Level five represents the standard level of mental strength for a full moon magus, while level eight is indicative of a grand magus. Even a full moon magus capable of reaching level 8, displaying the talent to enter the mind of a grand magus, is considered a Spirit Magus.
Thus, for Emery to have ascended to level 9 was an extraordinary achievement, one that placed him firmly within the category of a Spirit Master, a realm of power only a select few could ever hope to reach.
A brief silence hung in the air before Grand Magus Caste finally spoke, "You, you have passed. However, you shall continue to the next round among the Full Moon participants."
Emery respectfully nodded and, as he made his way back to his group, he could sense numerous individuals attempting to probe his abilities—magus and grand magus alike. None were successful in their endeavors except for the one standing on the podium, the Duke himself.
Upon returning to his companions, Nyx once again gripped his arm tightly, amazed by Emery's exceptional abilities. Arcana, on the other hand, appeared as if his spirit had been momentarily snatched away. He let out a heavy sigh and commented, "You are a monster!" He then turned his gaze toward Nyx, who was standing close to him, and added, "Life is not fair!"
The subsequent tests for the other half-moon magus seemed almost anticlimactic in comparison. Despite their best efforts, none could divert the crowd's attention from the enigma of the nine ringing bells and the mysterious figure behind this extraordinary accomplishment. Whispers and questions filled the air, each voice seeking to uncover the identity of the remarkable Spirit Master candidate.
"Who the hell is he?"
All 200-plus half-moon magus had been tested, with 24 managing to ring 6 bells, 4 reaching 7 bells, and one astonishingly achieving 9 bells.
The time for the full moon magus competition had arrived, and a notable shift in the atmosphere became palpable. One hundred participants had registered for this prestigious round, and from the very beginning, a new aura of power emanated from this batch.
Elowen Alabaster, a promising young talent from the Alabaster faction, was the first to step forward. Her presence alone seemed to electrify the air. With a voice that held the captivating allure of a siren, she exhibited her mastery over spirit manipulation by levitating eight bells simultaneously. Her determination to raise the ninth bell was evident, but alas, it remained beyond her reach. Nevertheless, eight ringing bells were all she needed to secure her passage to the next round. As she left the center, a fierce, almost challenging gaze was directed at Emery, leaving an unspoken rivalry in its wake.
Observing this, an attendant standing near the Alabaster Duke couldn't help but comment, "That girl of mine… she knows she could not do nine bells, why force herself?"
The Duke responded with a silent smile, tacitly acknowledging the assessment.
"Next one! Ignatius," the announcer called out.
Stepping forward was another young magus adorned in white and blue robes representing the Proxima faction.
"I am Ignatius from the Proxima faction, thank you for the chance"
With a respectful yet confident demeanor, he introduced himself to the crowd and expressed his gratitude. His words resonated with humility and assurance, quickly winning over the hearts of the spectators.
Ignatius possessed a unique ability—he could materialize spirit swords, a hundred of them. With this formidable arsenal, he attempted to raise all eight bells simultaneously. The endeavor was not without its challenges, but through sheer determination and skill, he succeeded in his task. The sight of eight ringing bells, orchestrated by a flurry of spirit swords, left the audience in awe, and their applause echoed throughout the competition grounds.
As the full moon magus competition progressed, there were a number of participants who faced failure, struggling to reach the required level. Amidst these setbacks, the atmosphere in the competition grounds remained charged with anticipation.
Brother Nimbus, a middle-aged monk hailing from the Calming Waves Monastery, stepped into the spotlight. His presence radiated tranquility, and he began to chant words that seemed to synchronize with the heartbeats of everyone present. With his eyes closed, the monk managed to telekinetically elevate all ten bells, but he could only muster the strength to ring eight of them.
Following Brother Nimbus was a woman who stood in stark contrast to the serene monk. Clad in an eerie specter-like uniform, she exuded an air of mystique. Her dark hair partially obscured her face, which was concealed by a veil. Despite her veiled appearance, her sharp eyes managed to captivate the attention of many in the audience.
However, as she unleashed her unique ability, a wave of apprehension rippled through the crowd. Those who recognized her identity began to channel their spirit energy defensively. Emery too was taken aback when he witnessed a grotesque, mouth-like appendage emerge from behind her dark hair. This eerie apparition began to emit an otherworldly scream.
Yet, in the midst of this unsettling spectacle, the woman achieved something remarkable. With an otherworldly power, she raised all nine bells simultaneously and set them ringing in unison.
"Another nine bells!" exclaimed the astonished onlookers, their voices resonating with both amazement and trepidation.
The Illithid, a representative of the enigmatic hybrid race known as the mind flayers, stood in stark contrast to the previous participants. Silent and composed, he raised his two distinctive purple-skinned arms, each adorned with four long fingers. Without uttering a single word, he gracefully lifted all nine bells into the air, then rang them in unison, leaving the spectators in awe of his unique abilities.
The impressive display of talent continued as various participants showcased their prowess, reaching the coveted level 9 of the spirit master stage. However, there was one individual who managed to captivate the attention of the entire crowd.
This remarkable man, dressed in resplendent white and gold robes bearing the emblem of a winged human—a clear indicator of his affiliation with the Nephilim faction—was none other than Zephyr Nephilim. As a representative of a grade 5 faction renowned for their extraordinary mental strength, the man exuded confidence.
With an air of self-assuredness, Zephyr summoned the power of the Nephilim divine art. Six magnificent golden wings materialized behind him, creating a breathtaking spectacle. With unparalleled skill and precision, he managed to raise all ten bells into the air and, with a graceful flourish, rang them in perfect harmony.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, It was a performance that left a lasting impression on everyone present, cementing his status as a formidable spirit master.
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