Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Adam’s gaze was drawn to the small, wooden box on the table. It seemed to be made of regular oak, but the sigil of the Acadian Royal Family increased its value exponentially.

The youth didn’t think that just because it was inside a small box, its contents would be insignificant.

If anything, he could already imagine a storage artifact nestled inside the box, filled to the brim with riches.

But he curbed his greed and excitement for the moment.

There would be enough time for him to see what was inside the box later. For now, he had more pressing matters.

”So just because it’s a title conferred by the Emperor, it holds so much value?” he asked curiously.

”Of course,” Sabrina stated matter-of-factly. ”The Emperor of Acadia is the pinnacle of authority and arcana in the Uier Continent. Anything he says is the law. And anyone he approves of… is one of the most sought-after Magi on the continent.”

Adam couldn’t help but involuntarily gulp.

So am I… that big of a deal now? He wondered, a strange feeling bubbling inside his heart.

”You’ve also received a formal invitation from the Royal Family,” Mathilda Whitaker added. ”After the Grand Magus Tournament is concluded, you are to go to Acryon, where you’ll be granted an audience with the Emperor himself.”

Adam was thunderstruck!

”An audience with the Emperor himself?!” He blurted out in shock.

He had heard tales about the Emperor of Acadia. His existence was such a great mystery that it was rumored that, apart from his family and highest court officials, no one knew what he looked like.

Well, of course, the entirety of Acryon had seen his face during his coronation ceremony. But that was centuries ago!

The current generations of mortals did not know what the Emperor looked like, and neither did the young Magi. Perhaps, only the oldest—and the most powerful—of Magi may have seen him.

To be granted an audience with the Emperor of Acadia was considered the highest of honors one could receive in the continent.

”But… why would he want to meet me?” he asked, perplexed.

Surely, it’s not to congratulate me in person, right? Or does the Emperor have that much free time on his hands?

He let his thoughts wander…

”Going by precedent, the Emperor will most likely grant you a high aristocratic title in Acryon, or…” Mathilda Whitaker’s words trailed off, creating an air of suspense around the youth.

”Or what?” Adam pressed.

”Or, he is going to offer you a position of Court Magus,” she concluded with a faint smile.

A Court Magus was a spellcaster who answered directly to the Royal Family. Their status was far greater than the vast majority of the Magi in Ulier!

Adam was taken aback, but then he suddenly thought of something. ”Professor, how did you know this? Did you…”

”Huhu, not me,” Professor Whitaker chuckled. ”Before Headmaster Blackwood became, well, the Headmaster, he, too, was known far and wide in these lands as a King… the Raven King!”

Raven King! Adam thought to himself incredulously.

Now, that was something he did not know.

Sabrina Benton chimed in, ”And not just our Headmaster, but the leaders of the other three Pillars were also once Kings before they ascended to the grand station of the Mana Core Magus.”

She paused, continuing with a smirk, ”So you can see that any Magus who was granted the title of King eventually became a Mana Core Magus.”

”And that is why your homecoming celebration is so important now,” Professor Whitaker added.

Adam nodded in understanding, softly muttering, ”It is to show the world that Ravenfell is the home to the Dark King. An official announcement, of sorts, eh?”

”Precisely.” The Lord Marshall nodded. ”And the fact that it has been centuries since a King has been crowned in Ulier, makes your becoming one all the more sensational.”

Professor Whitaker hesitated for a brief moment, thinking of the right words to say. ”Adam,” she called out gently.

”This may appear politically motivated to you, and I won’t lie that it is.”

Adam smiled wryly, simply nodding in response.

”Your homecoming will be a political statement, reinforcing your legitimacy and authority as King in the eyes of the people. To Ravenfell’s supporters, this is a reassurance. And to our rivals… this will be a warning,” the elderly professor continued.

”It will greatly raise public morale, especially now since the Grand Magus Tournament is only a few weeks away. But I also want you to know that we are hosting this celebration as a means to thank you for all that you’ve done for Ravenfell and Saratoga.”

Her lips curled into a warm smile, and she concluded, ”Saratoga Castle is proud of you.”

”And so is the city of Ravenfell,” Sabrina Benton added with a faint smile.

Hearing their words, Adam felt warmth in his heart. Although they were using his arrival to make a political statement, he could tell that the two elderly women before him meant what they said.

He could feel it. Their tone, their expressions, and even their surface thoughts… they weren’t lying.

Adam smiled. ”Thank you.”

He paused for a moment before asking, ”So for my homecoming… what do you need me to do?”

”Make a statement.” Sabrina Benton’s eyes flashed with a ruthless light. ”Let the world know why you were given the title of Dark King.”

Meanwhile, Professor Whitaker’s lips twitched. ”No need to go to such extremes,” she hurriedly spoke. ”Just a simple spell to showcase your arcane prowess should be more than enough.”

She emphasized, ”Adam, you cannot hurt anyone. Understood?”

The Lord Marshall scoffed in displeasure. ”There are quite a few foreign Mana Vortex Magi who question your strength. It would be nice to make an example out of them, if you ask me.”

”Sabrina!” Professor Whitaker looked at her old friend incredulously. ”Are you seriously suggesting that?”

”No worries!” Adam reassured them.

He glanced at the two elderly women and grinned, ”There’s a way to showcase my arcane arts as well as put those Mana Vortex Magi in their place. Without hurting anyone, of course.”

Before Mathilda Whitaker could even protest, Adam turned to her and said confidently, ”Professor, please just trust me, okay?”

Professor Whitaker’s lips twitched incessantly.

Well, that’s the whole problem, isn’t it? She thought to herself.

Knowing your personality… how can I trust you?

***

An hour before sunset, three Magi on horseback approached the gates of Jeeling.

The one leading the group was none other than the Captain of the Black Legion, Raidon.

Behind him was an old man with shoulder-length white hair and beard, a kind and composed presence.

It was the Mana Vortex Magus from the Europa Continent, Kaspar York.

And following him, mounted on a Night Mare, was a crimson-haired woman.

Her ruby eyes sparkled as she gazed at the towering gates of the town, flickering with anticipation.

She was none other than the Princess of the Ignisra Kingdom…

Anna Fireborne.