Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

If it were some other time, Adam would have fled without a moment of hesitation.

But when he saw the shadowy figures inside the castle shift, he was also able to sense something else.

Deep in the heart of the castle, he noticed a statue.

It was a statue of a familiar figure…

So, he refrained from teleporting back to the surface. He was already here now, so he might as well uncover some mysteries that lay buried in the depths.

As soon as the shadow figures inside the castle started to move, the countless underwater creatures standing guard outside lowered their heads in deference.

Even the Mana Vortex-level creatures!

In that instant, Adam knew just what kind of being dwelt within the castle.

Yes, being. As in singular.

The shadowy figures moving inside weren't separate entities… they were all part of something much larger.

And when Adam felt the pair of titanic eyes locking in on him, he recalled what this being could possibly be. He had seen it before… or at least a part of it.

Now, he felt the being's overwhelming presence come to life.

The water trembled, sending multiple ripples of shockwaves in every direction. Bubbles surged forth from cracks in the coral castle, rising in frantic streams like Marian Lake itself was panicking.

A low, thunderous rumble echoed through the depths, distant at first, then rapidly swelling into a growl that made Adam's bones vibrate.

Something ancient… something immense was stirring within the castle.

Then, without warning, a massive tentacle erupted from one of the coral towers, coiling around it like a serpent constricting its prey.

Another tentacle burst out moments later, slamming into the lakebed and sending plumes of silt and debris spiraling upwards.

Then another…

And another...

The entire castle began to tremble, as if straining to contain the impossible. Yet, it held on.

And then the eyes appeared. They were two enormous, luminous orbs that pierced the dark gloom, glowing with a cold, unfeeling intelligence.

They didn't blink. They didn't waver. They simply watched Adam.

Finally, the creature's massive head emerged from the coral, followed by a shifting mass of limbs and flesh far too large to fully comprehend.

Tentacles reached out in every direction, encircling the vast stretch of land that stood at the center of the labyrinth.

They swept aside coral and currents alike, turning the water into a whirlpool of horror. Yet, the underwater creatures that had gathered were completely unharmed.

The kraken had awakened!

And it was very aware of Adam's presence—or more precisely, of the faint scent that clung to him.

The moment the enormous being emerged from the coral castle and its countless limbs settled, the underwater creatures climbed atop its massive tentacles, raising their weapons and aiming them at the intruder.

Adam felt a chill crawl down his spine, and he slowly raised his hands in surrender. Of course, he had the magical key tightly gripped in his right arm.

He was ready to teleport away at any moment… should things go south. But he had a feeling they wouldn't.

Still, having countless underwater creatures, whose strength ranged from the Mana Foundation Rank to the Mana Vortex Rank, aim their weapons at him, drowning him in intense bloodlust, was not a great feeling.

Not to mention the kraken. Adam was certain that it was a mighty Mana Core-level being!

Although the merfolk were gazing at him with hostility and bloodlust, the same couldn't be said about the mighty Kraken.

Through his Sphere of Resonance, Adam could sense a flicker of confusion from it.

Alright, here goes nothing, he mused.

The youth placed his slightly trembling hand over his chest and gave a respectful bow to the kraken. Then, he mentally transmitted his greetings.

'It is an honor to meet you, Dweller of Marian Lake. I am Merlin Mathias.'

The Kraken's eyes narrowed. It spoke in a deep and gruff voice that sent tremors across the lakebed.

"Reveal your true self."

Adam nervously gulped.

Of course…

He thought to himself with a wry smile, Of course, a being at the Mana Core Rank can see through my alteration spell.

With a simple hand seal, his coppery-red hair gradually changed to raven-black. His bones creaked and groaned, his skeletal frame stretching as he gained a foot in height.

Muscles swelled beneath his skin, reshaping his physique. The transformation was torturous, to say the least. But pain was an old friend of his.

Moments later, he stood tall in his true form. Then, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed once again.

'I apologize, My Lord.'

He then stood back straight, his chin slightly raised. Then, he reintroduced himself:

"I am the Dark King, Adam Constantine, a Mana Vortex Magus of the great Saratoga Castle."

The kraken silently gazed at the raven-haired youth, its eyes narrowing. It had assumed that he would be a Mana Liquefaction Magus based on the energy fluctuations.

But the truth turned out to be far from his expectations. Altering one's mana fluctuations was known to be an impossible feat, and yet, the raven-haired youth had done it.

"Full of secrets… Magus."

Adam's lips twitched. 'If you say so, my lord.'

He hesitated for a moment, wondering how to ask the kraken about the statue he'd seen inside the castle. But it turned out… he didn't even need to.

"I sense his remnant spiritual will on you," said the Kraken, its eyes flashing with intrigue. "Explain yourself."

I knew it!

Adam thought to himself, The two of them definitely share a bond.

He took a deep breath and explained through Mind Whisper, 'I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a Raven Inheritance left behind by the First Headmaster. After completing all of its trials, I had the honor of meeting his remnant will.'

"No wonder…" said the Kraken.

Adam then asked, 'My Lord… I noticed Lord Saratoga's statue inside your castle. May I ask what your relation is, or was, to him?'

The kraken deeply looked at the raven-haired youth, its eyes flashing with a reminiscent light.

"Return to the surface, Magus. You don't belong here."

As soon as it finished speaking those words, dark ink erupted from its tentacles, swiftly concealing itself, the merfolk, and the castle in an eerie, impenetrable shroud.

Adam's heart sank, and he quickly retreated.

He could tell that the ink was highly corrosive, and regardless of how sturdy his body was, he didn't wish to find out what would happen once it came in contact with the kraken's ink.

Damn it, he cursed inwardly as he quickly altered his physique, and transformed into Merlin Mathias.

Then, without hesitation, he imbued mana into the key and teleported back to the surface.

***

When he emerged from the portal and set foot on the shores of Marian Lake, he expected to be greeted by cheers and applause.

But instead… he was met by a grumpy, elderly woman, glaring at him with a stormy expression.

Adam flinched and involuntarily took a step back. "P-professor, I can explain."

Professor Whitaker's eyes narrowed, and she coldly said:

"You better have a good explanation… Merlin Mathias."