Chapter 172 Catalyst
Valerian immediately put his arms around Adam's neck, hugged him tightly, and started licking all over his face. He was very happy to reunite with Adam after all. He'd been away from the youth for too long.
Toward the beginning of Adam's training retreat, they had been staying together. However, as the days passed by with Adam doing nothing but attacking the hill, Valerian started to get very bored. Very bored.
So Adam told him he could spend time at the banyan tree with the rest of the baboons. The youth figured that little guy wouldn't have to go through any trouble staying with the magical beasts since these guys borderline worshipped him.
And he was right on the mark. Seeing Vaelrian being treated like a king, Adam felt that all his worries had been unfounded.
He looked at Valerian and chuckled, "You seem to be doing quite alright."
Valerian buried his furry head in his paws out of embarrassment. 'I didn't want you to see that…'
"Hehehe, it's alright." Adam patted the little guy's head. "Looks like they've been treating you just fine."
Valerian's eyes lit up. 'Yes, they're all very respectful and friendly. I go out to play with the little baboons every day. They even taught me to climb trees. They're so much fun!'
Listening to him recount all that he had done in the past months, Adam listened patiently with a doting smile.
He was happy knowing that Valerian was spending time playing with other kids—magical beasts, really—around his age.
Suddenly, Valerian rubbed his head against Adam's and said warmly, 'Brother, I missed you!'
Adam's heart melted and he gently stroked the young dragon's back. "I missed you too, Little Val."
Valerian raised his head and gazed at the youth with his topaz eyes. 'Is it time to leave?'
"Well, not yet," Adam replied with a tilt of his head. "I still have one more thing to do."
'What? What?' Valerian asked with shining eyes.
"Hmm, let's go to an enclosed place first. Where have you been staying?" The youth asked, chuckling slightly seeing the little guy so eager.
The young dragon agilely climbed Adam's head and lay down on it. This was his favorite spot in the world. He missed sitting on the youth's head.
'Brother, I will guide you!'
"Haha, alright." Adam found the little guys's actions very adorable.
The next moment, he jumped from the tree branch and effortlessly landed on another branch tens of meters higher. Under Valerian's guidance, he continued to vault from one thick branch to another, until finally, he reached the location where the little guy was staying.
This branch was situated toward the crown of the banyan tree and was a relatively secluded spot. Adam's gaze fell on a natural cave and he asked, "Is this the one?"
'Yes, yes!' Valerian nodded his furry head.
After they got inside the cave, Adam found that it was very spacious. There were even wooden pieces of furniture and whatnot. Moreover, in one corner of the cave, Adam found a small pile of treasure—gems, jewelry, gold coins, etc.
He looked at Valerian dubiously. "Mind explaining that?"
The young dragon immediately looked away. 'That, uh, you see, that's the tribute the little baboons have given me over time.'
Adam rolled his eyes. "You've become a tyrant in my absence, huh, you little brat?"
'No!' Valerian protested. 'I didn't force them. They gave it to me of their own accord. Besides this is only a fraction of the treasure compared to what the baboons have accumulated over generations.'
"Oho?" The youth's eyes flashed with a brilliant light and his lips curled up into a faint smirk. "Only a fraction of the treasure, you say?"
Valerian nodded. 'Yes, I've seen it myself.' He then spread his arms exaggeratedly and added, 'They've got loooads of treasures!'
"Kekeke, looks like I need to have a little chat with that old baboon." Adam started to drool.
But the next moment, he wiped his lips and his expression turned solemn. "But that's for later."
He looked at the little guy and asked, "Val, can you go out and tell them not to let anyone near this cave for the next few days? I'll be doing something really important."
'Okay!' Valerian jumped down from the youth's head and rushed out of the cave.
Suddenly, he stopped and then turned around, asking in a soft voice, 'Brother… what about me? Do you want me to stay outside as well?'
Seeing the young dragon's ears drooping as if he were saddened, Adam shook his head with a smile. "Of course, not. If you're not here, then you will protect me?"
'Okay!' Valerian's eyes lit up. He then turned around and left to inform the surrounding baboons.
…
Within a few minutes, Adam had already prepared a temporary laboratory inside the cave.
'Brother!' Valerian ran back inside the cave. 'I've already informed the rest. No one is going to disturb us.'
"Good job!" Adam praised him with a warm smile.
The next moment, Adam took out a small, green bean from his earring and flicked it at the entrance of the cave. Then he made a few hand gestures, following which, a magic circle lit up right under the bean.
Rank 1 Spell: Druidism!
Following that, a small leaf sprouted from the bean, and within the next few moments, the bean matured into a wall of thick vines and vegetation, instantly covering the entrance of the cave.
Adam then took out fresh ingredients from his earring, among which was a blue, heart-shaped crystal.
The core of the Mystic Mangrove Tree!
Adam believed that his foundations, both physical and magical, were very solid to begin with. Now, if he consumed a potion that contained the mystical properties of the mangrove core, it would further reinforce his foundation.
Moreover, the great amount of filtered mana inside the blue core would serve as the perfect catalyst for him to finally advance to an Organ Stage Magus!
He had already satisfied all the criteria to advance to the next stage long back, but Adam wanted everything to be flawless.
The youth may or may not take anything else seriously, but when it came to magic he gave it his all as it was the single most important thing to him in the world.
He looked at all the ingredients he had redied and kept beside the cauldron, excitement etched all over his face.
"Alright, let's do this!"
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