Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1819 Easiest to Fool

The [Mana Bolt] streaked through the air.

Refined by the Five Elemental Codex and made overwhelming by the Astral Tyrant Manual, the blue bolt of pure energy zig-zagged across the space and arrived before the target in the blink of an eye.

In response, Aldo Wagner cast a basic defensive spell. It was simple, yet very effective.

[Mana Barrier]

With a deafening sound that tore through the air, Adamʼs attack viciously landed upon the barrier set up by Wagner.

The raven-haired youth increased the output of mana, strengthening his attack. Wagner did the same. He infused even more mana into his defensive spell, making it thicker and more robust.

Their spells clashed for a few moments before erupting into showers of magical sparks, neither side gaining the upper hand.

Of course, Adam could have infused even more mana into his spell and overpowered his opponent, but he had to conserve what little mana he had managed to replenish over the last few hours.

When it came to their remaining reserves, Adam still held a slight advantage.

As the dust settled, Aldo Wagner had already prepared the components for his next spell. Not giving his opponent a chance for a follow-up attack, he struck fiercely.

[Frailty Beam]

A beam of necrotic energy flashed through the air and arrived before Adam in a heartbeat.

Instead of blocking with a defensive spell, the raven-haired youth simply sidestepped, allowing the necrotic beam of energy to streak past him.

”Arrogance!” Aldo Wagner sneered.

With a sharp motion of his hands, he adjusted the spell and forced the beam to curve toward Adam.

But the youthʼs movements were elusive like a specter.

He used the [Stellar Steps] and rapidly closed the distance between them, while continuing to evade the pursuing beam. Each movement was fluid and precise, causing the necrotic energy to miss him by the narrowest of margins.

No matter how Wagner redirected the spell, Adam remained just out of reach.

In this battle, Adam knew exactly where his advantage lay. He was a Magus. But he was also a Paladin. And so, he intended to make full use of both disciplines and defeat his opponent.

The more Wagner witnessed Adamʼs skill set, the more he found himself coveting the youthʼs physical body.

His original plan of turning the boy into his vessel, a plan that he had abandoned earlier, was now ignited once again.

Adam claimed that he managed to adapt to the corruption of the Beyond. That fact alone was enough to make Wagner possess his body by force.

And no, Wagner did not think the youth was lying about that matter.

The corruption from the Beyond wasnʼt something that could be easily concealed or fabricated. He knew that better than anyone.

His brownish-green eyes blazed with avarice.

I have to do it, he thought.

No, I must do it!

After emerging unscathed from several critical moments, Adam finally arrived before Wagner. He was but a few meters away.

And right at that moment, he cast another spell.

[True Illusion]

Suddenly, another Adam emerged from his body.

Together, the two figures lunged toward Wagner from different angles.

Since the split had occurred right before his very eyes, Wagner could clearly tell which one was real and which one was an illusion.

His eyes glinted. If this had been anybody else, they would have targeted the real body without hesitation.

But Wagner knew exactly how scheming and deceitful Adam could be. The youth was the type to turn the most obvious truth into a trap.

Therefore, instead of attacking the real Adam, Wagner redirected his spell toward the illusory one.

His lips curled into a sneer. He was certain that the illusion concealed the true danger.

And so, necrotic mana surged from his core he unleashed the [Frailty Beam] at the illusory body.

Adamʼs eyes slowly widened as he saw the necrotic beam coming at him. It was already too late to dodge since he was so close to Wagner.

And right when Wagnerʼs spell came in contact with Adam, the latter dispersed into smoke… like a mirage.

Before Wagner realized what had just transpired, the other Adam — the true Adam — had already arrived before him and viciously punched him in the face.

BAM!

Tyrannical mana swirled around the fist as it made solid contact with Wagnerʼs jaw. The impact lifted him off his feet and hurled him into the distance, smashing through several trees, ancient pillars, and crumbling walls before finally coming to a stop amidst a cloud of dust and debris.

Watching the flesh drip away from half of Wagnerʼs face, Adam couldnʼt help but laugh.

”The smartest people are the easiest to fool,” he said. ”They spend so much time searching for the hidden trap that they walk straight into the obvious one.”

Wagner held his dislocated jaw and tanked it back into alignment. His gaze locked onto the raven-haired youth, and he said with a nod of approval.

”Well played, Constantine.”

In the next moment, he secretly cast a hand seal.

The smile on Adamʼs face froze when he sensed something brush against the edge of his Sphere of Resonance. He reacted instantly and leapt away.

But he was still too late.

BOOM!!

The ground where Adam had just been standing erupted as necrotic mana exploded outward. The ground rotted, nearby trees withered, and even the air shuddered beneath the spellʼs corruptive influence.

Adam landed several dozens of meters away. His feet and calves had borne the brunt of the attack. His flesh rapidly blackened and decayed as the necrotic energy ate away at his legs.

His expression darkened, and without hesitation, he diverted a large portion of his precious mana into healing himself.

Very soon, the corrosion began to recede. Damaged flesh regenerated, and the ghastly wounds gradually closed. When the process was complete, only dried scabs remained as evidence of the attack.

”Marvelous,” Wagner whispered in awe as he witnessed the whole regeneration process.

He understood just how precious such an ability was for a Magus. The avarice in his heart burned brighter with every second that passed.

His mind raced as he searched for a way to lower Adamʼs guard and make his move. It would be a desperate gamble, but if he succeeded…

Wagnerʼs eyes gleamed with the promise of greater power.