Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1905 Worth Pursuing

Genevieve just couldn't understand the man.

Half the time, the expressions on his face were fake. The other half of the time, the expressions seemed genuine. But then again, that would perhaps be something he'd like others to believe.

In truth, she could never truly comprehend Adam's motives. Except for the rare few instances where Genevieve found him to be prideful, greedy, and a little bit selfish, she didn't know anything.

He claimed to be a coward, then he'd dive head-first into a difficult battle. His actions would suggest he's a highly cautious man, but every time there was trouble, his face would be half-covered by a grin.

To her, Adam was a man of contradictions.

She couldn't help but ask, "What if it were Valerian? If he were in trouble, would you—"

"I would do anything for him," Adam cut her off.

The seriousness in his voice startled Genevieve. His face was placid, and his eyes were deep and dark with not even a ripple of emotion.

That solemn mask disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared, and his expression turned easy-going and his smile flippant.

"But why are you suddenly asking me such questions, young lady?"

Genevieve did not reply for a few moments.

So Valerian is his reverse scale, she wondered.

She shook her head slowly as she murmured, "Nothing, I just… I'm trying to understand who you truly are."

Adam quirked a brow. "Why the sudden interest?"

Genevieve quickly looked away. "Am I not allowed to get to know the people I'm putting my life on the line with?"

"Oh?" Adam let out an amused chuckle. "So you can deflect questions as well? Color me surprised!"

Genevieve was embarrassed, but she didn't let it show. Adam was teasing her, and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.

She lowered her head slightly, her light blue eyes flickering with emotions that confused her. Then she said in a soft, gentle voice:

"Thank you, Adam. I truly thought I would die. I… Thank you."

Adam examined her side profile, his lips curling into an easy smile. "You're welcome," he said.

There was a moment of silence between the pair. Michael was sleeping in the depths of the cave. Meanwhile, Valerian had already retreated to Adam's spirit sea.

So it was just the two of them.

Genevieve didn't know what came over her. Perhaps it was the fact that she'd just had a close call with death, or maybe because she found security in Adam's company. She spoke genuine words that formed in her heart.

"I have never faced such dangers before," she began.

Adam listened patiently with a light smile on his face.

"All my life, I have been surrounded by comfort and kindness. Whether it was as a child living in the Citadel with my grandfather or later when I moved to Davos under Professor Oakley's protection, I was always looked after.

"Before entering this secret plane, I never thought I would have to face life-and-death scenarios so many times, and that… that has changed my perspective quite a bit. I was confident, even quietly arrogant, in my upbringing and training, but now…"

Her lips curled into a wry smile. "I have come to learn that all the training in the world will not hold a candle to the experience gained by living through danger."

Adam silently nodded in approval.

"But even after having realized that," Genevieve continued. "I'm still scared. What if… one of these days I meet my end? Wouldn't that mean the end of my aspirations? I don't wish to share the same fate as Kara and Koby. I don't wish to die without fulfilling my dream."

Adam could sense the sadness radiating from her. And the fear.

He sighed softly. He didn't quite know how to console her. He never was good with things like that. So he let the silence stretch for a few moments between them, allowing her to calm her nerves.

"And what is your dream?" he asked curiously.

To his mild surprise, Genevieve let out a soft chuckle. "You'll think it's silly."

08:01

"Try me."

Genevieve hesitated briefly. She wondered whether Adam would laugh at her or think she was being naive.

Strange…

Why did she care so much about what Adam thought of her?

"Go on," Adam urged gently.

Genevieve was silent for a few more moments before sighing. She raised her head, her light blue eyes reflecting the crimson moon. Her gaze seemed distant, and her expression filled with quiet yearning.

"The peak of magic…" she murmured. "That is my dream."

Adam's eyes trembled.

Genevieve misunderstood his silence. A faint, self-conscious smile crossed her lips, and she lowered her head.

"See, I told you," she said softly. "You'd think it was silly."

"…No," Adam murmured. "It's not."

Genevieve arched an eyebrow. She turned to him with slight amusement, wondering if he was about to crack a harmless joke at her expense. But when she saw the strange expression on his face, she swallowed the words in her mouth.

"To devote your life to understanding the Way… to reach the limits of what magic can achieve… that is the grandest of dreams!"

There was something strange about Adam's voice, and Genevieve couldn't help but fall silent.

Adam then looked at her, his eyes blazing with passion. She had never seen him like that before. And the look in his eyes… it seemed unmistakably genuine.

"That is a dream worth pursuing," he said.

Genevieve was caught off guard.

She had imagined several different reactions. Adam mocking her, dismissing her like a child, or simply ignoring her words.

Not once had she imagined he would encourage her to pursue what she had always thought a silly dream.

Adam continued.

"Great dreams require strong will to achieve them! A blazing fire that can never be quenched! No matter how many people say otherwise, no matter how many mock you or refuse to believe in you, your fire must always burn!"

Genevieve would be lying if she claimed she wasn't moved by his words. She turned toward the crimson world outside, her eyes glossing over ever so slightly.

The fire must always burn…

"And even if you fall somewhere down the line," Adam continued. "it will still have been worth it. Because you will have fallen pursuing what you believe in…walking the path to the pinnacle of magic."

With a smile on his face, he turned to Genevieve. She was silent, seemingly lost in thought as she mulled over his words.

Adam stared at her for a long moment.

She looked beautiful.