NOVPUBChapter 839: Romanticize
Anna, accompanied by her entourage and Raidon, entered Adam’s compound under the guidance of the head butler, Rowan. The maids and servants respectfully followed behind them.
As for the half a dozen Magi of the Black Legion who had escorted Anna and her group here, they stood guard at the compound’s entrance.
Everyone in the group remained silent. Some were surprised to see the intricate design and architecture of the compound, while others, like Raidon, were calm and stoic.
Raidon had visited this compound several times during its construction. He even made sure to have his men—technically, Adam’s men—to guard the compound at all times.
Looking at the marble pathways, the sculptures, the beautiful fountains, and the well-maintained trees and bushes, Kaspar York couldn’t help but mutter, “Just what is it that Count Constantine does for a living?”
He himself was a Mana Vortex Magus and had been one for more than half of his life. But even he wouldn’t have this much wealth to be able to build such a luxurious mansion, that too in the most expensive and exclusive part of the city.
Furthermore, if a Magus could have this much wealth to spare on building a manor, then how much more wealth would he truly have in his possession?
Mind-boggling!
Rowan, who was walking beside Anna—actually, he was walking slightly behind her—turned around and looked towards the old Magus with a polite smile.
“My Master is a student, well, he used to be one at Saratoga Castle,” he said, his brown eyes flickering with pride. “He can no longer be considered a student after becoming a Rank 3 Magus.”
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle within his guests. It would seem that the group still hadn’t gotten over the shock that Adam was no older than thirty-five.
No one had, truth be told.
“He is also a renowned Herbalist within the city,” he added with a smile. “He is registered as a Grade 2 Herbalist with the Herbalists’ Guild in Ravenfell.”
Kaspar York nearly coughed up blood.
“Grade 2 Herbalist?!” He blurted out in surprise. “A Grade 2 Herbalist at such a young age!”
He knew that the profession of a Herbalist—or any other profession, for that matter—required a long and arduous period of study and experimentation to reach Grade 2.
For Adam to become one at such a young age was quite shocking.
The smile on Rowan’s face deepened ever so slightly. “Yes, my lord. My master had already become a Grade 2 Herbalist a decade ago.”
Kaspar York was stunned out of his mind. A moment later, however, he let out a scoff. “Heh, you don’t seem to know what you’re talking about, young man. I don’t expect you to know the terminology used in the world of Magi.”
Rowan simply smiled in return. He didn’t want to correct the old man. After all, the latter was someone of the same station as his master. And he was just a mortal.
Thus, in the end, he lowered his head and humbly said, “Forgive me, my lord.”
Raidon silently witnessed the entire thing play out. He also didn’t bother correcting the old man. It wasn’t worth the effort. No matter what he said, Kaspar wouldn’t believe him anyway.
As the group approached the main entrance to the expansive manor, Anna turned to look at Rowan and asked in a flat tone, “How did you know it was me?”
“Pardon, my lady?” Rowan subconsciously bowed. The person he was addressing was Adam’s sister, after all.
“How were you so sure that I am who I say I am?” Anna asked with the same voice. “For all you know, I could just be pretending to be Adam’s relative.”
When Raidon heard the woman say that, he immediately straightened his back. His eyes instantly scanned the rest of the Magi in Anna’s entourage.
Rowan revealed a faint smile, “That is because I have seen you before, my lady.”
Anna’s eyes narrowed. “Are you from the Southern Federation?”
“No, no.” The head butler shook his head. “I was born and brought up in Ravenfell.”
“Then, how come…” Anna’s voice trailed off. She was as perplexed as the rest of her group.
“You see, my lady, in the Master’s old manor, there were several portraits of people, whom I can only assume were close to him,” said Rowan with a reminiscent smile.
“And one of them was yours.”
Anna’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Did he get someone to paint them?”
“No, he is a masterclass painter himself.”
Anna’s lips threatened to crumble. “Is there anything your master isn’t?”
Rowan simply let out an awkward laugh. They climbed the grand marble staircase and entered through the towering mahogany doors.
He led the group through the entrance hall and the great hall, before finally guiding them into a spacious corridor where all of Adam’s artwork was proudly displayed.
“You said something about an old manor?” Kaspar asked curiously. Mostly, he was only curious to know how much wealth this young brat truly possessed.
“How many manors does he have?” He added seemingly casually.
“Just this one, my lord.” Rowan turned to the elderly Magus and respectfully answered. “The last one was destroyed.”
“Destroyed?” Anna’s eyes narrowed. “How?”
Rowan hesitated, thinking of the right words to say. “There was a great battle that took place here. My Lady, I’m not sure about the details.”
Then, he gestured to the burly man standing behind the group. “Perhaps, Lord Raidon can tell you.”
“What battle is he talking about?” Anna asked the towering Captain of the Black Legion, her voice calm but authoritative.
“The very battle where he proved himself the greatest prodigy of Ulier—no, of this entire world!” Raidon declared, lifting his chin with pride.
“It was during this battle that he slew a Mana Vortex Magus of an evil cult.”
He allowed his words to hang in suspense.
“And at the time… he was only a Mana Liquefaction Magus.”
Kaspar York nearly coughed up blood. Again.
He looked at the man and spoke incredulously. “How is that even possible?! You people are romanticizing the Dark King to no end!”
Raidon shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
He paused, his smirk deepening. “But, tell me, my lord… did you think becoming a Mana Vortex Magus before the age of thirty-five was possible?”
A stunned silence descended upon the group.
While Anna and the rest were still reeling from the shock of this new information, Rowan had already guided them to the portrait he was looking for.
“This is the one, my lady,” the head butler said with a smile. “This is the one my Master painted.”
Anna turned to look at the painting, and for a moment, she froze.
Then her eyes flashed with warmth, and she couldn’t help but murmur. “Yes, it’s him alright.”
In a corner of her heart, she still had doubts whether the Adam the world was talking about was the same Adam that she knew.
To be frank, Adam’s feats were simply too extraordinary to reconcile with the raven-haired boy she had raised.
But after seeing this painting, her confidence grew.
It depicted her in a simple white dress, standing…
Under the oak tree.
Two more chapters will be up in a few hours. God, I really need to fix my schedule 😐
