Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Adam’s heart turned cold. ”It’s them again… It’s always them!”

He already despised the Cult for their actions and for the number of times they tried to kill him or abduct him.

But now, after learning of what they did to Berger in the past, he couldn’t help but utterly loathe them.

He thought of something and spoke in a grave tone, ”They’re planning something big this year.” He paused for a moment before asking, ”Blackie, do you know about the Grand Magus Tournament?”

The wolf nodded solemnly. ”I do know they are planning something in Ravenfell.”

Adam was slightly taken aback. ”Wait, how do you even know all of this?”

According to him, it should have been impossible for Blackie, who was residing in the middle of the Murky Mountains for the last decade, to be up to date on the current affairs in the Acadian Empire.

Moreover, the information regarding the Cult of Bones’s operations on the continent was highly secretive, in the first place.

Perhaps, only the upper echelons of the Twilight Brotherhood and Ravenfell were privy to this.

Blackie should not have been aware of such intel unless he was in touch with Magi from these two factions.

It was unlikely for the wolf to come in contact with the latter. So that left only one option.

”Have you been communicating with people from the Brotherhood?” Adam asked, his eyes flashing with an inquisitive light.

Blackie revealed a faint smile. ”There’s one here.”

Adam was taken aback. ”There’s a Magus from the Brotherhood here? Where?”

He turned around, scanning the mountains. But all he saw were trees and wolves. Even after extending his Sphere of Resonance, he couldn’t find the presence of another Magus nearby.

”The advancement to the Mana Core Rank is a momumental milestone,” Blackie began. ”It represents the pinnacle of arcane magic on this planet. That’s why the Brotherhood spared no effort to ensure Berger’s advancement went smoothly.”

”I understand that, but…” Adam stepped out of the cave, expanding his Sphere of Resonance to the maximum extent. ”Why can’t I sense this person? Did they go somewhere?”

The black wolf assured him, ”Don’t worry, Adam. He is here, always watching over this mountain.”

Adam sensed the surroundings for a few more seconds before returning to the cave. ”If you say so.” He shrugged.

”Does he know the old man?” He asked curiously as he sat down cross-legged on the ground.

The wolf, too, sat down beside the youth, resting his head on the ground. ”Yes, they share a long history. In many ways, he could be considered Berger’s mentor.”

”The old man’s mentor!” Adam was pleasantly surprised. ”Then, I wish to meet him too!”

Blackie couldn’t help but chuckle. ”We’ll see about that. That man… is a recluse. I rarely see him myself.”

Adam’s lips twitched. ”Is that why he’s hiding right now? I don’t sense his presence at all.”

Just what kind of person can evade my Sphere of Resonance? He thought to himself.

He’s either out of range, or...

The wolf changed the subject. He turned towards the youth, his eyes flashing with pride. ”I would have never expected you to become a Mana Vortex Magus at such a young age.”

”Hehe,” Adam chuckled abashedly. He pointed at the giant wolf and teased, ”And you? All this while you’ve been pretending to be an adorable puppy, but you’re actually an existence that’s at the very least at the Mana Vortex Rank!”

The two shared a hearty laugh. For a few moments, it was as if time had rewound and they had arrived back in Moon City, living a happy and carefree life within the walls of Herbs & More.

”Blackie…” Adam’s expression suddenly turned downcast, and his lips quivered ever so slightly. ”Nothing’s going to happen to the old man, right?”

The wolf deeply looked at him. Truth be told, he didn’t know the answer to that as well. All he had was hope.

”Everything will be alright, Adam… Everything will be alright.”

”Mhm.” Adam nodded, unable to utter a word. His eyes couldn’t help but involuntarily tear up. A few moments later, he wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.

”Yes, everything will be alright,” he added, his tone laced with resolve.

He turned to Blackie and continued, ”I’m going to carve runes around the mountain first thing in the morning. It’s a mana-gathering formation, and will surely help the old man.”

”A mana-gathering runic formation?” The wolf was slightly stunned. ”Just where did you learn that?”

Blackie was as old as, if not older than, Berger. His knowledge regarding the arcane wasn’t superficial, to say the least.

If anything, he had experienced and come across a lot of things in his long life. Yet, he hadn’t come across anything even remotely similar to a runic formation that gathered the mana in the environment and converged it into a single area.

Such knowledge… did not belong to this planet!

Adam lied through his teeth, ”Oh, you know, I found it in my travels.” He paused for a moment before adding, ”I travel a lot, by the way… To very dangerous places.”

Blackie cast a dubious glance at the youth, but didn’t press further. Everyone had secrets, after all.

He, too, had secrets. He turned to look at the night sky, his eyes seemingly piercing through the firmament and gazing deep into the distant ocean of stars.

His eyes flashed with conflicting emotions, and he couldn’t help but sigh as he recalled his past.

”What is it?” Adam asked with an arched eyebrow, sensing Blackie’s sudden change in emotions.

Blackie shook his head, smiling. ”Nothing.” He paused for a moment and asked, ”Tell me about your travels.”

”Ah, where should I even begin?” Adam let out a light chuckle. He conjured a large portion of raw meat as well as a gourd of wine from his earrings, followed by items to prepare a bonfire.

”After arriving in Ravenfell, I was sent to this town called Stratford,” he began talking about his battle with the werewolf as he prepared the meat in the fire.

Blackie listened with a faint smile, whereas Valerian had already fallen asleep on Adam’s lap.

The sound of hushed conversations and laughter mingled in the air with the aroma of fresh meat as the two sat inside the cave.

Blackie listened with a warm smile, the kind worn by a gentle elder. Meanwhile, Adam spoke with lively enthusiasm, recounting all he had experienced since leaving Moon City.

Little did he know…

Not far away, hidden in the shadows, another figure was quietly listening to every word he said.