Chapter 1403: A Lesson Before It’s Too Late
Raze had grown used to Piba’s questions by now. He was someone who didn’t hesitate to speak his mind, no matter how awkward or confrontational it might be. If something was weighing on him, he’d voice it, regardless of whether it offended someone or not.
Whether Piba genuinely didn’t care about others’ feelings or simply didn’t register social barriers the way most people did, no one could say for certain. But this time, as his question hung in the air, Raze sensed something different.
There was hesitation. Concern.
“I know you’ve already done a huge favor for us,” Piba began, raising one hand and drawing in pure Mana until it shimmered above his palm. “You restored our Mana circles, put us back to the way we were.”
He stared at the energy in awe, still not fully believing how effortlessly it came to him. Just minutes ago, performing this simple act would have sent waves of unbearable pain through his body. But now? He felt alive again. Whole.
That alone was more than enough. Raze had already gone far beyond what anyone could have expected, which was exactly why Piba felt uneasy bringing up the next thing on his mind.
Still, he couldn’t stay silent.
“I know you said earlier you wouldn’t take part in the events,” Piba continued, his tone almost reluctant. “You didn’t want to take our places, or the chances that belonged to us. But… I want you to reconsider.”
He paused, took a breath, and then made his request clear.
“I want you to participate. Not just to be there and lose politely, but to go all out. I want you to show the Central Academy that there’s someone greater than them, someone above everything they think they stand for.”
The room fell quiet for a moment.
At first, the other students and even the teachers looked taken aback by the bold request. But as the silence stretched, heads began to nod slowly in understanding. Especially Moze.
“I think I might be able to explain it better than Piba can,” Moze said, stepping forward. “The question probably sounds strange. Maybe even selfish. But after just that brief encounter we had with the Central Academy students… we saw enough.”
He swallowed hard, recalling the moment.
“Piba and I both realized something, neither of us can beat them. Their strength… it’s far beyond our own. But it’s not just about power. It’s about how they carry themselves because of it.”
Moze’s voice tightened with frustration.
“They did what they did because of their strength. Because of their position. They knew that even if they acted like that, nothing would happen. Even if they went too far, they wouldn’t be punished. They’d still be treated like heroes. Champions.”
He looked directly at Raze now, his voice rising with conviction.
“If we enter the event and they beat us, it’ll only reinforce their beliefs. It’ll prove to them that they’re untouchable, that their cruelty is justified. We can’t let that happen.”
The arrogant mindset of the Central Academy students reminded Raze far too much of the world he had left behind. Of the Grand Magus. Of the elite guilds that looked down on everyone else. When he was still at the academy, things hadn’t been this bad.
But now, the situation had clearly deteriorated. The toxic values of the higher-ups were being passed down to the students, the ones meant to shape the future.
Raze didn’t need any more explanation. He understood exactly what Moze and Piba were saying. More than they realized.
As long as those students kept winning, as long as the world continued to cheer them on, they’d feel like gods. Like they were beyond consequences. Beyond morality. And in that world… they’d become monsters no one could stop.
“What about the group events?” Chiba asked, glancing between the two boys. “Are you expecting Raze to go all out on those too?”
“We don’t have a choice!” Moze said, louder now. “You saw the state we were in after just one confrontation. To them, this isn’t a competition. In their minds, they’ve already won.”
He clenched his fists.
“And if we manage to beat them, even just once, they’ll do everything in their power to drag us down before we have a chance to rise above them. That’s what people like them do.”
His eyes flicked back to Raze, filled with determination.
“I know that if we win, we’ll be targeted. We’ll be pushed even harder, punished for stepping out of line. But I’m willing to take that risk. Just to pay them back for what they’ve done.”
Moze’s legs trembled. Everyone could see it, Chiba, the other students, even the teachers. The same Moze who had walked through a dimensional portal, survived near-death encounters with beasts, and faced off against the false Dark Magus… now looked like he was standing on the edge of a cliff.
Being directly confronted by the Central Academy students had shaken him to his core. So much so that even if he had to fight them again, he probably wouldn’t be able to perform at more than half of his actual strength.
That was the kind of fear they had left behind.
“I have no problem with it,” Panla spoke up, stepping forward. “The Central Academy did this intentionally. They choseto break our students before the assessments.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“That kind of interference will affect the final results. It already has. This event has always been about showing the world how the Central Academy compares to others.”
She turned to the group.
“The principal sent us here with one goal, to show something better. But it seems like the only way they’ll let that happen is if we fight through every single test they throw at us.”
“I agree,” Chiba added, his tone cold. “And honestly… I want to see their reaction when everything gets flipped on its head.”
One by one, everyone began to nod. There was no more hesitation. The transfer students were free to go all out during the upcoming assessments.
But there was still one person who hadn’t spoken.
Raze.
Beatrix turned to him, her expression gentle but firm.
“What about you, Raze? Is this okay with you? If you go through with this… will it interfere with whatever it is you’re really here to do?”
The room waited in tense silence.
Then Raze smiled.
“The moment I heard your story,” he said, “I knew I should teach these kids a lesson, before they go too far down the wrong path.”
His voice dropped, carrying the weight of something deeper.
“There are values worth preserving. And there are lessons that must be passed on to the next generation. Someone has to do it.”
He paused again. It almost felt like a “but” was coming.
Then,
“As for your question… No. If anything, this will help me.”
His eyes locked onto Beatrix’s.
“As a favor to you all, for helping keep our true mission a secret… I’ll take part in the events. And I won’t just join. I’ll make sure we win.”
He took a breath.
“Every single one.”
****
*****
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Chapter 1404: The First Event
After everything had been agreed upon, the teachers suggested that the students return to their dorm rooms, at least for now. It wasn’t just about rest. There was strategy in play.
For one, they didn’t want the Central Academy students, the ones who had caused all this damage, to see that their victims had recovered. That they were completely fine. If word got out, there was no telling how far the Central students might go to protect their superiority. It was better to keep the healing a secret.
Even though Raze and his group hadn’t run into any direct trouble outside, the staff agreed it was best not to push their luck. Whether with Central Academy or any of the other schools, stirring the pot any further right now wasn’t wise.
But the second reason… was simple. They all needed rest.
The other academies were probably still buzzing, riding the high of the tournament’s opening and preparing for the events with excitement and anticipation. That wasn’t the case for Wilford Academy. Not anymore. Not after what had happened.
They’d been through too much. And now, rest wasn’t just suggested, it was necessary.
Raze, for his part, had already done enough planning and exploring for one day. He had no objections to lying low.
The dormitory itself was massive, almost like a full-scale hotel. In fact, it might have been nicer than most hotels Raze had ever stayed in. The key difference was that each floor was reserved exclusively for one academy. No other students or guests were allowed access to a different school’s level, providing a sense of privacy and safety that was sorely needed.
Each student had their own room, outfitted with everything they could need. But despite that, everyone, without exception, had gathered in Raze’s room.
It had become their de facto base.
“I’m sure I don’t have to remind you,” Raze began, his tone even and sharp, “but while we’re being observed, by other mages and representatives from the various academies, you are to stick strictly to things that appear to be magic-related only.”
He looked around the room, eyes lingering on a few familiar faces.
“There’s still a lot we need to figure out over the coming days, and I’d prefer to keep our cards close to the chest during that time. So, no surprises.”
“Understood,” Liam said right away, the first and only to respond.
Then, as the others glanced at him, he raised his hands defensively.
“Hey, remember, I wasn’t the one who outed us last time,” Liam added quickly. “So you can all stop looking at me like I’m going to blow our cover again.”
A few chuckles followed, but the reminder was a sobering one. No one wanted another repeat of that incident.
Eventually, the group dispersed for some well-earned rest, but it wasn’t long before the teachers called everyone together again. This time, they were being escorted on foot, across the academy grounds, to the coliseum.
The moment they laid eyes on it, even Raze had to admit… it was impressive.
The stadium was massive, large enough to seat at least a hundred thousand spectators. Though for this event, only around fifteen thousand people had been officially invited. Because of that, the majority of the outer seating sections had been cordoned off and left unused.
The architecture carried a classical aesthetic, an ancient, grand design carved in pale sandstone. From the outside, it felt more like a monument than a stadium. Wide archways ringed the perimeter, offering pathways filled with shops, food stalls, and waiting areas before spectators entered the central structure.
As the Wilford students stepped through, they saw that the other four academies were already present. Familiar faces filled the outer halls. Moze even locked eyes with Lee Roy from BIMM, who simply nodded in acknowledgment.
“Alright, everyone,” one of the Central Academy professors announced, stepping forward to address the gathered students. “We’ll now take you on a short fifteen-minute tour of the coliseum’s facilities.”
The man gestured to the wide corridors ahead.
“Afterward, we’ll review the schedule for the first official event. Each group will be assigned a designated preparation area. When your team is called, instructions will be easy to follow.”
He turned and began walking.
“So for now, please follow me.”
They obeyed, trailing behind him in a slow but steady line. As they walked, the professor pointed out the major features of the coliseum, magical displays that played replays of legendary battles, glowing screens embedded into stone walls, and grand murals showcasing the champions of past tournaments.
There were also souvenir shops filled with academy-themed trinkets, food vendors selling enchanted snacks, and the ever-essential facilities like toilets and rest lounges. The group was even taken to the outer viewing sections, where they could see what the audience would experience during the matches.
As expected, most of the seating had been closed off due to the limited number of attendees. But the areas in use had been meticulously prepared, giving off an atmosphere of elite formality.
“Alright,” the professor said after completing the loop. “Now that the tour is over, we’ll take you to the underground level. From there, each school will be guided into separate holding rooms.”
He turned, his voice louder now as they descended a wide staircase.
“You’ll watch the opening ceremony from those rooms. It will begin with a brief introduction of each academy. Then, a few words will be spoken by your respective principals. After that… the event begins right away.”
He paused and smiled faintly.
“So I hope you’re all ready.”
The students exchanged looks. No one spoke. They didn’t need to. After what they’d been through, their answer was obvious.
They were ready.
But just before the ceremony began, something unusual caught their attention.
From their underground room’s viewing portal, they noticed a raised platform jutting out from the rest of the coliseum’s interior seating area. It wasn’t like the other audience sections. This one stood apart, an observation deck built in polished stone and decorated with ornate sigils.
Several mages, all wearing Central Academy uniforms, stepped out and lined up on the deck in precise formation.
That’s when it began to click.
The students watched as the principals from each of the five schools walked out one by one onto the platform. Each took a seat, large and elegant, arranged closely together to encourage conversation between them.
Even Wilford’s principal was there, clearly visible from across the stadium. A few students instinctively waved, trying to get their principal’s attention.
Some of the heads turned and smiled back. Others scoffed, deeming the moment inappropriate.
But then, one chair remained empty.
It was positioned at the very center, larger than the rest.
It didn’t remain vacant for long.
A figure emerged, calm, poised, walking with absolute certainty as if the entire stadium belonged to him.
Gasps erupted.
“No way… is that… him? It’s really him!”
“I didn’t think we’d get to see him this early…”
Excitement buzzed through the room. Everyone was murmuring, unable to contain themselves.
Everyone except one.
Raze didn’t speak.
But deep inside, his dark core trembled, vibrating with pure, seething rage.
“Ibarin,” he muttered, barely above a whisper.
His eyes narrowed.
“The Grand Magus.”
*****
For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below.
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When news of MVS, MWS, or any other series comes out, you will be able to see it there first, and you can reach out to me. If I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.
Chapter 1405: The Grand Magus Arrives
The energy among the students surged to a fever pitch.
Whispers turned into chatter. Chatter became full-on excitement. And it was all because of one name.
The Grand Magus.
“Ibarin…”
There was no doubt left. The man seated on the central platform was the Grand Magus, the one many of them had only ever read about in books or seen in recordings. And now, he was right there in front of them, larger than life.
The students couldn’t contain themselves.
“No way… maybe one day we’ll be able to sit at his side.”
“You think he’ll perform? Like, maybe show off at the opening or closing ceremony?”
“I doubt it. He’s just here as the principal of Central Academy, not as the Grand Magus himself.”
“I don’t care! Do you think he’ll at least talk to us? Sign something?”
“Maybe. But I heard, if you actually beat one of the Central students in an event or something… he might notice you.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I heard that in past tournaments, a few students who managed to beat Central Academy’s top-ranked got invited. Some were even recommended to top-tier guilds.”
“You’re kidding, seriously?!”
Voices overlapped. Everyone was trying to talk over each other, the excitement turning into a roar of hopeful dreams and ambition. Some students even tried to get the attention of others across the viewing platforms, waving and calling out like kids at a festival.
But Raze… he couldn’t take it anymore.
He didn’t say a word.
Silently, he stood from his seat and turned, walking out of the stands and back into the hallway without glancing at anyone.
A few people noticed, mainly the ranked students from Wilford.
“Did something happen?” Chiba asked, frowning as she watched him disappear.
“I’m not sure,” Yolden replied, her voice thoughtful. “But the look on his face… that wasn’t excitement. That was something else.”
She didn’t speak her full thoughts out loud, but she remembered every time she’d seen Raze angry. And she realized something important: his reaction always seemed to coincide with mentions of one person.
The Grand Magus.
She began to piece things together.
Could it be…? Is Raze’s goal tied to the Grand Magus somehow? And if it is… what kind of goal could that possibly be? Would it even be possible to challenge someone like him?
Before the speculation could continue, the Central Academy escort stepped forward and raised his voice above the noise.
“Students, please return to the hallway. The crowd has become too rowdy. We’ll now begin preparations for your respective academies.”
Slowly, the students quieted down and followed instructions, filing back into the wide marble-floored corridor. The escort then began guiding each academy group to their assigned preparation rooms.
Wilford’s space was one of the largest.
The room they were led into was lined with cushioned seats arranged in semicircles, each one built with embedded power stones designed to aid with recovery. Even the atmosphere had a gentle hum, the faint magical buzz of restorative energy.
“The schedule of events will appear on the screen in front of you,” the escort explained. “While you wait, the display will inform you of everything you need to know. Please pay attention, and you’ll have no problems.”
With that, the Central Academy escort left, closing the door behind them. The Wilford students were finally alone.
The room was quiet for a moment, before soft conversations resumed. There was a table set with light refreshments, snacks and drinks for them to enjoy while they waited. Several glowing screens floated in the corners, showing the outside of the stadium.
The stands were filling fast.
Safa approached as Raze settled into one of the recovery chairs, checking the seat carefully before lowering himself into it.
“Is everything okay?” she asked gently.
Raze didn’t look up.
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s just my own problem. I need to get used to seeing the Grand Magus again. I can’t afford to lose control, not now. Not after how far we’ve come. I won’t be the one to compromise this mission.”
Safa placed a reassuring hand on the armrest.
“Raze… don’t forget. We’re here with you. If you ever need help staying grounded, just ask. You don’t have to carry all of this on your own.”
He nodded, and with that, there wasn’t much more to say.
The students did the only thing they could, they waited.
They passed the time talking among themselves, speculating about what the events would be, and discussing how they hadn’t seen the Central Academy students yet. Most agreed that was probably a good thing. Better not to see them until the events actually began.
Suddenly, a loud, thunderous sound echoed from above.
The opening ceremony had begun.
All eyes turned to the floating screens.
A series of magical circles appeared in the air, glowing with intricate runes. Fire erupted from one end of the stadium in the shape of a colossal dragon, while a swirling mass of water formed another. The two beasts danced through the sky before colliding in a massive explosion of steam and smoke.
From within the haze, lightning crackled, forming jagged lines of energy. And then, right at the center, an enormous magical image appeared, a projection that resembled a hologram, but created entirely from magic.
It was the Grand Magus.
Ibarin.
The stadium erupted in applause.
Then came the speech.
The Grand Magus welcomed everyone, students, guests, and observers alike, and spoke about the long, prestigious history of the Inter-Academy Exchange Event. His voice echoed throughout the entire stadium, carried by sound-enhancing spells, as he introduced the principals from each school.
Each principal gave a brief speech, no longer than five minutes. They praised Central Academy’s achievements and spoke highly of their own rising stars. They all tried to sound hopeful, proud, dignified.
But to Raze, their words rang hollow.
Finally, the attention returned to Ibarin once again.
“And now,” he declared, “what you’ve all been waiting for. The first cultural event shall now begin!”
The students sat upright, listening closely.
“Please join me in welcoming the five academies that have earned their place as the finest institutions in all of Alterian! Let us give them the welcome they deserve, with a resounding round of applause!”
The floating screen flickered. Instructions appeared in bold letters, guiding the students through what they needed to do next.
The door to their room slid open, revealing a wide path forward.
This was their stage now.
They would step outside onto the platform, be greeted by the world, and hear the rules for the first event.
Raze stood, eyes sharp.
“Let’s get this done,” he said.
And together, the students of Wilford Academy walked toward the light.
****
*****
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Chapter 1406: A Step into the Arena
They were walking through a long, sloping tunnel, moving steadily from beneath the arena toward the open grounds above. The sound of footsteps echoed off the stone walls as the group advanced toward the light.
As they neared the end of the passage, they came face to face with a translucent magical barrier, it shimmered faintly, stopping them from advancing any further for now.
“Remember, during this part we’ll still be with you,” Panla said, turning to face the students behind her.
She looked across the group with a calm but firm expression. “We’ll be allowed to advise you for two minutes before you head into the field, but honestly… there’s not much more to say other than this, give it your best.”
Her eyes lingered briefly on the transfer students.
They stood quietly, composed and still, like they weren’t facing a high-stakes public event but just another scheduled task in their day. Calm. Collected. Unshaken.
And that made sense.
They were students who had seen war. They had already lost people close to them, already faced horrors far greater than a tournament. They had walked into real battles, not just magical simulations. Compared to that, today’s event was nothing.
The outcome of the event itself didn’t mean much to them.
What really mattered… was everything happening outside of the tournament.
Suddenly, a voice boomed across the coliseum.
“Introducing first among our esteemed academies, please welcome, our very own Central Academy!”
The cheers erupted immediately.
Though it wasn’t Ibarin’s voice, the announcer spoke with enthusiasm as the Central Academy students began to step into the light. Though the Wilford students couldn’t yet see them, they could imagine it all: the slow, confident walk, the waves to the crowd, the way the spectators roared for them.
It was no surprise. Everyone here, talented students, guild officials, wealthy elites, they had all come to see Central Academy. The moment they arrived on campus, that much had been obvious. Central had been treated differently from the start.
“Typical,” Moze muttered under his breath. “Of course they call out their academy first.”
“Don’t worry too much about it,” Liam replied with a grin. “You know how this works, right? The best is always saved for last.”
The others chuckled quietly, the tension lifting just slightly. But their laughter was cut short.
“Next, we have Wilford Academy!”
The magical barrier in front of them flickered once, then dissipated completely.
There was a moment of silence, then a few of the students burst into unexpected laughter.
“Well,” Dame said with a smirk, “I guess we weren’t considered the best after all.”
Even so, Liam’s earlier words had done their job.
They stepped forward, their nerves just a little calmer. Their movements more confident. They entered the coliseum to the sound of respectful applause, not roaring support, but an acknowledgment that they were here, and they were to be watched.
The ground beneath their feet was hard, dry earth.
That was intentional.
Most battlegrounds were designed like this, giving Earth magic users an inherent advantage. This event wasn’t about fairness, it was about putting on a show. It always had been.
As they walked forward, they saw the Central Academy students already lined up across the field, a professor standing out in front of them like a general before his troops.
Panla, Luka, and Redrick moved to their positions as well, standing near three circular rings marked out for the challenge.
The Wilford students mirrored the Central Academy formation, lining up with quiet discipline.
From the opposite side, several Central Academy students watched with interest.
“Would you look at that?” Nannan remarked. “They look surprisingly well, considering what they went through not too long ago.”
“Well,” Bones added casually, “we do have the best healers in the world. Sure, they might look fine on the outside, but there’s no way they fully recovered from what Kayzel did to them.”
Moze and Kayzel didn’t glance in their direction. They weren’t interested in playing into the drama. The goal now was clear: focus on the event.
One by one, the other three academies were called into the arena. That included BIMM, with Lee Roy standing tall among their lineup.
Quiet murmurs rippled through the crowd as each new group arrived. A few names were whispered, talented students who had made waves in various circles. One was a top-ranking government official’s heir. Another the son of a decorated military commander. Others were known for their public accomplishments, viral fame, or displays of magical prowess.
Everyone seemed to have a reputation… everyone except Wilford.
There were no prodigies among them. No famous surnames or headlines. Just students standing shoulder to shoulder.
No one was expecting much from them.
After the introductions, a soft mechanical hum filled the air.
Strange, rectangular devices rolled into place in front of the five academies. Sleek and metallic, they looked almost like oversized crates, humming with magical energy. Once in position, their top halves clicked open with a hiss.
Portals flared to life.
Swirling masses of light and shadow flickered in front of each device, glowing entryways to unknown battle zones.
It was a stunning sight. Another technological marvel on display.
In previous years, they had drawn magic circles on the arena floor to summon dimensional gateways. But this… this was the new standard. Mobile portal devices, custom-built to project rifts to exact coordinates.
A Central Academy teacher stepped forward to address the crowd.
“All dimensional zones behind these portals have been evaluated and balanced,” he announced. “Each academy will enter their designated zone at the same time. Victory will be determined in one of two ways:
“Either your team collects the highest number of power stones within the allotted hour, or your team defeats the dimensional boss, which will cause your portal to close.”
The students listened intently, eyes focused.
“While you’re inside,” the teacher continued, “we’ll provide live updates to the crowd, sharing each student’s progress in real time. This will help maintain engagement, and allow our audience to place friendly, no-stakes bets on which academy they think will emerge victorious.”
He gestured toward the portal devices, which pulsed steadily.
“Those who guess correctly will receive free crystals as rewards. Now, with all the rules explained… let’s not waste any more time.”
He turned to the professors.
“You have one minute to speak with your students before they step into the portal.”
****
*****
For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below.
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When news of MVS, MWS, or any other series comes out, you will be able to see it there first, and you can reach out to me. If I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.
