The figure descending from the sky brought an immense pressure to everyone there, not even the audience was able to do anything besides standing and staring at it
A man clad from head to toe in shining golden armor floated just above the ground, right at the center of the group.
The magus looked thin and short, but the power radiated by his presence spoke louder than his appearance. Several magical artifacts floated all around him, while his helmet and boots had a pair of ornate, golden wings that sparkled in the light.
Emery and the others stared at him, trying to guess who this Magus really was. Were they truly part of the Earth, just like the Abbot and the king in front of them, or were they something else.
But, his question was answered right as the two's eyes met, the hostility in their eyes was a clear answer of where their allegiance lied. In other words, they were not on friendly terms.
Right as the two stared at each other, the monks' chanting suddenly stopped altogether.
The magus, still hidden beneath his covered helmet and armor, asked the audience, his voice echoing in the silent arena..
"Anyone wishes to challenge me for it this time? Will you try again, Fjolner?"
Emery could see barely restrained annoyance from the stare of the large man, but he shook his head and said while gritting his teeth. "No, not today."
The magus grinned and everyone felt the urge to challenge him right then and there, were it not for his overwhelming presence. "Good choice, as long as you cannot break through and become a magus, it would be best if you just stood down."
Fjolnir snarled, it was the last straw and he unleashed his rage. Blue tattoos started to shine all over his body, with each one that lightened up, Emery could feel the huge man's power improve by a lot.
However, the Abbot walked next to the man and touched his shoulder. Immediately, the man's anger dissipated, his expression calmed down. The Abbot looked at the magus and nodded. "No, no one will challenge you for it."
The magus was surprised for a second, but then he said, "Yes, please do not hate me, for I am merely the messenger. You know how things are."
The Abbot turned towards the tree, walked closer to it and stared at the tree for a while before raising his arm high. A thin trail of energy came out of his arm like a string and picked up all 10 of the pearl-like glowing fruits one by one and placed them onto his right arm.
"Here are the fruits from the Harvest this time," the Abbot said.
The man in golden armor waved one of his fingers, all of the pearl-like glowing fruits disappeared into what appeared to be a storage ring, leaving only one fruit. The man gave the fruit to the Abbot and the Abbot bowed in respect.
The magus spoke, condescension evident in his tone.
"Remember, this one fruit is more than a blessing for a lower world such as yours,"
Watching the event that transpired in front of him, Emery started to understand what the Heavenly Harvest Ritual actually entailed.
The magus turned around and was about to leave, satisfied that his task there was done, but when he saw Emery and his friends, he stared at them in slight surprise and said,
"This year's candidates seem to be much stronger than before and they are still young too…" The magus stared at them intently. "Ah, yes, 1000 years have passed, they are the third generation, aren't they?"
The magus walked over, scanning Emery and the others one by one, and said.
"Interesting, you all might exceed your predecessor after all, but I will warn you now, do not follow their path."
The magus spoke in such a condescending manner, to the point that, if they weren't warned by the Abbot beforehand, Emery and his friends definitely would have spoken up.
"Hope this time you all learned your lesson," The magus said and stared at the Abbot, before flying back into the sky. The clouds parted for his departure, a display of his massive power.
Just like that, everything ended. It was far too quick for anyone to react.
Silence reigned over them for a few seconds and Julian was the one who broke the palpable pause between them. "Elder, what is going on? Who is he?"
The Abbot spoke calmly, despite what he must have felt.
"It is Gaia's will for you all to see what is happening here." answered the Abbot.
Emery had spoken up to everyone about his purpose for coming to this place, and thus, they all knew a little bit about what Gaia was, but the Abbot's next words surprised them even more.
"I believe that with your current strength, you all have passed your second year in the academy, haven't you? Then, you must have heard something about who that magus truly is… If not, I will tell you. He is known by many names, we call him Narada, the Romans call him Mercury, and the Greeks call him Hermes. He is one amongst the many Nephilim magus tasked to oversee our planet."
The Abbot's explanation was not only direct and to the point, he was even able to talk freely about the Magus Academy without having any restrictions. Emery quickly proceeds with his second question.
"Abbot, how did you know about all these things?"
The Abbot did not answer, but he raised his arm; Emery and his friends looked at the arm. All of them knew what the mark truly meant.
The mark was a bit faded, but it was enough for Emery and the other to know it was the same symbol as the one etched on his palm.
This would only mean one thing, That the Abbot were also part of the magus academy.
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Author Note:
Hope you like how the story is going. there are a few names historical references added all to complete the world-building, come to discord if you like to discuss theory on the world history.
BTW, The novel has just passed 500 chapters, it's all possible because of your support, Thank you very much. Come join the discord for free coin vouchers.