Chapter 2016 Challenge ?As Emery stood facing the five instructors who had stepped forward, all of them half-moon magus like himself, he couldn't help but feel a surge of unease. The audacity of their challenge, openly defying the deputy headmaster's arrangement was both brazen and unsettling. Emery's mind raced as he considered the possible motivations behind their actions. Perhaps, as he had suspected earlier, these individuals harbored ill intent towards him, driven by personal agendas or hidden vendettas. Alternatively, they may have resented what he represented—the ascent of the lower realm faction within the academy, a shift in power that threatened their established order. Another possibility was a lack of respect for the deputy headmaster's authority, a disregard for the established hierarchy that governed their institution. Yet, amidst these conjectures, one concern loomed larger than the rest—the absence of the headmaster, the supreme authority whose presence could either quell the unrest or exacerbate the situation. Emery could only hope that this revered figure would not condone such blatant insubordination. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his resolve to handle the situation with as much grace as possible. Confidently, Emery put forth his proposal, "Fighting might not be the best solution," he began, his tone measured yet firm. "What about if each of us exchanges one move to demonstrate our deep understanding of our abilities?" He added "As not to hurt each other or risk damaging these exquisite chambers, I suggest we limit ourselves to tier 4 spells. What do you say? If any of your spells could displace me from my position, I am willingly stepping down from my role as an inner halls teacher." His words dripped with a subtle arrogance, yet there was a certain elegance to his demeanor. With a simple gesture, Emery assumed a defensive stance, his readiness to engage in this unconventional demonstration clear for all to see. "Who wants to go first?" he invited, his voice steady and unwavering. Without hesitation, one of the instructors, Shizena, spoke up. "Alright! I will go first. Be ready," she declared, her voice tinged with determination as she prepared to make her move. The female instructor gathered her spirit energy, conjuring a whirling water ball between her palms—a tier 4 water spell known as [Aqueous Orb]. Instead of immediately launching the orb, she began to execute intricate motions, her arms rotating in fluid movements, her body contorting to enhance the orb's velocity and power. It was a display of skill and mastery, an advanced rendition of the tier 4 spell. Emery watched with a sense of admiration. He recognized that any instructor confident enough to teach must possess formidable abilities worth imparting. As the tension mounted, he prepared himself to meet the challenge head-on. Without missing a beat, Emery mirrored her actions, conjuring his own [Aqueous Orb] with remarkable precision. Though his technique lacked the finesse of the female instructor's, he managed to replicate the spell with surprising accuracy. As their orbs clashed in a spectacular display of elemental power, it became evident that Emery's version matched hers in strength and potency. The result was a draw, a testament to Emery's quick thinking and adaptability. The simple demonstration proved to be a crushing blow to the female instructor's confidence. Emery's ability to effortlessly replicate her best spell left her feeling overshadowed and outmatched. With a gesture of respect, she conceded defeat and gracefully exited the center stage, acknowledging Emery's skill with newfound humility. "Thank you for your guidance," Emery politely acknowledged before turning his attention to the next challenger. The second instructor, a confident earth magus, boasted of his mastery over earth spells, boasting a comprehension level above 20% in the laws of Earth. With a determined expression, he unleashed a tier 4 spell known as [Eradicate Earth], summoning a powerful force that reverberated through the ground. His intent was clear—to displace Emery from his position and claim victory. However, Emery was quick to respond. Anticipating the incoming force, he deftly cast the same spell, [Eradicate Earth], but with a twist. With precise control, he directed the energy to split, diverting it to his left and right, while keeping the ground beneath his feet firmly anchored. As the force dissipated harmlessly around him, the second instructor's confidence wavered, his embarrassment evident for all to see. With a gracious nod, he conceded defeat and withdrew from the stage. Emery, true to form, offered his respect to the instructor before issuing his challenge once again, eager to face the next opponent head-on. Both exchanges showcased Emery's profound understanding of elemental magic as he adeptly blocked both attacks with identical spells. While the instructors observing from the sidelines marveled at Emery's skill, the three remaining challengers were left feeling annoyed. One of them, named Servian, exuded a certain air of gentlemanly refinement, while the second one, Coral, possessed a rugged appearance, a testament to his reputation as one of the renowned outlier hall instructors of the combat class. As for the third, he had a bony figure and pale skin. This one, called Sadis, was a darkness-proficient magus instructor. Servian was taken aback when Sadis, with a look of disdain, asserted, "Well, don't fret. That half-blood is limited to nature spells. He won't be capable of replicating your techniques." "Truly? That's reassuring!" Servian replied with palpable relief in his tone, This provided a sense of comfort for Servian, particularly given his unique mastery of both ice and wind elements as a dual half-moon magus. Without hesitation, Servian marshaled all his power, conjuring ten razor-sharp ice shards that hung menacingly in the air—a spell known as [Icicle Spear], his specialty tier 3 ice spell. However, he didn't stop there. With a masterful command of the wind element, he infused each shard with powerful rotations, transforming them into a formidable tier 4 combined spell known as [Piercing Icicle Gale]. It was a display of skill and ingenuity, one that promised devastation comparable to a tier 5 spell. "Good spell, Impressive," Emery acknowledged, his tone calm and composed as he carefully observed the spectacle before him. With a subtle gesture, Emery was able to replicate Servian's feat, summoning identical ice shards that hung in the air around him. He was even capable of drawing upon the power of the wind, and successfully recreated the same combined spell, [Piercing Icicle Gale], matching Servian's prowess. "Ice? Wind? how many elements is he proficient with? How can this be possible?!!!" The sudden turn of events left many people dumbfounded. Such a demonstration sent shockwaves through the observing crowd, particularly among those who thought they knew his ability.