Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1638 Black Flames

Rufus and Digby were siblings who were recruited by the Cult of Bones when they were but children.

That was hundreds of years ago.

They, too, were subjected to the same vile experiments that the other children in the secret base were currently going through.

The two were molded to become vessels for the Cult Leader. Alas, they didnʼt meet certain... benchmarks. Yet, they still advanced to become Mana Core Magi, nonetheless.

Certainly, they were valuable assets for the Cult.

And because they had also grown in secret experimental laboratories, they were tasked with protecting the concealed base in the Mourning Mountains. Another reason was that they were tasked to be role models for the children who survived the various experiments.

Naturally, they were more than happy to return to their roots. Or at least, that was what they told the other Cultists before they were stationed in the Mourning Mountains.

The true reason for their happiness was... they wouldnʼt have to fight on the frontlines against the Sovereign Union, and later, the rest of the world.

With less than fifty-five years left till the next planetary alignment, all the Mana Core Magi of the Cult knew that things were about to get messy. The Cult Leader would begin enacting plans that he had set into motion many years ago.

And so, the secret base in the Mourning Mountains became the safest place for them.

It was just another day at work for the siblings. After making their rounds around the secret base located in the depths of the mountain, they proceeded toward the meditation room.

”Just another fifty years, eh?” Digby said with a light smirk as he walked with his hands clasped behind his back. ”And then we leave this world and venture into the cosmos with our master.”

Yes. The Cult Leader had promised all the Mana Core Magi working for him that he would take them to the Greater Universe.

Ah, such a democratic lie.

The Cultists, who already treated their leader as some god of death, were naturally elated. Oh, what they wouldnʼt do for their great master who promised them the path to attaining the higher arcane ranks?

Little did they know, their souls were doomed to begin with...

Rufus nodded, his expression indifferent. His eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said:

”After the war is over, a lot of Mana Core Magi will have died. We will be one of the few who survive. Weʼll have access to a lot more resources after we follow the great master to the higher world.”

The base in the Mourning Mountains was the safest place they could be. Not only was its location a closely guarded secret - known only to the Cult Leader and a handful of others - but the mist-covered terrain made it nearly impossible for outsiders to find.

”Indeed.” Digby nodded, his lips curling. ”I never liked how he made the method for forming the mana core so readily available to the others in the Cult. Other faction gatekeep it but-”

”Watch it, brother,” Rufus interrupted him. ”Do not speak ill of our master.”

”I didnʼt mean any disrespect.” Digby shrugged. ”Iʼm just saying...”

”Donʼt.” Rufusʼs eyes narrowed.

The other sibling sighed. ”Fine, fine.” Digby nodded.

”Letʼs go practice mindfulness,” he added. ”Thereʼs a new spell Iʼve been working on. I need your help-”

Rumble!

His words got caught in his throat when the entire underground structure trembled. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling, and many of the torches lining the wall flickered in and out of existence.

The siblings exchanged stunned glances, and they could see the sheer disbelief on one anotherʼs faces. There was also fear.

”Im-Impossible!!” Digby blurted out.

Following that, the two brothers rushed toward the entrance. They were shocked that an intruder had managed to locate their secret base, but what stunned them even more was that the intruder was actively trying to destroy the mana barrier surrounding the mountain.

More rumbling sounds thundered through the base, each one louder than the last. The ground trembled beneath their feet as dust and small pieces of debris began falling from the high cavern ceiling.

The two brothers hurried through the tunnels and rushed toward the cave

entrance.

When they finally emerged outside, they froze...

The invisible mana barrier surrounding the mountain was no longer invisible. It was now outlined by a layer of black flames that clung to its surface like a living

thing.

The flames spread slowly at first. Then faster. The barrier that had once seemed unbreakable began to crack and weaken as the black fire devoured it

piece by piece.

Within moments, the protective barrier collapsed entirely.

Nothing remained between the hidden base and the intruder who had come

from them.

When the black flames finally consumed the barrier and disappeared, Rufus and Digby couldnʼt help but gape at the figure in gray robes levitating in the air. The brothers spread their senses outward in a panic, half-expecting to see several more enemies lying in wait. But they were stunned to realize that there

was... no one.

Just the middle-aged man in gray robes.

”Mongrel of the Union!” Rufus growled in rage as he quickly weaved hand seals and took flight. ”How dare you!”

Digby followed behind his brother. Now, the two of them levitated in the air, facing off against the man who attacked their base.

Balthazar coldly gazed at his two opponents. His senses picked up no other Mana Core Magi in the vicinity. He couldnʼt help but wonder in slight surprise: There really are just two Mana Core Magi. Adamʼs intel has been highly accurate so far.

”Is it really just the two of you?” he couldnʼt help but ask. ”For a secret base that holds such value, I figured your leader would station more of you here.”

Digbyʼs eyes narrowed. ”You know quite a lot, donʼt you, Magus?” ”Brother,” Rufus called out softly. ”Letʼs keep this one alive. Thereʼs a lot we can

learn.”

Blackfire sneered. He was tired of having people look down on him. First, the damned cat. And now these men from the filthy Cult. The audacity!

”Iʼve really had enough,” he muttered coldly.

His hands turned into a blur as he quickly completed all the spell components.

Then, two flaming black whips materialized in his hands.

Without hesitation, he snapped them forward, and the burning lashes tore through the air before striking the two Cultists.

The battle between the Mana Core Magi had begun.