Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1954 Blood Compass

The pair found a secluded cave at the base of a hill about half a dayʼs journey away.

There were still a few hours of daylight remaining, but neither of them was willing to press on. There were no known safe hideouts nearby, and taking unnecessary risks after a battle was the last thing they wanted to do.

Besides, they both needed time to rest and recover. Although the fight with Carou had been brief, it had been very intense — especially for Luca.

For now, the cave would suffice.

Luca hung the talisman on the wall. Then he saw Adam carving complex runes on the ground meant for defence and concealment.

The more he spent time with Adam, the more confused he grew.

Just how much time had Adam spent to learn so many different kinds of magic?

By his own admission, he, first and foremost, specialized in summoning magic. In the earlier fight, he displayed spectacular prowess in illusion magic. And now, it turned out that he was also proficient in rune magic.

Adam had claimed he was a little over a hundred and thirty years old.

Was that a lie?

How else could a Magus be adept at so many disciplines without spending a considerable amount of time studying them?

”Alright,” Adam said, dusting his hands as he rose to his feet. ”We should be good.”

A gray light flashed, and Valerian appeared inside the cave. He looked around curiously, then randomly began darting around from one wall to another. Then he started running in circles, clearly thrilled at the prospect of coming out on an adventure again.

”Val, start a fire, will you?” Adam said.

The young dragon stopped in his tracks. He stared at Adam with his beady topaz eyes and said innocently:

”But, Brother, Iʼm just a cat.”

He flexed his tiny paws as if to emphasize that his little ”butter fingers” couldnʼt possibly start a fire.

Adam scoffed. ”Get the fire going, or youʼre not eating tonight.”

”Fine…” Valerian drawled.

He tapped the amethyst chain around his neck, and the next moment, all sorts of campfire supplies materialized before him. The little fellow cast [Illuminate] and quickly got to work.

Luca found their interaction wholesome, but he focused his attention on what Adam was about to do. He remained silent throughout. Heʼd ask questions once Adam had finished whatever it was that he wanted to attempt.

Adamʼs fingertip blazed with mana, and he began carving a small runic formation on the ground. The array was filled with complex symbols, all of which went over Lucaʼs head.

Then, Adam retrieved a flat piece of rock he had picked up on the way here, and put it in the center of the formation.

”The blood,” he said, stretching out his hand.

Luca silently grabbed the waterskin containing Carouʼs blood and handed it over to Adam.

Adam poured all of the blood over the circular piece of flat rock. Immediately after, he wove a set of hand seals, causing the blood and the runic formation to light up. In the next minute, the blood was absorbed by the rock. Adam then placed a small twig on the blood-stained rock. The twig didnʼt directly touch the rockʼs surface, but hovered slightly above it.

After that, he wove yet another set of hand seals. This time, the process took almost a minute, and he had to expend some more mana.

At last, he heaved a long sigh. ”Done!”

The twig whirled on the flat piece of rock. After several spins, it finally paused, its sharp end pointing in a particular direction. Adam picked the piece of rock and moved around, yet the twig pointed in the same direction.

[Blood Compass]

Luca finally realized what Adam was trying to do. As he watched the makeshift compass point in a certain direction, his eyes slowly widened in surprise. He had guessed what Adam was trying to do, but seeing it actually happen was something else entirely.

He already knew where the compass was pointing.

However, that wasnʼt what truly surprised Luca. No, of course not. It was only a Rank 1 spell, after all.

He shifted his gaze from the rock compass to Adam, who was staring at his creation in approval.

”You know divination magic as well?!” Luca asked, stunned and slightly suspicious.

Adam shrugged, replying nonchalantly, ”Yeah, a little bit.”

A little bit? Luca was astonished.

A little bit??

What Adam did just now wasnʼt something that could be done by surface-level understanding in the School of Divination.

Summoning magic, illusion magic, rune magic, and now divination magic, Luca thought to himself, bewildered.

And heʼs also a Paladin!

He stared at Adam like he was some kind of monster.

”How old are you really?” Luca couldnʼt help but ask.

There was no way a person who was only a hundred and thirty years old could master so many magical disciplines!

Adam could understand Lucaʼs shock. Instead of answering him, he swiftly changed the conversation.

”As long as the goat lives, the compass will continue to function,” he said. ”But if itʼs too far away from us, the compass will stop working. This should help us scout better.”

Luca looked deeply at Adam. Obviously, he could tell that his companion was evading his question. So he didnʼt press further.

Everyone had secrets.

Even though Adamʼs were more than a little astonishing and made him slightly uneasy, Luca wasnʼt going to forcefully try to get answers. Until now, Adam had not harmed him or even displayed the slightest hint of hostility. If anything, Adam had helped him immensely, and even saved his life.

If not for Adamʼs support during the battle earlier, who knew how it would have turned out?

Luca inhaled deeply, burying the growing questions back into his heart. He nodded. ”I understand.”

He paused briefly before continuing, his eyes narrowing. ”Why did you say that about the ravens? Do you really think theyʼre spying on us?”

Adam thought back to Sandraʼs warning.

The Kingʼs eyes and ears are everywhere within his kingdom.

”It doesnʼt hurt to be cautious,” he replied.

He then asked, ”Back in the city, you said someone was always watching. What did you mean by that?”

”Aerial monsters,” Luca answered. ”There are quite a few of them that hide behind the clouds. Though none of them are Rank 2 monsters, theyʼre still quite difficult to deal with.”

His mind drifted back to all the times he had seen a raven perched nearby, observing him. His brows creased into a tight knot.

”You really think the ravens are spying on us?” He couldnʼt help but ask.

Adam was silent for a moment before replying, ”I donʼt know, man. I cannot be certain. But they do give me a creepy feeling.”

Luca nodded lightly and replied, ”Yeah, I believe your senses, alright.”

He fell silent. The growing unease in his heart made him uncomfortable. He finally couldnʼt help but ask:

”How do you know so many spells?”

Adamʼs lips curled into a smile. ”I found many inheritances back in my homeworld.”

His smile deepened.

”I guess Iʼm just a lucky guy.”

Cough!

Valerian nearly choked at those words. He cleared his throat and said awkwardly:

”The fireʼs ready, Brother.”

The crimson moon rose once again.

With its ascent, the monsters stirred to life. The world beyond grew cold and dangerous.

But inside, the cave remained warm and safe.