The preliminary round concluded with the astounding performance of Zephyr Nephilim, who achieved the maximum level a magus could ever reach by ringing all ten bells. His display left the audience in awe, and his stoic demeanor afterward only added to his enigmatic aura. Without so much as a reaction or a glance towards the other participants, he calmly returned to his Nephilim group, leaving an impression of arrogance that lingered in the minds of those who witnessed his extraordinary talent.
Arcana couldn't help but comment, "That guy not only has mastered the Nephilim divine art but also its divine arrogance!"
As noon approached, the preliminary round came to an end, with a total of 48 participants selected to advance to the next round: 16 from the crescent moon, 24 from the half moon, and 18 from the full moon categories.
Grand Magus Cleste extended an invitation to these participants and the guests to enter the Alabaster Manor. He provided instructions for each category: the crescent moon participants would compete in the East wing, the half moon participants in the West wing, and the full moon participants were to follow him to the main hall.
Arcana expressed his disappointment, saying, "Aahh, this is too bad. I really wish to see yours!" He then departed with the half moon group.
With the instructions given, the groups separated and made their way to their respective locations. However, the majority of the guests chose to follow the full moon test, as it promised to be the main attraction of the next round.
The Albatross Hall, famed for its grandeur and ornate design, stood before the 18 participants in the next round of the Spirit Master competition. It was a hall of majesty, with towering pillars adorned with intricate runes that added to its mystique. At the center of the hall, a lower podium stood, its surface inscribed with intricate rune formations that hinted at the magical tests to come.
On one side of the podium lay a tall and shrouded object, currently concealed beneath a golden cloak. The anticipation in the room was palpable as participants and spectators alike awaited the unveiling.
"Please, all 18 participants, come forward and stand upon the podium," the Grand Magus instructed. The participants complied, taking their positions and facing the covered object. Those not on the podium were directed to stand a few steps away, and the Duke and his envoys took their place to observe from one side, while the spectators gathered on the other.
The Grand Magus began to address the participants, explaining the nature of the upcoming test. It was a test of mental defense, and the participants were cautioned that the rune formation prepared for the event was also designed to protect the spectators. However, if any of the participants found themselves unable to withstand the mental pressure, they were advised to exit the area.
The announcement sent a wave of unease through the hundreds of magus spectators, but none dared to leave the hall. The tension was palpable as everyone braced themselves for what was to come.
"Alright, be prepared," the Grand Magus declared, signaling that the moment of revelation was imminent. Quickly, Emery and the other 16 participants readied their mental defenses, steeling themselves for the challenge that lay ahead.
The moment the golden cloak was drawn back, it revealed an ancient painting, a single, bold stroke of an ink brush forming the image of an eye. To the participants' astonishment, the eye within the painting came to life, moving and fixing its crimson gaze upon them. The intensity of its presence emanated a potent mental assault that felt like a tidal wave crashing into their minds.
"That's the Ancient One!" exclaimed one of the magus spectators, his voice trembling with shock.
A mythical and enigmatic psychic creature said to possess unparalleled mental prowess, close to the power of a celestial. With a single gaze, the Ancient One can pierce through the layers of one's consciousness even one as strong as Grand Magus. Its crimson eye, an eerie and otherworldly entity, is said to hold the collective knowledge and nightmares of centuries past.
Closing their eyes provided no escape; the eerie energy of the eye permeated their minds, and even in darkness, the blood-red eye continued to haunt them. Emery, in particular, sensed a striking similarity between this "Ancient One" and the beholder creature he had encountered before, but the mental assault from this entity was on a scale a hundred times more potent. A single glance from the eye was enough to send his thoughts spiraling into chaos.
The room seemed to pulse with tension as the Ancient One's relentless mental assault bore down upon the participants. Beads of sweat formed on their brows, and their faces contorted with the effort of maintaining their defenses. Each second felt like an eternity, and the onlookers held their breath, fully immersed in the spectacle unfolding before them.
With the passing of just two minutes, one of the participants succumbed, falling unconscious. The female grand magus, overseeing the event, quickly stepped forward and removed the unconscious participant from the podium.
"If you can endure for 10 minutes, you will pass to the next round," she declared, her voice resolute despite the intense challenge that lay before the participants.
Yet, even as she uttered those words, another magus fell to their knees, overwhelmed by the psychic onslaught.
Five minutes had now elapsed, leaving only ten magus still standing, their mental fortitude tested to the limits. Each of them remained unwavering in their resolve, focusing all their energy on maintaining their defenses.
"Seven minutes!" announced the grand magus, her voice a reminder of the arduous challenge they faced. The remaining participants continued to stand resolutely, but the strain was evident. One more magus fell, leaving just seven standing as the seconds ticked away.
In the waning moments of the nine-minute mark, Ignatius, the young magus from the Proxima faction, decided that he could endure no longer. He knelt briefly, acknowledging the immense mental strain he had faced, before summoning the last of his strength to exit the podium. Despite his exhaustion, Ignatius managed a smile, a testament to the indomitable spirit of these competitors.
"Ten minutes!"
The grand magus's voice rang out once more, and six participants remained standing. Emery, the Calming Wave monk Nimbus, the Albatross faction's young woman Elowen, Hanna from the Whispering Wraith, the Illithid hybrid, and Zephyr of the Nephilim stood their ground, their mental defenses unbroken.
However none moved away from the podium, there was a silent agreement among them to continue the competition, a shared determination to prove who possessed the strongest mental defense in this group. The spectators watched in hushed awe, fully aware that they were witnessing an extraordinary display of willpower and resilience.
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