Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1654 True Potential

A few days ago...

Aboard the Red Wind.

Adam leaned against the wall of his cabin. Beside him, the ghostly light from the twin moons filtered inside through the small window, illuminating half his visage. While the other half remained in the shadows.

Before him, Edward sat cross-legged on the cushion. Having just advanced to the Mana Core Rank, the blue-eyed youth was ecstatic. He closed his eyes and felt the ethereal core inside of him, feeling its intricacies and mysteries.

Adam stared at him with a calm, thoughtful look on his face. At last, his lips parted, and he whispered: ”Most Magi need a calm, steady state of mind to cast spells.”

Edwardʼs eyes snapped open. ”Most?”

Adam nodded. ”Iʼm not taking into account those born with Innate Physique.”

He paused for a moment, gesturing to Edward. ”And you, fattie,” he continued. ”Yours is ranked among the highest tiers ever recorded.”

Edward couldnʼt help but smile smugly at that statement.

However, Adamʼs following words were like dousing a bucket of cold water all over his emotions. ”It does have drawbacks,” said the raven-haired youth. ”All things in this universe are balanced.”

He paused for a moment as Edwardʼs smile slowly crumbled, replaced by a solemn expression. ”Any shift in emotion, whether it is fear, anger, or doubt, can disrupt a Magusʼs control over their spells. Precision comes from stability, and that is why a steady mind is so important,” Adam said in an even voice. ”But you are different,” he added. ”As are most blessed with an Innate Physique.”

He paused again, allowing Edward to comprehend the weight of what he said, and what he was about to. ”Your magic moves with intent, but it also feeds on feelings. The stronger the emotion, the stronger the output. Anger can sharpen your power, and focus can drive it further. Even instincts can trigger your magic without conscious thought.”

Edward couldnʼt help but frown.

Adam continued, ”But that magic comes at a cost. Because your magic isnʼt held back by calm, it is harder to control. A surge of emotion can push your power too far, too fast. And when that happens, the danger isnʼt just to your enemy... but also to yourself.”

Edward remained silent for a few moments, mulling over Adamʼs words. He then looked at him and asked in a soft voice, ”So then what do I do?” ”Find balance,” said the Dark King, his eyes glinting in the dim room.

However, even Edward knew that he had always struggled to keep his emotions in check. Even as a child, he wasnʼt someone who could not stay detached or measured in his actions.

He felt everything strongly. Anger, frustration, determination... everything. And he acted on it just as quickly.

That part of him never changed.

Now, learning that his magic - boundless as it was was tied directly to his emotions, that same trait became a problem. The more he felt, the more his power responded. And the harder it became to pull himself back.

Reining in his emotions wasnʼt natural to him. It never had been. ”For Ulricʼs final mission, I want you to go instead of Blackfire.”

Adamʼs voice echoed in the cabin, snapping Edward out of his deep thoughts. ”Me?” He asked with a light frown. ”Yes.” Adam nodded. ”Chances are... a Mana Core-level cultist is going to be present. I want you to deal with him. Use this opportunity to consolidate your strength.”

He paused for a moment, his voice turning gentle. ”Try to rign in your emotions. I know it is difficult for most men to do that, but I need you to try. Do not suppress your emotions. Domesticate it. And once you learn how to do that...”

Adamʼs lips curled into a smirk. ”You will be able to bring out the true potential of your Innate Physique.”

Edward gritted his teeth, his face a map of pure agony.

Behind him, Orion appeared like a specter, twisting the bladeʼs handle and sending pangs of pain radiating throughout the youthʼs body. ”Rookie mistake, boy,” he said with a malicious smirk.

Edward grunted in pain. His eyes narrowed, and he willed the mana coursing within him to intensify. Brilliant arcs of lightning surrounded his body, creating a cloak of azure violence.

Orionʼs eyes narrowed, and he had no other option but to retreat several meters. He couldnʼt allow the strange lightning to graze his body again, for it caused him a great deal of pain. ”Guuhh!” Edward grunted in pain and pulled the strange, obsidian blade away.

Blood gushed out of his wounds profusely, hot and heavy. However, he clenched his jaw and willed the lightning inside of him to turn inward.

The lightning surged toward his injuries, and a moment later, the flesh around his fresh wounds on the waist and stomach started to burn. The skin blackened and sealed under the heat, forming a rough layer that stopped the bleeding.

It wasnʼt clean. Far from it. But it had done the job. Edward slowly turned around, his eyes still bloodshot as he gazed at his opponent.

Orion was also similarly injured, but the man had a smirk on his aged face, as if he had already grasped the way to defeat the Storm King. ”Thousands of lives,” he began. But soon, he shook his head and corrected himself. ”No, tens of thousands of innocent children could have been spared their horrible fate if only we had gotten our hands on you.”

Orionʼs cruel smile widened. ”You are just like the Winter Lord. You are perfect for my master. Tell me, boy...”

He let his words hang in the air, trying to agitate his opponent. ”How do you feel knowing that you could have spared all those children from their cruel fate? You should feel horrible! You should feel disgusted! Because of you-” ”Shut up!” Edward spat through gritted teeth, his chest rising and falling as he took long, ragged breaths. ”Shut the fuck up!”

Seeing his reaction, Orion was pleased. ”Their blood is on your hands, boy!” He grinned as he retrieved a Grade 4

Artifact from his storage pouch.

A whip that conducted mana with high efficiency, giving it a stronger and more durable effect.

Orion snapped his arm forward, the whip slicing through the air with a sharp crack. ”You must have seen how the children had been experimented on, havenʼt you?” He asked with malicious intent. ”To think that you would have been able to put an end to their misery long before they-”

He didnʼt even get to finish his words. Edward was already upon him, lightning surging around his body, and fury breaking through whatever restraint he had left. ”I said shut up!!!”