Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 829: Masks (Ko-fi Bonus Chapter)

Adam’s pupils constricted when he heard the man’s question.

“My Lord… I don’t understand what you mean,” he feigned ignorance.

The youth had learned from the Joker that knowledge about the Greater Universe was known only to the Mana Core Magi of Tron.

They strongly kept this information secret in order to prevent panic amongst the masses.

The knowledge that vastly superior magical civilizations exist out there in the universe could spark chaos, fear, or even hoplessness.

People might feel inferior or insignificant, panic about future invasions or distasters, or even turn against authorities in the worst case scenario.

All in all, it would cause widespread psychological and societal upheaval.

So why hide it?

To those in power, ignorance was safety.

If the masses didn’t know, then they wouldn’t fear what was out there.

But more importantly, they would never challenge authority!

The elderly man’s eyes narrowed. “You know exactly what I mean, boy. So, tell me. How did you come to know about it?”

Adam’s expression turned grave. He couldn’t help but begin to wonder about all sorts of possibilities.

Why is he asking me that question all of a sudden?

Is he testing me?

No, why would he do that?

His mind worked at an abonormal speed, and in that split second he was able to accurately pinpoint the reason why the man would suddenly ask him such a question.

The mana-gathering runic formation!

This was a highly advanced form of rune magic, something which had never appeared on this planet before.

The elderly Magus, being at the peak of magic in Tron, knew this better than anyone. He could immediately tell that the origins of this runic formation were foreign in nature.

Once Adam thought of that, his eyes couldn’t help but narrow.

He knows that I got my hands on this runic formation from an inheritance left behind by a Magus, he thought.

It is very likely that he thinks that this Magus was not a native of Tron. Does he want to learn more about this inheritance, then?

This is troublesome…

Wait!

He still doesn’t know for sure that I know anything about the Greater Universe.

Just because I supposedly came across an inheritance of an otherworldly Magus doesn’t mean that I would know about their place of origins.

He is testing me!

“My Lord, I truly don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Adam, flashing an awkward smile. “This is the first time I’m hearing about the Great Universe.”

The elderly Magus deeply looked at the youth, studying his expression carefully, trying to ascertain whether he was lying or not.

Then, he looked at the runes that had hidden themselves underground and began, “This runic formation doesn’t belong to his world.”

“This world?” Adam was ‘confused’ momentarily. Then, realization dawned on him. “Y-You mean… There are other worlds out there?!”

Adam had to do it.

He had to pretend.

After all, the man before him was a Councilor of the Twilight Brotherhood. It didn’t matter if the man was Berger’s mentor.

The moment the elderly man learned that he knew something even remotely related to the Greater Universe, he would be subjected to all sorts of interrogation.

After all, the higher a Magus advanced, the more they yearned to advance higher.

And for the people of Tron, who could only advance to the Mana Core Rank, what wouldn’t they do to learn about traveling to other magical civilizations where they could pursue the higher arcane arts?

Adam could not risk it.

He did not know whether the Councilors of the Brotherhood knew of the founder’s true origins, or if they knew anything about the method of leaving Tron and venturing into the Greater Universe.

Until and unless Adam was strong enough to protect himself, he would never divulge anything related to the Greater Universe.

He would think a thousand times to divulge this knowledge to Berger, whom he considered to be his family, let alone this Mana Core Magus whom he had only just met.

The time Adam had spent in the streets of Behal Town during his youth taught him several things.

Most importantly, it taught him to be cautious of other people. He knew that at the end of the day, people only cared about their own interests.

Things such as righteousness and honor were only masks people wore to get what they wanted.

Perhaps, only one in countless people truly lived up to those principles.

But the rest?

Heh! Adam sneered inwardly.

Old fool, did you think I would trust you just because you share a relationship with the old man?

Outwardly, he showed a visibly shocked expression. “How… how can this be? How can this be? If there are other planets there, does that mean… the Mana Core Rank is not the end?!”

The elderly Magus deeply studied the youth’s expression. A few moments later, he asked, “Apart from the mana-gathering runic formation, what else did you find in that inheritance?”

Adam pretended to hesitate before reluctantly answering, “Knowledge about herbalism, several spells up to the Mana Vortex Rank, and…”

“And what?” the elderly Magus pressed, hope flickering in his eyes.

“A mana extraction technique,” Adam replied in great discomfort.

“Up to what rank?”

Adam hesitated for a long time before answering with his head hung low, “Up to the Mana Core Rank…”

The elderly Magus digested this information as he studied Adam closely. “You are quite fortunate, boy.” He paused for a moment before asking, “Is that all?”

“Yes, my lord.” Adam raised his head to look at the man, lying through his teeth, “That is all. Even the old man knows this.”

He paused for a moment before meekly asking, “Will I have to… give all that I found in the inheritance to the Brotherhood?”

The elderly Magus deeply looked at Adam before shaking his head. “What you found belongs to you. I am not so heartless that I would take it from you and give it to the Brotherhood. I am a man of principles.”

He then displayed a stern expression and added, “But, listen well, boy. Should you find any clues to the Greater Universe, you must inform me.”

“How would I even find these clues?” Adam asked, confusion plastered all across his face.

“Those journals you keep asking about,” the elderly Magus spoke in a cryptic manner, “might perhaps provide you with clues to the Greater Universe if, by some chance, you manage to decipher them.”

“Don’t tell me…” Adam appeared visibly shocked.

“Yes.” The elderly Magus nodded solemnly.

“We have reasons to believe that the legendary founder of the Twilight Brotherhood, Lord Aldo Wagner, was not of this world… but came from the Greater Universe.”

4/4 Bonus Chapters. All of them are complete. Cheers!