Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 497: Comparison

As the mayor led Gore into the heart of the town, the crowd that had gathered on the sides of the main street gradually started to disperse.

Some followed after the group of Magi out of curiosity, while others continued to go about their day. Meanwhile, a select few hurried toward the town wall to take care of the guards who had passed out earlier.

After most of the people had left, Aiden, Eleiney, and Art suddenly saw Adam standing on the other side of the cobblestone street, glancing at them with an amused smile.

”Professor!” The kids exclaimed and ran toward him.

They were truly surprised to see him come out of his room. In the past week, they hadnʼt even seen his face because he had been so busy with his herbalism experiments.

”Professor, how come youʼre outside? Did you finish what you were doing?” Aiden asked curiously.

”I was just surprised to hear a tigerʼs roar out of nowhere,” said the raven-haired youth as he turned in the direction that Gore and his familiar had gone in.

He then turned back to glance at Aiden and shook his head. ”And no, Iʼm yet to finish my experiments.”

Valerian, who was resting in Eleineyʼs arms, leaped toward Adam and sat on his shoulder. He waved his paws exaggeratedly and complained with an annoyed look on his face.

”Brother, I was taking a nap and was even having a very vivid and beautiful dream! But that stupid cat woke me up… I really want to go and smack that stupid cat in the head!”

Adam couldnʼt help but chuckle, ”Be patient, Val. Youʼll get your chance.”

”Really?” Valerian asked with wide eyes.

Adam shrugged. ”Perhaps. Something tells me itʼs very likely.”

Valerianʼs eyes narrowed and he flashed his sharp canines. ”I canʼt wait! Itʼs been so many years since Iʼve gone all-out.”

Hearing him talk about going all-out, the three young Magi couldnʼt help but involuntarily gulp.

Over the past week, they had been constantly bombarded by the young dragonʼs paw every day, causing them to ache all over. Moreover, he was barely using his strength.

They couldnʼt even begin to imagine just what would happen if Valerian seriously decided to use all his strength.

Thinking of this, they couldnʼt help but wonder if Valerian was truly a Rank 1 magical beast. After all, he was far stronger than what a beast at this rank would be.

Suddenly, Art thought of something as he looked at Adam. He couldnʼt help but ask curiously, ”Professor, how is it that the newcomer wasnʼt able to tell that youʼre also a Mana Liquefaction Magus?”

”Oh, that?” Adam replied in a bored manner, ”Remember what I told you guys about the energy flow of a being?”

The kids nodded their heads.

”When we Magi try to figure out our opponentʼs strength, we usually sense the vibrations in their surrounding air,” Adam began.

”I simply adjusted the energy flow radiating from me and changed the vibrations around me. That is how I was able to conceal my strength and trick that idiot into believing that I was a Mana Foundation Magus.”

Eleiney asked with sparkling eyes, ”Professor, is this another one of your spells that you created?”

”Spell?” Adam stroked his chin. ”Hmm, itʼs not really a spell. You can do it too if you have precise control over mana.”

The young Magi were excited to learn this technique from their mentor. They were about to ask him to teach it to them when Adam suddenly asked, ”By the way, how is your progress with Mana Sense?”

”Uh, not great at all…”

”Itʼs very difficult.”

”I canʼt extend the threads beyond a few meters.”

The kids replied in disappointment. That was when Valerianʼs displeased voice could be heard.

”Hmph! Of course, youʼll be disappointed if you keep comparing yourself to my brother.”

He crossed his furry paws and arrogantly stated, ”If a cat compares itself to a dragon, do you think itʼll ever be satisfied?”

The children were flabbergasted by this strange comparison. They didnʼt know how to react. Meanwhile, Adam couldnʼt stop laughing at his dear familiarʼs remark.

When did he become so feisty? He thought.

He then looked at his students and smiled, ”Comparison is the thief of joy, they say. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is the ʼyouʼ of yesterday.”

Then, he turned around and walked back to his room. ”Anyway, since Iʼm out already, I might as well teach you a few spells. Follow me.”

The young Magiʼs eyes sparkled with excitement as they hurriedly followed after him.

”Yes, Professor!”

…

Town Hall.

Within the mayorʼs office, a small group of Magi had gathered. They were the old mayor, the four town council members, Magus Alan, and finally the Rank 2 Magus, Gore Darkmore.

Gore was currently sitting at the mayorʼs seat with his legs placed on the table. Alan was standing beside him, while the mayor and the council members were standing on the other side of the table briefing him on the current situation of the town.

Although the mayor didnʼt appreciate the blatant disrespect displayed by Gore, he had no other choice but to submit.

In front of the power of a Mana Liquefaction Magus, he was but a mere ant.

After hearing all the relevant details, Gore had a detailed understanding of the problem plaguing Stratford.

”So we just have to get rid of the source of the wolf tide, is that it?” He asked with a scoff.

”That is correct, my lord,” Mayor Hobbs humbly replied.

”Hmm, very well.” Gore nodded. Then, his eyes narrowed and he asked coldly, ”You mentioned in the letter there are treasures and ancient secrets to be found in the heart of the Weeping Woods. I hope you werenʼt lying.”

A strange light flickered past the old mayorʼs eyes, but he quickly lowered his head.

”I-I speak the truth, my lord. The Weeping Woods contains vast secrets related to the townʼs founder and even the evil Magus whom he fought on this very land. Alas, we were never able to venture deep because our strength was lacking…”

He slowly raised his head, looking straight into Goreʼs eyes. ”However, if itʼs you… Iʼm sure you can do it, my lord!”

Goreʼs lips curled up into a wicked smile. ”Interesting.”

Then, his eyes narrowed into a slit and he spoke with deep bloodlust, ”I will check the validity of your statement by myself. Only then will I lead the group into the Weeping Woods.”

He paused for a moment before coldly adding, ”But if I find that youʼre lying…

”You know whatʼs going to happen, donʼt you?”