Earth's Greatest Magus

The first week of the examination began.

Unlike the grand openings of past Magus Academy events, which attracted thousands of outside visitors, the mid-year examinations began subtly, focusing initially on the first-year preliminary rounds.

There were 1,885 first-year students among the current total of 3,968 inner hall acolytes. These first-years were summoned to the [Virtual Hall], a technologically advanced facility designed for simulations and virtual training. Here, a virtual image of Headmaster Goldstein appeared before them, delivering a few inspiring words.

"Welcome, young acolytes," the headmaster's holographic form intoned. "Today marks the beginning of your journey to prove your skills and determination. May you all give your best and emerge stronger from these trials."

With these words echoing in their minds, the first-years were directed to one of the 100 rooms provided for the examination. Each room was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing the acolytes to engage in virtual duels. The academy's advanced artificial intelligence system would facilitate these duels, ensuring fair matchups and accurate assessments of each student's abilities.

The format was straightforward yet challenging: each first-year acolyte would participate in one virtual duel per day for the next four days. To advance to the next stage, they needed to secure at least three victories out of four duels.

Each win not only brought them closer to advancement but also awarded valuable contribution points.

The acolytes who achieved four consecutive wins would earn the prestigious title of "Top Rookie of the Year," a recognition that would significantly boost their reputation and opportunities.

While the first-years were engrossed in their battles, the seniors and instructors watched closely from their own halls. Many gathered in communal areas, where large screens displayed the ongoing duels in real-time.

In Hall 120, Emery dedicated his time to personally training Dillion. With Cthulhu present, Dillion could maximize his training by spending 24 hours inside the Khaos space. Emery's guidance, combined with the unique properties of the Khaos space, ensured Dillion's rapid development. Similarly, Damo engaged in his own rigorous training sessions under the guidance of his old master, Ashaka. The bond between master and student was evident as they worked tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming challenges.

Meanwhile, Klea took a different approach. She gathered the senior acolytes, Kat, and six others, in the hall to watch the virtual battles together. Klea believed that observing the duels could serve as an additional training method, providing valuable insights into various combat strategies and techniques. To make the experience more enjoyable, she even prepared snacks for the group, creating a relaxed yet focused atmosphere.

As the virtual battles played out on the screen, the seniors cheered for their comrades. Whenever one of their own took the virtual stage, the room buzzed with anticipation. Victories were met with loud cheers, while defeats brought groans and curses.

"Ah! That stupid Hardy! He got defeated so quickly!" shouted one of the seniors, frustration evident in their voice. The room echoed with similar sentiments, their disappointment palpable.

Kat, ever the optimist, tried to lift their spirits. "Don't worry, he only lost one time. He still has a chance tomorrow."

However, knowing Hardy's character and his history of underperforming, the others had little hope that Hardy would secure any wins.

Klea, who was well aware of Hardy's true potential, sighed deeply. She understood that Hardy had the strength to succeed, but his decision to hide his true abilities was a source of frustration for her.

The first day of the virtual duels proved to be a success for Hall 120, with only three out of the twelve juniors losing their initial fights. These defeated juniors returned to the hall, where they were met with the seniors' "tough love."

Similar scenes unfolded on the second and third days, with acolytes returning from their duels to either celebrate victories or receive support from their peers. The camaraderie and sense of community within Hall 120 were palpable, as everyone rallied together to help each other improve and succeed.

By the third day, two acolytes, Blaine and Ha Ron, had secured their first three wins, earning their tickets to the next stage of the examinations. Their success was celebrated with enthusiasm, as their achievements set a positive tone for the rest of the group. However, KingRig, another strong contender for the Rookie of the Year title, faced an unfortunate setback when he encountered one of the academy's renowned first-year prodigies, resulting in his first loss.

The fourth day saw a renewed determination among the acolytes. Driven by the progress they had made and the desire to secure their places in the next round, they doubled their efforts. With much joy and relief, KingRig, along with Titus and Armenius, managed to achieve their third win, ensuring their advancement. Ulong, motivated by Klea's promise of a grand feast, also clinched his third victory, surprising everyone with his unexpected success.

Despite the overall triumphs, none of the acolytes from Hall 120 managed to achieve four wins. On the final day, both Blaine and Ha Ron faced formidable opponents—first-year elites who were well-known for their high realm prowess. The title of Rookie of the Year was claimed by these higher realm elites, along with 200 other acolytes who had also secured four wins.

Emery recognized several half-blood acolytes from the list, including the Ouroboros girl, Shinta. Watching her four battles, he couldn't help but be impressed. Shinta had effortlessly won her first three fights, displaying remarkable skill and composure. Her final battle was more challenging, but she still emerged victorious, showcasing her potential. Emery eagerly anticipated her performance against the more experienced senior acolytes.

Out of the first-year acolytes, a total of 476 had earned their spots in the next round. They were granted a one-day rest to recuperate and prepare for the upcoming challenges.

The next round would follow a similar format, but this time they would be joined by 1,583 acolytes from the second and third years. These were those who remained unranked and those who had been ranked between 501 and 1000 the previous year.

The stakes were higher now, as they competed for a spot in the top 1000 and the coveted academy bronze acolyte insignia. This insignia was not just a symbol of rank but also a mark of honor and prestige within the academy.

From Hall 120, Dillion who was designated as the top 100 acolytes, and Damo who were in the top 500, did not participate in this round.

"Finally, it's Big Sister's turn!" Kat was excited leading 6 seniors and 6 juniors acolytes to join her for the next round.