Earth's Greatest Magus

Today was the day of the royal summon. Emery moved through the towering gates of Pardera Palace. Unlike his previous visits, this time he passed through multiple security barriers unhindered. He didn’t even need to present his invitation—the officials recognized him instantly. Their eyes carried not only respect but a hint of deference. His reputation had grown. As a result, he was given VIP treatment, personally escorted through the palace halls.

The palace itself was an architectural marvel, a testament to power and prestige. Golden arches stretched toward the sky, supported by floating crystal obelisks pulsing with raw cosmic energy. The very air shimmered with an ethereal glow, infused with layers of protective formations. Emery could feel the power thrumming beneath his feet as he walked through the grand entrance.

A steward led him to a waiting chamber. Inside, he spotted familiar faces: Grandmaster Caliborne, Ada Velace, and Graknar Blueflame.

Moments later, two more figures entered the chamber. The first was Galleli, the Ember Sage—his presence was expected. But the second arrival took Emery by surprise.

It wasn’t Kaeylin.

Instead, stepping into the chamber was Horus Kreed, the renowned noble alchemist. His sharp, calculating eyes swept across the room before briefly settling on Emery. He offered nothing more than a fleeting smirk before turning to exchange words with the sage.

Emery frowned. Kaeylin had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the politics of Pardera, but for her to be outright replaced suggested that this summon was more than a mere gathering.

Grandmaster Caliborne rose to his feet, his voice breaking through the murmurs. “Alright, everyone is here. Follow me.”

They moved as a group, passing through intricately carved halls filled with murals depicting the kingdom’s greatest victories. Finally, they arrived at an enormous set of doors adorned with golden vines that seemed to shift and breathe like a living entity. As the doors swung open, a tidal wave of energy crashed into Emery’s senses.

They stepped into the throne room.

The vast chamber was lined with colossal marble pillars. At the far end sat the ruler, King Valder Pardera. Draped in regal emerald robes, his golden eyes shimmered with an ancient glow. The sheer weight of his presence made it clear—this was a man who had ruled for centuries, his power undeniable.

Standing beside him were two figures of even greater stature—Supreme Beings.

Emery immediately recognized one of them: Illir Batara, the Warmaster. A titan of war, his broad frame was encased in obsidian armor adorned with war markings of an age long past.

The second Supreme Being was cloaked in flowing silvery robes, his face was obscured by a veil of shifting light—an ever-changing spectrum of cosmic energy. His presence was vast, like the endless abyss of space itself.

Beyond them stood six other figures, each radiating power beyond comprehension. They were at the peak of the Cosmic Realm, their very existence sending ripples through the fabric of space. Emery clenched his fists. Each of them, he estimated, was at least as powerful as Grand Magus Delbrand or the Ouroboros Queen. This was a lineup that could make any faction within the Magus Alliance tremble. Even the Nephilim might think twice before challenging such a gathering.

Then, the king spoke.

“I welcome you all, esteemed alchemists,” King Valder declared, his deep, resonant voice carrying across the grand chamber with undeniable authority.

Grandmaster Caliborne stepped forward and began introducing each alchemist present, briefly detailing their achievements. Emery remained silent, observing. The tension in the room was palpable, and he knew this gathering was not for mere pleasantries.

Once the introductions concluded, the king’s expression darkened as he revealed his true intention.

“There is an issue plaguing our realm,” he said, his golden gaze sweeping over them. “An invasion. Not from within, but from travelers of another realm.”

Murmurs spread through the room, though many—Emery included—had already suspected the severity of the situation.

“Their numbers grow by the day,” the king continued. “Their incursions are becoming more frequent. More brazen.”

Emery glanced at the other alchemists. Aside from Graknar, the rest showed no signs of surprise. It became clear to him—they had already known about the invasion.

A high-ranking Pardera official stepped forward and activated a crystal. Instantly, a shimmering projection formed in the air, revealing a battle scene unfolding in the northern territories.

Emery’s eyes widened.

It was a battle between a mix of races, mostly humans. Thousands of magus, their auras blazing like miniature suns, clashed against an army of darkness. Hundreds of cosmic experts soared through the battlefield, each exuding the power to shatter mountains with a mere gesture. And above them all, a single supreme figure loomed. This was no mere skirmish; this was a war between titans.

One side bore the sigils of Pardera, but the other—clad in dark robes—was hauntingly familiar.

“Who are they?” Emery murmured to himself.

The projection shifted, revealing another image—within a smoke, a glimpse of monstrous entity, massive and grotesque, its body lined with writhing tentacles. The moment he saw it, his breath caught in his throat.

No. It couldn’t be.

But there was no mistaking it. He had seen them before. He had fought them before.

“The Scourge…” Emery whispered, his voice barely audible. “Those people… they are the Dark Magus… the Oculus faction!!.”

These were the same enemies he had encountered during his Celestial Expedition—the ones even the Celestials had feared. And the Oculus faction… they were one of the top five Magus Alliance factions that had turned traitor, facilitating the resurgence of this plague from another realm. They were also responsible for the trouble at the serpent clan and many others.

Why are they here?

While Emery’s mind raced, the king’s voice rang out once more.

“For too long, we have remained passive in the face of these incursions. No more. We are fighting back. And that is why we need our brightest talents to aid us.”

His golden gaze settled on the assembled alchemists.

“You, master alchemists… we need your help.”