Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

"Sigh, looks like there won't be much left this time either." Adam's father glanced at the two copper coins in his hand with a disheartened look.

"That man is simply… too greedy!" Said Adam's mother, her expression filled with resentment. "How are people like us supposed to survive if the Baron raises the taxes so high?"

Adam's parents had a very small patch of land upon which they grew wheat. Needless to say, the land had been leased to them by the Baron. Moreover, they even had to pay feudal dues in the form of more than half of their annual produce.

After having paid so much, there was barely anything left for the family of three to get by. Thus the couple worked more jobs and did everything they could to make sure that at least Adam grew up healthy. But that was proving to be quite a challenging task.

"What do we do now?" Adam's mother bit her lower lip, her eyes full of worry. "This will buy us enough food for a couple of days… but what then?"

"There's a way to earn more money," said the man after a long moment of silence.

"If you're talking about the ongoing war then no," the woman adamantly refused. "Besides, the men in the barony are bound by feudal obligations to fight for the lord. You will not get paid for that."

"No, I'm not talking about direct conscription." The man shook his head. "If I join the local mercenary company, I will get payment from them. I know someone there who can help me get the job."

Before his wife could turn down this idea, he added, "And I won't be fighting on the frontlines. I doubt I'll be fighting at all. Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

"They'll only be giving me menial tasks to do. It is completely safe and I'll be getting paid a lot. Think about it, we'll be able to afford food for the whole month with that kind of money!"

The woman hesitated. Seeing that, the man gently caressed her cheek. "Think about our son," he said.

She turned around and glanced at Adam who was soundly sleeping on the ground in a corner of the hut. His clothes were tattered and his body was malnourished.

Tears involuntarily flowed down her eyes as she saw his state. No matter how hungry he got during the day, or how cold he felt at night, the child never complained to them. He silently endured it with his parents.

"Fine, do it." The woman nodded. She looked into her husband's eyes and solemnly stated, "Promise me! Promise me that you'll return."

The man smiled warmly. "Of course, I will."

…

The following day, at the break of sunrise, Adam's father packed a small bag and prepared to go to the nearby Behal Town and temporarily join the mercenary company for the ongoing war.

"Look at him sleeping so peacefully," he said, fondly looking at Adam who was slumbering in his mother's arm.

"Son, wake up. Papa is about to leave for work," whispered the woman into the boy's ears.

"Huh? Uh... uhmm… zzzz." Adam woke up for a few moments before resting his head on his mother's shoulder and dozing off again.

His father smiled warmly. "Let him sleep." He then came forward and kissed the woman goodbye. "Take care of yourself and our son," he said gently.

With that said, he turned around and left the little hut by the oak tree.

While this scene was playing out, two figures were standing amidst the sea of wheat crops, observing it as bystanders.

One was a hazy silhouette. The other was a young man dressed in black magus robes and a black pointy hat.

The hazy figure turned to look at the young man beside him and spoke in a gentle tone, "This was the last time you saw your father, didn't you?"

Adam remained silent. Tears endlessly flowed down from his red eyes, yet his facial expression remained vacant.

He saw his father taking slow and wide strides, moving toward the city. He could also see the nervousness and fear in the man's eyes. He was going to participate in a war, after all. He didn't know if he'd survive.

Adam then turned his attention to his mother who was incessantly sobbing. Although she knew there was a chance of her husband perishing in the war, she didn't have any choice but to let him leave. They needed the money to survive.

Finally, Adam looked at his younger self sleeping in his mother's arms. Oh, how carefree he looked.

"Do you wish to continue?" The hazy figure's voice drifted into his ears.

Adam remained silent, watching his father disappear into the sea of wheat crops. His mother stayed standing in front of the hut for a long time before finally going inside with the child in her arms.

"You don't have to relive this misery again," the hazy figure continued. "You just need to say the word."

Adam glanced at the hazy silhouette. It appeared clearer compared to the last illusion he was in. It was an old man. Tall, broad shoulders, slightly hunched back, white hair, and a long white beard.

"There is a reason why you chose to bury these memories, young magus." The hazy figure's bewitching voice wrapped around Adam once again. "Why go through so much pain? Just say the word and you can end it all."

Adam deeply looked at the figure before silently turning around and walking toward the oak tree. He approached the base of the tree and with a slight jump reached the nearest branch.

He sat down on the branch and gazed at the thatched hut that he once called home. Myriad emotions swirled inside his heart and tumultuous waves rose inside it. Yet, he persevered nonetheless.

Adam knew this was yet another test inside the final trial. It was testing his emotional strength, trying to distract him from completing this trial. But even though he knew that, it was still deeply painful to him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, a few months had passed and summer had already come to an end.

A small group of people pushed a wooden wagon toward the hut by the oak tree. On the wagon lay a body covered in white cloth.

When Adam lay his eyes on the clothed body, his heart shattered into countless tiny pieces. He took off his pointy hat and covered his face with it.

His shoulders trembled and a soft and painful voice escaped his lips.

"Father…"