Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2366  Capture the Flag

A tense atmosphere hung over the clearing as two groups of 50 acolytes stood poised at the base of a towering, forested mountain, 100 miles outside of Utopia City.

The objective was simple: reach the summit and claim the flag that fluttered in the wind, a symbol of victory waiting at the peak. The air was thick with anticipation, every acolyte eager to prove themselves in the upcoming battle.

Leading one of the groups was a striking silver-haired girl, her sharp eyes gleaming confidently. She commanded a force of half-blood acolytes.

"Don't get your hopes up, we will be the winners,"

Standing across the field was a young man with a noble demeanor. He replied with a calm smile, "Well... not this time... you won't."

As both groups eyed each other, mentally preparing for the challenge, the signal was given—a sharp, piercing note that echoed across the clearing.

Without hesitation, both sides charged forward, their movements swift and precise. The initial sprint through the open field soon gave way to the dense thickets and uneven ground of the lower mountain slopes. But the mountain wasn't just an unyielding obstacle of nature. As they ascended, they quickly encountered the first challenge: a combined force of 100 acolytes standing in their path. This group was a mix from the higher and middle halls, their task was to prevent any group from reaching the summit without a fight.

Immediately, the battle erupted into chaos. The mountain's base became a battlefield, and the two advancing groups were forced to halt their momentum and engage the defenders. Fireballs crackled through the air, while barriers of light and shadow were summoned to block incoming attacks. The clash of weapons and the hum of magical energy filled the forest as acolytes from all sides engaged in close combat, dodging spells and striking at each other with deadly precision.

Shinta, the silver-haired leader of Hall 9, pushed her team of half-bloods forward with sheer aggression, smashing through every challenge with raw force. Her acolytes, a mix of diverse bloodlines, followed her lead, their abilities enhancing the team's relentless advance. They tore through the initial obstacles with brutal efficiency, determined to be the first to reach the summit.

Meanwhile, Hardy, the calm and strategic leader of Hall 6, took a more measured approach, maintaining a steady pace but falling a few steps behind Hall 9. His methodical demeanor contrasted sharply with Shinta's ferocity, but his focus was unwavering. As they pressed on, the difference in tactics became evident.

"We need to go faster! We cannot get left behind!" Blaine shouted, frustration evident in his voice. His competitive nature flared, especially as he watched the insectoid half-bloods among their ranks grow restless, eager not to be outdone by the other half-blood in Hall 9.

Hardy, however, remained composed. "Don't worry… let them clear the path for us," he said calmly, his eyes scanning the terrain ahead. "Heal the wounded, conserve our stamina."

As they reached midway up the mountain, the second wave of challenges came into play. Intricate formations sprung up around them, designed to slow their ascent and disorient their movements. Traps were hidden within the terrain, and every step became a gamble. But the challenges didn't end there—suddenly, from the ground below, dozens of Chizpurs emerged, their stone-like bodies breaking through the earth with ease.

Leading the group was Chokokoko, a dark-skinned young Chizpur, commanding his kin with an air of authority. Following the stone creatures came a swarm of dark-skinned orcs, and at the rear stood Twik, wielding nature's fury. Walls of stone and thorny plants erupted in their wake, blocking paths and hindering movement.

Shinta was undeterred. She quickly adjusted, calling out, "Arrow formation! Breakthrough by force!" Her half-bloods immediately fell into line, forming a pointed spearhead that charged forward, battering through the barriers with brute strength and spells. Stone crumbled and plants splintered as they powered their way forward, their cohesion making them an unstoppable force.

On the other hand, Hardy's group faced the same daunting obstacles but took a different approach. He split his forces; Titus and Armenius, The two acolytes, skilled and quick-witted, immediately led smaller teams to the sides, darting around the thicker formations and using deception to confuse the simpler-minded orcs and plant creatures. The Chizpurs, slow to adjust, struggled to respond to the divided attack. As the battle reached its peak, both groups, realizing they couldn't break through with sheer numbers alone, sacrificed their main forces to push a few select individuals past the stone walls and thorny barriers.

Shinta, with her agile form, and Rajh, the tiger half-blood warrior, surged forward on one side. On the opposite flank, HaRon and Kingrig fought their way through, each with their eyes fixed on the prize—a flag perched atop the mountain summit.

"It's mine!!" Shinta shouted, her voice ringing with fierce determination as she dashed forward.

"No, it's not!!" Kingrig bellowed in response. His body crackled with black lightning, and he charged toward the two half-bloods like a storm, intending to strike them down while letting HaRon grab the win.

Shinta managed to dodge, her swift, lithe movements carrying her safely out of the path of his deadly lightning, leaving Rajh to face off against Kingrig's wrath. She pressed on, her slithering steps closing the distance between her and HaRon, both now mere meters from the flag. Each step brought them closer to their goal, the intense competition driving them onward. However, as they neared the summit, both acolytes abruptly slowed, their eyes widening as two more figures appeared before them, standing guard at the top.

"You!! Why are you two here?" Shinta hissed, her shock evident as she recognized the unexpected opponents standing in their path.

From one side, the towering figure of the Bronze Dragon Shiryu loomed, his presence powerful and commanding. On the other side was Dillion, his massive sword gleaming in the light as he held it ready. Both of them were their respected graduated seniors and they exuded an aura of Magus's realm.

"You cannot pass!" Dillion declared, raising his colossal blade as a warning, his voice as unyielding as his stance. Shiryu followed suit, leveling his spear with precise intent. The sudden appearance of these formidable figures sent shockwaves through the contenders. Rajh and Kingrig, who had been locked in their fierce battle just moments ago, now froze in place, momentarily forgetting their rivalry. With the stakes heightened, the two warriors realized the necessity of a temporary truce. The same understanding passed between Shinta and HaRon. Both sides shifted their focus, each team uniting against the powerful guardians blocking their path.

Despite their relentless efforts, it quickly became apparent that both Shiryu and Dillion were far too powerful for their opponents to overcome. Dillion's mastery of gravity spells in his Magus form was particularly daunting, creating an invisible force that weighed down his opponents, severely restricting the movements of all four acolytes. Every step felt like wading through thick mud, and the strain was palpable.

On the other side, Shiryu, now fully transformed into his fearsome dragon form, wielded his spear with deadly precision. Each thrust was accompanied by a roar that reverberated through the battlefield, his powerful strikes pushing them back relentlessly.

"This is impossible!!" However, amidst the chaos, Shinta's quick thinking and cunning instincts came to the forefront. She had been watching closely, biding her time, waiting for the perfect opportunity. While the others struggled, she cleverly concealed herself within Twik's root attack, camouflaging her spells among the tangled vines and branches. Faking her capture, she tricked both Magus into thinking she was out of the fight.

Then, in one swift, calculated motion, she broke free from the roots and bolted forward, her feet barely touching the ground as she slipped past both Magus in a burst of speed.

A victorious smile spread across her face as she dashed toward the flag. "I win!!" she exclaimed, laughter bubbling from her lips.

But just a few steps from the flag, she was shocked to see another figure appear from the opposite side of the mountain. It was Hardy, who had quietly taken a detour around the chaos, and with a triumphant smirk, he snatched the flag from its place.

"NOOO!!!!!" Shinta's voice rang with disbelief.

"Hahaha! Hall 6 wins!!" Hardy declared, his grin wide as he waved the flag triumphantly for all to see.

The combined instructors from the various allied halls watched the results with satisfaction, their eyes gleaming with approval. Klea, in particular, couldn't hide her elation, a proud smile crossing her face as she observed how smoothly the joint training exercise had unfolded. It had been a perfect simulation of a real battle, and the collaboration between the acolytes was better than she'd hoped. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

With only two months remaining until the end-of-year exams, the pressure was palpable. For many of the acolytes, this marked their final year—one last chance to leave their mark within the academy before they would be judged on their readiness to face the outside world.

This was precisely why their newly advanced seniors, Shiryu and Dillion, had taken the time to assist in the training. The presence of two fresh Magus-level acolytes was an invaluable resource for the younger students. Once the joint training exercise concluded, Shiryu and Dillion took the time to personally mentor the juniors. Both moved amongst the tired but eager acolytes, offering advice, correcting techniques, and sharing insights. They ensured that the younger acolytes would be prepared, both physically and mentally, for the challenges of the upcoming exams.

x x x x x x x