NOVPUBChapter 842: Edward’s Woe
Later that night, in the Downtown Quarter, within a building designated as the residential area of the Magi from the Tower of Daybreak, Edward stood on the balcony, gazing thoughtfully at the twin moons.
In the past year, he had heard tales about his best friend’s exploits. It had filled him with admiration.
When he arrived at Ravenfell, every man and woman, child and elderly, Magus or mortal, spoke of Adam as though he were the city’s greatest pride.
Only when he arrived here was he able to truly learn what his best friend, a man he considered no less than a brother, had done in the past year.
As a Mana Liquefaction Magus, he could single-handedly take care of a dozen Magi of the same station. Not only that, he could even fight people one entire station above him.
When the men from the Black Legion spoke of Adam’s legendary feats in Blackshore, Edward felt like they were talking not of a man… but a god!
He learned that Adam went into that battle as a Mana Liquefaction Magus, but was forced to advance due to his circumstances.
Despite that, he was able to slay three Mana Vortex Magi and two undead creatures of equivalent strength.
He was even able to command an army of serpents, a thousand strong.
To be able to do that after having only just advanced to the Mana Vortex Rank…
Unbelievable!
But knowing Adam, Edward felt that it must have truly happened.
Despite all his vices, the raven-haired youth possessed an undeniable charm, a quiet compelling charisma.
He made people believe that the impossible was just a word, and that miracles indeed happened.
The gentle summer breeze brushed past the blue-eyed youth’s bare body. The ethereal glow of Selene and Luna cascaded down the firmament, illuminating the taut muscles on his upper body.
Edward was no longer the fat little kid he once was. He had come a long way. Due to his unique S-Grade talent, mana behaved differently with him.
It was as if he were…
A child of mana!
But so what? The young man revealed a wry smile. He pressed his hands against the railing of the balcony, leaning forward as he gazed at the beautiful, gothic skyline of Ravenfell.
Despite having such affinity with mana, what did I achieve?
Nothing…
His blue eyes were distant, a reminiscent light flashing in them. He recalled what Adam had divulged to him about his upbringing.
The young man couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle.
You, a son of a farmer, overcame every odd stacked against you. With nothing in your hands, you made it to a magic academy.
And every time you conquered one obstacle after another, he thought.
From a mere commoner… you rose to become a King!
His shoulders slouched, and his heart was gripped by a vague feeling of guilt and unworthiness.
Yet I, who had everything… A loving family, riches, magical resources… I had everything, but still…
He raised his hands and buried his face in his palms.
I’m so pathetic.
Edward’s ears perked up when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him. He quickly lowered his hands and masked his expression, pretending everything was fine.
Then, fair and slender arms gently wrapped him from behind. He then felt the soft press of a supple body against his back, followed by the warmth of a head resting upon it.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” Lisa whispered.
“Ah, just admiring the view of this city, you know.” Edward laughed nonchalantly.
He looked at the beautiful city skyline and the tiny, shadowy figures perched upon the rooftops and trees.
“Hey, don’t you think there are too many ravens here?” He put on a thoughtful expression, then a moment later, laughed at his own stupidity.
“Wait, maybe that’s why this place is called Ravenfell. Hahaha!”
Lisa wasn’t laughing, however. “Eddie…” she softly called out.
Then, she stepped in front of him and gently took his hands, guiding them around her waist. Her delicate palms rose to cradle his cheeks, and she looked him in the eye.
Lisa could see her reflection shimmering in her lover’s gaze.
“Something’s bothering you,” she whispered. “And you’re not telling me.”
Edward deeply looked into Lisa’s eyes. Then, a moment later, he sighed. Revealing an awkward smile, he asked, “Was it that obvious?”
Lisa’s expression was gentle. “I know you better than you think I do,” she said softly, her thumbs brushing against his cheeks.
“You don’t have to carry everything alone. Just… tell me.”
“I don’t know,” Edward muttered under his breath. “I just feel so… undeserving.”
“Why?” Lisa pressed gently. “Why do you think so all of a sudden?”
Edward turned his head, once again gazing into the city skyline. “I feel like I could have done so much more with what I had been given. And yet… I did nothing.”
Lisa deeply looked at him. A faint smile blossomed on her face, and she asked, “Are you comparing yourself to Adam again?”
“No! Of course, no!” Edward blurted out. The next moment, his face flushed ever so slightly. “Well, a little bit.”
“Comparison is the thief of joy, Eddie,” Lisa said, gently turning his face toward her. “The only one you should measure yourself against is the ‘you’ of yesterday.”
She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice soft but firm, “So tell me… are you better than the man you were yesterday?”
Edward thought deeply for a few moments before exhaling a soft sigh. His lips curled into a warm smile as he gazed at Lisa’s emerald eyes.
“You know this is why I love you, right?”
Lisa leaned in and pressed her lips against him.
A long moment passed before she pulled back slightly and whispered, “And I love you.”
Edward’s lips slowly formed a mischievous grin. His hands slid down to her hips, then lower, gently cupping her. A soft gasp escaped her lips.
“Shall we head to bed then?” he murmured.
Lisa gave a silent nod, her cheeks tinged with red. Then, with a soft laugh, she leapt into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.
Edward caught her effortlessly, holding her close as he carried her back inside.
***
Corvid Quarter.
Under the cover of night, Eleiney Strange, covered in a hooded cloak, slipped silently through the shadowy alleys of the slums.
Strangely enough, no matter where she went, the people around her weren’t able to notice her at all. It would appear that she had used a concealment spell on her.
After taking several twists and turns, making sure she wasn’t tailed, she appeared before the entrance of a dilapidated building. She entered and took the stairs leading to the basement.
At last, she arrived before an iron door with a small, rectangular peephole in the center of it.
She raised her fair hand and knocked in a specific sequence. A moment later, the peephole slid open, revealing a pair of cold, expressionless eyes staring out.
“What walks with no shadow under the twin moons?” said the voice from the other side of the door.
Eleiney confidently answered, her voice calm and measured.
“Only the one who has forsaken the sun.”
The pair of eyes narrowed. A tense moment passed before the peephole slid shut with a faint click.
Then, the iron door creaked open, granting the young woman entry.
Once inside, Eleiney found herself subjected to one final scrutiny.
The owner of the pair of expressionless eyes, a man wearing a dark robe, spoke with a cold, unwavering tone, “In twilight, we find truth.”
Eleiney’s lips curled into a smirk, her voice matching his solemnity.
“In shadows, we seek wisdom.”
The rest of the chapters will be released in the following hours. Good news: there will be a bonus chapters as well 😉
