Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Saratoga Castle.

The participants who had cleared the First Trial were given accommodations within the ancient castle. Of course, their friends and family were also permitted to stay.

Nearly half of the contestants had failed to advance to the next round. Needless to say, most of them were rogue Magi.

The participants who did make it, however, were now granted two days to prepare for the next trial.

Moreover, a grand cultural and magical celebration would also be held before the Second Trial of the Grand Magus Tournament, serving as a brief respite for the participants and a moment of joy for the citizens.

It was the time of the Raven Festival, an annual spring celebration. Coincidentally, this year it happened to take place right between the First and the Second Trials.

This festival honored the founding of Ravenfell and its patron beast, the mysterious raven.

The raven was believed to be a creature that guided the first settlers through darkness and despair. It was a symbol of endurance, foresight, and rebirth.

But the Raven Festival would take place the following day. Now, however, a storm was brewing somewhere within the ancient castle.

Several students in grey robes stood outside Professor Mathilda Whitaker's office, listening to what was going on inside with piqued interest.

The elderly professor seemed to be in a very bad mood and was currently scolding someone quite... unexpected.

Several minutes later, the loud and angry voice of the elderly woman inside quietened down. Then, the sound of footsteps approaching the door could be heard.

The students, who were standing outside the office, instantly straightened their backs and drew away from the door, their faces riddled with extreme awkwardness.

Moments later, the double doors slowly creaked open, and a towering figure with broad shoulders stepped out of Professor Whitaker's office.

He wore dark, flowing robes and a black pointy hat.

His expression was that of… helplessness and irritation.

The Dark King cast a sideways glance at the students gathered on each side of the office entrance, causing them to become extremely tense.

In the end, he shook his head and silently walked away.

Only after the Dark King had turned a corridor and completely disappeared did the students exhale a deep breath of relief.

They turned to each other with surprised looks, their eyes flickering with sparks of gossip.

The mighty Dark King was actually being scolded by Professor Mathilda Whitaker?

What did this mean?

The kind, elderly professor that everyone adored and looked up to… was actually a heavy-hitter all along!

Instantly, their expressions shifted, and they couldn't help but come to see Professor Whitaker in a new light.

Then, they asked permission to enter the bigwig's office, before stepping inside and respectfully discussing both the festival and the upcoming Second Trial with her.

***

Walking through the corridors of the castle, Adam had a flat expression on his face.

Everywhere he passed by, the students stepped aside and gazed at him with reverent expressions.

This was the first time they had seen the Dark King step within the walls of Saratoga since he'd returned from his travels, after all.

So, a lot of students and even faculty members had gathered to witness his presence.

Adam suddenly noticed that a large number of people had gathered, lining each side of the corridor. So, he couldn't help but shed his mask of indifference and put on a faint, welcoming smile.

These were his people, after all. The least he could do was offer them a smile.

And he was right in doing so. For the moment he smiled, it was as if the entire atmosphere around him had changed. People started waving at him and greeting him with eagerness. He greeted them back as well.

Inwardly, however, he was very, very frustrated.

Damn it, why didn't the Headmaster tell Professor about my participation? He thought to himself.

I had to listen to her screaming at me for twenty minutes!

Twenty damned minutes!

And not just that, he even had to convince the elderly woman that he wasn't participating in the tournament out of greed, but to protect the other participants from any unforeseen circumstances.

Needless to say, it took quite a while for him to convince her.

Waving and greeting, the raven-haired youth gradually made his way down towards the main entrance of the castle.

Since he was already here, he figured he might as well spend the night at his cottage in the valley behind.

By now, a large crowd was already following behind him. Adam would be lying if he claimed he didn't like the attention. He had gotten pretty used to it lately, and now even welcomed it.

Finally, he arrived at the main entrance of the castle. There, standing at the base of the grand staircase, he saw a familiar figure.

It was Edward, standing amidst the crowd, seemingly waiting for him.

In that moment, only one thought echoed inside Adam's mind:

There's no way he found out!

When their gazes met, Edward waved at him and forced a smile. Adam gave him a nod of acknowledgment and walked toward him.

Looks like what I said to him earlier must have hurt him deeply... Good, he mused.

He believed his best friend needed to hear that. Adam felt that he had been becoming quite complacent since he joined the Tower of Daybreak.

"Do you have a moment?" Edward asked.

Adam raised his eyebrow in surprise, wondering why he was talking so politely. He figured it was probably because of the large crowd that had gathered around them.

He smiled. "Of course."

***

The two childhood friends arrived at Adam's distant cottage in the valley.

They took a seat atop the large boulder by the pond and gazed at the setting sun's reflection on the watery surface.

After a few moments of silence, Edward looked around the place and nodded in approval. "It's quite peaceful here. I like it."

He then gestured at the small herb garden by the cottage and asked, "You haven't tended to them in a while, have you?"

Seeing the weeds overrunning the garden, Adam could only shrug. "I'm almost always traveling. I hardly have time to rest, let alone tend to my herb garden."

Edward seemed to be deep in thought as he absentmindedly nodded. Adam poured him a cup of drink and remained silent.

He had a feeling about what his friend was going to talk to him about.

And there it was…

"I met a formidable opponent in the First Trial," said the blue-eyed youth, his grip around the wine cup involuntarily tightening.

He then turned to Adam and asked, "His name's Merlin Mathias. Do you know him by any chance?"

Adam raised his eyebrows. "Merlin Mathias?"

He then looked into the distance, a pondering look on his face. A few moments later, he turned back toward Edward and confidently said:

"Never heard of him."