Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe
Chapter 1019 - 1019: Smart and Brave

All the matches taking place in the Final Trial took place in quick sessions. Although at the same time, the winners of each duel also got sufficient time to rest and recover.

Sixty-two young Magi had qualified to enter the Final Trial of the Grand Magus Tournament. After the first round, only thirty-two of them remained. After the second round, only sixteen of them had advanced to the next round.

Several audience favourites had been eliminated, while a number of unexpected dark horses had risen to prominence.

Of the sixteen remaining participants, two belonged to the rogue faction. Moreover, they were also the biggest dark horses of the event.

The first was, naturally, Merlin the Mad. Whereas the other one was none other than his party member, Michael Isaac.

The others who had made it to this round from Party A and B were Edward, Lisa, Kahn, and finally Eleiney. The rest, unfortunately, had already been eliminated. The competition was just that fierce.

Then, a subtle shift swept through the arena. Not in the air, but in the hearts of the audience. Something had changed.

After witnessing the brutal thrashing that Merlin had delivered to Slade, the crowd, strangely enough… had started to like the madman.

Who would have thought? That all it took to sway public opinion was a healthy dose of well-aimed violence?

It was a strange phenomenon, but not an unfamiliar one.

The crowd, once booing and hurling insults, now cheered with wide eyes and excited breaths.

Why? Because deep down, spectators loved violence. Not the clean, surgical kind, but the raw, unpredictable brutality that left them gripping the edge of their seats.

There was something about watching pain from a distance, about seeing power unleashed without restraint, that stirred something ancient inside of them.

In the safety of the stands, they could indulge that primal hunger for blood and dominance without feeling the consequences.

Some said it was justice, although they had no idea for what. While others called it entertainment.

But in truth… it was all about catharsis.

To watch someone like Slade—arrogant and untouchable—get absolutely demolished by a madman in face paint was more satisfying than any speech or moral lecture.

Although the crowd was under the impression that Merlin had delivered unrestrained punishment upon Slade, the truth couldn't be far from it.

The madman had shown plenty of restraint. In fact, he was fighting—if one could even call it that—while restricting his strength by one entire rank.

Had he used his full power… not a trace of Slade would have been left in this world.

But the crowd didn't need to know that. All they saw was the madman turning pain into a performance, and they happily ate it up.

And so that's why, when the madman appeared out of the western gates to participate in the third round of the Final Trials, the crowd went absolutely mad.

"MERLIN! MERLIN!"

"MERLIN! MERLIN!"

Once again, the coppery-red-haired youth strutted out from the towering gates, chest puffed up in pride and showmanship, arms swaying wide as if made out of rubber, and his long strides full of immaculate swagger like he owned everyone and everything.

Hearing the crowd chant his name with crazed excitement, the smile on his face widened.

Just an hour ago, you all were booing me, and now…

He thought, his eyes flickering with ridicule:

And now you worship me like I am your god. So malleable! But unfortunately for you lot, you won't get to see any more violent acts from me.

Slade had been an exception.

Merlin held no enmity toward the rest of the participants. So, he was only going to defeat them, nothing more, causing as little harm as possible.

After all… who knew what the cult had in store for them?

He couldn't risk it. His number one priority for the upcoming battle was to protect the young Magi of Ulier. They were the main target for the cultists, after all. Killing them all would land a heavy blow to the Empire.

Just thinking about the damned cultists soured his mood, casing his grin to turn even wider.

Almansour's loud and excited words brought him out of his reverie.

"Fighting out of the eastern gates!" he said with clenched fists, "the young warrior hailing from Coral Cove… Magus Rolle!"

Gazing at the dashing blond youth walking out of the towering gates, Merlin's smile further deepened.

Rolle naturally emitted an aura of confidence, as if everything was under control. It almost made everyone think that he wasn't even afraid of going toe-to-toe against the madman.

What's more, Rolle hadn't summoned any weapons at all. Such levels of self-confidence made the audience truly excited for what was to come.

Almansour glanced at the blond contestant with an expectant smile. Then, he turned to Merlin, his excitement climbing higher and higher. He wondered how this match would play out.

Finally, he raised his hand and gave the signal. "And… fight!!"

Without wasting a moment, Merlin dashed toward his opponent, aiming to end the fight as quickly as possible.

Rolle, on the other hand, remained standing in place, his back straight as an arrow and not a flicker of doubt in his calm, blue eyes.

He slowly raised his hand, aiming his palm toward Merlin.

The crowd rose to their feet, greatly anticipating the upcoming brawl. Their fists were clenched, and their eyes were wide with excitement.

Merlin appeared within fighting range in a few moments. Rolle outstretched his hand, his palm pointing at the madman.

And just when Merlin was about to attack… Rolle's lips parted, and he said confidently:

"I yield."

Merlin was momentarily flabbergasted, then he quickly strained his hand that was about to knock the daylights out of his opponent.

His palm stopped just an inch before Rolle's chest, resulting in a visible shockwave of air that made his robes flutter furiously in the wind.

Yet, Rolle stood calm and composed, unmoving like a monolith, staring at Merlin with those same confident eyes.

The madman's eyebrows arched in surprise. He patted Rolle's shoulder and grinned. "Smart and brave… very brave, in fact."

Then, he turned around and swaggered back to the western gates, whistling a merry tune.

Under the stunned gaze of the crowd, Rolle crossed his hands and raised his chin arrogantly. "Hmph!"

Then, he too turned around and walked away in the deathly silence of the arena.

Little did everyone know…

Rolle's back was drenched in a layer of cold sweat, and his heart was pounding wildly. He thought to himself in nervousness:

T-that mad butcher nearly killed me!!

Yet, the world would never know of his inner thoughts.

They would remember him as the heroic Magus from Coral Cove who stood dauntless in the face of Merlin the Mad.