Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

In the days that followed, the three Magi—Adam, Lucian, and Gerald—got very busy preparing for the great battle that lay ahead.

The grand auction was a roaring success, thanks to the reputation of the Dark King and the managerial prowess of the new Matriarch of the Flynn Family, Elysande Flynn.

As a result, both of them amassed significant wealth. Adam, too, profited greatly, having sold all the artifacts that he had obtained from the Joker inside the secret plane.

As for the young Magi participating in the Grand Magus Tournament? They, too, had been very preoccupied.

All these young Magi had to undergo a series of preliminary trials testing their magical prowess just to be considered for the tournament. And beyond that, they were subjected to multiple rounds of screening interviews.

However, that was just the beginning…

To enter the First Trial of the Grand Magus Tournament, which took place in the depths of Marian Lake, these participants—all of whom were Mana Liquefaction Magi—had to convince a Mana Vortex Magus, whom they did not know, to provide them with a very specific spell.

This was the Rank 3 Spell: Alter Self, which was extremely crucial for the participants if they wanted to dive into the depths of Marian Lake and stay there for a period of time.

However, there was a catch.

The participants could not acquire this spell from a Mana Vortex Magus that they were acquainted with. They were encouraged to seek out other Magi, socialize with them, and convince them to give them the spell.

This tested the participant's networking and communication skills. Those who failed to convince the Mana Vortex Magus were automatically disqualified.

For the Magi from the Four Pillars, this was a fairly easy task. All they needed to do was request the Professors from the other arcane institutions to give them the spell. Should the Professors demanded something in return from the participants was left to their discretion.

Although the Four Pillars were regarded as distinct and independent arcane institutions, at the end of the day, they ultimately operated under the vast umbrella of the Acadian Empire.

As such, the Professors from these institutions were generally cordial and accommodating when students from the Pillars approached them in search of the Rank 3 spell. In fact, they behaved, more or less, the same way with the elves from Baja High Forest as well.

But the same could not be said to be true for the Magi who weren't affiliated with any of the five factions. In other words… the rogue Magi.

It was extremely difficult for them to get acquainted with a mighty Mana Vortex Magus and request their help to enter the first trial.

For this specific requirement, the odds were decidedly not in their favor. In fact, a significant number of these rogue Magi had voiced concern about the ethical implications surrounding the First Trial's stipulation.

To them, it seemed that the Four Pillars were deliberately attempting to limit their participation, ensuring that most of the candidates who did participate came from their own factions, or from Baja.

Yet all their complaints fell on deaf ears. Whether the decision to impose such a prerequisite for the First Trial was truly as the rogue Magi claimed remained a mystery.

As a result, only a fraction of these rogue Magi managed to qualify for the First Trial. And only they knew the true cost—be it in gold, favors, or sacrifice—of acquiring that specific Rank 3 Spell.

All these Magi were now present in the vast public square that stretched before Council Keep in the heart of Downtown Quarters.

Alongside them stood the participants from the esteemed Four Pillars, as well as those from Baja High Forest.

The square was crowded with people. It was a sea of colorful robes pulsing through the space as spectators, participants, and officials filled every corner.

Small, floating platforms hovered above the crowd, carrying elite Magi and nobles who had come to witness the beginning of the Grand Magus Tournament.

Banners bearing the symbols of the Four Pillars and Baja High Forest flapped in the gentle breeze, and armed Magi patrolled the perimeter, keeping order with vigilance.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and tension.

For many, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. It was a chance to rise through the ranks, gain prestige, and carve their names in the annals of history.

For others, this was a battlefield where their reputations would either be forged or shattered.

High above the crowd, on the grand balcony of Council Keep that overlooked the packed square, a group of Mana Vortex Magi had assembled.

These were the Councilors of Ravenfell and the Professors of Saratoga Castle who were going to oversee the Grand Magus Tournament. They stood in solemn silence, their presence alone radiating immense pressure.

Among them stood a few of the city's most influential aristocrats. And, of course, the Dark King was present as well.

In fact, it could be said that the eyes of the entire crowd below were fixed on him.

The raven-haired youth leaned casually against the railing, arms crossed, a faint smile adorning his lips as his dark eyes swept over the gathered crowd below.

He spotted Edwin, Edward, and Lisa standing among the Magi from the Tower of Daybreak. Atiel and Elrod stood with the elves of the Baja High Forest. His gaze then drifted to his three students—Eleiney, Arthur, and Aiden—standing beside Daneli with the people from Saratoga.

They all had expressions of excitement and anticipation. Everyone except Edward, whose face was drawn and tense. He alone knew the truth Adam had entrusted to him: the looming danger that might unfold during the tournament.

As Adam looked out over the sea of cheerful faces in the crowd, a conflicting feeling took root in his heart.

Their joy was pure, untainted by fear and doubt, and yet, to him… it all felt like a cruel illusion.

Though he had a smile on his face, his chest churned with unease, burdened by the knowledge of what might come.

Among the people gathered on the balcony, a man clad in white and gold robes suddenly stepped forward. His dark brown hair was streaked with silver at the temples, and his piercing blue eyes swept the crowd below.

This was the official herald of this great event.

The Prince of the Acadian Empire, Cedric Acadia.

As the Prince stepped forward, the murmurs of the crowd instantly faded, replaced by an expectant hush.

With a wave of his hand, a translucent magical screen bloomed in the sky above the square, magnifying his presence for all to see and hear.

Cedric's voice rang clear and powerful across the square:

"Let all gathered here bear witness… for today marks the commencement of the Seventy-Third Grand Magus Tournament!"

He paused for a moment, then slowly stretched his arms wide, his lips curling into a brilliant grin.

"May the flames of magic burn bright, may courage guide your hand, and may the worthy rise!"