Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Ravenfell.

Just as Adam departed from the Jeeling Outpost, bound for the city, far away in a dimly lit chamber shrouded in secrecy, several Magi from the Cult of Bones had convened in silence.

All of them had strength equivalent to the Mana Core Rank!

Only one person was sitting at the table, while the rest stood before him out of respect. This went on to show just how much power and influence the seated-man held within the cult.

The seated man tapped the wooden table with his fingers in a rhythmic manner, thinking of the next course of action.

He was given full authority by the Cult Leader to carry out operations this time. As such, he had to carefully weigh in all the risks and other factors before coming to a decision.

One of the Mana Core Magi spoke up, ”My Lord, why did you call us here today?”

Despite all of them being Mana Core Magi, the people standing were clearly afraid of the one seated.

Was it his strength?

Or was it his reach within the Cult?

Only time would tell…

The seated man stopped tapping his fingers on the table. He rested his chin in the other hand and sighed, ”The Dark King is arriving later this evening.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, ”All of you… leave the city at once.”

The standing Magi were perplexed. The one who had spoken earlier couldn’t help but speak up again, ”My Lord, not even Blackwood was able to see through our concealment technique. Do you perhaps think that the Dark King can?”

”Precisely.” The seated man nodded, his tone calm yet laced with amusement.

The other Magi exchanged startled glances, clearly taken aback.

”He’s quite the observant fellow,” the man continued. ”In fact, there was a time he nearly pierced through my concealment. Had I hesitated a moment longer, he would have seen through me.”

The standing Magi did not know how to react!

But nothing could have prepared them for what the seated Magi was about to say next.

”Mind you.” He grinned. ”The Dark King was only a Mana Liquefaction Magus at the time.”

A stunned silence permeated the dimly lit chamber. The Mana Core Magi were clearly impressed by Adam’s observational capabilities.

If what the seated man said was the truth, then they truly needed to be as far away from Ravenfell as possible.

If, by any chance, the Dark King sensed their powerful presence, then all their meticulously laid plans would be rendered meaningless.

”Very well, then. We shall do as you say,” said the Magus.

”Good.” The seated man nodded.

”What about you?” The Magus asked.

The seated man flashed a wide, unsettling grin. ”What about me? I’m going to go witness the Dark King’s grand homecoming parade…

”Firsthand!”

***

On this day, the city had come alive. A large number of people, Magi and mortals alike, flocked towards the western gates of the city.

After all, it was the Dark King’s homecoming!

Rumors had started flying around since the previous day. Add to that, the city guards of Ravenfell as well as the students of Saratoga had begun making preperations along Corvet Boulevard, it was easy for people to guess what was going to happen.

After more than a year, the Dark King was finally returning to Ravenfell!

This would be the first time the people of the city would get to witness him after he defeated several powerful Mana Vortex Magi in the Blackshore Incident and emerged victorious.

The Corvet Boulevard starting from the western gates all the way up till Council Keep, was crowded by people on both sides of the wide cobblestone road.

Naturally, there wasn’t enough room for so many people to stand and witness the homecoming celebration of the Dark King.

So, the owners of the buildings on either side of the street allowed people to enter and stand on the balconies facing the boulevard on each floor.

Of course, the people entering the buildings to get a nice view from the balconies had to pay a fee. Otherwise, everyone would just enter, and there would be utter pandemonium.

Even the countless ravens that normally circled the city’s skyline had now taken roost, perching silently atop the buildings that lined Corvet Boulevard.

At various points along the boulevard, members of different factions had claimed the balconies of surrounding buildings, each proudly displaying their colors as they awaited the procession.

Gray stood for Saratoga Castle. Yellow marked the Tower of Daybreak. Blue signified Coral Cove. Green belonged to Greenfield Ridge.

And as for the Baja High Forest, they bore no banners or colors. Their regal garments and dignified presence alone were enough to distinguish them from all others.

The final faction participating in the tournament, those Magi unaffiliated, had dispersed along the boulevard, awaiting the start of the celebration.

Of course, the faction with the most people present was naturally Saratoga Castle. Its students were the ones who worked hand in hand with the armed forces of the city to make the homecoming celebration possible in such a short amount of time.

Adam Constantine was a student of Saratoga and a nobleman of Ravenfell. Naturally, these people would go all out to give him a grand welcome.

The noble aristocrats of the city were also in attendance. And that included the esteemed Councilors of the city.

The vast majority of the professors from Saratoga had gathered as well. As for whether or not the Headmaster was present… no one knew.

Even the reclusive Mana Vortex Magi, who almost never made an appearance in public, had emerged from seclusion to attend the gathering.

But the most noteworthy presence of all was the delegation from Acryon, the capital of the Empire itself!

Rumor had it that a member of the Royal Family had arrived to witness the Grand Magus Tournament, and they were now present at the homecoming celebration of the one the entire city had been eagerly awaiting.

Despite several hours passing and twilight soon approaching, the massive crowd showed no signs of impatience.

If anything, the excitement only grew stronger with each passing second.

And that’s when it happened…

It started with a low rumble coming from a distance.

Several guards stationed atop the city wall spotted a large group approaching from afar, stirring a cloud of dust in their wake.

Clad in black armor and gray capes, they rode fierce Night Mares—every one of them, that is, except their leader.

He commanded attention astride an enormous black panther!

When the guards atop the city wall confirmed the approaching group proudly bearing the banner of a raven and twin swords, they erupted into loud cheers and applause.

”It’s the Black Legion, led by the Dark King!!”

”He has returned!”