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Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe-Chapter 583: Caution and Curiosity
Chapter 583: Caution and Curiosity
No matter how many trials Adam advanced through inside the Raven Inheritance, nothing could have stopped him from losing composure after the series of shocks he had just
experienced.
First, he had mysteriously arrived at the legendary magical domain known as the River of Fate.
Secondly, he found himself horrifyingly being drawn toward this mystical river, seemingly toward his death. If not for the lotus waking him up, he might have dipped inside the river and possibly perished.
That brings us to the third point-Spirit World Traversal.
Since he had acquired this ability from Valerian, this was the first time that it had not responded to his call. When he wanted to return to the material world a few moments ago, he found himself unable to.
Finally, the last and greatest shock was the arrival of the white butterfly whom he hadn't met in several years.
Adam couldn't help but retreat a few steps in panic. He stumbled on his feet and fell on the lush, green ground. Even then, he continued to shift away from the approaching butterfly.
In his previous trips to the Spirit World, the sight of this mystical creature always brought him joy and a sense of belonging.
But now, he couldn't help but feel fear creep into his heart as he saw the butterfly gracefully fluttering its wings and flying across the turbulent waves of the River of Fate.
Adam didn't consider himself to be the brightest of intellectuals, but he also didn't think he was a dense fool. Putting two and two together, he could guess what was going on.
His coordinates in the divination ritual were mysteriously altered as he arrived in this dimension. Then, his Spirit World Traversal ability, which was supposed to be an innate technique linked to his mind and soul, was rendered useless.
It was almost as if something-or someone-wanted him to come to this place and prevented him from leaving!
Right now he was looking at that someone.
The butterfly crossed the river and arrived at the lush bank on this side. It lazily flew toward Adam and then gently landed on a flower growing on the ground a few meters away from him.
Almost a minute of silence ensued as Adam stared at the butterfly with wary eyes. Unable to bear it any longer, he loudly gulped and asked in trepidation, "Wh-what do you want from me?"
Then it dawned on him, that perhaps this creature didn't know how to speak. After all, whenever he had met the butterfly, the latter had never spoken to him.
Just when he was thinking of how to return to his dorm room in the material world, a feminine voice echoed directly inside his head.
It was gentle, soothing, and very pleasant.
'You have grown, young magus.'
Adam's eyes widened. "You can speak?!"
But on second thought, he felt that it made sense. Conversing with another person shouldn't be difficult for a being powerful enough to alter his ritual coordinates and prevent him from leaving the Spirit World.
Only now was he beginning to realize how naive he had been in his youth when he was frolicking with the butterfly every time they met in this dimension.
The ignorant are truly unafraid of death, he thought to himself bitterly.
He glanced at the butterfly for another few moments and then asked cautiously, "May I know why you've brought me here? No, actually can you please allow me to leave?"
With bated breaths, he waited for the butterfly's response.
'Vigilance is a fine trait for a Magus,' said the butterfly, its voice once again transmitting directly into the youth's mind.
"Does that mean I can leave?" Said the raven-haired young man.
'I mean you no harm.'
"...That's exactly what a person who'd want to harm me would say," said Adam nervously.
Another few moments of silence ensued, but Adam could almost be sure that he heard an amused chuckle inside his mind. Despite everything, he didn't let down his guard as he slowly got to his feet and retreated a few more steps.
'The River of Fate is an elusive domain that very few Magi have the privilege of visiting,' the butterfly began as it once again took flight.
It fluttered its wing and flew in Adam's direction, much to the latter's horror. But there was nothing he could do to stop it.
The butterfly gently landed on the youth's shoulder and continued, 'A long time ago-well, it's only been a long time for me but only a little over a decade for you-you once called yourself a traveler, and me, your guide.'
Adam's lips twitched incessantly. "Did I really say something like that?" He knew he did, but he was feigning ignorance because he was scared out of his wits now.
'Yes, you did,' said the butterfly. It flapped its wings ever so slightly, causing a starry cloud of dust to envelop Adam's soul body.
Before the youth could even scream out in fear and panic, he found himself being washed with a wave of tranquility. Any negative emotion brewing inside of him seemingly vanished.
'As I said before, I mean you no harm,' the butterfly repeated.
Adam gazed at this ethereal creature resting on his shoulder. Now that he cleared his head, he found his thought process to be smoother.
I'd already be dead meat if it really wanted me dead, he thought.
Especially considering the situation he was in where he couldn't return to the material world. He was at the mercy of the butterfly no matter how he looked at it.
He took a deep breath and asked, "Can I trust you?"
'That is something only you can answer,' it said.
Before waiting for him to speak, the butterfly continued, 'Since I am your, as you once put it, your guide, it is only right that I show you around this magical domain.'
It paused for a moment before adding, 'Not many people get this rare opportunity. Of course,
if you wish to return home, you can do so as well. I shall not hold you against your will.'
"You... will let me leave this place?" Adam asked with a hint of suspicion.
'Yes,' said the butterfly.
Adam was quiet for a few seconds as it stared at the butterfly. Then, he glanced at the lush bank of the River of Fate. He looked over to the magical river and the other bank of the river that was seemingly covered in darkness.
Damn it! He cursed inwardly.
He thought back to all the prior times he had met the butterfly in the Spirit World. It had never harmed him before. If anything, it had helped him tremendously.
Stuck between caution and curiosity, Adam finally heaved a long sigh and finally decided on
the latter.
"...Fine, please show me around."