Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Inside the house of the dead Magus who tried to kill Valerian, Adam found himself sitting across from Voraxus Somnia.

Outside, a new day had arrived. The city had come alive. The streets were bustling and full of life.

Strangely enough, it seemed that the City Watch had ignored the commotion Adam had caused the previous night. Or they had already dealt with it. Stranger still, a Saint had died within the city, yet no one had batted an eye.

Adam didn’t find it suspicious. He didn’t know how powerful Venia and Voraxus were, but they were definitely stronger than the mad old Magus. He figured they had dealt with the City Watch already.

Valerian and Venia were in a different part of the mansion. The little fellow must have slept the entire night with his eldest sister looking over him. Or they must have talked the entire night and gotten to know each other. Adam did not know. He hadn’t seen his little brother since last night.

”…So what do you think?” Voraxus’s voice snapped Adam out of his daze.

”I’m sorry.” Adam’s eyes focused. ”What?”

Voraxus smiled helplessly.

”We came to Myrrandor to pay both of you a visit,” he said again. ”But I didn’t think we’d meet under such circumstances.”

”You came here to take Valerian to your ancestral home, yes?” Adam asked. He was certain the two dragons hadn’t come to Davos for a random visit.

”Indeed.” Voraxus nodded.

”It will be much more conducive to Valerian’s growth as a dragon. He’ll have all the resources he’ll ever need. His safety will be guaranteed at all times. In the Primal Wilderness, he’ll be able to live up to his full potential. Do you have any objections?”

”Objections?” Adam laughed. ”I couldn’t even protect my brother last night. And it was not the first time I had gotten him involved in trouble. What right do I have to object?”

His laugh sounded so sad, so hollow.

”By all means,” he continued, ”do take him.”

”Are you sure?” Voraxus asked.

”Sure as I’ll ever be.” Adam winked and gave him a thumbs-up.

”I understand.” Voraxus nodded.

”Although…” Adam said softly as he lowered his head. ”I wish to spend some time with Valerian before you take him. When do you plan to leave?”

”Today.”

”Although…” Adam said softly as he lowered his head. ”I wish to spend some time with Valerian before you take him. When do you plan to leave?”

”Today.”

”Ah.” Adam’s lips curled into a sad smile. ”I see. I… yeah, okay. I understand.”

The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps reached Adam’s ears.

He turned around just in time to see a grey ball of energy rushing toward him.

”Brother! Brother!”

Valerian leapt off the ground and landed on Adam’s lap.

Adam gave him a warm hug. He carefully observed him and couldn’t help but ask, ”How do you feel, Val? Everything all right?”

”Myu?” Valerian tilted his head and blinked innocently. ”Of course, I’m all right. Whatever could happen to me?”

Adam’s eyes narrowed a little, and he thought, His sister’s doing?

It’s probably for the best Val doesn’t know what transpired last night then.

”Nothing,” he said with a smile and planted a kiss on his forehead.

”Brother, I have a surprise for you!” Valerian beamed. ”Do you want to see? Say yes!”

Adam chuckled. ”Sure. Show me what you got.”

”Myu!” Valerian jumped off his lap and landed on the floor. ”Sister taught it to me last night. It’s alteration magic. I’ll surprise you. Believe it!”

The little fellow tightly closed his eyes and clenched his front paws. His body underwent a shocking metamorphosis.

Adam’s eyes slowly widened.

In front of him stood a humanoid figure who barely came up to his waist. He had short, silver-grey hair and topaz eyes just like his siblings. He was dressed in white silk clothes.

Adam’s lips trembled, and his eyes reddened with tears.

The two of them had gone through so many life-and-death situations together. So many times they had come close to death. So many times they had bled together.

Adam was a little over one hundred and thirty years old. And although Valerian was only around fifteen years younger than him, it was easy to overlook one simple fact because of his status as a dragon.

He was just a child…

A child who had been forced to walk through blood and death alongside him. A child who had faced dangers that no child should ever have had to face. A child who had trusted him with his life.

And somehow, amidst everything they had endured, Adam had forgotten just how young his little brother truly was.

Seeing his brother cry, Valerian panicked.

”What is it, Brother? Do you not like my magic? I-I can turn back into—”

Adam embraced him tightly. ”I’m proud of you, little Val. I’m so, so proud of you.”

Valerian was momentarily stunned. But then he put his arms around Adam’s neck and beamed. ”I knew it! I knew you would like it!”

Adam wiped his tears away, then looked at Valerian dotingly.

”Your siblings have come to take you home,” he said with a gentle smile.

The little fellow lowered his head and began fidgeting with his fingers. ”Uh, well… Sister told me about it. She said to come home with them, and that Mother is waiting for me. But I told her I’ll ask you first. I haven’t given them an answer yet.”

He raised his head and looked at Adam with his pleading yellow eyes.

”Brother, I won’t go without your blessings. I, uh… I’ll do whatever you say.”

”Hmph!” Adam snorted in displeasure. ”Bold of you to ask me such a question. You think I’ll let you go just because you asked?”

Valerian lowered his head, on the verge of tears. ”I… Of course, not. I… I will—”

”Just kidding.” Adam laughed and laughed and laughed.

”Wahh!” Valerian was dumbfounded. But soon, he burst into cheers. ”Brother, you’re the best!”

”Spend the rest of the day with me.” Adam lifted Valerian by the shoulders. ”You can leave with your siblings at sunset. What say you? One final adventure with your big brother?”

”Myu!” Valerian was ecstatic.

The corner of Adam’s lips twitched. ”You should refrain from making that sound while in your humanoid form.”

”Myu! Myu!” Valerian was so happy. He agilely climbed onto Adam’s shoulders and hugged his head. ”Let’s go!”

Venia silently stood by the door and watched them leave. Voraxus arrived beside her, his gaze following Adam and Valerian, who soon disappeared among the crowd.

Voraxus turned to his sister and murmured, ”He’s a good man.”

Venia was silent for a long time. At last, she nodded. ”I know.”

She turned around and headed back inside. She sat at a small coffee table in the living room. With a wave of her hand, a thick stack of parchments appeared on the table. She then carefully unsealed the Pen of Manifestation.

Voraxus appeared by her side again. He watched as she flipped to the final page of the story. The upper half of the page depicted what had happened the previous night with great detail.

Venia placed the tip of the Pen to the parchment and wrote one last line:

Thus concludes the tale of two brothers.