Published at 19th of March 2026 6:34 am

Chapter 1600 Constantly Tested

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The sun gradually drifted toward the horizon, dyeing the skies with shades of red and orange.

Adam had finally finished recounting his journey around the world. He had also finished a barrel of wine all by himself.

Edward's face was a map of disbelief and astonishment.

"You actually went through all of that?" He blurted out. "This... this sounds like something straight out of a story book!"

"Yeah." Adam burped gracelessly.

Of course, he had not disclosed certain matters, such as the fight with the abomination and him taking on different identities and personas.

If Edward heard those tales, he'd probably think Adam was lying.

"What about you?" Adam asked, taking a sip from the wine cup. "What have you been up to?"

"Bah!" Edward exclaimed. "My journey pales in comparison to yours."

His lips formed a faint smile. "But I took your advice and traveled all of Ulier. And even Nahua. I've engaged in many life-and-death battles and come out victorious. Those experiences... they truly helped me a lot."

Adam offered a genuine smile. "I'm happy for you."

He willed the Lotus to clear the cloud of intoxication engulfing his mind. His dark eyes flashed with a mysterious light as he studied his friend's aura and faint mana fluctuations.

"You're close to forming the Mana Core, I see."

"Yeah," Edward said with a toothy grin. "I reckon, in a few more years, I will have become a Mana Core Magus!"

Adam smiled. "You've been through a lot, haven't you, fatty?"

Edward's smile turned bitter. "It is what it is."

Thinking of the numerous times he had come close to dying over the past decades, and how, almost miraculously, he had managed to survive each time, the realization stayed with him deeply.

"Such is the path of men like you and me." Adam patted Edward's shoulder.

"Hmm?" Edward arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

Adam swirled the wine in his cup and said casually, "The universe is fair, you know."

He glanced at Edward.

"People with great destinies are constantly tested. The world throws them into one harrowing situation after another, moments when they could die a hundred times over"

He took a slow sip before continuing.

"Its a kind of trial. A way for the universe to see if you're worthy of the power you carry"

His lips curled into a faint smirk, and he continued:

"If you survive... then maybe you were meant to."

Edward slipped into deep thought, his brows gradually furrowing.

He knew what Adam was hinting at.

His Innate Physique that had steadily increased his talent in his youth. His body resonated with mana itself, allowing it to flow through him as naturally as breathing and granting him greater, more fluid control over it.

Seeing his friend deep in thought, Adam spoke quietly:

"A child of mana is nothing special by birth alone. If he cannot prove himself worthy of that power... then he is merely a child like any other."

Recalling the circumstances of his birth, Edward's eyes reddened. He quickly wiped the tears away and exhaled a heavy sigh.

Adam couldn't help but frown. "What's the matter?"

"No..." Edward smiled faintly. "It's nothing."

The raven-haired youth deeply looked at Edward. He knew he was hiding something.

"Anyway, how's your family back home?" he asked curiously. "And how's Lisa? Is she here?"

Edward's lips curled into a sad smile. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant.

"My mother, she... she passed away a few years ago."

Adam's eyes trembled.

"What?"

"Yeah..." Edward murmured.

He remained silent for a long time, then turned to Adam.

"You already know how her health had deteriorated after giving birth to me," he continued in a quiet voice.

"Thanks to you, she was able to recover significantly. But even then... she could barely circulate mana in her body."

Edward leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"Still, she was able to live to almost a hundred," he said with a reminiscent smile

on his face. "She lived a great life, Adam. Perhaps her only regret was that she

could never get to see her grandchildren."

He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Yeah, it was a life well-lived... definitely..."

Tears trickled down his face as he silently sobbed.

Adam gulped, his eyes flickering with shock. "I'm sorry, Eddie, I... I don't know

what to say. I'm... I'm so sorry."

He gently clasped his friend's shoulder.

"It's alright." Edward patted his hand. He wiped his tears away and turned to

him.

"You know," he began. "She never once believed those rumors about you. She...

she loved you like a son."

Adam's lips quivered.

Then his lips curled into a wide smile.

"She was the best, wasn't she?"

"Yeah!" Edward smiled as well. "She truly was."

The two remained silent for a long time. Adam then asked, "What about the rest

of your family? How are they holding up?"

"Oh, they're fine." Edward waved a hand. "It's already been a couple of years. They've come to terms with it. At least, I think they have."

"I see..." Adam nodded.

He paused for a moment, then asked, "And Lisa? How are things with her?"

Edward let out a dry chuckle. "Ah, we're no longer together."

He paused, sighing heavily. "We had broken up long before Mother passed. I, uh..." He scratched his chin awkwardly.

"Well, Lisa found out that I had been unfaithful to her," he said. "On more than

one occasion. So I can't really blame her. She forgave me the first time, but

after that..."

Edward's shoulders slumped. "Yeah, I messed up..."

The corner of Adam's lips twitched. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I fucked up, alright!" Edward downed the entire wine in his cup. "She was

so kind and gentle. She loved me, and I... I ruined it all."

Adam was speechless. "Well... is she here?"

Edward shook his head. "We met briefly at my mother's funeral. I haven't heard

from her ever since."

"Anyway!" he changed the subject. "Enough about me. Did you find anyone in

your travels? Or are you still treating your hand as your partner?"

Adam snorted. "Fuck off with you."

Edward chuckled darkly. "What's the matter? The Dark King can't find a

queen?"

"Well...&qut; Adam sipped on the wine, a faint smile on his lips.

"There was this woman in Yen-Lu. A daughter of some renowned clan, if you

can believe it. My goodness, she was gorgeous. She liked me... well, I think she did. But nothing really happened between us. I had too much on my plate to be worrying about an intimate relationship."

"Still alone and miserable, I see" Edward nodded solemnly. "Makes sense."

"Why you!" Adam tossed the wine cup into the air and lunged at him, wrestling

Edward to the ground.

"Die, fatty, die!!"

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