At so point, Adam had dragged a small table from a corner of the room and placed it by the fireplace, in between the two high-backed leather chairs.
Several parchnts and books were sprawled out on the small table, and the Headmaster and the forr Emperor were reading through them with rapt attention.
anwhile, Adam remained standing, gazing at the two experts’ expressions from ti to ti before shifting his attention to the parchnts and books on the table.
They were his research notes on rune magic—more specifically, on rune magic pertaining to teleportation portals.
The mont he discovered the existence of that ominous portal underneath Hannes City, and learned that there were five others scattered across the world, he had already begun planning how to disarm them.
There were two reasons for this. First, he naturally wanted to stop the invasion of the devils. Second, studying and working on these portals would further deepen his understanding and better prepare him for when he would eventually confront the one on the moon.
All this while, due to his lack of trust in others, he was always under the impression that he would have to tackle all six portals by himself. Although not completely confident, he had faith in himself to get the job done.
But after he had shared this secret with Headmaster Blackwood and Gerald Acadia, the chances of success in the endeavor ahead had increased significantly.
He involuntarily heaved a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, Perhaps... it was wise to trust them.
Headmaster Blackwood finally raised his head and looked at the raven-haired youth, his eyes flickering with a mixture of surprise and... approval.
"Were you planning to do this all by yourself?"
Adam lingered for a mont, then shrugged. "For the longest ti, I didn’t know who I could trust. And the only other person I did trust... is currently unavailable. So... yes."
Gerald Acadia closed the notebook he was reading and placed it on the table. He heaved a deep and heavy sigh as he turned to the youth.
"Judging by your notes, you truly were planning to head to each continent and work on the portals," he said, shaking his head slightly.
"I don’t understand the reason for such deep mistrust in your comrades," he added, his brow furrowed ever so slightly. "Did soone perhaps betray you in the past?"
Adam’s lips curled upwards into a smile.
A sad smile.
He then explained the other thing he had seen during his visit to Hannes City.
Hearing his words, the two experts finally realized what had truly happened and why Adam had turned out to be so overly cautious of everyone he t.
"So the Headmistress of Clover Academy turned out to be a spy," said the Headmaster in a low, chilly voice.
anwhile, Gerald Acadia had a pondering look on his face. He then muttered softly, "The Southern Federation has always been outside our purview. Not only do the Murky Mountains lie between us, but those lands have nothing of reasonable value to provide to us."
"And that is precisely why the Cult chose that place," Adam added.
Silence descended in the room once again. Suddenly, the Headmaster turned to him and asked, "How were you planning to deal with all the portals on your own? I can understand the ones in Ulier and Nahua being within your reach, but what about the others?"
He paused, his eyes flashing with an inquisitive gaze. "Mabi is nearly impossible to traverse alone. You would need to be a part of a powerful entourage, and even then, your safety wouldn’t be guaranteed—unless, of course, you’re a Mana Core Magus.
"Europa is under the influence of the Cult, so your chances there are abysmal. Indus might be a possibility. But Yen-Lu... that’s all the way on the other side of the world. Your chances there are close to zero."
Adam remained silent for a few monts before answering, "I was confident about Ulier, Nahua, and Indus. As for the rest..."
He shrugged. "Sothing would have eventually worked out. I just know it."
Adam suddenly recalled the map of the ancient ruins of Feypore falling into his hands earlier today.
Things would have worked out eventually, he thought, his mind drifting back through ti to his encounter with the will of the world.
With the map of the Dark Valley in my possession as well, I’m certain I would have eventually found my way to Europa and the distant lands of Yen-Lu.
"I’m glad that you brought this information to our attention," the Headmaster said with a gratified smile.
Although this new information brought the worst possible news, the fact that they were now aware of it ant that they could now begin to prepare.
Adam nodded, replying matter-of-factly, "Of course. It’s my duty."
Gerald Acadia scoffed, his voice laced with ridicule, "Duty? I don’t recall you pledging your allegiance to the Empire."
This guy... Adam’s lips twitched.
Is he already aware of my eting with the Prince?
What’s with him always creeping around like that?
He cleared his throat and said, "My duty isn’t restricted to Saratoga, or Ravenfell, or even the Empire. It’s to Tron. It is, after all, my motherland."
Adam hoped that the will of the world had heard his words just now and would shower him with fortune. Only he knew how much luck he would need for the upcoming battle with the Cult of Bones.
"Marcus," the forr Emperor suddenly called out.
"Yes, my lord?"
Gerald lingered for a mont before stating, "Reach out to people you trust. Bring them in on this plan."
"Understood," Blackwood replied with a solemn nod.
"In the anti, I’ll speak to my son and have him begin making preparations for this operation..." Gerald’s voice trailed off, his gaze shifting towards the raven-haired youth.
"We shall call it Operation Constantine."
Adam was flattered. Truly, he was. But there was sothing else weighing on his mind, sothing that was going to happen sooner.
"Headmaster, Your Majesty, I’m worried about the safety of the students who will participate in the tournant," he said, his tone grave.
His friends were participating, after all. And he didn’t wish to see any harm befall them.
"Rest assured, Magus Contantine," said the Headmaster. "Mathilda has put enough security asures in place. No Mana Vortex Magus will be able to enter the tournant and wreak havoc."
"What about the secret plane?" Adam pressed. He had so insider information about the tournant thanks to his students.
"The Cult has had plenty of ti to prepare. If I were them, I would strike when no powerful Magi were nearby... and that would be the second trial."
Without waiting for the Headmaster to respond, Adam continued, "That is why I propose this - allow to participate in the Grand Magus Tournant!"
"Magus Constantine, I think you are forgetting sothing," said the Headmaster with an odd look on his face.
"It is simply impossible for a Mana Vortex Magus to enter that secret plane. If a person with a mana signature above the Mana Liquefaction Rank enters..."
The Headmaster’s words trailed off when he saw the bizarre transformation taking place in front of him.
With the Rank 3 Spell: Alter Self and the Mana Suppression Technique he had inherited from the Devil of Secrets, Adam had transford into soone else entirely.
He now had a head full of auburn hair and light freckles dusting his cheeks. He was a head shorter now, with pale skin and a distinct scholarly aura.
But the most shocking part...
He now radiated the mana signature of a Mana Liquefaction Magus!
Adam’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk.
"How about now?"
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