Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Eh?

What… What the hell?

Did the Professor actually just leave?

Is she crazy?

What about me?

Staring at the goblet of wine in his hands, Chris Cloud did not know how to react.

He gazed at the other Magi in the group, especially at the blonde young man named Kahn, who was directing a mocking gaze toward him, seemingly taking pleasure in his predicament.

This bastard, he cursed inwardly.

Chris revealed an awkward smile as he turned to Sabrina Benton and said, ”Please forgive Professor Pitt. She’s just had a little too much to drink. I assure you, she’s usually a very, uh, charming and lovable person.”

”Charming and lovable?!” Edwin burst into laughter. ”Kahaha, we’ve known Soner before even your grandparents were born, boy! We also know that is already her best behavior.”

He thumped his chest and laughed even louder. ”Kahaha! Charming and lovable, he says!”

Chris Cloud’s lips twitched incessantly as he saw Edwin Turner laugh till tears were flowing from his eyes.

This drunk gorilla bastard, he cursed inwardly.

Sabrina Benton turned to look at him and smiled, ”What Edwin means to say is that all of us are already used to Soner’s antics. We’ve known each other for a very long time, after all.”

”O-Oh, I see.” Chris scratched his chin awkwardly.

”Ah, come to think of it, all of us got acquainted with each other during the Grand Magus Tournament as well,” said Pell Morgan with a reminiscent smile.

”Indeed.” Sabrina nodded. She gazed at her old friends and flashed a smile, ”This is the beauty of the Grand Magus Tournament, isn’t it? Fostering friendship and camaraderie between the young Magi, who are the future of Ulier.”

”Hoho, that is exactly the reason why the founding Emperor of Acadia established this tournament in the first place,” Pell Morgan let out a light chuckle as he stroked his beard.

He then turned to his pupil and spoke warmly, ”Kahn, why don’t you go meet the other participants here at the banquet?”

Kahn respectfully nodded. ”As you say, Professor.”

”Good lad,” Pell smiled. He gazed at Chris Cloud, who was standing awkwardly with his mentor’s wine glass in hand, not knowing what to do, and added, ”And take this child with you as well. I want you both to get along.”

Kahn directed a contemptuous gaze at Chris.

Chris, on the other hand, was flabbergasted by that uncalled-for reaction.

What the! What is up with this guy? Such a pompous prick, he thought.

Kahn then turned to his mentor, the look of contempt in his eyes instantly replaced by utter respect. ”I understand, Professor. I shall take my leave then. Please enjoy your evening.”

With that said, Kahn and Chris headed towards the sprawling backyard in the Benton Estate. That was the place they had last seen several young Magi go to.

After the two participants were gone, only the Mana Vortex Magi representing the Four Pillars and the Baja High Forest remained, minus Soner Pitt, of course.

Sabrina turned to her fellow Magi and spoke with a mysterious smile, ”Now that the tournament is a little less than a month away, I suppose I can let you in on a few things, considering we go way back.”

Edwin’s eyes lit up. He spoke in a hushed voice, ”Sabrina, are you finally going to tell us what the first trial is about?”

Naturally, the representatives of the Four Pillars and the Baja High Forest would want to divulge the information about the tournament’s first trial to their respective young Magi.

An important thing to note was that the details of the Grand Magus Tournament weren’t known to the Mana Votex Magi of other institutions. This was an indication of just how tightly information was being controlled.

”Huhu, do you really think I’m going to divulge such a thing?” Sabrina let out an amused chuckle.

”Headmaster Blackwood has strictly forbidden me to divulge such matters. He wants everyone to have a fair shot at the grand prize. Yes, even the unaffiliated Magi,” she added.

Apart from the Four Pillars and the Baja High Forest, there was yet another group of young Magi participating in the Grand Magus Tournament.

They were the Magi who weren’t affiliated with any of the five factions. In other words, they were rogue Magi.

Of course, these people had to go through a series of interviews and background checks to be even granted the opportunity to participate.

Given the series of ominous events surrounding Ravenfell, enforcing multiple layers of strict security had become an absolute necessity.

”So, what is it then?” Pell Morgan pressed, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

And although Elrod did not speak, it was clear from his expression that he, too, was curious about whatever it was that Sabrina was about to say.

”Rank 3 Spell: Alter Self,” said the Lord Marshall with a light smirk. ”The participants will require the model component of that spell carved into an object if they wish to enter the First Trial.”

”Alter Self?” Elrod was perplexed. ”Why that spell specifically?”

Sabrina Benton slightly raised her hands in surrender, chuckling softly, ”Huhu, that’s all I can say.”

Edwin couldn’t help but speak in frustration. ”Come on, now. Surely, you can tell us more!”

”Oh, yes, I will tell you another critical point,” Sabrina added, recalling another detail.

She paused for a moment, scanning the curious faces of the three Magi before her.

”Participants may only acquire this spell from a Mana Vortex Magus with whom they have no prior acquaintance.”

***

Kahn and Chris walked through the opulent halls of the Benton Family manor, weaving past numerous guests as they headed towards the backyard.

Earlier, they had seen a few students of Saratoga Castle and the Tower of Daybreak heading in that direction.

The two hadn’t exchanged a single word the entire time.

Chris Cloud looked at the young man walking beside him with a slight frown. His eyes narrowed as he observed the man carefully.

Why is this guy so cocky? What’s that look on his face? Does he think he’s a better Magus than me?

He couldn’t help but give rise to all these useless thoughts.

Kahn, on the other hand, was also having similar thoughts.

What is wrong with this guy? Why is he staring at me like that? I know I’m handsome, but… Isn’t this a little too much?

After several moments had passed, both couldn’t take it anymore, and they finally spoke.

”Why are you staring at me like that?”

”Why are you staring at me like that?”

Their steps gradually came to a halt. Their eyes narrowed, and they spoke again.

”Do you think this is funny?”

”Do you think this is funny?”

They spoke simultaneously.

Again.

Their eyes narrowed even further as they stared at one another, wondering just what the hell was going on.

In the end, they harrumphed at each other and silently made their way to the backyard.

The same thought crossed both their minds.

This guy is clearly messing with me...