Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Council Keep, Uptown Quarters.

The following day, work resumed as usual for the Lord Marshall of the city. No, to be honest, it was quite unusual since there was much to do.

With the Grand Magus Tournament officially having begun, all kinds of functions, festivals, and events had started popping up one after another.

This meant more security around these venues. Which, in turn, meant more work for the Lord Marshall.

She sat in her office, surrounded by assistants and a pile of paperwork. She could have sworn that the work had increased exponentially compared to the last tournament that had taken place in the city over a century ago.

And she knew the exact reason as well…

That cheeky brat, she thought to herself as she massaged her temples.

He must be somewhere out there getting drunk on wine, while I…

”My Lady, the Magi have reported nothing suspicious in the Corvid Quarter,” said Bina, her main assistant.

She adjusted her glasses a little and added, ”Everything is normal out there.”

Sabrina Benton frowned. Turning to her, she asked in a grim tone, ”Nothing unusual?”

”No, my lady.” Bina shook her head. She thought for a moment before suggesting, ”Shall we… divert the extra manpower there to the Northern Quarter? Professor Whitaker mentioned that she needs all the help she can get in the arena.”

Sabrina Benton went into deep thought, her brows furrowing.

Nothing suspicious in Corvid… that’s strange.

I have this nagging feeling that something is going on up there, but I can’t quite put a finger on it.

I don’t like this one bit.

”My Lady?” Bina called out to her.

Benton shook her head. ”No. Tell the men to tighten their security in Corvid.”

She paused, muttering under her breath, as if talking to herself, ”There has to be something there…”

Bina looked at all the other people that had gathered around the Lord Marshall. They all had expressions of unease plastered on their faces.

She then turned to the elderly woman. Her mouth opened… but then closed. In the end, she nodded. ”Understood, my lady.”

Shifting to the next item on the agenda, she handed a parchment to the elderly woman and softly said, ”My Lady, the decision regarding who will oversee the grand auction has yet to be made.”

Sabrina slipped into silence. While the decision to manage the tournament itself had been entrusted to Mathilda Whitaker, the responsibility of everything surrounding it had been handed to the Council of Seven.

However, everyone within the council knew that Sabrina Benton had the final say.

Ives Ballard had approached her on multiple ocassions, insisting that he be the one to oversee the grand auction.

After all… whoever managed the auction would also receive a significant share of the profits made from all the sales.

And it went without saying, the profits were expected to be astronomical!

Initially, Sabrina had wanted to give this responsibility to the Flynn Family. After all, under the leadership of their patriarch… well, late patriarch, the family had flourished in the trade sector of Ravenfell, significantly boosting the local enocomy.

Now, however, with the passing of Brigham Flynn, she didn’t know if she should really be giving them such a big responsibility.

Sabrina Benton couldn’t help but sigh as she leaned back in her chair.

From what I’ve heard, his daughter is a very capable entrepreneur. But she’s too weak… still a Mana Liquefaction Magus.

I’m sure many Mana Vortex Magi will protest against this decision.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

Not unless I…

She turned to Bina and instructed, ”Have Elysande and Adam jointly oversee the grand auction.”

The assistant was stunned. ”My Lady, by Adam, you mean…”

”Yes.” Benton nodded. ”I mean the Dark King. His prestige will be more than enough to draw a large crowd to the auction, and Elysande’s entrepreneurial skills should be able to manage them.”

”Understood, my lady!” Bina quickly started scribbling on her notes.

”I will have someone deliver the official instructions right away!”

***

”Master… must I really go?”

Inside the gazebo beside the tiny man-made pond in the Constantine Estate, Rowan stood beside Adam, who was unceremoniously reclining on the chair.

It was as Sabrina Benton had speculated…

Adam was getting drunk.

The radiant rays of the early morning sun gently kissed Adam’s face as he enjoyed the fine wine. Without even looking at his trusted subordinate, he answered, ”Yes, you do.”

”Then, what about you here? Who will manage the estate?” Rowan protested.

Truth be told, he didn’t want to leave Ravenfell. He was quite looking forward to the Grand Magus Tournament, and so were his wife and kids.

Plus, thanks to Adam, he and his family lived such comfortable lives here. If they were to leave now, it would be quite inconvenient. After all, they would be going to a faraway place.

I can understand myself personally leaving, thought the middle-aged butler.

But why is he asking my family to accompany me?

Adam waved his hand nonchalantly. ”Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself just fine.”

Rowan deeply looked at the raven-haired youth. He could tell something was wrong. He hesitated whether to speak or not, and in the end, he gathered the courage to.

”My Lord… is everything alright?”

Adam’s eyes flashed with a peculiar light.

He turned to Rowan and offered a brilliant smile. ”Everything’s perfect!”

Seeing hints of suspicion in the man’s eyes, Adam added. ”You’ve worked for me for so many years. I think it’s about time you and your family take a vacation, eh?”

”Can’t we do that after the Grand Magus Tournament?” Rowan asked meekly. ”By the time the next one comes around, I might not even be alive…”

Adam smiled wryly, thinking to himself, If you don’t leave now, there’s a possibility that you might die as well… and your family.

His eyes flashed with resolve, and he sternly shook his head. ”No, you must leave in the next few days.”

Seeing the man grow disheartened, Adam’s tone softened, ”You know my sister is a princess of a kingdom in Europa, yes?”

Rowan nodded. ”Yes, Lady Anna’s friends have mentioned it before.”

”So, do you think I can let my sister travel alone without anyone assisting her?” Adam arched an eyebrow. ”Besides, she’s taken a liking to you and insisted that you and your family accompany her on her journey south.”

Suddenly, his dark eyes flashed with a crafty glint. ”And who knows… if the Magi in her entourage see potential in your children, then their journey along the arcane path might not be so far-fetched after all.”

Rowan’s eyes lit up. He cleared his throat and nodded. ”Very well, my lord. If this is what you want me to do, then it is only right I do it!”

Adam’s lips twitched.

”…Good man.”

He then thought of something and asked with a smile, ”Have all the invitations been sent?”

”Yes, my lord,” Rowan answered politely.

”Alright, good.” Adam nodded. ”Go on, now. Make sure everything’s perfect. I’m meeting them after so long. I want them all to have a good time.”

Rowan offered a respectful bow and departed, leaving Adam gazing into the distance with a reminiscent smile on his lips.

There was one person he was most excited to meet.

His childhood best friend…

Edward.