Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2339  Rise to the Top

The perilous zone they were venturing into lay deep within the northern territory, a region reserved for the Academy's top acolytes. It was a treacherous area, where only the most elite dared to hunt. Every creature that roamed there was of legendary strength or higher, and even the environment itself seemed hostile to the unprepared. Yet, the dangers were matched by the rewards: rare, high-grade materials that were highly sought after, some of which could not be found anywhere else.

It had been a crucial part of their strategy for the two Halls to collaborate on this exam, which was why Hardy had been guiding their path northward since their arrival to the planet. There were still a staggering 2,000 miles separating them from their destination, and the journey was expected to take at least one and a half days.

 Every mile traveled reminded them of the debt they owed to Shinta and the half-blood acolytes who had come to their rescue on such short notice. Bonds began to form, as both Halls worked side by side to navigate the harsh terrain, fending off minor threats and sharing resources.

The camaraderie that grew during their arduous trek strengthened their determination. It was clear that the two groups had become a cohesive unit, united by a single purpose: to make these final two weeks of the exam count and emerge victorious. [High Hall Ranking - Day 16/30]

[1st Place: Hall 15 - 78,220 Points]

[2nd Place: Hall 12 - 73,448 Points]

[13th Place: Hall 33 - 46,920 Points]

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[Top Hall Ranking - Day 16/30]

[8th Place: Hall 10 - 72, 550 Points]

[9th Place: Hall 6 - 55,660 Points]

[10th Place: Hall 9 - 52,720 Points]

The updated ranking confirmed Shinta's information: Nephilim Hall 6 had been assisting the Aryan faction Hall 15, enabling them to dominate the scoreboard with a massive lead over the other high-ranking hall. "So, what's the plan?" Their combined minds were at work, weighing their options and strategizing.

The 40 captured Nephilim acolytes, now forced into labor, were a significant asset. Every day, they were producing 2,000 to 3,000 points from their work in the mines. This steady influx of points meant that reaching the coveted first place was not out of reach—as long as they could match Hall 15's speed in accumulating points. With this in mind, as soon as they reached the dangerous northern zone, Shinta and Hardy's group swiftly regrouped with the 10 half-blood acolytes led by Suno, the crocodile prince and Shinta's trusted second-in-command. Their combined strength allowed them to finish their ruin-exploration mission more efficiently.

The added numbers weren't just for expediency, though. It was more than enough to make the Nephilim acolytes think twice before trying to harass or interfere with their operations.

The competition quickly escalated into an intense race, with the Nephilim relentlessly aiding Aryan Hall 15 and the half-bloods lending their strength to Hall 33. Both sides pushed themselves to their limits, but Hall 33 had an added advantage— the substantial influx of points from the forced labor of their captured Nephilim acolytes. Each day, Hall 33's ranking surged upward, closing the gap between them and the leaders.

[High Hall Ranking - Day 20/30]

[1st Place: Hall 15 - 108,711 Points]

[7th Place: Hall 33 - 85,820 Points]

The rapid rise in points from Hall 33 didn't go unnoticed. Whispers of disbelief spread through the ranks of the competing Halls, many of whom were stationed on other planets.

"How is this possible?!" one acolyte from a rival hall exclaimed, their frustration echoing what others were feeling. "They must be cheating!"

This sentiment was shared widely among the halls, and even the Academy instructors, who observed from afar, began murmuring in surprise. The meteoric rise of Hall 33 defied expectations, and the alliances between the Halls sparked heated debates.

Many claimed that it was unfair for top-ranking Halls to assist others, calling into question the integrity of the competition. Yet, the irony of the situation didn't go unnoticed—Nephilim Hall 6, which had been doing the same by supporting Aryan Hall 15, now inadvertently became Hall 33's best defense against these accusations.

Questions turned into full-blown inquiries, which eventually led to the discovery of something unusual at Titan's Rock. Acolytes from both Hall 22 and 38 33 had appeared strangely inactive in the competitive rankings, raising suspicion among the other Halls.

Emery didn't intervene. In fact, he welcomed the attention. The more people who became curious, the better for his plan. Though the instructors from both halls had attempted to quietly cover up what was happening, the noble families and influential parents of the acolytes weren't so easily dissuaded. They pushed for an official investigation, and in response, a group of Magus enforcers were dispatched to the site. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

As the investigation unfolded, the truth came to light. The Magus discovered the corrupt handlers who had been aiding the scheme, along with damning evidence that linked them to a broader conspiracy. The entire incident had been recorded, exposing the shady dealings among the top factions. What followed was a blow to the integrity of both the Magus Alliance and the Academy, leading to a public trial that sent shockwaves through the community.

As a direct result of the investigation, Hall 33 lost access to their captured labor, and the flow of passive points they had been relying on dried up. It seemed like their rise to the top of the rankings was coming to a halt.

[High Hall Ranking - Day 26/30]

[1st Place: Hall 15 - 142,121 Points]

[2nd Place: Hall 33 - 131,790 Points]

[3rd Place: Hall 12 - 131,520 Points]

Hardy, turned to the group with a bittersweet smile. "I guess that's it, guys… We gave it everything we had. At least we successfully got our chance for advancement." He nodded appreciatively to the acolytes who had pushed themselves relentlessly over the last ten days.

But not everyone was ready to throw in the towel.

Shinta's eyes narrowed, "Seriously?!! This is not the time to get lazy! We are not giving up yet!"