Chapter 192 Smile
Since Adam had finished studying the two books, he decided to spend the rest of the time relaxing. His time in the secret plane had been very fruitful yet arduous.
Now was the perfect time to unwind before he left this place.
As the pair walked through the magical library, Adam asked curiously, "So Magus Mathias traveled to other worlds, did he create this secret plane before he left Tron?"
The Joker smiled bitterly. "After he left Tron, my Master traveled to many other worlds in the vast universe, experiencing its wonders. But when he realized that his death was near, he returned home."
Adam remained silent as he watched the smile on the man's face get deeper and deeper.
"Knowing that he would die, he wanted to leave behind his legacy," the Joker continued with a bright smile. "And so he built the Soaring River Secret Plane for the people of his homeworld."
Adam's heart was gripped by sadness. He couldn't help but ask, "Why is it that you're always smiling? Even when you're grieving."
"Because I am a clown. I smile despite all the things life throws at me."
Those words spoken were simple, but weighed heavily on Adam. He repeated the Joker's words in his mind over and over again and remained silent for a very long time.
Suddenly, the man playfully smacked the teenager's back, jolting him out of his reverie. "Don't think so much, lad. Life will throw many obstacles at you. You will have good moments and bad moments.
"So you might as well steer through life with a smile on your face. Don't take everything so seriously. Life is much more entertaining that way. Fafafa!"
Seeing him laugh without a care in the world, Adam too broke into a peal of laughter. "Haha, I guess you're right. Smiling isn't too bad."
As the pair walked side by side, they spoke about many things. The Joker mainly asked about what the outside world was like because he had never stepped foot outside the secret plane.
Whereas Adam asked him what it was like living in the secret plane. To which, the Joker replied, "I spend most of my time in deep slumber. Only when the secret plane opens do I tend to my duties as its overseer.
"I must say, it is very entertaining seeing young Magi struggle. Other than that, I don't interfere with the lives of the residents of the secret plane. I just let them be."
Adam didn't know how to reply to that. This guy sure has a weird hobby.
Suddenly, he recalled what the Joker just said, and asked curiously, "Wait, why haven't you stepped foot outside yet? You look pretty strong. So it shouldn't be a problem for you, no?"
"Fafafa!" The Joker laughed at the youth's naivety. "My powers come from the secret plane. If I step outside, my strength would be similar to a Rank 1 Magus. But that's beside the point, I can never go out in the first place."
Toward the end, a trace of sadness and longing flashed past the man's eyes, but he quickly hid it. However, Adam was still able to sense the emotions emanating from him. He has always been able to do so thanks to the white lotus.
"Why can't you go out?"
The Joker paused for a moment and then replied with a smile. "I was born from the secret plane and thus I am anchored to it. I must fulfill my Master's arrangements. That is my sole reason for living."
"Haa… you're really one loyal fellow."
"Fafafa, that I am!"
Suddenly, Adam thought of something, and his eyes lit up. "What if someone takes over your place? Then you'll be free, no?"
The Joker glanced at Adam and smiled mysteriously. "Well, that is indeed one of the arrangements left behind by my Master."
"Oho? What arrangement? Tell me! Tell me!"
"This concerns the greatest reward this place has to offer," The Joker said with a bright smile. "Once a worthy Magus earns this reward, I will be free!"
"Ohhh!" Adam was very fascinated. "What's is this reward you speak of?"
"Fafafa!" The Joker spread his arms wide and revealed with great passion.
"The Soaring River Secret Plane itself is the greatest reward!"
Adam was stunned. "T-T-This…"
"Yes." The Joker nodded with a wide grin. "The ownership of this secret plane is the ultimate reward left behind by my Master."
Adam was so shocked he couldn't speak for a long time. A trace of greed flashed in his eyes and he returned to his shady demeanor. He rubbed his hands together and grinned.
"Ehehe, Sir Joker, what's it gonna take to win this secret plane?"
For the first time, the Joker's smile threatened to break after seeing Adam's ugly grin. He harrumphed, "You wish! You're not worthy of receiving this great reward."
Not yet, anyway, He added inwardly.
"Aww…" Adam deflated like a balloon. Although he knew the chances were slim, it didn't hurt to try. Soon, he cheered himself up and asked, "So what do you plan to do after someone inherits this secret plane?"
The Joker spoke fervently, his voice filled with yearning, "I shall venture into the Spirit World!"
"Wait, so you've never gone to the Spirit World before?"
BAM!
The Joker smacked the youth with the rubber hammer once again. "Were you not listening to a word I said? I have never stepped foot outside this place. And that includes the Spirit World as well."
"Ughh!" Adam caressed his swollen head. "Damn it! You're just like the old man. So violent!"
A few moments later, the youth thought of something and his lips curled up into a smile. "Wait a minute! Since you've been so hospitable to me, except for beating me with the hammer, I want to show you something. Hehe, aren't I magnanimous?"
For the next ten minutes, Adam carved a runic formation on the ground. Despite the Joker asking him what it was about, he refused to answer, keeping an air of suspense.
Just when the Joker was about to smack the youth with his rubber hammer once again, he screamed, "Wait, wait, wait, it's done!"
"What's done?" The joker asked with raised eyebrows.
"Hehe, see for yourself." The next moment, Adam drew a series of hand signs, following which the runic formation on the ground lit up with a resplendent light.
And finally, the space above the formation tore open, forming a direct portal to an unknown place. Adam waved a few more hand gestures and spread his arms wide in the air, an action that caused the void in the tear to enlarge by three times.
"What do you think?" He glanced at the Joker and smiled. "This is the Spirit World!"
The Joker was full of disbelief. He had never personally seen the Spirit World before, but when he laid eyes on the scenery beyond the portal, he found himself speechless.
He could feel a deep connection between him and this mystical place beyond the portal.
Seeing the blank void dotted with white specks as well as the sea of colors that collided against one another, the Joker was brought to tears.
His lips parted and only a single word escaped his lips.
"Home."
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