Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1906 Connections

Genevieve and Michael crouched on a thick branch, overlooking a cave in the distance. Their presence was concealed by one of her many artifacts.

After recuperating for an entire day, the party had left their former hideout and traveled further northeast. They'd finally found another cave to camp in, as the sun was about to set in another hour.

But unlike the last two hideouts, this one wasn't empty. It was home to a couple of giant bears. They weren't normal bears, however. They were mutated. Their hides were strong and nigh impenetrable, and rocky spikes lined their spines.

This species of bear was unique to this secret plane. The environment here must have changed them somehow, for no such bears existed in the outside world.

The bears were equivalent to a Cavalier Paladin's in strength. Michael had suggested that all three of them worked together to kill the beasts. But Adam had suggested otherwise. The raven-haired youth was confident that he alone would be able to quickly deal with the bears.

Genevieve and Michael relented. They knew how powerful and efficient he was.

"Still, isn't this a little ridiculous?" Michael murmured, his lips twitching.

He turned to Genevieve and asked, "I've never met someone who's both a Magus and a Paladin. Are they always this strong?"

"There's a senior at the Tower," she replied. "He started off as a Mana Core Magus and Cavalier Paladin. Now, he's a Mana Seed Magus, but doesn't pursue the path of Paladins any longer because of the sheer difficulty."

Genevieve paused for a brief moment before continuing, "He was quite the center of attention several years ago. Before he had advanced to the Mana Seed Rank, that is. I've seen him duel on many occasions. But I doubt he was as strong as Adam."

She then shook her head. "No, I'm certain he wasn't as strong as Adam."

Michael nodded in understanding. If he was being honest, he found Adam's strength unbelievable. And his battle prowess was even more ridiculous. Sure, being strong mattered. But how one used that strength mattered even more.

He suddenly thought of something. "Do you think he transplanted the blood of a magical beast?"

Such a practice was common among Magi and Paladins.

Once they transplanted the blood of a magical beast into their bodies, it granted many benefits, including increased physical strength, heightened sensitivity to mana, greater affinity for the types of magic that the beast excelled in, and much more.

But it also came with equally severe drawbacks. Chief among them was the incompatibility between the host and the beast's blood, often resulting in mutations or death.

Genevieve thought back to the ease with which Adam had transformed into an undead creature when they first met inside the spirit plane.

She had thought similarly to Michael, in that Adam had transplanted the blood of an undead creature into him. But she discarded that idea completely. She knew for certain that he was a living being with a pumping heart and warm blood flowing through his veins.

"Could be," she murmured. "I can't be sure. Could also be the physique enhancement technique he practices."

"Perhaps…" Michael murmured.

Though he was not sure how big of a difference a technique could make.

Amidst their hushed conversation, two shadows were hurled out of the cave. With dull thuds, they slammed into a tree in the distance before collapsing limply to the ground.

Michael's lips twitched as he gazed at the corpses of the two bears. Each had fewer than three wounds, all clean, lethal strikes from a dagger.

What a monster!

The thought wasn't directed at the beasts.

"Michael! Michael!"

Valerian rushed toward them from the cave. He stood at the bottom of the towering tree and looked at the Paladin.

"Brother asked you to skin the bear and collect some meat while he carves the cave's defenses."

Michael nodded. "Got it."

With that said, he disappeared. He picked up the corpses and carried them further away from the cave before getting to work.

Genevieve hesitated over whether to follow Michael. She had never done such dirty work before. If she were being honest, she found it appalling and unladylike.

She sighed and finally made up her mind.

There's a first time for everything, I suppose.

***

"So you did find his tracks?"

Michael asked with a grim look on his face.

They were inside the cave around the campfire, each holding a skewer of roasted bear meat prepared by Adam. Meanwhile, Valerian lay sprawled on the ground, his belly swollen to the size of a mountain.

"I did." Adam nodded. "But I also found your tracks… and the tracks of several things pursuing you."

"So you followed ours," Genevieve murmured.

Adam nodded again. He took a bite of the roasted meat, staring into the flames. As much as he had liked to follow after Darren and kill him, he didn't wish to risk Michael and Genevieve's lives.

If he were to be the only person from the party returning alive, that would raise some serious suspicions. Especially considering that all three — Genevieve, Michael, and Darren — had strong connections in the city.

Genevieve's guardian was a professor at the Sapphire Tower. Michael's father was a retired officer of the City Watch. And Darren hailed from a wealthy merchant family.

If Darren was still alive out there, Adam would make sure to deal with him.

"Does he know there's a city here?" Michael asked grimly. "If he's alive, he could be moving there as we speak."

"Who knows?" Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "The chances of him making it to the city alone are slim. Unless, of course, his fortune is good and he somehow makes it there."

"What do you plan to do if we do find him?" Genevieve asked, her gaze fixed on Adam.

Adam remained silent. He would butcher the Paladin, of course. But he didn't need to say that part out loud.

"We kill him, of course!" Michael's voice echoed in the cave. His eyes were filled with rage.

"Koby and Kara died because of his recklessness! If I see him—"

"Don't be stupid," Genevieve cut him off, trying to be as polite as possible. "Someone with his background is sure to have a Soulmark. The moment you kill him, you'll be marked for death."

Michael's anger visibly subsided at her words. Though it hadn't vanished entirely.

Meanwhile, Adam's lips curled into a smile.

Ah, the annoying Soulmark Lantern.

It sure brings back memories.

"Why are you smiling?" Genvieve asked curiously.

Adam waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, it's nothing."

Except… it wasn't.