Magus Xion was sitting by his chair on the platform that overlooked the rows of seats where the students were filing out of the classroom.
Chumo led Emery to the magus, and when they arrived, Magus Xion said, "Yes, Chumo? What can I help you with? Ahh, yes. I remember your friend."
Magus Xion stared at Emery, seemingly thinking. Comparing all the magi Emery had encountered so far, Magus Xion was one of the youngest people he had seen. This man looked to be in his early twenties, a young adult some would say, but the appearance of course didn't reflect his true age.
According to what all acolytes had heard, once a person became a Magus, they would start aging much slower due to their constant intake of energy from the world around them. And Magus Xion looking to be in his twenties spoke highly of how talented he was in his acolytes years and being an instructor on top of that, it truly showed how capable of a person he was.
"Right, I recall telling your friend I would help him in the event he returns for his second year in the academy. My master was in an important training that time, so yes I will compensate you." said Magus Xion with a warm smile to Emery.
Emery gave a nod, staring at the young-looking Magus' bluish eyes. He was glad that this person seemed to be a man of his words. He was very friendly, easy to talk with, concise in his lecture and seemed to take note of every person he had met before. In fact, Emery wouldn't be surprised if this person had forgotten him just like how some seemed to have.
Magus Xion then continued, "Well, what do you want me to compensate you with? Mind you that I can't give out contribution points without completion of a registered task. That's breaking a rule. However… what do you say about using my points in getting you two days in the darkness origin stone room. If my mind serves me right, that's what you wanted last time right? So, would you like that?"
Emery gave Magus Xion's offer a thought. In hindsight, it was extremely generous. First year acolytes only received half a day access to the room. Knowing how hard it was to take in the contribution points as well as how helpful it was to the cultivation, being offered four sessions, which was equal to 2,000 contribution points sounded truly tempting.
However, Emery was bound to reject it. In two days' time, the Magus Games will be held. He shook his head and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Magus Xion. But we're entering the Magus Games. I won't be able to fully receive the benefits of the room."
"Right, you all will be competing the day after tomorrow, so two days in the room won't affect much. I concur. Then what about equipment? Do you have equipment ready? I can give you a tier three weapon or a tier two protective artifact you can choose one," answered Magus Xion. As Emery and Chumo listened in more to this guy being more proactive with his proposals, they were starting to like this guy more and more.
"Master Xion, can you give me an artifact as well?" said Chumo, standing beside Emery.
"Haha, it's not wise for a teacher to do that, Chumo. I am doing this since I disappointed your friend last time. This is giving fair compensation for what he had missed. All three offers were about the same in value," answered Magus Xion, giving Chumo a smile.
These were his three options: two full days in the darkness origin stone room, one tier three weapon or a single tier two protective artifact. They were all things Emery needed. But as he gave it more thought, all of these were things he could buy with spirit stones or contribution points. He needed them for the short run, but in the long run, it wasn't. Then, a new thought entered his mind. Something more urgent that involved his cultivation as a whole.
"Magus Xion, I have given it consideration and I would like to have your counsel instead. I have encountered a stumble whenever I practice my cultivation. I am hoping you can help me with this, and if you choose to help me, don't dare to accept any other compensation," said Emery, sounding as polite as he could.
Both Chumo and Magus Xion were startled by Emery's words. Especially Chumo since he knew how valuable the artifacts would be in the upcoming Magus Games.
"Hahaha! You are indeed interesting. Honestly, I thought you wouldn't be able to make it to the second year when I saw you last time. Being an acolyte with a spirit aptitude of rank B, you must have practiced very hard for them to consider your return here. I know it's no easy matter. But still, problems about cultivation for people below the magus level is not a complicated matter. I am sure I can easily solve it for you. But are you sure you prefer this instead of an artifact or the cultivation room?" said Magus Xion in a questioning tone.
"Yes, I am sure. Please help me, Magus Xion," said Emery with his head now.
The magus stated at Emery. He was silent for a good couple of seconds before saying, "Okay then."
Emery believed this was the right way. He then ordered the symbol on his hand to show his stats to Magus Xion and Chumo included. Emery knew the magus would be able to use his authority to find Emery's status so he didn't feel the need to hide it. And as for Chumo, Emery actually felt glad in his heart that he had shown it even to at least one of his friends.
[Battle power: 29]
[Spirit power: 100]
[Water element: early foundation]
[Earth element: early foundation]
[Plant element: early foundation]
[Spirit core of darkness]
Chumo was visibly surprised while Emery watched him read through his stats. Chumo, himself, had in fact managed to reach rank 6 in the last two days, so seeing another person reaching 100 spirit power didn't surprise him much but when he saw how high Emery's battle power was, he realized Emery was probably the strongest member of the group. But when Chumo's eyes read the last bit of information that stated [spirit core of darkness], it baffled him and surprisingly, Magus Xion as well.
Chumo couldn't help his curiosity and asked, "What is the spirit core of darkness, Master Xion?"
Not answering Chumo, Magus Xion's face, which no longer contained traces of confidence, changed into a big frown. He looked at Emery, cast a spell on Emery that covered Emery's body from head to toe and then he frowned deeper. He then said, "Try to cast any offensive spell to that wooden puppet."
Emery hadn't expected the sudden request, but he quickly nodded. The water inside from the surrounding air converged on the top of his palm, turning into the shape of an arrow as big as a spear, before shooting the [Steam Lance] into it. The spear-like spell crashed against the wooden puppet, splashing the water all over its ground. It looked powerful but was only able to shake it.
"Again, use other spells and don't stop until I tell you to," said the magus, the crevice in between his eyes were ever more evident. Emery did as the magus asked and the magus continued to watch Emery issue all offensive spells he knew only to look more baffled.
Fortunately, there was no one around except for the three, so any possible competitors wouldn't have seen what spells Emery was capable of.
After Emery had done a [Whip Splash] Magus Xion said, "Emery, try using [Darkness Infusion]. It is a simple tier two spell."
"But I don't know how to do it," Emery answered.
Magus Xion then transferred a copy of the spell through the dimensional storage rings they had and within just 15 minutes or so, with the guidance of Magus Xion, Emery was able to cast it.
Emery took out his tier two sword and excited [Darkness Infusion] making it glow with a darkish aura like black flames. He dashed at the wooden puppet and struck it a couple of times, but his strikes couldn't get deeper than an inch. It was shown that Emery's slashes were even weaker than the slashes made by the previous acolyte.
"Ok, that's enough. You may stop there," said Magus Xion, his tone heavy and grave. "I have heard about this kind of spirit core before, but this is my first time seeing it. Through the spell I have casted on you, it allowed me to sense the flow of your spirit energy every time you use a spell. Now that I have enough information, especially with your usage of the infusion spell, it's easier for me to confirm it."
"What is it, Magus Xion? Please tell me," said Emery. He couldn't help but feel that something not good was about to head his way.
"Emery…" said Magus Xion, sounding hesitant. "You've made a mess of your spirit core. The very thing that is connected with your cultivation. And because of this you will not be able to cast any spell properly ever again"