Chapter 1813 Recruits
Later that day, a new group of three Magus arrived at Ebiru 6, their eyes filled with awe and wonder as they gazed at the impressive surroundings.
The first among them, a burly man with braided hair, couldn't contain his amazement. "Wow, even the guards here are all magus-level. Is this the standard for all grade 5 factions?" he exclaimed, his voice echoing with admiration.
The second, a younger burly man with messy brown hair, playfully teased the first. "You're not feeling intimidated, are you? Please don't embarrass me, senior" he said with a grin.
The first man shot back with mock indignation, "How dare you speak to your senior like that?"
The younger man's grin widened. "Well, considering you've never defeated me even once, you should be grateful that I'm even acknowledging you as a senior... senior."
Their banter was interrupted by the third member of their group, a calm and aged monk who radiated wisdom and patience. "Amituofo… please you two... let's not quarrel. We've come a long way for this," he reminded them in a peaceful tone and added "Please check if we are in the right place"
The first man grumbled under his breath, "That Nephilim bastard was too busy to escort us all the way here! It's their fault!"
The braided magus sighed and pointed to a crowd of Magus ahead. "Look, there's a gathering over there. Let's head in that direction."
The three of them followed the group of Magus and soon found themselves in a room filled with more than 300 Magus, all of whom appeared to be at the crescent Magus level. It became clear that something significant was about to take place. A full moon magus in a Nephilim uniform stepped forward to address the newcomers.
"Thank you for your interest. Once you receive your numbers, you can enter any of these nine rooms."
In the room, there were nine imposing doors lining the walls, each with a window through which the ongoing tests could be observed. Without hesitation, nine Magus entered their respective rooms, ready to face the challenges that awaited them. Inside, a peculiar and daunting sight greeted them—a pair of flying constructs that formed a formidable opponent.
One of the Magus observing outside couldn't contain his shock and frustration. He shouted, "That's an Avalon drone! Each one of them has the power comparable to a Magus! Are we supposed to fight two of them alone?!"
Unperturbed, the Nephilim staff member responded casually, "If you change your mind, there's the exit door."
The challenges presented to them were daunting. Each room represented all the elements, with the exception of darkness. As the minutes ticked away, it became evident that the trials were grueling. Within just two minutes, one of the Magus had given up. By the third minute, another pair of constructs entered the fray and eliminated three more Magus. In the end, the last Magus decided to give up before the ten-minute mark.
The Nephilim staff member announced, "All eliminated, next!"
This abrupt conclusion to the test stirred unrest among the group of Magus. Out of the initial 300 participants, a significant number decided to abandon the test, disheartened by the challenge they had just faced. One Magus expressed his frustration, saying,
"Huh! They said the Amerhiks test would be the easiest. If I could defeat all three constructs, I'd be good enough to join the Aztebas family instead."
The next group of nine Magus bravely entered their respective rooms, each determined to prove their worth. As the doors closed behind them, the Avalon drone loomed large, ready to test their mettle.
In one room, a Magus with fiery red hair conjured flames to combat the constructs. With a flurry of fire spells and incantations, he managed to hold their ground for nearly 10 minutes before exhaustion overtook him.
In another room, a Magus with a staff adorned with swirling wind patterns utilized the power of air to create gusts and tornadoes, attempting to keep the constructs at bay. He managed to hold out for over 10 minutes but eventually succumbed to the relentless assault.
Amidst the struggles and intense battles, the Avalon drone proved to be formidable opponents, showcasing their ability to adapt to various elemental attacks. The Magus who passed the 10-minute mark were not only skilled but displayed exceptional endurance.
"You are accepted, go report to the expedition staff," announced the Nephilim official.
In the subsequent batches, one unfortunate Magus was disqualified for falsely claiming their Magus identity. The official reminded them sternly, "Remember, you cannot join the expedition if you have been a Magus for 30 years!"
As more batches followed, only two additional Magus succeeded in surpassing the 10-minute mark. Most of those attempting the test were Magus who had reached the peak of the crescent realm, having been Magus for over 20 years.
Realizing what to do, the burly Magus with braided hair, stepped forward to take the test, he approached the staff to get his number.
"Name?" the Nephilim staff inquired.
"I am Fjolnir!" he declared before his identity was confirmed.
"A lower realm Magus!? Not even 4 years of Magus' life, are you sure?" The staff's words were met with laughter from the onlookers, but Fjolnir paid them no mind. He was determined to prove himself.
Without hesitation, Fjolnir chose the lightning room and confidently entered. In his hands, he wielded a massive three-meter great axe, a weapon of considerable power.
As the trial began, the drones released their relentless barrage of lightning attacks. Fjolnir swung his enormous axe with incredible speed and precision, parrying and deflecting the lightning bolts with every swing. His display of skill and strength left the other Magus in awe.
With each passing moment, the blue tattoos on Fjolnir's body began to glow, and his eyes shone with determination. His battle power surged, and as the third drone arrived, Fjolnir met it head-on.
Time seemed to stretch as the Magus battled the drones, and when the clock struck the 10-minute mark, Fjolnir had not only survived but had also overcome the challenge. His success left the other Magus in astonishment.
The next to step up for the test was the elderly monk. His aged appearance and the revelation that he had been a Magus for less than two years amused the other participants, and their laughter filled the room.
"I am Ashaka," he announced calmly.
Much to everyone's surprise, Ashaka boldly chose the most challenging room, the light element room. With unwavering determination, he faced the drone with nothing but his bare arms. As he engaged the drone in combat, a powerful defensive aura surrounded him, giving off a golden bell-like aura. His attacks were a mesmerizing blend of fire and ice, showcasing his mastery over contrasting elements.
Ashaka's incredible performance astounded everyone as he not only endured but managed to last the full 15-minute duration of the test. The room fell into a hushed discussion about the old monk's unexpected prowess.
As the room continued to buzz with chatter, the youngest of the three, stepped forward eagerly, clearly unaffected by the laughter that had greeted his companions.
"And your name?" the Nephilim staff inquired.
"I am Thrax, the Immortal Gladiator," he declared confidently.
Thrax's announcement piqued the interest of even more Magus, who were eager to witness his performance, many secretly hoping to see him fail. Thrax retrieved a special spear that was able to cover his entire body in war armor, revealing his unique fighting style.
To the astonishment of all, Thrax didn't just survive the trial; he thrived in it. He systematically engaged and defeated all three drones with exceptional skill, all before the 10-minute mark had even passed. His triumphant display left the room with awe.
The triumphant trio had successfully passed the test, proving their mettle and earning the right to participate in the expedition. As they basked in their accomplishment, a Nephilim Magus approached them, his tone laced with suspicion.
"Who are you three really? Your names are not registered here," he pointed out, prompting several guards to encircle the newcomers.
However, before the situation could escalate further, a group of Magus arrived, consisting of three males and one female; Emery, Klea, Julian, and Chumo. Their faces lit up with recognition upon seeing the three.
"There you are! we have been looking all over for you" Julian exclaimed, relieved to have found them.
Klea added, "Why are you all here? You came to the wrong place! there is no need for you three to take the test you know"
Thrax replied with laughter, "Did I... haha, it's Senior Fjolmir. He's the one who made us lost!"
Fjolnir, the braided brawny Magus, raised his voice defensively. "You! how dare you speak that way to your senior!"
Finally, all seven Earth Magus were reunited, preparing for the much-anticipated Ancient Celestial Ruins expedition, a journey that promised to be both perilous and full of adventure.
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