Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 937: Cruel World

Elysande tilted her head, gazing at Adam with slight confusion. ”Thatʼs very strange of you to say. Is everything alright?”

Adam raised his head and flashed a brilliant smile. ”No, everythingʼs great!”

He paused, trying his best not to divert his gaze from the woman again. ”I just think you should be the one to handle the auction, is all. Youʼre far more suited to mercantile endeavours than I am.”

The brown-haired woman sighed, shaking her head lightly. ”Well, there is a reason why Lady Benton asked us to do it together.”

Adam arched an eyebrow, wondering about the reason. But a moment later, it dawned on him. Shaking his head, he couldnʼt help but speak in slight ridicule, ”Looks like there are no permanent friends within the nobility, eh?”

Elysande smiled bitterly, silently nodding.

The truth of the matter was, if Elysande alone were given the responsibility to oversee the grand auction, several Mana Vortex Magi from Ravenfellʼs aristocracy would come forward, trying to snatch that opportunity away from her… by hook or crook.

But if Elysande had a partner, say a very powerful and famous Mana Vortex Magus, then others wouldnʼt bother her.

Perhaps, only the truly foolish and greedy would dare to make any moves.

The grand auction, after all, was one of the major highlights surrounding the Grand Magus Tournament.

Rare magical items and ingredients would be sold at this event. Influential and wealthy Magi from all over the continent would be in attendance. A large volume of gold would flow in.

As the ones overseeing the event, naturally, the person would get a large chunk of the profits.

Adam realized this and, in the end, couldnʼt help but sigh. ”Fine, then. But…”

”But what?”

”I donʼt want any profits from the auction,” Adam muttered softly. ”You, uh… you can keep everything.”

Elysande frowned. ”Iʼm starting to wonder if someoneʼs impersonating you.”

The next moment, her eyes narrowed, and she added, her voice tinged with suspicion, ”The Adam I knew would fight tooth and nail for even a single Acadian gold.”

Adam smiled wryly. ”Donʼt you think people can change?”

Elysande deeply looked at the raven-haired youth, her eyes squinting.

Adam reached out for the cup of wine and took a sip. Glancing at his reflection in the deep crimson liquid, he said, ”Reinvest my share of the profits into your family business.”

Then he looked up and smiled. ”I expect the Flynn Family to turn it into even more. Iʼll come collect later. What do you say?”

Elysande blinked. She then leaned back in her seat and scoffed. ”Right, of course. How could you ever pass up a chance to make money? Or in this case, even more of it.”

The Matriarch of the Flynn Family couldnʼt help but roll her eyes. ”You havenʼt changed one bit, have you?”

Adam smiled wryly. ”I guess not…”

The two continued to dine together, talking about how their lives had changed in the past year and a half.

Adam recounted tales from his journey to the Southern Federation. Of course, he was careful to leave out the more confidential details.

Elysande, on the other hand, expressed the struggles she faced while stepping into her late fatherʼs shoes. Life had become so hectic lately that she barely had any time to practice mindfulness.

The raven-haired youth listened to everything with a detached expression on his face. However, in his heart, there was a surge of emotions.

It felt strange to him. Very strange.

How would she react if she found out I was the one to kill her father?

He thought to himself, his eyes flickering with conflicting emotions.

For a moment, he even began to question himself:

Would things have turned out okay if I hadnʼt killed Brigham?

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

I guess weʼll never know.

The world was a cruel place. And the world of Magi… was crueler still.

In his youth, Adam had learned this lesson the hard way about what happened if he were to allow his enemies to live.

They would always come back to bite him, like snakes lurking in the underbrush, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

He was reminded of Kevin Gracie and his wretched family. The amount of pain, suffering, and torment he had to go through because of them was something he would never forget.

They remained etched in his memories, serving as a constant, burning reminder.

That all potential threats must be uprooted completely, before they had the chance to grow fangs again.

Adam knew that Brigham Flynn would come after him the moment he learned about the latterʼs greatest secret—the mana extraction technique that allowed one to advance to the Mana Core Rank.

The youth simply acted before Brigham Flynn could.

He asked himself a question:

If given another chance, would I still make the same decision?

He was silent for a moment. Then, his eyes flashed with cold resolve.

Always.

Then, he asked himself another question:

If Elysande follows in her fatherʼs footsteps… if she ever tries to silence me…

Will I be able to deal with her?

No… will I be willing to?

He was silent for another moment. Except this time, his dark eyes flashed with uncertainty.

I donʼt know…

”Whatʼs the matter with you?” Elysandeʼs voice broke through his thoughts. ”Is something weighing on your mind?”

Adam looked at her and faintly smiled. ”Itʼs nothing.”

Elysande frowned ever so slightly, but didnʼt press further. Her expression then grew solemn, and she said, ”Thereʼs something else. I just found out about it before coming here.”

Adam swirled the wine in his cup, then leisurely sipped it. ”Oh? What is it?”

The brown-haired womanʼs expression turned grim. ”Hayes Ballard, son of Councilor Ives Ballard, was murdered outside the city earlier this evening.”

Adamʼs eyes narrowed, his dark pupils flickering with a peculiar light.

”…What? How?”

Elysande took a deep breath and answered. ”Iʼm not sure. After all, these are only rumors.”

Adam suddenly had a very bad feeling bloom within his heart.

And what Elysande said next caused his heart to sink.

”Whispers say that the remnants of the Umbra Thieves ambushed Hayes Ballard while he was away. And now, Councilor Ives Ballard has disappeared from the city, taking with him the most formidable Magi of his family.”

She lingered for a moment. Then, spoke in a cold and emotionless voice:

”Word is… theyʼre out for blood.”