Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

An hour later, after freshening up a little, Adam strolled through the hallways of Jeeling’s administrative building.

He had an awkward look on his face, and he couldn’t help but think to himself, Damn it, those two had to arrive when I had just finished eating…

So embarrassing!

After Sabrina and Mathilda saw him in that pitiful state, they told him to come find them in the town’s administrative building to discuss important matters.

Adam arrived at the top floor of the building, standing before the polished oak doors. He took a deep breath and knocked.

”Professor, it’s me.”

”Come, child.” Mathilda Whitaker’s gentle voice came from the other side of the room.

Adam smiled. It had been a while since he had spoken to someone who treated him with such warmth.

He opened the door and found the Professor and the Lord Marshall sitting at the table.

The youth shut the door behind him, then cleared his throat awkwardly. ”Apologies for the… eh, you know…”

Adam found it embarrassing to even bring up that topic.

Professor Whitaker simply chuckled in amusement. Meanwhile, Benton gazed at him with curious eyes. ”You’ve changed quite a lot, Adam.”

She paused for a moment before adding, ”I don’t think you were this tall. Your build is stronger, too. Just what did you do?”

Adam feigned ignorance. ”Really? I thought this was something that all Mana Vortex Magi went through.”

Sabrina scoffed. ”You must take me for a fool.”

”Hehe,” Adam chuckled innocently. ”I really don’t know what you’re talking about, my lady. I just do some strength training every day, and my body responds to it.”

Sabrina simply rolled her eyes in response. Mathilda suddenly chimed in, ”Child, do you mind releasing your mana for a moment?”

”It’s really hard to believe, eh?” Adam smirked.

The following moment, he extended his hand and covered his palm in a layer of pure white mana. It was for a brief second before he retracted the energy.

But that was enough for the two Mana Vortex Magi to confirm everything.

Sabrina Benton leaned back in the leather chair and sighed heavily, ”A thirty-five-year-old young man… and already a Mana Vortex Magus.”

Mathilda Whitaker nodded. ”Indeed… Even after confirming with my own eyes, I still find it difficult to believe.”

Adam stepped forward, gesturing at the chair. ”May I?”

”No need to ask for permission.” Sabrina waved her hand dismissively. ”You are now at the same arcane station as us. In our world, age is irrelevant. Only strength matters.”

Adam smiled softly. ”Still, you both are my seniors.”

”Hmph! Sly bugger,” Sabrina muttered, though her expression had softened.

Meanwhile, Sabrina displayed a warm smile. ”How were your travels, dear?”

”…They were alright.” Adam smiled faintly.

Thinking of what he had uncovered in Hannes City, wondering just what would step out of that ominous portal, Adam didn’t know how to even answer.

Moreover, finding out that the Headmistress of Clover Academy had been the enemy all along, he now didn’t know who to trust.

Lastly, still unsure of whether the old man would succeed in his advancement, he didn’t know how to feel.

Yet, despite it all, he remembered the Joker’s philosophy of life and gave them a brilliant smile.

”It was a much-needed break,” he said. ”I really needed one.”

”Good, good.” Mathilda nodded with a warm smile. ”That is good to know.”

Adam paused for a moment, observing the pair’s expressions before asking, ”I wonder why a need for my homecoming celebration?”

”It would appear that you are not aware of your fame in the Empire,” said the Lord Marshall. ”You do know what the title of King means, don’t you?”

Judging by how people spoke of him during his travels through the lands, Adam assumed he had some idea of how famous he was.

As for the title of King…

”Isn’t it given to the most promising Mana Vortex Magi who have displayed superb skills, far better than the Magi of the same rank?” He asked with an arched brow.

”Yes.” Sabrina nodded. ”But it is much more than that.”

She paused, turning to Mathilda and gesturing for her to explain.

The old professor nodded with a faint smile and began, ”As you already know, in the Acadian Empire, there isn’t any aristocratic title of King. There’s the Emperor, the Prince, and then the Duke and so on…”

Adam nodded. This was something he was aware of. After all, there were no kingdoms within the Acadian Empire, just a lot of provinces and city-states.

In each of these provinces, the highest aristocratic title was that of Duke and Duchess. Like in the case of Ravenfell, which was a city-state, the Councilors of the city were all granted this title.

”The title of King wasn’t just given to the most promising Mana Vortex Magi,” Professor Whitaker continued, her tone solemn.

”It is reserved for someone whom the Royal Family believes will one day become a Mana Core Magus.”

”What?” Adam was taken aback. ”The Royal Family? What do they have to do with this?”

”Did you think the title of King could be handed out to just anybody without the Royal Family’s consent?” Sabrina Benton asked with a smirk.

Adam turned to her, slightly surprised. ”You mean to say the Royal Family has already approved of my title as the Dark King?”

”They have more than just approved of it, dear boy,” said Professor Whitaker with a soft smile.

She placed an ornate, small wooden box on the table. It had the symbol of Acadia inscribed on it! She then gently pushed it towards Adam.

”The Royal Family sent a delegation to Ravenfell right after the Blackshore Incident,” Professor Whitaker continued. ”The spokesperson said that the Emperor himself sends his congratulations and that you are more than worthy of the title of King.”

Adam’s eyes widened in surprise. ”The Emperor himself?!”

The Emperor of Acadia was said to be a person at the pinnacle of the Mana Core Rank. By the mortals of the Empire, he was treated no differently than a deity.

Moreover, the Magi of the Empire revered him even more because of his strength and wisdom.

Professor Whitaker nodded. She glanced at the small, wooden box and smiled.

”And this is a gift from the Emperor of Acadia. To you.”