Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe C.483: Suspicion

Mayor's Office, Town Hall.

The interior of this room had a high-vaulted ceiling, painted with scenes depicting the town's most historical events and legendary figures.

Mainly it was of Magus Stratford defeating a shadowy figure, then leading the people to safety and building a settlement that would later on be named after him.

At the far end of the room, stood the mayor's desk which was made from ancient oak. Mayor Wyndham Hobbs was sitting on the high-backed chair behind his desk, glancing at the young Magi sitting before him with an amiable smile.

The sound of firewood crackling could be heard in the backdrop as Art, Aiden, and Eleiney awkwardly looked back at the old mayor, not knowing what to say.

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They were abruptly invited to his office. Moreover, it wasn't like they could refuse either. Although they were quite nervous and scared to visit him, they were relieved by the fact that they had someone to rely on.

Mayor Hobbs glanced at the three children, then at the grey cat that was leisurely lying down on Eleiney's lap.

For some reason, this unassuming little cat gave him a very uneasy feeling. This surprised him greatly. Moreover, when the cat gazed at him, he couldn't help but avoid eye contact.

A drop of sweat trickled down from the side of his forehead as he wondered to himself in shock, Just what kind of creature is this?! Is it really a cat?

Breaking the awkward silence in the room, Eleiney gathered the courage and asked, "M- Mayor Hobbs, may I ask why you've brought us here?"

The old mayor shifted his attention away from Valerian and looked at Eleiney. He spoke in a warm and grateful tone, "I would first like to thank you for your efforts in protecting this town during the wolf tide."

"I-It's fine," Eleiney forced a smile. "It's what we're paid to do..."

The mayor nodded with a smile. "But I find it very surprising that such young children like you could display such fighting prowess. I noticed your battle last night and I must say, I was very impressed."

He paused for a moment and asked curiously, "I noticed another person had arrived with you, but I don't see him anywhere. I wonder where he is."

Nothing goes on in this town without him noticing, huh? Art thought to himself.

He displayed a polite smile and replied, "That would be our teacher, Magus Adam Constantine."

"Ah, I see," said the old mayor with a raised eyebrow. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he added, "I was told that Magus Constantine is Rayna's brother. Is that true?"

Rayna was Kenley's wife. Adam had arrived at this town with a different identity and the kids knew about it. Although they only knew that this fake identity was related to a mission given to him by the Herbalist's Guild.

"That is right, my lord," said Aiden, "our mentor is Madam Rayna's elder brother."

"Is that so?" Mayor Hobbs's lips curled up into an amusing smirk. "But the thing is..."

His voice turned a little colder, causing the three children to involuntarily gulp. "I've known Rayna's parents for a long time, and as far as I know, she is a single child. I never knew she had a brother."

The three young Magi froze in their seats, not knowing how to respond. Moreover, the pressure emanating from the old mayor caused them to feel slightly suffocated.

It was at that moment that Valerian lifted his head and spoke up.

"Human, you are aware that Rayna left this town and visited the southern parts of the Empire after her parents passed away, yes?" The young dragon spoke in a chilly tone.

Hearing him speak, Mayor Hobbs turned his head and looked at him, nodding. "Yes, that is correct."

Valerian continued, "It was there that Adam's family adopted Rayna, thus making him her step-brother."

The next moment, the young dragon's vertical pupils constricted and he coldly muttered, "And retract that foul aura of yours. You're scaring the children."

Although Mayor Hobbs maintained the same amiable smile on his face, tumultuous waves were rising inside his heart.

For some reason, Valerian's words caused his mind to momentarily go blank, and this terrified him.

This creature is dangerous! He thought.

He took a deep breath and lowered his head. "You're right, forgive me for my behavior just now. I'm very protective of my residents. I couldn't help but think Rayna was being taken advantage of."

"Hmph!" Valerian snorted coldly. "Instead of being grateful to us, you're suspecting us. Quite the mayor you are."

Eleiney's arms around Valerian tightened ever so slightly. She was signaling him to not speak anymore, afraid that a fight might break out.

Valerian lifted his head and glanced at Eleiney for a moment. Then, he yawned and went back to taking a nap.

Eleiney inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She then looked at the mayor and made an apology, "Please forgive him, my lord. H-He can get a little outspoken sometimes."

Valerian's ears twitched and he thought to himself, What the! Outspoken? Do these kids not know the concept of gratitude? Just you wait! I'll steal all your gold while you're sleeping!

"It's alright," Mayor Hobbs smiled. "He is as protective of you as I am of the people of this town."

He paused for a moment before asking, "Would you mind telling me where Magus Constantine is at the moment?"

His tone now was completely different from what it was a few moments ago.

"He..." Eleiney tried to come up with an excuse, but Art was already one step ahead of her.

"He has gone to gather herbs for an experiment!"

"Gather herbs?" The mayor's eyebrows wrinkled but then his eyes lit up. "Could it be that he

is a Herbalist?"

"Uh, yes of course!" Art nodded with pride.

"Splendid!" The old man nearly shot up from his chair in excitement. He eagerly asked, "Is he, by any chance, a Mana Liquefaction Magus?"

Before any of the kids could reply, Valerian spoke up again, "Rank 1 Magus."

A strange light flashed through the Mayor's eyes and he replied flatly, "Oh, I see..." Valerian's eyes narrowed and he thought to himself condescendingly, Heh, you can't fool me, you inferior creature!

A long moment of silence ensued before the mayor asked again, "Anyway, the reason I brought you here is because I noticed that you were interested in the Howlett Family."

The three young Magi nodded. Aiden then asked, "My Lord... is there a problem with that? We were just curious about this family, that's all."

The old mayor sighed, "No, child, there is nothing wrong with that. You may not know this but the Howlett Family consisted of evil Magi who sought to destroy our town.

"So when I learned that someone was trying to learn more about them, I couldn't help but

feel alarmed."

"What?!" The children were astonished. "The Howlett Family... they're a family of dark

Magi?"

"Yes," said the mayor with a self-deprecating smile. "If you would still like to learn more about them, I would first have to tell you about the history of Stratford... freёwebnoѵel.com

"The true history of Stratford!"