Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Northern Quarter.

Tens of thousands of Magi who had survived the Battle of Ravenfell stood with bated breaths, most of their attention drawn towards the north, where a cataclysmic battle was taking place.

There, in the snowy mountain range, three Mana Core Magi from their side were battling three Mana Core Magi and six Rank 4 undead knights from the Cult's side. This was the most brutal and vicious battle of all, and the fate of Ravenfell, and perhaps… even the Empire hinged on who emerged victorious.

The battle in the far west had just come to a close. These people could no longer hear the deafening clashes and the thunderous explosions from there any longer. Anxiety gripped them as they were unable to tell who had won that battle.

Naturally, Berger and Blackie had come out on top. But, of course, these people had no way to know.

However, the battle between the Lord of Ravenfell and the Elder of the Cult raged closest to them. It was taking place just in the neighbouring district of the Uptown Quarter, and even from this distance, its shockwaves could be felt.

The vast majority of the surviving Magi were being treated by the herbalists from the Guild, while the rest had formed a loose perimeter, alert for any unexpected scenarios that might occur.

As the shattered ruins of the Uptown Quarter crumbled further under the battle of the two experts, one of the battered Magi on watch, bruised and bloodied, couldn't help but whisper in sorrow:

"What is happening to this city? How did things come to this?"

Another Magus, standing guard next to him, this one bandaged from head to toe and missing an arm, answered softly, his tone laced with slight optimism:

"It's fine though, isn't it? It could have been much worse. So many of us have managed to survive. I hear that half of the mortal residents were also led to safety. And I'm sure of it… our Mana Core Magi will emerge victorious. So, have faith!"

The first person lowered his head, tears trickling down his face. "I wonder if my wife and son made it out safely. My son, he… he just turned a year old."

"Have faith, brother." The other person placed his one hand on the man's shoulder. He offered a little smile. "Have faith. Everything's going to be alright."

The first person turned to him, teary-eyed. His gaze shifted to the man's missing arm—or rather, the lack of it—then towards the smile on his face. He couldn't help but ask:

"Brutus, you… how are you still in a good mood?"

The Mana Liquefaction Magus, Brutus, showed a toothy grin. "Why shouldn't I be? The Dark King is right here with us! As long as he's here… there's nothing to worry about!"

"You really admire him, huh…" The first person couldn't help but smile a little. Brutus's optimism was contagious.

"Of course!" Brutus spoke matter-of-factly. "I am his number one admirer! I joined the Black Legion because of him, you know? I can proudly tell my descendants that I fought alongside the Dark King and his Serpents of War! Imagine the look in their eyes when they…"

The first person had to interrupt him. "Alright, alright, calm down. Don't get too excited. The battle is far from over. We need to stay alert."

"Uh, yes, you're right." Brutus chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, I get carried away sometimes..."

The other Magus turned towards the large tent at the center of their camp with hopeful eyes. That was where the Dark King was being treated by the herbalists. He then turned back around and sighed:

"I wonder when this nightmare will end—"

His words, however, got abruptly caught in his throat.

A sudden dizziness struck him as he suddenly felt the world around him spin, and then with a light 'thud' he fell to the ground, his gaze locking onto… onto his own headless body.

The nightmare had ended for him… just not in the way he had hoped.

Beside him, hot blood splattered across Brutus's face as he watched with wide eyes at what had just transpired. He only saw a red blur, and the next moment, the person beside him was decapitated.

And in the following moment, before he could even react, a sudden shockwave swept him off his feet. In a stunned daze, he saw the night sky before him violently glow in black and red flashes of sword light.

Everything had happened far too quickly, and then… a deafening voice tore through the chaos.

It was the voice of the Lord of Ravenfell.

"Everyone, fall back!"

It was only then that Brutus realized what had killed the person standing beside him. It was not an attack aimed at him, but merely the fading remnant of a sword clash between two mighty Mana Core Magi.

Yet, that fleeting aftershock was enough to claim his life!

The shockwaves turned more and more violent as more people in the vicinity fell victim to them. In a state of utter panic, Brutus scrambled to his feet, then turned around and ran for his life.

"Retreat! Retreat!" he kept screaming in fear. "Everyone, retreat! Hurry!"

Magi exited from the tent, gazing at the sky above them with sheer terror. At once, they started retreating towards the docks.

Meanwhile, in the air, Marden had a wide, manic grin on his face as he fought Blackwood. Each strike of his blade wasn't aimed solely at his foe, but twisted to hurl their clash's remnant downwards.

The redirected shockwaves tore through the ground below, and in an instant, hundreds of Magi were reduced to lifeless husks.

As the whispers of his deceased kin continued to gnaw on his mind, Marden's focus gradually drifted. Little by little, he cared less for the formidable foe before him and more for the slaughter he could unleash upon the helpless Magi below.

Blackwood, slowed by the toxins raging inside his body, was a moment late in sensing Marden's shift. On the other hand, Marden, lost to bloodthirst and madness, failed to recognize his own reckless behavior as he reveled in reaping the lives of the weak Magi below.

That single lapse worked in Blackwood's favor, granting him the opening he had been waiting for. Darkness flared on the blade of his longsword as he unleashed a devastating vertical slash.

Marden's instinct kicked in, forcing him to dodge to the side… exactly as Blackwood intended.

His body, once again, dissolved into a thousand ravens as they engulfed Marden in a storm of feathers and talons, and dragged him through the skies. Then, with a deafening boom, the ravens slammed him into the earth far away from the Northern Quarter.

And just like that, their battle continued once again. But this time, Blackwood did his absolute best to prevent the crazed cultist from harming the surviving Magi. Things were becoming more and more disadvantageous for him, but he persevered nonetheless.

Back on the ground, in the Northern Quarter, the Mana Vortex Magi came together to lead the people towards the docks, where they would be safer from the clashes between the Mana Core Magi.

Among the Magi guiding the people was Edward. He was at the forefront of the group, leading them with a solemn look on his face.

And then there was Adam, who was going in the complete opposite direction.

Staff in hand, he strode through the ruined streets of the city as he headed towards the mountain range north of the city. There was still something he had left to do. It was something very important.

And while he made his way north…

The Laughing God continued to whisper inside his mind.