Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe C.372 Island

Adam and Hudson got on a small wooden boat docked by the pier where they first met.

The boat creaked ever so slightly as Hudson started to row, heading toward the direction of the vast sea.

Adam sat across from the middle-aged man, his jet-black eyes flashing with anticipation as well as a hint of nervousness.

He glanced at the calm waters, then at the lazy clouds drifting through the blue sky. The atmosphere right now was completely the opposite of what had happened last night at the Velvet Dreams.

It was calm, putting a little smile on Adam's face.

He then looked at Hudson who was rhythmically rowing the boat with a pair of dilapidated oars. "What's gotten into you?"

Hudson glared at the raven-haired youth. "You have the gall to ask me that? After the havoc you wreaked last night? Really?!"

Adam found this man's behavior very amusing, completely unlike what he'd seen when they had met for the first time.

He grabbed the wine gourd hanging from his waist and leisurely sipped from it. "Well, you did say I could deal with those scums however I liked."

"So you thought of burning that place to the ground and publically hanging them?" Hudson spat through his teeth in exasperation.

Adam waved his hand nonchalantly. "Oh, Hudson, you don't get it."

"Get what?" Hudson asked with raised eyebrows as he continued to propel the wooden boat toward their destination.

"What I did last night sent a clear message," Adam began. "Should anything even remotely similar happen in the future, they will know what's coming for them."

Hudson's hands stopped and he deeply looked at the youth sitting in front of him. In the end, he could only shake his head and sigh as he started rowing again.

"The higher-ups won't take this lightly," he said.

Adam was slightly surprised. "You mentioned there were people who would like to see me. Are they perhaps…"

Hudson nodded with a solemn look. "I've been notified that two Wardens have arrived in Acryon earlier today."

Two Rank 3 Magi! Adam thought to himself incredulously.

He then asked, "Are Rank 3 Magi always presiding over a recruit's initiation?"

"Don't be naive," Hudson scoffed. "It's only in the case of an Agent's initiation that a Mana Vortex Magus would preside over it. Usually, there's only one Warden, but strangely enough, two showed up for your case."

"Two, huh?" Adam started stroking his chin, deep in thought.

Hudson glanced at Adam and warned with a serious expression, "The Wardens will not take lightly what you did last night."

The youth glanced at him questioningly, gesturing for him to continue.

Hudson added, "It is true that you indeed freed over a hundred slaves imprisoned in the dungeon. However, because you burned the building to the ground a few customers died inside. Did you know that?"

Adam replied while stroking his chin, "I did expect there to be a few casualties."

"But you did it anyway?" Hudson asked with a complicated expression.

Adam simply shrugged.

Seeing the indifference in the youth's attitude, Hudson couldn't help but think to himself, Prioritizing the mission no matter the cost… He's ruthlessly determined, but also very morally ambiguous.

Hudson didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only give the youth a forewarning, "The Wardens are highly respectable and powerful Magi within the Brotherhood. Please be on your best behavior."

Adam smiled, "Don't worry."

After traveling by boat for the entire day, the sun was beginning to set on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the surface of the sea.

An isle came into view, causing Adam to marvel at its beauty. It was lush with verdant trees and colorful flowers. Birds flew about, the sound of their chirps mingling with the gentle waves that brushed against the boat.

"Is this it?" Adam asked, unable to mask the excitement in his eyes.

"Yes." Hudson nodded as he guided the boat to a secluded cove hidden from the main coastline by a dense growth of towering palm trees.

"This small island could be considered to be one of the safe houses. It is marked by runic formations, making it completely hidden even from the senses of a Mana Vortex Magus."

With great familiarity, Hudson secured the boat to a weathered wooden dock. Then, he and Adam disembarked.

The pair walked through a narrow, winding path that led to the deeper parts of the island. Adam could feel the sound of the sea already fading behind him.

"Are there going to be a lot of people?" He asked.

"Who knows?" Hudson shrugged. "Maybe."

As they ventured deeper into the island, the air grew cooler and the forest around them became denser and more mysterious.

For some reason, Adam found his heart pounding inside his chest. This aura of mystery that he felt creeping into his bones was a novel experience for him.

After what felt like forever, the pair finally arrived at an open clearing in the forest. It was encircled by ancient towering trees. Their canopies intertwined above, forming a natural dome.

At the base of these trees, several wooden torches illuminated the area.

When Adam gazed at this area, his pupils constricted.

In the center of the glade stood a stone altar. Indecipherable runes were marked on its surface, giving it an ethereal vibe.

Behind the altar, stood two figures wearing black, hooded cloaks. The hoods made it impossible to ascertain their appearances.

One was a tall figure, while the other was of short stature.

Adam believed that the former was either a human or an elf, while the latter was a dwarf. From the mana signature emanating from them, he confirmed that these two were Mana Vortex Magi.

These weren't the only people present, however. About a dozen more hooded figures were standing at the base of the trees, surrounding the stone altar.

Adam confirmed that all of them were Rank 2 Magi.

Hudson suddenly spoke in a hushed voice, "From here on out, it's all you. Good luck." With that said, he walked toward the base of one of the towering trees and joined the other Agents.

Adam glanced at the man and then at the two figures standing behind the altar. He took a deep breath and walked forward until he was standing right before the altar.

Before he could even greet, the short hooded figure spoke first, his tone laced with displeasure.

"You have a lot to explain.

"Adam Constantine."