Three months later.
After his work in Springdale was complete, Adam headed west at full speed, flying without pause toward his destination.
A few months earlier, Valerian had shown signs of awakening from his long slumber. Adam needed a secure place, and he needed to get there quickly.
With his objectives in the Sovereign Union fulfilled, there was no reason to remain. He had faith in Berger and the other two Councilors to consolidate the Brotherhood's strength after the purge.
Marlow and his family were safe. His father, Maximillian, had advanced to the Mana Core Rank. So the Ignisra Kingdom was safe from external threats for the foreseeable future.
With the sudden appearance of a mysterious new faction, the Cult of Bones would also not make trouble for the Sovereign Union and the Twilight Brotherhood. At least, until they had learned more about the Order of the Faceless Magi, they wouldn't recklessly make a move.
And so, he could leave Europa, feeling assured in his heart. It was now ti for him to return ho. But before that, he had one more matter to deal with.
Beyond the western horizon lay the Galestine Ocean, and sowhere above its endless waters drifted a giant, floating island.
Adam followed the mark left behind by the ancient turtle, using it as his guide as he closed in on his destination. If he reached the coral island on ti, he could welco his little brother with a grand buffet of endless seafood.
There was also Aldo Wagner's inheritance on the island. It was sothing he'd had his eyes on ever since he learned about it. At the ti, he was too weak and… mad to uncover its secrets. But now, he was certain he could get to the bottom of it and finally inherit the founder's legacy.
As he flew past the clouds, Adam cast his senses inward, toward the depths of his spirit sea.
Valerian was still asleep on the round, green leaf. From ti to ti, he would adjust his sleeping position, causing Adam to be extrely elated.
He still hasn't woken up, he thought to himself.
I hope I can reach the island before he…
Suddenly, his thought ca to a halt. He quinted, spotting a vague silhouette in the vast blue expanse below. It was a massive shape suspended above the ocean.
The giant coral island slowly ca into full view.
Adam laughed.
He accelerated, cutting through the air, until he hovered above the island within the hour. The island was still floating, which ant one thing… the ancient turtle was likely awake!
He flew toward the front of the island, then raised his voice and happily shouted:
"Lord Tebu!! I have returned!!"
For almost a minute, nothing happened. The island continued to float across the ocean. Just when Adam thought of calling out one more ti, sothing changed.
The island shuddered.
A deep, ancient tremor rolled through the air, and the surrounding ocean churned. Then, from the waters, sothing vast began to rise.
A colossal turtle's head erged from the sea, its surface layered with age-old barnacles that ford a rough, crown-like mantle around its skull.
Sheets of water poured down its massive form like waterfalls as it lifted higher. The sound it produced was thunderous and heavy. It was as if the ocean itself seed to recoil.
Monts later, two enormous eyes slowly opened. They were old, deep, and imasurably calm. They settled on the lone figure hovering in the air before it.
It was a raven-haired youth in dark robes.
"Hahaha!" Adam laughed jovially. "Lord Tebu, it's !"
A flicker of confusion flashed past Tebu's eyes. His lips parted, and a booming voice echoed across the waves.
"Who are you?"
The raven-haired youth laughed and laughed and laughed.
"It's ! Adam!"
"Adam?" Tebu murmured, though even his whisper sounded like rolling thunder.
"Yes, Adam!" The youth happily said. "I'm so glad to et you again!"
The ancient turtle intently studied the floating Magus in silence. Until finally, realization dawned on him.
In his mind surfaced the image of a bald man with hollow eye sockets and disfigured skin. Tebu recalled the madman who had once lived atop his shell for months, laughing uncontrollably, pacing about, and disturbing his rest day after day.
The mory was… unforgettable.
"Little Adam?" The turtle's giant pupils slowly constricted as recognition settled in. "You have… changed."
Adam laughed and flew forward, spreading his arms as he landed flat against the turtle's massive head, hugging it without hesitation.
"Yes, it's , Little Adam!"
There were only two beings in this world who called him by that na. One was Tebu. The other was his sister, Anna. He owed his life to both of them.
The turtle's giant eyes flashed with warmth. "You have beco strong. Just as you said… you truly did beco a Mana Core Magus!"
Adam finally separated, his lips curling into a wide grin. "Pretty impressive, eh?"
"It is," said the ancient turtle slowly. "How much ti has passed?"
The raven-haired youth pondered for a mont, then said, "Almost forty years." His lips curled into a wry smile, and he added, "Feels like a lifeti…"
Tebu deeply looked at the tiny human, realizing that he must have faced many tribulations to heal himself and grow to this level of strength.
"So why are you here?"
Adam pointed at the aged barnacles crowning the turtle's head and said, "Did you forget? I promised to help you remove those. I may not look like it, but I'm an expert Herbalist. The best in the world!"
Tebu deeply looked at the human, eyes squinting.
Adam coughed awkwardly. "Uh… I also want to take a look at Wagner's inheritance."
Tebu smiled faintly, his eyes flashing with gentle warmth. "Thank you for thinking of , Little Adam. I am grateful."
The raven-haired youth offered a sincere smile. "You don't need to thank , Lord Tebu. This is the least I can do for you."
He landed on the ancient turtle's head and studied the barnacles.
"I'll take so ti to prepare the dicines and the ointnts," he continued. "It might be a little painful, but I am certain I can safely remove all of them."
"I shall be in your care," the ancient turtle said as he slowly closed his eyes.
But suddenly, Tebu's eyes snapped open, his pupils constricting to pinpoints.
At the sa ti, Adam's eyes widened.
A flash of gray light tore through the air, and then…
A giant dragon appeared before them!!
That's all for today, guys :)
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