Earth's Greatest Magus

Klea had previously mentioned to Emery that there had been significant shifts in Kaleo's political landscape. Over the past few months, the fierce competition for heirship had narrowed down to just two remaining families, both of whom were Hardy's cousins.

This consolidation of power changed everything for Hardy. Where once he had to remain in hiding, fearful of being caught in the dangerous power struggle, the tides had now turned. He was no longer a target. Using Emery's reputation as a prestigious apothecary master for his sudden recovery, Hardy seized the opportunity to stop hiding his abilities and step into the spotlight.

For Emery, the timing couldn't have been better. With the group exam approaching, Emery saw this as the ideal moment to appoint a much-needed leader for the Hall 33 acolytes.

Hardy, ever perceptive, quickly caught on to Emery's intent and confidently put himself forward.

"I think I'm the best person for the job," he declared, flashing a sly grin. "But if anyone thinks they can do better, feel free to step up."

The acolytes were well aware of Hardy's intelligence and tactical skill. Yet, because of his historically weak realm, no one had ever seriously considered him as a candidate for leadership. His slow progress through the ranks had contributed to that perception; it had taken him two long years just to climb from rank 4 to rank 7. But now, after unveiling his rank 9 power, many of the acolytes began to reassess their views of him.

Still, Hardy's sudden display of strength wasn't enough to sway everyone. Some acolytes still believed that leadership should fall to one of the golden insignia holders—those who had already proven their exceptional abilities. Ha Ron, Blaine, or King Rig all of whom had held prominent positions within Hall 33.

Hardy, sensing the unspoken resistance, turned to the three golden insignia holders with calm confidence. He knew that securing their endorsement would solidify his claim to leadership.

Ha Ron, was the first to respond. He shrugged, showing little interest in leading himself. "I'll go with whatever the majority decides." With that, Ha Ron stepped back, leaving the decision to the others.

"If you can defeat me," King Rig said, his voice booming with confidence, "then I'll gladly follow your lead." Beside him, Blaine remained silent. He didn't need to speak—his posture said everything. He too was waiting to see how Hardy would handle the challenge.

A sly grin played across Hardy's face as he spoke with a confidence that seemed almost too casual. "I don't think the leader has to be the strongest... I certainly can't beat either of you in a straight fight... hmm, a vote would not do much good either.... what should we do to decide this..."

His words, delivered with such nonchalance in front of the entire hall, left both King Rig and Blaine momentarily speechless. They had expected Hardy to back down or come up with an excuse, but instead, he had thrown them off balance.

Blaine, ever the serious one, asked, "What kind of challenge do you want?"

Hardy's lips curled into a subtle smile, the glint of mischief flickering in his eyes. "How about this,...Both of you can attack me at the same time, but if I can hold out for 30... no, 20 moves, If I win... I am your leader!"

The hall buzzed with whispers as Hardy made his proposal. It was an audacious challenge—after all, it was clear that Hardy had only recently broken through to rank 9 and was still in the initial stage. Facing off against two high-stage rank 9 opponents seemed far too ambitious. However, both King Rig and Blaine knew how crafty Hardy could be.

They exchanged glances, their calculating expressions revealing that they were carefully sizing up Hardy's true intentions.

"Thirty moves!" King Rig countered. "If you can hold out for thirty moves, I'll accept you as the leader."

Blaine nodded in agreement, his gaze unwavering. "And to be clear, if we pin you down, we win."

"Deal!" Hardy said with a hint of mischief in his voice. Then, as if to add fuel to the fire, he nonchalantly added, "Actually, I would've agreed to 50 moves, but if you're confident with 30, that works too!!"

The provocation hit its mark. King Rig's face flushed with anger, his eyes narrowing as he summoned his power. Black lightning crackled around him, an energy that seemed to twist and distort the air itself. Without waiting for further provocation, he prepared to charge, his axes gleaming in hand, each edge crackling with the same chaotic energy.

But Hardy remained calm. He cast the [Light Blessing] a common Tier 4 spell that boosted both physical and magical power, enhancing his combat abilities with a soft golden glow.

"Haha!! What a simple spell... I'll bring you down in three moves!" King Rig let out a bark of laughter, mocking Hardy's choice of spell.

However, just as the fierce Mayan warrior closed the distance, Hardy flicked his wrists. In an instant, two mechanical hand plasma blasters emerged from his sleeves, sleek and polished, as if they had been waiting for this very moment. Without hesitation, he fired.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

Rapid bursts of energy blasted from Hardy's blasters, lighting up the area with sharp, crackling explosions. The blasts weren't enough to cause serious harm, but the sheer force of them stopped King Rig's charge in its tracks, the explosive impacts slowing him down.

"URGHH!!" King Rig growled in frustration.

With sheer willpower coursing through him, King Rig pushed through the barrage of energy blasts. The explosive impacts only fueled his determination, but just as he advanced, two pairs of iridescent wings unfurled behind Hardy's back, shimmering in the light. The sudden appearance of the wings lifted him off the ground, granting Hardy a newfound agility as he floated gracefully in the air.

Now airborne, Hardy continued his assault, firing blasts with precise aim from his blasters. Each shot seemed to dance through the air, finding its mark with uncanny accuracy.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

Unfortunately for the noble Kaleos, his adversary was not the only one with plans. Blaine, the ever-calculative fighter, had been waiting for his moment. With a sharp, calculated gaze, the insectoid warrior made his move.

In an instant, Blaine shot forward like a comet, his flaming fist charged with raw, concentrated power. His precision was flawless; he had calculated Hardy's position and flight path perfectly, and there was no doubt in his mind that this punch would connect.

"I GOT YOU!!" Blaine shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as his fist hurtled toward Hardy with unstoppable force.

But just as Blaine's punch was about to land, something unexpected happened. Inches before impact, Blaine found himself... slowed down. His fist, his entire body—frozen in mid-air. The space around him felt like it had been locked in place as if the very air itself had turned to stone. In that brief second, Hardy calmly twisted in the air, completely dodging Blaine's attack with effortless grace.

Blaine's momentum continued, but his punch hit nothing but empty air. He landed with a thud, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"What... what technique was that?!!"

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