Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

In the far reaches of the spirit world, at the peak of a hill on a snowy island that floated upside down, a young dragon faced off against a powerful four-armed monster.

This four-armed monster was the inhabitant of this snowy island. As such, it knew all about the horror that dwelt inside the abandoned temple. That was the reason why it hadn't gone inside earlier. For it knew what awaited inside.

The formless fog was the most powerful creature on this island. Its powers were insidious, and its magic was full of cunning. The four-armed monster knew how to counter the fog's magic, but it did not know how to defeat it.

So when it noticed Adam and Felix enter the temple, it stayed behind in the swirling snow, smiling wickedly. When it noticed Felix die, its smile turned into a grin. And when it realized that Adam had managed to slay the formless fog, its grin completely vanished.

For a long time, it couldn't quite believe what had happened inside the temple. The formless fog was a powerful creature, and even it could not hope to defeat it. Yet, the frail and weak human from the material world had managed to do the impossible.

The cold wind howled, lashing against his pale, fur-covered body from all sides. Yet the four-armed monster remained motionless, silent, and shocked, trying to comprehend what had transpired inside the temple… the very temple where it and its kin gathered to pray ages ago.

Unbeknownst to the creature, tears had started to trickle down through the gaps of his stitched eyes. It raised its hand and wiped them away, feeling utter shock permeate its body.

Was it finally over?

Had that murderer finally been slain?

Was he… finally free?

Sudddenly, the four-armed creature sensed a little beast emerge from the temple. It was a gray cat, who stood at the entrance, and gazed at the beautiful skies of the spirit world with fascination.

The four-armed creature lowered his head, its entire aura changing once again. Suddenly, he started to radiate immense hostility and bloodlust.

So what if the formless fog, the heinous slaughterer of his kin, had been slain? There were still two intruders inside the temple. It had to get rid of them as well. Outsiders only brought misfortune upon his home.

And so… the four-armed creature took a step forward.

Noticing this, Valerian shuddered. He got on all fours and glared at the creature, hoping to scare it away.

But how could the four-armed creature, a being on par with a Mana Core Magus, be afraid of young Valerian?

The young dragon's legs trembled. However, he still stood his ground. "S-stay back, demon!"

However, the creature continued to slowly walk toward him, unperturbed.

"I said, stay back!" Valerian growled.

Inwardly, he thought to himself in panic, What do I do? What do I do?

Brother's still knocked out cold, and… I stand no chance against this monster! Is this it… No! I refuse!

I… can still fly away while carrying brother. That is my only option!

Valerian quickly glanced back. He cast a panicked look at his unconscious brother, then he shifted his gaze towards the gaping hole in the ceiling. He knew what he needed to do.

When he turned back around to face the four-armed creature, he froze.

The creature was already standing before him, looking down at him with its stitched eyes. The sheer indifference radiating from the monster caused Valerian to freeze. In that moment, he knew… he was nothing but an ant in front of this monster.

He, a proud dragon, was nothing but an ant…

An all-consuming dread enveloped every fiber of Valerian's being. He couldn't even move a muscle, let alone flee. His eyes trembled as he gazed at the towering figure of the four-armed creature.

…Am I going to die?

Unbeknownst to himself, his topaz eyes started to tear up.

He didn't wish to die. He didn't wish for Adam to die. There were so many things that he hadn't yet done in life. There were so many adventures he had yet to go on with his dear brother. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to die...

Under Valerian's shocked and fearful gaze, the monster raised one of its hands to strike him down.

The young dragon was completely paralyzed by fear.

Brother… I'm sorry…

With that thought, he tightly closed his eyes. He was scared. He was terrified.

However…

The pain he was expecting never arrived.

…What?

The young dragon's eyes were still shut, but he could feel the four-armed creature standing right before him. But why didn't it attack him?

Right at that moment, a feminine voice echoed inside the halls of this long-forgotten temple. It was a gentle, soothing, and very pleasant voice.

"He has avenged your brethren. And yet, you still intend to kill your benefactor?" the voice echoed.

The four-armed monster growled softly. However, surprisingly, it lowered its hand.

What… what is happening? Valerian thought to himself, astonished.

He slowly opened his eyes, and the scene that greeted him shocked him deeply. Standing before him was the four-armed creature, and in between them…

Hovered a beautiful, white butterfly!

Valerian was so shocked that his eyes had turned wide as saucers. He was unable to even muster a word. Though he had never seen this butterfly before, he knew exactly who she was.

Adam had spoken of her on several occasions, of the white butterfly who had come to his aid more than once in the spirit world. In fact, when Adam had first discovered Valerian, back when he was still inside the egg, it was this very butterfly who had rescued him when he had fallen into a dark, forbidden zone in the spirit world.

Adam had even called this butterfly his guide in the spirit world! And now, that very same being had appeared out of nowhere and saved him. Valerian could hardly believe it.

The stories Adam had told suddenly felt far too real… and far too close.

Suddenly, the butterfly flapped her wings, and the next moment, the black threads binding the four-armed monster's eyes unraveled. They dissolved into shimmering white motes of light, drifting away like snowflakes.

The four-armed monster opened his eyes after ages. Its light blue eyes flickerd with boundless emotions—sorrow, regret, anger, and relief. When it gazed at the butterfly, its eyes shone with deep respect, admiration, and veneration.

Then, it shifted its eyes to the ceiling where its kin hung from the metal hooks. Involuntarily, its eyes started to tear up again. Oh, it had waited so long to avenge its kin.

"Go, child," said the butterfly, her voice gentle and full of motherly love. "You are free now. You can lay your kin to rest when the time is right."

The monster turned to look at the butterfly, its eyes glistening with complicated emotions. In the end, it lowered his head and… gave a light bow. Then, it turned around and disappeared into the blizzard.

Valerian watched everything unfold with a stunned look on his face. He couldn't believe what was happening. One moment, he was about to die, and the next…

Suddenly, the butterfly turned around and gazed at him.

The young dragon immediately froze. Although he knew that the butterfly meant him no harm, he still couldn't help but feel greatly nervous under her ancient gaze.

She had dispelled the wrath of a powerful four-armed monster with nothing but a few gentle words. Just how powerful must she truly be to command such reverence with mere speech?

He didn't have much time to ponder that question, however. For at that very moment, the butterfly spoke to him, her voice gentle and doting:

"Young dragon, do you wish to hear a story?"