Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

569  Welcome Home

Adam put on a new set of clothes—white robes and pants of matching color. Since he'd grown in height, the clothes didn't fit him now.

"Tsk, now I have to spend money buying new clothes," he grumbled in annoyance.

He then put on the Cloak of Resilience and nodded in praise. "Not bad. This is very comfortable."

The youth walked past the marble basin, towards the other side of the chamber where a pair of stone doors had appeared at some point.

As soon as he appeared before the towering doors, the androgynous voice introduced, "Beyond this door lies the final test that you must pass in order to complete this Raven Inheritance."

Adam took a deep breath and asked in a solemn tone, "What is the name of the test?"

Like before this trial, he could glean a lot of information from just the name. In doing so, he would be able to equip himself for the test better.

The cold and mechanical voice echoed inside the chamber once again.

"The Trial of Death!"

Adam's pupils constricted and he couldn't help but feel his heart gripped by a foreboding feeling for some reason.

"The Trial of Death?" He asked. "Can you tell me more about this test?"

"You must confront death!"

Adam was astonished. "Confront death? You want me to die?"

The voice did not reply.

"Can you tell me more?" He asked again.

Still, the voice didn't reply. Seeing this, Adam couldn't help but helplessly sigh. "If the Trial of Endurance was already so difficult, then the Trial of Death is sure to be even more so."

But the next moment, his eyes twinkled with anticipation. "But that also means the rewards will be that much greater!"

He cast one final glance at the stone doors before turning around. He would participate in this final trial at a later date.

The youth had been walking across a desert for the last fourteen months.

Despite having undergone a miraculous transformation in the Sacred Waters of Lustrum, he couldn't wait to go back to his manor and have a feast.

Moreover, he also needed to catch up on the important events that might have transpired in the time he was away.

White lotus patterns surfaced in Adam's black pupils, glowing with an otherworldly light. The following moment, he teleported away!

…

Constantine Manor, Uptown Quarter.

"Make sure to do your jobs properly!" Rowan sternly instructed the servants of the house as they took care of the vibrant garden.

"Master is going to return any day now. Everything should be perfect."

He spoke in a tone that left no room for disobedience. The middle-aged man crossed his arms and looked at the work progress with a flat expression on his face.

Suddenly, a plump gray cat approached him from the direction of the gazebo.

"Rowan…" said Valerian in a lethargic tone. "I think I've eaten too much… Help me… I can't walk any longer…"

The middle-aged man turned around and gazed at the plump cat with a helpless look on his face. He couldn't believe how the little cat had turned out in the span of only two months.

He crouched low and gently lifted the young dragon. "Young Master Valerian, I don't know how I'm going to explain… this to my lord."

Valerian rolled his eyes while stroking his round tummy. "What do you mean this? Don't judge me, Rowan. I'm still growing and I need my vitamins and minerals."

Rowan's eyes twitched. "But young master, all you've had in the last two months is meat and more meat. Perhaps you should have had some green vegetables as well if you were so worried about vitamins and minerals."

"Hmph!" Valerian snorted in disdain. "A mighty dragon such as I eating green vegetables? You must be out of your mind!"

Rowan couldn't help but ruffle Valerian's furry head in amusement. He always found it funny when the little guy addressed himself as a mighty dragon.

It reminded him of the times his kids would call themselves Magi and play around.

"Alright, let me take you back inside." Rowan turned around and started walking toward the manor.

Suddenly, Valerian's ears twitched and he abruptly turned his head in the direction of the manor's gates.

A moment later, a servant of the house came running toward the pair, screaming in fluster. "Sir Rowan! Sir Rowan!"

"Hmm?" Rowan turned around and glanced at the young man. "What's wrong?"

"M-Master!" The servant pointed in the direction of the gates. "Some hobo is pretending to be our master!"

"Pretending to be Lord Constantine?" Rowan was furious. "Who dares?!"

"I-I don't know!" The servant hurriedly shook his head. "He looks like a beggar, but… but he's wearing fine clothes. I don't know what's going on!"

Rowan was about to storm toward the manor gates when suddenly the space beside him distorted ever so slightly and a tall youth with long, lustrous raven hair and a thick beard appeared out of nowehere.

"Waahhh!!" The middle-aged man was shocked out of his mind and fell on his bum.

Instantly, he realized that a Magus had appeared inside the manor compounds. He looked at this newcomer and couldn't recognize him.

He nervously gulped and asked, "M-My Lord, w-who are you—"

But before he could even finish, he saw Valerian leaving his arms and diving straight at this newcomer.

"Myu!! Brother, you are back!!"

"Hahaha!" Adam gave the little guy a warm hug. "Little Val, did you miss me?"

"Yes! Yes!" Valerian fondly licked the youth's cheeks. "I missed you very much!"

After sharing a tender moment with his dear familiar, Adam's face darkened. He grabbed the little guy by the fur on his neck and held him at eye level.

"You little brat, what the hell have you done to yourself while I was away?" He reprimanded.

Instantly Valerian began to sweat profusely. "B-Brother, you can't blame me! I-It was Rowan! Yes, it was him who fed me!"

Adam glared at the little guy. "You think I would believe that? You need some disciplining!"

He tossed Valerian in the air and then laid him down on his knee. Then, he began viciously spanking him like there was no tomorrow.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

"Myu!!" Valerian began flailing his limbs around in terror. "Brother, please—"

BAM! BAM! BAM!

"You fat little bastard!" Adam roared. "I told you to train while I was away, but you've been indulging in gluttony! I will beat all the fat out of you today. Just you wait!"

"B-Brother! Wait!" Valerian desperately begged for mercy. "I'm going through my growth spurt! I couldn't help myself—"

BAM! BAM! BAM!

While Adam was teaching his dear familiar a lesson, Rowan was looking at him with a face filled with disbelief.

He saw a young man with fair and unblemished skin who looked to be in his late teenage years. The person in front of him looked completely different from the Adam he knew.

Adam chucked Valerian toward the little pond by the gazebo before dusting his hands. He looked at the middle-aged man and smiled brightly.

"Long time no see, Rowan!"

He extended his hand out toward the man. Rowan clasped the youth's hand in a daze and got to his feet.

"What… what has happened to you?" He asked incredulously. "You've become… younger!"

"Hehe," Adam chuckled smugly. "I had a very fortuitous encounter."

Rowan was speechless, thinking to himself, Just what kind of encounter reverses one's age?! This is… impossible!

He quickly shook his head, saying to himself in his heart, Well nothing is impossible in the world of Magi! I better mind my own business…

Then, he placed his hand over his chest and respectfully bowed. "Welcome home, my lord!"

"Ah, it's good to be back." He looked at his two-story manor with approval. "You all have taken good care of the house. Good job!"

The maids and servants who had gathered around couldn't help but feel delighted at being praised by their master. They continued to bow down repeatedly, thanking him.

"Alright then." He started walking toward the manor. "Prepare a feast for me. I haven't had food in forever."

Rowan thought for a moment and spoke, "My Lord, might I suggest inviting Lord Ambermind and Lady Flynn for dinner?"

Adam asked with a raised eyebrow. "Daneli and Elysande? Did they come looking for me while I was away?"

"That is correct," said Rowan respectfully. "They sent their servants here several times to see if you had returned."

"Hmm." Adam thought for a moment before nodding. "Sure, have someone send them an invite."

"At once, my lord." Rowan bowed.

Adam looked toward the small man-made pond where Valerian was floating with a tearful expression on his furry face.

"Come, Val. Let's go upstairs."

"Myu!" Valerian turned his head away. "I'm not talking to you! Go away! I hate you!"

"Fine, whatever." Adam shook his head and went inside the manor, leaving behind his departing words.

"I thought I'd share some treasures that I found recently with you. But it's okay, I suppose. I'll just go away."

Valerian's body trembled involuntarily, displaying an extremely conflicted expression. Now, he didn't know whether to stay mad at Adam or not.

Finally, he couldn't resist the temptation. He then hurriedly swam toward the banks of the pond.

"Brother, wait for me!"