.

After concluding her interactions with the academy representatives, Shinta discovered her thoughts drifting to one particular name that lingered in her mind. Without delay, she accessed the academy database to confirm her suspicions.

"Emery Ambrose… hall 120… he really is here."

The realization sent a wave of emotions coursing through her. Contemplating her next move, she deliberated internally, weighing her options. "Maybe I should give this academy some tours… and let's start with hall 120 at the bottom of the list… yes, this makes perfect sense."

With such justification, Shinta secured transportation provided by the academy and set off towards her destination. As she encountered the foothills where hall 120 was situated, the anticipation of seeing her father for the first time ignited a flurry of nerves within her.

"Should I reveal my identity? Would he recognize me? What should I say?"

Anxiety gripped her tightly as she traversed the path leading to the hall. Thankfully, her worries were momentarily displaced as she stumbled upon a group of acolytes engaged in what seemed to be a fight —a much-welcome distraction, an entertainment that would hopefully calm her down.

"Don't mind me, please continue whatever you're doing,"

Unfortunately, the one-sided nature of the fight failed to entertain Shinta; instead, it only served to annoy her. Though the bullies' behavior grated on her nerves, she hesitated to intervene. After all, she didn't know these defeated morons well enough to justify stepping in. However, just as she was about to turn away, a piece of advice from her aunt's academy survival guide echoed in her mind: "A show of strength will build a reputation."

Viewing the situation as an opportunity to bolster her image, Shinta resolved to take action. These bullies hail from the lower hall, minimizing the potential consequences of her interference. Moreover, coming to the aid of the weak could earn her admiration and respect among her peers.

With this in mind, she decided to take action. Swiftly and decisively, she confronted the aggressors, employing her skills to incapacitate them. However, in the heat of the moment, she inadvertently and carelessly poisoned all of them.

"Wow, Auntie, you are not kidding around with these poisons."

Before she could fully process the consequences of her actions, another group of acolytes reached on the scene, this time from hall 120. Among them was a formidable-looking man wielding a massive sword, who stepped forward to stop her.

"Miss, I cannot allow you to leave without the antidote... You better come with us and see our master," he declared firmly, his demeanor leaving no room for negotiation.

Shinta's mind raced at the realization that the young man before her might lead her to her father. However, the thought of their reunion under such circumstances filled her with unease.

Panic surged through her, and in a spur-of-the-moment decision, she created a hasty retreat.

"You can waste time chasing me or quickly help your friend, your choice,"

As she descended from the hill, Shinta's thoughts were consumed by her father's abilities. She couldn't help but ponder whether he really possessed the skills to neutralize those poisons. "If any of those fools die, i will be in real trouble."

Despite her concerns, a sense of resignation settled over her.

"It's quite fine, I guess. Isn't it one of a father's jobs to clean up his daughter's mess?"