[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-magus-supremacy":3,"chapter-magus-supremacy-magus-supremacy-chapter-262":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Magus Supremacy",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1243494,1673,"Chapter 262: Instructor Eric!","magus-supremacy-chapter-262",262,"\u003Cp>Grey, who had been reluctantly forced to participate in the assessment for the Lunaria Academy's tournament, stood near the edge of the hall, his arms crossed and expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then that Lyra approached, her steps hesitant but determined, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grey shifted uncomfortably. Her words, though sincere, prickled at his nerves. The atmosphere grew tense as Lyra pressed on, undeterred by his silence, until—he finally snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks of lightning crackled around him, the volatile energy crawling along his arms and illuminating the space like a warning flare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned with barely restrained power as he faced her down, his aura screaming danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy double doors slammed open with a thunderous crash that echoed through the hall like a battle gong. All heads turned. The training hall, once buzzing with chatter and murmurs, fell into complete silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gust of wind swept in, rustling cloaks and hair, as if heralding the arrival of something—or someone—extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man stepped into the room, alone, yet carrying the weight of a battalion in his stride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a moss-green cloak that trailed behind him like a forest shadow, embroidered with golden leaves that shimmered with an arcane glow under the ambient light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His boots—worn and travel-stained—clacked faintly against the marble floor, though each step carried the deliberate grace of a seasoned predator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't especially tall, but the air around him seemed to bend in deference. His posture was upright and disciplined, every motion precise and unwavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair, a blend of ash-gray and deep forest green, was tied neatly into a low ponytail that brushed his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long, jagged scar curved from his left temple to his jawline. The skin around it was darker than the rest of his face and pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow—as if it contained dormant magic. The scar didn't mar him—it defined him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he spoke, his voice held a commanding resonance. Not loud, but each syllable echoed within the chests of everyone present, as if his words were laced with spellcraft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Instructor Eric Thorne, combat specialist of Everwood Academy. Today, I am your trial... and your lesson.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instructor Eric?\" Dave whispered, his eyes wide as he scrutinized the man. \"That's the most strict instructor at Everwood. I mean, they're all strict over there—including the captain—but this guy? He's next level.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you whispering to?\" Dante whispered back, leaning slightly toward Dave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was I talking to you?\" Dave raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue,\" Dante said with a shrug, returning his attention to the formidable instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hmm. This instructor does seem powerful... but nothing I should worry about,' Grey thought as he folded his arms. 'Anyway, time to fail whatever assessments are about to begin.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric surveyed the students. \"Today, you all will take part in three assessments to determine whether you're fit to represent your academy in the tournament.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused when he noticed a hand raised. With a slight nod, the student stepped forward—Grey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Umm... I have a question,\" Grey said as he walked calmly toward the front of the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was already obvious when you raised your hand. So shoot, and stop wasting my time,\" Eric snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's quite rude. I wonder if I can just… No. It's not wise to antagonize another academy,' Grey mused inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the tournament coming up is an intra-academy event—second years versus third years—why are you here? Shouldn't Lunaria's own instructors be handling this?\" Grey asked, his brows furrowed. \"It doesn't concern the other academies, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric's frown deepened. \"That's both a good and a silly question,\" he said, eyes narrowing on Grey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\" Grey remained unfazed by the glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You see, the inter-tournament competition is how the four great academies evaluate each other's strength. To determine which academy is producing the best combatants.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, letting his words hang for effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To prepare for that, the intra-tournament was created. Each academy pits its second and third-year students against each other. The strongest will emerge and represent their school in the inter-academy competition,\" Eric explained, his tone rigid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone listened intently, hanging on every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grey folded his arms. \"That was a nice little history lesson, but it doesn't exactly answer my question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I was getting to that—before you interrupted me,\" Eric barked. A sudden gust of wind burst through the hall, scattering loose scrolls before dying down just as quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wind magic… Interesting,' Grey thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Due to past incidents involving noble students bribing their instructors to get selected, academies now rotate assessors. An unfamiliar instructor can't be bribed easily. That's why I'm here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grey blinked. \"Isn't that still kind of dumb? A noble could still try bribing you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric tilted his head. \"How can you bribe someone you've never met, and will likely never meet again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's still possible,\" Grey shrugged. \"Guess the academies didn't think it through properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't need the weakest student here telling me how academies should function,\" Eric said coldly, clenching his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Weakest?\" Dante muttered, shooting a look toward Grey, who had stopped mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the audacity to waste my time and challenge me before we've even started, I hereby declare—by the authority given to me—you are to sit out the first assessment,\" Eric said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grey, with his back turned to the instructor, grinned faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect,\" he murmured, walking off as if this was all going according to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In… Instructor Eric, isn't that too harsh?\" Vanica spoke up, her voice shaking as she glanced between Eric and Grey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to sit the first assessment out too?\" Eric snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vanica immediately shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I advise all of you—keep your damn mouths shut and do as I say!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\" the students chorused in unison, fear tightening their postures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Grey leaned against the far wall, arms crossed and eyes shut, the picture of indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That weak peasant dared to question me? His aura and mana output were pathetic—almost nonexistent. I can sense everyone's energy in this room, and while some are decent... his barely registers,' Eric thought, casting a cold glance toward Grey's corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, time for the first assessment,\" Eric declared, clapping his hands together as the air shimmered with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>",1042,"2026-06-05T15:21:23.698Z",1,"novelbin.me","30b24ea0e34324bb825bbc26cc2d635c27ed68bd789d06da5f0e534be850b036","magus-supremacy-chapter-263","magus-supremacy-chapter-261",1068,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmagus-supremacy-cover.jpg"]