Earth's Greatest Magus

"Master, isn't she the top half-blood girl? Is she really joining our hall? This is fantastic news," exclaimed Damo, his face lit up with excitement.

Dillion, though slightly more reserved, nodded. "Yes, she's undeniably strong, but she's been having some issues with us recently."

"What! You mean that incident? Well, you can't really judge someone solely by their flaws. I heard she stood up to those bullies," retorted Damo, his enthusiasm unwavering. "Master, we should definitely try to recruit her."

Although Emery maintained a façade of silence, internally, he battled with a storm of emotions, eagerly anticipating the chance to finally meet this mysterious girl. Despite Herorgar's conspicuous avoidance, Emery managed to glean morsels of information about her from Nyx and VIA.

Reports indicated a puzzling anomaly in her records. The girl named Shura was purportedly older and possessed only a legendary rank serpent bloodline, which means a false identity. Nyx had also noted her surprisingly low profile and clandestine activities, once spotted skulking around Utopia City under the cover of night.

While these revelations might have led others to conclude she harbored ill intentions, Herorgar's endorsement, coupled with Emery's own inner turmoil, urged him to consider otherwise. These enigmatic details only served to deepen his intrigue, fueling his desire to unravel the mysteries surrounding her.

Emery was fully on board with Damo's plan to make a favorable impression on her behalf. However, just as he braced himself for their long-awaited encounter, a sudden shout pierced the air.

"It's you!! The little devil!!"

The shout erupted from Kingrig, the Mayan warrior, his imposing figure accompanied by Ha Ron, brandishing his sword with a menacing intent. "You dare to come here,"

Emery could only stand in stunned silence as he witnessed the brewing confrontation between the two warriors and the serpent girl.

Her response was calm, almost nonchalant. "Is this how you welcome a guest?" she remarked, her tone tinged with amusement.

"You may choose to fight one of us," Ha Ron demanded.

The girl's response dripped with nonchalance. "I don't feel like fighting today. But if you two insist, don't waste my time. Both of you can come at me simultaneously."

Her words only served to stoke the flames of irritation within them. "Huh! Such arrogance!"

Before the tension could spiral any further, Damo interjected, his voice slicing through the charged atmosphere. "Wait! She truly is our guest."

"Her... really?" Ha Ron echoed, his disbelief echoing through the air, mirrored by the confusion etched across Kingrig's face.

Emery, sensing the need to diffuse the mounting hostility, stepped forward. His gaze locked with hers, and he extended an invitation. "Come inside," he said gently, gesturing for her to enter the hall.

Surprisingly, the moment Emery stepped into view, the girl's previous aura of arrogance seemed to dissipate, replaced by a genuine smile that illuminated her radiant beauty. It was a sudden transformation that caught everyone off guard, effectively diffusing the tension.

"What is going on..." murmured those present, their confusion palpable.

Emery guided her to his private corner room, strategically positioned to offer a picturesque view of the yard through its open window. As if welcoming such an important guest, Emery instinctively assumed the role of a gracious host, preparing a pot of hot tea using his old master's cherished teapots and cups.

From a distance, Damo observed the unfolding scene with a mixture of admiration and surprise. He marveled at how much effort his master was putting into recruiting this girl; he had never seen such gestures of hospitality from any other acolyte. Intrigued, the other acolytes soon joined Damo in watching from afar, silently observing the unfolding encounter.   

Emery's hospitality seemed to have a profound effect on Shinta. The once-confident girl now appeared somewhat subdued as they sat across from each other, savoring the warmth of the tea in the tranquil atmosphere of the hall. Despite the initial tension, a comfortable silence settled between them as they shared this moment of unexpected connection.

"Are you here to have a look at the hall?" Emery inquired, his tone suggesting he was more than willing to offer her a tour of the place.

As Shinta savored the tranquility of the moment, she responded with a hint of hesitation, "Uu.. hm.. well, I think all the halls look the same."

"True... Are you here to speak with me then?"

Shinta's mind wrestled with conflicting emotions, her nervousness was palpable. "Well... no... Why would I want to... I mean, I didn't come specifically to speak with you, ...mister."

"I... see," Emery murmured, a flicker of confusion crossing his features as he took a sip of the hot tea.

Another awkward silence settled over the room, thick with unspoken tension.

In an attempt to break the ice, Emery ventured, "I've actually visited Ouroboros City before,"

"You... you did?... When?" Shinta's curiosity piqued, her eyes widening with genuine interest.

"Quite a long time ago, actually. I was still in the academy then, just a few years older than you are right now," Emery shared, his eyes sparkling with nostalgia as a smile danced across his lips, hinting at the fondness of his memories.

Shinta began to relax a little, her curiosity now piqued. With a smile of her own, she asked, "Just that time?"

"No, no," Emery replied, shaking his head. "A few times, actually. Once, I even spent quite a while there... Unfortunately, much of the memory seems like a blur right now."

This admission only served to heighten Shinta's curiosity, and she leaned forward, her interest evident in her expression. "Why? Is it not a good memory?"

There was something in her look and her voice that seemed to compel Emery to share. If he didn't know better, Emery would have thought she used some kind of enhancement on him.

Emery paused for a moment, allowing a part of a memory he had long tried to bury to resurface within him. As it played in his mind, recalling the time he spent in Ouroboros, all was flooded with memories of her.

"No… it's a good memory."

Despite the faint smile that played on his lips, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of deep sadness within him.

This revelation seemed to deeply affect Shinta, and Emery added, "Unfortunately... I was unwell. I couldn't remember most of the time I was there," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret as he released a heavy sigh.

As Emery turned back to face the girl, he was taken aback to see a tear trickling down her cheek. The girl was trembling, and her voice quivered as she spoke.

"Is that... why... you don't remember me?"