Earth's Greatest Magus

Two weeks had slipped by since the harrowing incident, each day stretching into the next with a relentless pursuit for answers.

The Earth Magus, one by one, returned to their home.

Each of them assisted the enforcers in scouring the planet, searching tirelessly for any trace of evidence that might lead them to the culprits. They even called in experts to analyze the situation, but their efforts yielded nothing.

The Nephilim faction remained the prime suspect in Emery’s mind, but without solid evidence, the enforcers dared not to officially open a case against them. This reluctance only underscored the Nephilim faction’s immense power and influence within the Magus Alliance.

The only tangible clue they had was the remnants of the high-grade puppets, which, just like VIA had previously identified, were linked to the high elves. The enforcers conducted interrogations of several known high elves within the quadrant, but none had been anywhere near the sector during the time of the attack. As for the puppets themselves, though rare, they were found to be accessible on the high elves’ black market, leaving the investigation at a frustrating dead end.

Reports indicated that activating the puppets required a Grand Magus-level figure with high proficiency in light elements. To operate three puppets simultaneously, the caster would need to possess considerable power, likely at least at the level of a Two Cosmos Grand Magus. However, once activated, the puppets could function autonomously, leading Emery to believe that the mastermind behind the attack had likely fled well before his arrival.

Delving deeper into the intricacies of the puppets, it was discovered that a portion of the caster’s will was necessary to program commands into them. Unfortunately, the self-destruction mechanism of the puppets had obliterated all traces of this will, erasing any chance of tracing it back to the culprit.

With each passing day, the trace grew colder, and the enforcers’ leads dwindled, leaving Emery and his allies in a state of uneasy anticipation.

Refusing to accept a dead end in the investigation, Emery demanded full access to the Abyss gate for further investigation and sought permission to breach the barrier to the King’s tomb. However, this was beyond the enforcers’ jurisdiction and capabilities; they could only offer reports for Emery to present his request directly to the Magus Alliance council.

With no further avenues to pursue, the investigation was put on hold, and the enforcers departed from the planet, leaving Emery and the Earth forces simmering with frustration. The sense of injustice and unresolved tension was palpable.

The last hope seems to be left with Damo,

After two weeks of unconsciousness, the young monk finally started to regain consciousness, but his memory was severely compromised. Over half of his recollections seemed lost, and he struggled to remember the events leading up to the attack.

Ashaka, who had been by his side throughout this ordeal, was the only person Damo could recognize. His compassionate care and presence had been a small comfort to him in his confusion.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Emery knew that traditional methods might not suffice. Given Damo’s fractured soul and the lack of concrete leads in their investigation, he proposed using the [Soul Walking] treatment, a solution that has helped him in the past. This complex procedure could potentially help Damo recover his lost memories by navigating the depths of his soul.

The treatment, while promising, came with inherent risks. It also required a close connection between the subject and a participant to be most effective. Since Ashaka was the only person Damo could recognize, his involvement was crucial.

Despite the risks involved, Ashaka agreed to participate in the treatment. His determination to help Damo, coupled with the pressing need to unravel the mystery surrounding the attack, made it a necessary course of action. With the potential danger posed by the unresolved threat, both Ashaka and Emery hoped that this treatment would provide the answers they desperately needed.

To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the [Soul Walking] treatment, Klea prepared a specialized formation designed to enhance their focus and concentration. This formation would help stabilize the delicate process of soul exploration. Emery, Ashaka, and Damo each consumed one of Emery’s soul-strengthening pills to fortify their souls to prepare themselves.

“Let’s start,” Emery said, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment.

Over the past year, Emery had not only strengthened his own soul but had also endured significant strain from regular soul-splitting exercises. This rigorous training had given him the confidence to navigate the intricate realm of souls, and now he felt prepared to guide the process with Ashaka and Damo.

The initial phase of the treatment was challenging. Emery focused intently, using his enhanced soul strength to establish a connection between their souls. It took some time, but eventually, he managed to link their souls sufficiently. With the connection in place, Emery and Ashaka began to delve into Damo’s memories.

Their journey through Damo’s past started with a heart-wrenching scene from his early life. Ashaka witnessed the baby Damo, abandoned and left in a ditch by his parents. The sight was grim, but it was followed by a glimmer of hope as the infant was discovered and taken in by the monks at the monastery. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Damo’s journey and his eventual bond with the monastery, setting the stage for the life he had lived until now.

Emery and Ashaka delved deeper into Damo’s memories, exploring his early training and relationships with the other monks. They experienced the significant moments of Damo’s life, including his first encounters with Emery. One poignant memory emerged from the time when Emery came to the monastery for the Holy Harvest Ritual. Damo, then a young monk, had opened the door for him.

“Dear visitor, you are allowed to enter. The Aboot has been waiting for you,” This memory was a breakthrough. Damo’s fragile soul was able to recognize Emery more clearly, which made their exploration slightly easier. Despite the progress, Emery knew they had to continue their efforts diligently. He took breaks as needed, and sometimes enlisted Klea’s assistance to help jolt Damo’s soul further and facilitate their progress. They navigated through Damo’s acceptance into the academy, his training, and ultimately his graduation.

As they ventured further, Emery and Ashaka followed Damo’s memories back to Earth where they saw him entering a cave to meet with Fuxi. The scene was vivid and emotionally charged. Fuxi’s expression shifted dramatically upon sensing an intruder.

“Get back!”

Suddenly, Emery was overwhelmed by excruciating pain, a sharp and debilitating sensation that cut through his consciousness. Damo’s scream pierced the air, filled with hysteria and fear.