Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Acadian Empire, Ulier Continent.

Towar was the Empire’s southernmost border stronghold, standing as the first line of defense against the hordes of magical beasts that attacked several times each year.

In addition to these relentless assaults, invasions by orcs, trolls, ogres, and goblins were a frequent threat.

That is why the city was always guarded by at least two Mana Vortex Magi, supported by hundreds of Mana Liquefaction Magi, and an even greater number of Mana Foundation Magi.

In usual times, the Magi stationed here would love spending their time battling monsters and beasts that emerged from the Murky Mountains.

After all, the constant battles tempered them, and the regular usage of spells allowed them to get accustomed to them. This, in turn, helped them smoothly advance to the next rank.

What did it mean to advance through the arcane ranks?

Surely, it didn’t just mean gathering mana from the surroundings, storing it within oneself, and constantly expanding that reserve.

No, it was far more than that.

A Magus, at any given arcane rank, had to deeply comprehend the very essence of their spells, their foundation principles, their application in battle, the way mana flowed through their body and interacted with the world around them.

Only with such understanding could they begin to inch toward the next rank.

Towar, like most other border strongholds, provided the perfect smelting trials for the young Magi of the Empire. The battles with the beasts and monsters honed their skills.

There was always an enthusiastic atmosphere within this stronghold. The people within always itched to fight. If the enemies didn’t come to them, they would set foot in the Murky Mountains and fight.

Fight. Fight. Fight.

That was all these warriors ever cared for.

Yet, now… in the same stronghold, the atmosphere was gloomy and downcast.

The people patrolling the walls or even the outer peripheries of the stronghold had dejected looks on their faces.

A middle-aged Mana Liquefaction Magus stood atop the city walls, staring listlessly towards the edge where the dark jungles of the Murky Mountains began, boredom etched across his face.

”I should be in Ravenfell right now,” he said, his voice filled with regret. ”I should be witnessing the Grand Magus Tournament, yet here I am… looking at damn trees.”

His shoulders slouched, and he felt defeated.

Another Mana Liquefaction Magus beside him, this one much older, patted his shoulder in pity. ”I feel the same way. Though, truth be told, I couldn’t care less about the tournament.”

The first person turned toward him and asked with an arched eyebrow, ”The Dark King then?”

The older Magus’ eyes flashed with brilliance. ”They say he is the youngest person to have ever become a Mana Vortex Magus. They say he commands an army of serpents!”

He paused, his lips curling into a wry smile. ”It would have been nice to see him, even from a distance. It could have been something I would have boasted to my family about.”

Now, these people had come across regular Mana Vortex Magi plenty of times. In fact, there were two within the stronghold at that moment.

Yet, they still wanted to catch a glimpse of Adam.

The reason was simple. It was because he was given the moniker of King.

In the past, all exceptional Mana Vortex Magi who had earned this title… went on to become Mana Core Magi!

In fact, all the current leaders of the Four Pillars of the Empire were also once Mana Vortex Magi who had earned the title of King.

That is why there was such a craze surrounding Adam. After all, it had been centuries since someone had been given such a title. It held great weight in the hearts of the people of Acadia.

The first person shared the same sentiment. He let loose a drawn-out sigh, ”It truly would have been nice to at least see him from a distance. At least, that way we could have seen a future Mana Core Magus.”

The two glanced at each other and then burst into laughter. A few moments later, the younger Magus asked curiously, ”Hey, why do you think they gave him that title? Is it because he’s dark-skinned?”

”Perhaps.” The older man nodded with a thoughtful expression. ”Or perhaps his mana attribute is dark? I don’t know.”

The Magi slipped into silence once again. Another few moments later, the man continued, ”They say he’s always wearing a black, pointy hat.”

”Hmm.” The younger one nodded. ”They also say he’s always got a gray cat perched on his shoulder, like it’s part of him.”

”Do you think it’s a normal cat?”

”No, I heard rumors that it’s a dragon.”

”Dragon? Hahaha, you fool!”

”Hehe, I know, I’m just kidding,” the younger Magus chuckled. ”But they say his cat can transform into a mighty tiger, though.”

Suddenly, the air around them shifted. Being seasoned warriors, they immediately sensed it.

Something was wrong.

Instantly, they snapped to full alert, eyes locked on the shadowy line where the Murky Mountains began.

They weren’t alone. Several Mana Foundation Magi and Mana Liquefaction Magi tensed as well, goosebumps rising across their skin.

The air had shifted. Drastically. Unnaturally.

From the direction of the Murky Mountains, a sudden flurry of wings erupted. Birds took to the sky in a frenzy, screeching as they scattered in all directions.

Even the beasts near the dark jungle’s edge sensed it. Something deeply unnatural. They bolted through the underbrush, tails tucked, panic written in every fiber of their beings.

Something was coming.

Something overbearing.

Something ominous.

Something… tyrannical!

A chill crept down the spines of every Magus on the wall. Instinct took over, and they found their grip around the weapons tighten.

Whatever was emerging from the jungle was powerful. Very powerful.

Even without seeing it, they could feel it. An overwhelming presence that crushed the air around them.

Its mere presence made their hearts sink. Even the Mana Vortex Magi had taken their positions on the walls, eyes locked on the Murky Mountains with grim determination.

From deep within the jungle, the screams of beasts grew louder, chaotic, panicked.

They weren’t hunting...

They were fleeing!

At last, after what felt like eternity, a towering silhouette emerged from the shadows of the trees.

”Prepare for battle!” One of the Mana Vortex Magi roared. While the other brandished his weapon, gazing at the tall figure that was slowly coming into view.

A few moments later, the figure finally stepped out of the jungle’s edge. As the warm sunlight broke through the clouds and fell on him, his appearance was revealed.

And every Magus in Towar froze in shock.

He was a towering young man, lean yet powerfully built, standing well over two meters tall. A thick beard framed his face, and long, lustrous, raven hair flowed down his back, reaching his waist.

He was barefoot, wearing only a pair of worn pants. Meanwhile, his upper body was draped by a dark, furry cloak that was clearly made from the hide of a Rank 3 magical beast.

Perched upon this shoulder sat a chubby gray cat, happily munching on beast cores as if nothing could bother him.

The raven-haired young man lowered his gaze, staring at his bare feet that touched the soil of the Empire.

A faint smile crept on his lips, and he softly muttered, ”Finally, made it out of the mountains.”

Meanwhile, the two guards from earlier, who were chatting with each other, were thunderstruck by this development.

The raven-haired young man was radiating a bloodthirsty aura... raw, primal, and no different from that of a wild beast!

But that wasn’t what truly surprised them.

”Are you seeing this?” the older Magus muttered in a daze.

”…Yeah.” The other man gulped. ”Dark hair, dark cloak...”

”A gray cat perched on his shoulder,” the first person chimed in.

They exchanged glances and could see the shock reflected in each other’s eyes.

”It… It can’t be!”

By the time they turned back to the Murky Mountains, they were stunned to find that the man had vanished without a trace.

Instead…

Adam had already appeared beside them!

He cracked his neck and stretched his arms casually, then fixed his gaze on the dumbfounded guards around him.

”Is there something to eat?”