"Sacrifice the pillars?"

The group, Emery in particular, was a little taken aback when they heard about Annara's plan to sacrifice her Fire Spirit. Their attention was completely drawn to the girl and they were waiting for her explanation.

"Yes, I am confident that in 3 to 5 years I will become a crescent moon magus, one with at least 7% darkness law comprehension. That's the bare minimum for us, privilege acolytes," she said.

Annara's words just now had piqued Emery's interest. He then asked further on the matter.

To answer his curiosity, Annara responded by giving a brief explanation about the three classifications of successful advancement to a magus realm.

7 to 9% Law comprehension was considered a successful advancement and received the crescent magus title.

4 to 6% Law comprehension was considered a mediocre advancement that was called new moon magus.

1 to 3% Law comprehension was considered a failure and more of them died in the process than actually became one.

Most privileged acolytes with their abundant resources and support would normally reach the crescent moon level in 5 to 10 years.

As for the elites, on average it would take 30 to 50 years to achieve the status of crescent moon magus, while the regular acolytes would take 100 to 300 years to reach this.

Emery realized that when Annara mentioned about the regular acolytes of the magus academy, she was well aware that the standard was still an A aptitude acolyte, one with talent, but who did not have as many resources and support.

Meanwhile, for a B aptitude, it would most likely take way longer to reach the level. Probably it would take approximately 1000 years before they could become a magus, hoping they did not die because of age before that.

When Emery heard this, he once again asked,

"I realized many privileged acolytes have reached the high stage with 6 to 9 pillars formed. I am sure many would reach the 1000 spirit force requirement and the peak of rank 9 in a year or two, then why does it need 5 to 10 years to reach the magus realm?"

The red-haired girl explained how the 9th pillar would take a long time to form and consolidating all 9 pillars would take even longer.

Annara added, "That's just it, if one doesn't consolidate properly after reaching the peak of rank 9, one might end up like Bradley who only achieved 4% Law comprehension. He was so embarrassed he was putting it on you thinking that you were an easy target just because you were rank 8."

The girl continued to explain that there were many acolytes out there who were unwilling to wait hundred years to become a proper magus and instead chose to take the shortcut just to reach the magus realm to become an immortal. That, on the other hand, would increase the chances of failure and, for the worst consequence, it would result in death for them.

This made Emery become more curious than before.

"Is it really that bad? If people take the shortcut, I mean. Can't they comprehend the Law after they become a magus?"

This time, it was Klea who gave the answer to his question.

"My master, grand magus Ororo, once told me about this. She said that advancing in a magus realm with less understanding of the Law is like trying to solve a puzzle with fewer pieces and clues."

"Well said!" Annara exclaimed. "It could take 1000 years before you reach 15% half-moon if you don't have a solid start, while a genius who starts with 9% Law comprehension could reach peak magus in only 100 years."

With this, Annara went on to say, "This is why I decided to give up on my fire elements. One law is already crazy. If you're thinking of doing multiple Law, I suggest that at least you choose one as the main."

With this argument, Annara wanted to convince Emery to take the Darkness Spell and forget about any thought about mastering the Water or Earth Element. However, if he really had to choose two, he would just go with Plant and Darkness instead.

Emery was taking Annara's point into consideration at the time. Even if her advice made sense, somehow there was still something about it that did not convince him completely. Emery once again looked toward Klea, as if the girl understood what Emery wanted just by eye contact, she immediately showed her stats.

[Kleopatra]

[Acolyte Rank 9 - High stage - 7 Pillars Formed]

[Lightning Spirit - 4 Pillar]

[Water Spirit - 1 Pillars]

[Wind Spirit - 1 Pillars]

[Ice Spirit - 1 Pillar]

"Emery, my master told me the same thing, but she told me to keep maintaining my three other elements rather than sacrificing them. I don't really understand why, but I trusted her to know what is best for me. That is why I believe we should not stop improving our other elements. I really think you should take your time and not rush this. We still have hundreds of years ahead of us."

Emery heaved a sigh. He was unsure. At the time being, he was questioning himself whether he should not worry about his Water and Earth elements like what Annara had suggested to him, or simply keep them while focusing on upgrading his main spell, as Klea had done to hers.

It appeared he still needed some enlightenment. Therefore, he asked the quiet half-machine robot to see his stats.

"What about yours, Atlas? What is your plan?"

As usual, without saying a single word, the half-machine acolyte immediately showed his stats to Emery.

[Atlas]

[Acolyte Rank 9 - High stage - 9 Pillars Formed]

[Lightning Spirit - 4 Pillar]

[Fire Spirit - 5 Pillars]

The cyborg then added,"My body cannot function without the two elements. It was built to aim for comprehension of the Advanced Law."

In contrast to Annara and Klea, Emery could see that this half-machine used two spirits as his main. However, he was interested to know something different from what Atlas had just said. Since it was a new piece of information for Emery, he inquired with curiosity,

"What do you mean with Advanced Law?"

Hearing this, Annara said, "You don't think there are only 10 laws, don't you? They are the laws outside the basic of 10 elements"

Annara explained there were more than 100 known laws out there, but 90% of magus still depend on the 10 main laws of the elements.

"For earth, water and plant, they are within the Laws of nature, which are quite known. However, I still stand in my belief that those advanced Laws are just not realistic and too hard to comprehend."

Annara then looked at Atlas and said, "Even Mister Cyborg here had to relive 3 times trying to successfully comprehend the advanced law."

This explanation actually answered many questions about Emery's situation, however, it also brought even more questions, some he couldn't comfortably ask without revealing about Gaia or Khaos.

At moments like this Emery realized that each of them had someone who served as a guide for them. Klea had the grand magus Ororo to help her, Annara had grand magus Zenonia and Atlas had those who helped to build his body. He, on the other hand, had no one who really knew what's going on with his cultivation, except maybe

With this line of thought, Emery quickly said,

"Alright, guys thank you. I have made my decision," Emery said firmly and it quickly drew everyone's attention.

"So which spell will you get?" Annara asked curiously.

Emery paused a moment before answering the question. He looked at them with a convincing gaze, "None, I will go to find my master Xion first."