Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1402: Into the Past

Adam found himself floating through a sea of nothingness. His naked body was curled into a fetal position as he aimlessly drifted in this dark void.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze unfocused. Seeing absolutely nothing around him, realization struck him, and his lips curled into a bitter smile.

So I died...

That was his first thought.

He knew that the chances of him perishing were high. After all, what he was attempting to do was highly risky.

But still...

It would be a lie to say that I don’t have any regrets, he thought to himself.

His heart was filled with overwhelming sorrow.

What will happen to Valerian? Although I made prior arrangements to have the lotus transferred to him, will he be okay?

The corruption in the valley is gone, so he should be safe.

But how will he fare without me?

He’s still a child...

Adam buried his face in his hands and sobbed.

I’m sorry, little Val. I was selfish. I hope you can forgive me.

I truly hope that my soul is absorbed by the lotus, so that you can consume my memories. That should help you to some extent.

Anna...

How will she react to my death?

She’ll be heartbroken.

So will the old man.

And Eddie, and Lisa.

Everyone...

Please, forgive me.

He didn’t know how long had passed, but suddenly he realized something.

This doesn’t make sense, he wondered.

If the lotus absorbed my soul, then why do I still have sentience?

Or is this the fate of all those who have been devoured by the artifact?

Strange...

So strange.

He straightened his body and looked around. He was floating aimlessly in the sea of darkness. But suddenly, something caught his attention.

Far away, he saw something glowing.

A speck of light.

Adam’s eyes squinted. Driven by curiosity, he flew towards the light, hoping to find answers to his current predicament.

A long time later, or perhaps only a few seconds later, he finally arrived before the speck of light.

And his eyes widened.

A gate?!

Indeed, it was a glowing, arched gate. The structure was so colossal that Adam appeared to be tinier than the tiniest grain of sand in front of it.

He hesitated for a moment.

Then he closed his eyes and flew right through the gate.

The sound of waves thrashing against one another echoed in Adam’s ears. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing atop a vast river.

Once again, he was stunned.

He had seen this river before. Once in a dream, and once in a divination.

Adam turned around and found that the giant gate was no longer present. There was absolutely nothing behind him. Just a blank realm.

And the river... it originated at his feet and flowed into the past.

Adam lowered his head, his gaze piercing the mystical waters of this river, and then, he saw something.

He saw himself lying naked in a dark cave. All around him, there were bloody runic symbols carved onto the floor, the walls, and the ceiling of the cave.

Watching himself sleeping peacefully in the cave, Adam was filled with disbelief.

Isn’t this...

His train of thought came to a halt when he raised his head and peered further away at the river.

There, he saw himself battling the abomination. His figure was a mess, and he was thrusting the Staff of Calamity at the monster.

Could this be...

He gulped subconsciously.

He took a few more steps across the surface of the river, heading deeper. His gaze once again pierced through the waters, and he saw another scene.

It was a scene of him battling the six-winged serpent and stealing the fruits that grew on the unholy tree.

In that moment, Adam realized what was happening.

This was the river that flowed into the past, and in its waters, he could see his own past!

Adam inhaled deeply, then continued to walk deeper into the river.

A scene of him fighting the corrupted giant appeared.

Adam watched his past with bated breath.

He saw himself descending into the Dark Valley. Then he saw himself walking across the plains of Yen-Lu, accompanied by the Sect Leader of the Shadow Sect.

He witnessed the Battle of Kurogane Pass once again. He saw the time he spent in the Tsuitsui Clan. He then saw himself training young children at the Baihua Sect.

He saw himself arriving at the peak of Mount Hoshigane. He witnessed his days of pain, madness, and loneliness as he journeyed through the jungles of Mabi.

Tebu appeared in his vision. Adam saw the scene of himself walking through the coral island, laughing as madness consumed him.

And then, he saw the Battle of Ravenfell.

He saw the scene of the exact moment the memories of his loved ones were altered. He saw the men of the Black Legion stab him with tearful eyes.

Adam witnessed the Battle of Blackshore, where he received the moniker of the Dark King.

He saw the calm and happy days he spent at Saratoga Castle, teaching his three disciples.

He then witnessed his fight with the werewolf in the town of Stratford, underneath the blood moons.

The river continued to flow as time moved backward.

Adam saw himself participating in the great battle between the Southern Federation and the orcs.

He saw his younger self enjoying his days at the Clover Academy, laughing and playing with Edward and Lisa.

Valerian was born, and his heart was filled with love and warmth. That day, he had gained a little brother.

He saw himself fighting the vampire in Hannes City.

Soon, he witnessed his first-ever battle with a pack of wolves. This was while he was in the traveling caravan, journeying to the Clover Academy.

He then saw the turning point in his life when he chanced upon an unassuming white lotus, floating gently on the surface of a pond.

Adam saw the days he spent with Anna, his sweet sister, whom he loved so much.

As he moved deeper into the river, he grew younger and younger in the scenes he witnessed.

He saw himself with his parents.

Oh, how much they loved him.

He meant the world to them.

And they meant everything to him.

At last, Adam arrived at a point in time which he did not recall.

For this was the day he was born.

In a tiny hut nestled beneath the shade of an oak tree, the cries of a newborn baby echoed. An elderly midwife had just finished delivering the child. She gently wiped the newborn clean and wrapped him in fresh cloth.

”Mina, it’s a healthy boy!” the midwife exclaimed as she gently handed the baby to a woman resting on the bed.

The woman had dark eyes, and the man standing beside her had raven hair.

As she cradled the newborn in her arms, tears of joy streamed down her face.

The raven-haired man leaned down and gently kissed the woman on her head. He then softly asked, ”Have you decided what you want to name him?”

”Yes,” the woman murmured, her eyes filled with love and adoration as she gazed at her son.

She kissed the baby’s forehead and whispered:

”Happy birthday... Adam.”