A Terra Mage Defies the Odds
Magic Tournament Zone C, Meias planetary group. The third planet, Lucheli. This world was one of the tourist-friendly spots in the Meias system, hosting events like the Mage Tournament and all sorts of magic festivals to match. Right now, during the height of the tournament season, the streets were buzzing with crowds. Amid the throng, a single Terra man sat in a café, sipping his tea.
"Kuh. As expected, the Meias tribe's Poru black tea is the best in the universe."
He muttered as he tapped away furiously at his electronic notepad. A middle-aged man with unkempt long brown hair and a bushy beard. None other than Con Arche—the most renowned space adventurer from the Terra race, the greatest explorer whose name echoed across the stars.
He'd once published Con Arche's Adventure Log, which sold hundreds of billions of copies galaxy-wide. A true cosmic celebrity. Even if no one recognized his face, every member of the Galactic Union knew his name.
His reason for being here was simple: gathering material for his latest book, Things I've Encountered in the Universe. It was all about observing and reflecting on lifeforms, places, and objects that ordinary folks back on their homeworlds could never dream of encountering.
But why come to this Meias-only planet for research? Simple.
The Mage Tournament! It's where every magic-user in the universe gathers—not just Meias.
He wanted to see non-Meias mages. More precisely, he hoped to spot one who matched or even surpassed the Meias at their own game.
That'd be someone no ordinary spacer runs into every day.
If he found such a gem, he'd snag an interview and weave it into his book.
My plain old space adventure tales sold 400 billion copies online and off combined. Imagine jotting down stuff no one experiences in a lifetime—double, no, triple that.
He wasn't settling for just some standout non-Meias mage. He'd dive into uncharted territories, meet never-before-seen creatures, brush up against planet-sized mega-beasts if possible. He'd note the chaos near black holes, what happens by neutron stars, sneak a peek inside a nebula born from a supernova.
Each one a feat that'd chew through ten lifetimes. But he'd live them and write it all down.
Why? Because he was Con Arche, the galaxy's top space adventurer. He piloted the latest personal starship, built to shrug off the crushing gravity of neutron stars and black holes. His adventurer's know-how covered every crisis the void could throw. His body? Amped to the max with Rubaran serums, plus basic Meias magic he'd picked up—though entry-level at best. Terra in name only; he was a super-soldier tuned for the stars.
Still, risking it all like that? He'd say:
Of course. That's what being an adventurer means.
Adventure coursed through his bones.
After this, I'll swing by that supernova in Zone G. Might catch interstellar matter just starting to clump.
Turning into a proto-star took eons, even in a matter-rich supernova remnant. You'd wait ages to see a star proper. Sure, he'd visit older sites too, millions of years post-blast where proto-stars had formed. But Zone G was close from here—and massive enough to birth multiple stars. He'd probably witness the core collapsed into a supermassive black hole too.
Supermassive black hole and supernova in one go—rare prizes. And in uncharted space, beyond Union oversight. An abandoned cosmic spectacle. How could any adventurer pass that up?
"Hey, let's go! Prelims are starting!"
"For real?"
"C'mon, move it!"
"About time."
The crowd surged excitedly toward the massive colosseum. The tournament was underway.
"Guess I should head over too."
Con Arche, seats pre-booked, finished his tea leisurely, paid up, and strolled to the colosseum without a rush.
The mega-colosseum seated a million. It hosted these tournaments regularly. Winners got personal lessons from supreme Meias elders and a jaw-dropping prize purse.
That drew top mages galaxy-wide. So many entrants meant a 'first interview' to cull the herd—basic skill checks, criminal backgrounds, personality red flags. Over half dropped before matches even started.
I'd flunk that in a heartbeat.
Con Arche was an ace adventurer, but magic? Hopeless. Learning basics as a Terra was already a talent feat; that was his ceiling.
No tournament entry for him—he'd bomb the interview.
Wish a standout non-Meias was Terra... but no chance.
If even a top-Terra talent like him topped out at beginner spells, no Terra mage would ever grace this stage. His take, anyway.
Even after interviews, thousands remained, so they dueled Meias regular army mages to whittle it to 1,000. Those made the official prelims.
Galactic elite, filtered ruthlessly. Mostly Meias, sure, with rare other races—but they got side-eye. Winners were 99% Meias. Gripes about making it an internal affair abounded, but spectators just wanted flashy duels. Discrimination? Who cared. And hey, Meias ran it—what's the beef?
Truth was, Meias were magic incarnate. Outshining them? Pipe dream for outsiders. Even Con Arche, hunting such outliers, figured slim odds.
Eh, just here for the show. Bit of fun before diving into the deadly stuff.
Bonus if he spotted a prodigy non-Meias. He settled in, eyeing the prelims.
Simple format: 50 mages at a time on the vast arena floor. Knock out or ring-out foes with magic. Last four standing advanced.
Meias dominate again this year, huh.
Scanning the first batch of 50, Con Arche sighed faintly, disappointed. A few other races, but they looked outclassed by the Meias swarm.
"...Huh?"
Then, one man caught his eye. Meias-like at a glance, but black hair, black eyes. And that familiar vibe.
He's no Meias.
No way... Terra?
Undeniably Terra, like him.
A Terra? How?
Prelims weren't open to randos. These were the 1,000 who'd aced interviews and army duels—elite by Meias standards. Fair play kept regulars out, so adventurers and freelancers, but matching or beating army level.
A Terra among them? A race with zero innate magic gift?
Maybe he was wrong? Nah—instinct screamed Terra kin.
...Yujin? Yujin.
Spotting the nameplate, Con Arche committed it to memory. Making prelims alone made him interview-worthy.
But as the prelim kicked off moments later...
He soon gaped in utter disbelief at the impossible scene unfolding.