Earth's Greatest Magus

2274  Alliance

Over the next few days, Emery, inspired by Klea's idea, organized a meeting with all third-year acolytes and representatives from their respective factions; parents, guardians, and other influential figures. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation as the group gathered, each person curious about what Emery had to offer.

Klea presented an ambitious proposal: the creation of a Lower-Realm Alliance.

This alliance would be a mutual support network, specifically designed for factions from lower realms facing similar challenges. The concept was simple, by banding together, they could assist one another in times of need, ensuring that no one faction would be left vulnerable.

At first, the representatives were skeptical, their faces betraying doubt. Many had likely faced numerous empty promises and unfulfilled alliances in the past. However, out of respect for the Master of their young acolytes, they remained willing to listen.

Klea made it clear that this was not an invitation to join the Earth faction or to become its subsidiary. Instead, the alliance would be based on a limited, mutual contract. The factions would retain their independence, but they would share exclusive rights in key areas: manpower, resources, and information.

One of the central tenets of the proposal was the offer of special discounted prices on Earth faction's apothecary products. In return, the allied factions would assist in promoting these products and help procure the necessary materials for their creation.

When addressing potential threats, Klea outlined a practical approach for the alliance. The agreement would operate like a mercenary contract: each faction could request assistance from the others, with services provided at discounted rates or through mutually agreed-upon methods of payment.

The guiding principle behind every operation would be transparency and openness, ensuring that all factions worked together in good faith and with shared understanding.

Upon hearing the proposal, each representative quickly grasped the nature of the Alliance. It was essentially an extended trade agreement—one that provided immediate and tangible benefits without requiring a deep, long-term commitment. This made it an appealing option for those cautious about becoming too entangled in complex alliances.

However, the idea wasn't without its challenges. History has shown that such loosely structured alliances, without a formal governing body to bind them, often lacked longevity. The representatives knew this and were hesitant, recognizing the pitfalls of such arrangements. But Klea was prepared for this skepticism.

"We also have the academy hall" she stated with a firm conviction.

Klea elaborated on how the new academy policy allowed one or two lower-realm acolytes to join the academy every ten years. The problem was that many of these acolytes, despite their potential, failed to pass the first mountain challenge. But with the Earth faction now holding a significant position within the academy, there was an opportunity to change that.

By leveraging their influence, the Earth faction could provide crucial support to these lower-realm acolytes, improving their chances of not only passing the initial challenges but also of advancing into the prestigious higher halls which would give them access to better resources, training, and opportunities.

The reality was that, given their current standing and popularity within the academy, Emery and his faction could easily attract talented acolytes from higher-grade factions. In fact, doing so would likely benefit both the hall and the Earth faction by bringing in fresh, skilled individuals.

However, Klea and Emery recognized the greater value in fostering a collaborative environment with the lower-realm factions. By reserving a portion of the hall's placements for these acolytes, they weren't just aiding their development; they were also strengthening the bonds between their factions, creating a network of mutual support that would thrive over time.

This approach was not only about offering opportunities but also about establishing a sustainable ecosystem where all participating factions could flourish. The synergy between these factions would create a positive cycle of growth, ensuring that future generations could benefit from the alliance's collective strength.

Moreover, Emery's strong connections with influential figures, such as the lord of Centauri City, the Golden City, and the Zodiac factions, added significant weight to his proposal. These relationships promised additional support and resources, making the alliance even more attractive to the acolytes' representatives.

With these compelling points, every representative eventually saw the wisdom in the proposed vision. The idea of a lower-realm alliance once met with skepticism, now seemed like a golden opportunity. The offer extended to the factions of the first-year acolytes was met with the same enthusiasm, and before long, the lower-realm alliance had grown to encompass ten factions. This alliance, though still in its infancy, now represented a united front, with a shared purpose of mutual growth and protection.

To solidify the bond and ensure that the alliance maintained a cohesive vision, it was decided that alumni from the academy hall would serve as officers and representatives of the alliance. These officers would be responsible for overseeing the alliance's operations, ensuring that its goals were met and that the factions worked together harmoniously.

Kat, along with two other senior acolytes, stepped forward with a willingness to make significant sacrifices. Instead of returning to their home worlds, they chose to accept positions within the Magus Alliance while managing the affairs of the newly formed lower-realm alliance.

Meanwhile, Dillion and Damo would return to their home planets. They would receive intensive training, designed to help them break through to the Magus realm. With the future of the graduated third-years firmly established, Hall 60 organized a farewell party for the nine acolytes. What could have been a somber and emotional event quickly transformed into an energetic and optimistic meeting focused on the future of their newly formed alliance.

Kat, stood tall before her peers. With a bold smile, she announced, "I vote myself as the representative leader of the alliance! So!! This will not be the last time you all see me!"

Her declaration was met with cheers and laughter, but she also made sure to leave a clear message for Damo and Dillion. "You two better break through to the Magus realm quickly and come back to help," she teased, though the underlying seriousness of her words was clear.

She didn't forget to threaten the first years either, making it clear they needed to train hard and ensure the hall didn't drop in rank in the following years. "Don't fuck it up!" she barked.

"Yes, Sister Kat!"

As they celebrated the end of one journey and the beginning of another, they also took time to bid farewell to their Hall 60. In just a few days, they would be moving to their new location, Hall 33, among the higher halls—a symbol of their advancement and the challenges that awaited them.

Thank you for reading

Avan

Creator's Thought