Earth's Greatest Magus

“He is not part of the Fey clan? Then who is he?” The Skyroot Patriarch’s voice was filled with disbelief.

Kaelyin’s words had startled Shinta as much as they had the elder. Her father had been cautious, carefully avoiding revealing their true origins. And yet, the Fey girl had openly declared her suspicions without hesitation. Worse, she wasn’t planning to stop there.

“Yes… I suspect him to be a traveler,” Kaelyin continued, her tone unwavering. “That is why he must come with us now… to confirm his identity.”

Hearing this, Shinta’s heart pounded in alarm. She quickly stepped forward, her voice firm. “Me and my father… we were not born in the Fey clan, but our lineage is real. Our blood cannot be faked!”

The Patriarch turned to Shinta; his deep, piercing gaze made her tremble slightly, but his expression softened to her relief.

“A lost lineage, then… that’s most likely it…”

He turned his sharp eyes to Kaelyin. “Lady Silverleaf, you know that we, the Skyroot clan, share an ancestral lineage with the Fey. This is entirely possible. Besides, Master Emery swore an oath at our shrine. If he were not of this world, the shrine would never have accepted him.”

Shinta and Kaelyin both froze in shock at this revelation. Kaelyin narrowed her eyes. “It doesn’t matter who he really is… my mission is to bring him back.”

Understanding the weight of the situation, the Patriarch let out a deep sigh and said, “Then follow me.”

They walked through the familiar sacred garden, but something was different this time. The number of guards had doubled, all of them cosmic-ranked experts standing in rigid formation. The air was thick with tension, and the deeper they went, the more uneasy Shinta became. Something was definitely happening.

Then, they saw him.

Emery stood frozen in front of the stone obelisk, completely unmoving, as if turned to stone.

“Father!” Shinta gasped, trying to rush forward.

The guards stopped her instantly. Only after the Patriarch gave his approval was she allowed to step closer. Panic rose in her chest as she stood before her unresponsive father.

“What happened to him?!” she demanded.

The Patriarch spoke calmly yet gravely. “Like I said, he is currently undergoing training. A soul challenge. I, too, have been waiting for him to complete it.”

Kaelyin, having experienced the trial before, turned her attention to the stone. Her eyes widened in shock.

“Ninety… one… two… there… Ninety-four! He’s at ninety-five runes?!”

Her voice trembled with disbelief. She had only managed to complete ninety runes herself, and the last time she checked, Emery had barely reached ninety-two. But now…

“He’s already on his ninety-fifth challenge,” she whispered. “That’s impossible.”

Her mind raced. She had spent years refining her soul, yet he had already surpassed her? However, something felt wrong. She turned back to the Patriarch, her expression serious.

“This challenge is supposed to be completed within minutes,” she said. “How long has he been like this?”

The patriarch’s voice was calm yet heavy as he spoke, “It has been Ten days…”

His words sent a ripple of unease through the air.

Shinta’s heart pounded. Ten days? Her father had been standing frozen in front of the obelisk, unmoving, for that long? She turned to the patriarch with urgency. “Has anyone else ever gone this far?”

The old man shook his head solemnly. “Only one.” He let out a sigh, his eyes filled with the weight of history. “My late master once reached the ninety-fifth rune.”

Shinta swallowed hard.

Apparently, the patriarch himself had been unable to surpass the ninety-fourth mark, and only his master in the past had ever reached the ninety-fifth; what did that mean for her father?

The fey girl, not satisfied with the answer, further inquired, “Elder, how long did your master take to complete the ninety-fifth run?” Kaeylin asked.

The patriarch exhaled slowly, then he spoke a number.

“Ninety years…”

Shinta’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “W-what?”

Even Kaelyin, who had remained composed, furrowed her brows in shock.

The patriarch, however, wasn’t finished. “That is the time he spent within the soul world.” He paused before adding, “In our world, he was like this… for three years”

Shinta staggered back a step. Three years? That was still terrifyingly long. Her father had only been inside for ten days, but at this rate…

Her mind raced. They desperately needed to return home to the Magus realm in six months. Could her father possibly complete this challenge at five times the speed of a grandmaster? Even though she knew her father was a rare genius, even though he had shattered expectations time and time again, this… this felt impossible.

Kaelyin, still frowning, turned sharply to the patriarch. “Is there no way to awaken him sooner?”

The elderly man shook his head. “No… unfortunately not without risking severe damage to his soul.”

Shinta clenched her fists. Anxiety clawed at her chest.

Sensing her turmoil, the patriarch softened his tone. “Do not worry. Your father is a member of our clan. We will ensure his safety and well-being. As soon as he awakens, we will send word immediately.” He then gave her a gentle offer. “Or… you may stay here in the estate until he does.”

Before Shinta could respond, Kaelyin interjected firmly. “No. She will come with us to the Fey Clan.”

Shinta turned to her, eyes narrowing. The fey girl’s tone left no room for negotiation, but Shinta had already made up her mind. “I won’t leave my father like this,” she said without hesitation.

Kaelyin frowned, but with so many experts watching, she couldn’t force the issue here. She exhaled sharply. “Fine. I will send word to my elders about this.” With that, she turned and left.

Shinta let out a breath of relief. For now, she would remain in the Skyroot faction. Though she worried for her father, the estate was far more interesting than the dull and rigid Azure Cloud Mansion.

For now, Shinta had to inform the boys about what had happened. She made her way back to the mansion. However, the moment she pushed open the grand wooden doors of her chamber, she stopped short.

Before her, standing in the center of the yard, was Kaelyin. On either side of her stood the two fairy-race attendants.

Kaelyin spoke, her voice crisp and unwavering.

“You will come with us.”

Shinta narrowed her eyes, her muscles tensing in anticipation.

Everything about the situation was clear—the fey girl in front of her was no longer making a request.

She intended to take her by force.