Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 1434: Strange Formation (Part 1)
While Raze and Safa were engaged in the middle of their private meeting, most of the students and guests were enjoying what remained of the grand event.
With only a few days left, everyone had taken it upon themselves to explore the various activities they hadn’t yet had time for. The academy grounds were alive with excitement, laughter echoed through the courtyards, food stalls bustled with long queues, and magical displays painted the skies with dazzling light.
Many of the events stretched on for hours. Performances could last two to three hours at a time, and there were tournaments, enchanted games, and dueling showcases keeping the audience captivated throughout the day.
There was no shortage of entertainment.
But while most were lost in the celebration, two students had slipped away, moving quietly, unnoticed by the crowds.
Kelly and Londo had arranged to meet, and now stood together in front of a vendor stall selling power stones, crystals of various shapes, pulsing with faint hues of energy.
As they casually browsed the selection, picking up the occasional crystal and pretending to examine its properties, the two maintained a hushed conversation. A silence spell had been cast over them, one precise enough that their lips could move freely, yet no sound would escape beyond the spell’s boundary. It was the perfect method of secure communication amidst the noise of the festival.
“Fear the unseen,” Londo said calmly.
“For we are always near,” Kelly replied, her tone a mixture of habit and subtle irritation. “Really? You just had to do the call-and-response? You already confirmed my position.”
“Forgive me, Night Caller,” Londo answered with a slight smirk behind his illusion. “But let’s not forget, the Dark Magus was capable of crafting masks like the one I’m wearing now. If he can do it, then so can our target. We must assume the worst. We always proceed with caution.”
Kelly let out a breath, not quite a sigh, but close. She couldn’t exactly argue with his reasoning, he was right.
Among the Guild, she had met others who were far more adept at infiltration and manipulation. Some had magic that could bend light itself, others had mastered spells to erase their scent, even their presence.
By comparison, she sometimes wondered if she truly deserved her position. She had been there from the beginning, one of the founding few, but time had passed, and skill mattered more than seniority.
Still, this mission… this was something she could do. Something she had
to do.
While the two spoke, Kelly reviewed the instructions Raze had given her. The information had been passed discreetly, and it was now her responsibility to share only what was needed.
Since Londo wasn’t familiar with the academy’s structure or its labyrinthine layout, Kelly had to describe each location with careful detail. She focused on areas that were publicly accessible, ones he could locate without drawing attention, while she took on the more obscure parts of the grounds.
The two shared a few more words, confirming their plan in silence, then parted ways, each carrying out their task with the practiced steps of seasoned shadows.
Kelly moved quickly but calmly, navigating through the academy’s sprawling grounds. Her eyes were sharp, scanning the walls, ceilings, and corners of each room she entered.
According to Raze, there were likely two specific items she needed to locate.
The first: a magical circle formation. Something powerful enough to anchor a spell or channel immense energy.
The second: a memory-sealing crystal or possibly a device designed for magical projection, anything that could record or display events.
She remembered Raze telling her he already had one of the display devices, so there was no need to worry about that part of the task. Still, just in case, Kelly thought she might come across another, especially if it was located alongside a magical circle. If both objects were placed together, it could be a critical find. Better to be thorough.
So far, Kelly had checked off a handful of the locations Raze had marked for her. Fortunately, thanks to the festival atmosphere sweeping across the academy, the usual restrictions were looser than usual. Students wandered freely, and staff were too distracted managing events to monitor the less-traveled areas.
Security was… lax.
And that surprised her, especially for a place like the Central Academy.
But then again, they hadn’t faced a serious threat in a long time. Complacency had crept in. Overconfidence had made them believe they were untouchable.
Despite having easy access to the areas, Kelly had found nothing. She’d scouted several of the points Raze had mentioned, searching them thoroughly. But still… nothing.
What did catch her off guard, though, was how Raze even knew about these places to begin with.
One of the most unusual locations she investigated was a chamber deep beneath the academy. A room lined with statues, stone likenesses of every principal who had served throughout the school’s history. It was eerie in its silence, with dust clinging to the crevices of the floor, but there was nothing hidden there.
She also checked areas marked as under renovation, places where only maintenance staff would normally venture. A few corridors had been sealed off or marked with magical tape, and while they might’ve seemed suspicious at first, they were empty. Unremarkable.
Then there was the most peculiar place of all: an abandoned wing on the outskirts of the academy. It wasn’t directly connected to the rest of the school, and no one ever mentioned it during daily routines. According to Raze’s theory, its abandoned nature might have been intentional, a perfect way to keep curious eyes away.
Kelly didn’t rule it out. If someone wanted to hide something, hiding it in plain sight wasn’t the only strategy, sometimes obscuring it behind silence and disuse worked even better.
She continued her investigation, casting subtle detection spells while walking through the halls, examining doors, walls, even seemingly random objects. She kept a lookout for any hidden magical formations, any anomaly that didn’t belong.
But no secret rooms revealed themselves. No doors shifted. No illusions faded.
On the other side of the academy, Londo was scouring the various libraries scattered throughout the campus. Each one was designed for a different magical discipline or research focus. He was searching for the same thing she was: a hidden room, a trapdoor, a concealed passage.
He hadn’t found anything either.
As Kelly walked one of the long marble corridors, she passed a mirror hanging on the wall, just a decorative piece, or so it seemed.
She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against the cool surface.
The moment her skin made contact, glowing lines flared across the glass.
A magical formation.
’Right… Raze said to check the mirrors too,’ Kelly thought, narrowing her eyes. She hadn’t understood why that had been part of the instructions, but now it made more sense.
Still… why would there be magical formations on the mirrors in the first place?
As she studied it more closely, she realized this particular one was a protective enchantment. It likely served to prevent the mirror from shattering during duels or magical incidents in the hallway.
Practical.
But disappointing. Not what she was hoping to find.
With a reluctant sigh, Kelly made her way outside, walking toward the front of the academy’s main building. Just outside the large arched entrance, she spotted Londo already waiting.
He was standing with his arms folded, eyes scanning the area. When he spotted her, he gave a nod.
“Judging by the look on your face, I take it you didn’t find anything?” he asked.
Kelly shook her head. “No luck. You?”
“Not really,” Londo said. “Although… there was one thing that bothered me.”
Kelly raised an eyebrow. “What kind of thing?”
“A magical formation,” Londo replied. “One I couldn’t make sense of.”
That caught her attention.
“How good are you with formations?” he asked.
“I’d say I’m decent,” Kelly answered. “I am one of the top students at the Central Academy, after all.”
It was true. Though she didn’t often flaunt it, she had earned her place through hard work and talent.
What she didn’t know, though, was that Londo wasn’t exactly a novice either. He rarely mentioned his background, but he was sharper than he let on. Still, Kelly’s confidence, rooted in the academy’s prestige, had a way of showing itself in moments like this.
“Well then,” Londo said, stepping forward. “There’s a formation I came across that I couldn’t quite understand. Maybe with your expertise… we can take a look together.”
****
****
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Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 1435: Strange Formation (Part 2)
Kelly thought it might finally be her moment to shine.
She didn’t believe this particular location would be the one that revealed everything they were searching for, but at the very least… she could outdo another member of the Dark Guild. Proving her worth, even in small victories, mattered more than she wanted to admit.
As they continued walking, Kelly realized they were heading back into the main Central Academy building. That alone caught her off guard.
Back into the academy?
Had she missed something?
A few moments later, they stepped through the wide, wooden archway that marked the entrance to the main library. The scent of old paper and polished wood hit her instantly. It was a massive space, filled floor to ceiling with towering shelves and organized by disciplines, sections, and even languages.
It was also one of the locations Raze had mentioned in his list of possible hiding spots. Though, at the time, Kelly had considered it a lower priority. If something was hidden here, she assumed it would be between the pages of a book, coded messages, perhaps, or disguised spells. Something subtle.
When she had asked Londo about it earlier, he said he’d already conducted a broad search of the books themselves. He had employed a few scanning spells, ones designed to pick up enchantments or encoded text, but he found nothing unusual.
Now, they were climbing.
The two ascended all the way to the fifth floor, the highest floor of the library. Up here, there were no tomes on magic, no treatises on combat spells or energy channeling. This floor was dedicated to fiction.
Fantasy novels, romance sagas, tales of adventure and legends long forgotten. Stories written for entertainment, not education.
Kelly glanced around.
The floor was completely empty.
Not a single soul.
Even with so many students in the academy during the event, it seemed this corner of the library was all but abandoned. She could count the number of footprints in the dust on one hand.
Right… if I remember correctly, Kelly thought, Raze told me not to focus too much on the library itself. That’s why I left this section to Londo, it was the longest and most tedious of tasks, but also the one least likely to lead to anything.
The reason, Raze had explained, was simple: back when he was still a student at the academy, he had visited this library dozens of times and never once noticed anything out of place.
But still, it had been years since his time here. Things could have changed. And more importantly, there was something else Raze hadn’t accounted for back then.
The magical formation they were hunting, it wasn’t one the academy originally possessed.
In truth, it made Raze doubt himself. Something so vital… surely it had to have been written down somewhere? The answer was yes. And for good reason.
Because even Ibarin, who had been using the formation, didn’t fully understand how it worked.
He had merely copied it.
The spell was too complex for casual duplication. Creating a functioning magical circle wasn’t just about replicating its design. The runes and shapes weren’t just pretty symbols, they were layered instructions, like writing code in a forgotten language.
Every stroke had to be placed in a specific order. Every rune had a purpose. If you didn’t understand their meaning, you couldn’t activate the spell properly, even if you traced it flawlessly.
So someone with deep magical knowledge had to have created the original formation. That meant somewhere, somewhere, a copy or record of it had to exist.
And perhaps, they were close to finding it.
As they approached the back of the fifth floor, Londo finally stopped.
Kelly blinked in surprise at what he was showing her.
A large mirror, mounted to the wall, its frame made of aged silver with delicate carvings that swirled like curling smoke. It looked like nothing more than decoration, something a librarian might’ve hung up to make the space feel less claustrophobic.
She hadn’t even noticed it before. But now that she stood in front of it, something about it felt… off.
Strange, she thought. A mirror? On the top floor of a library filled with fiction? That’s not something you see every day.
“This is the formation I was talking about,” Londo said, motioning to the glass. “It stood out. I thought it was weird for a mirror to have a magical enchantment on it, this is the only one I found like this.”
Kelly gave a small, knowing smile as she stepped closer. Of course, it was strange. Most mirrors didn’t have magic embedded in them… except for all the ones she had already inspected around the academy.
“This magical circle,” Kelly said confidently, placing her palm against the mirror, “It’s probably just a simple reinforcement and barrier spell. Meant to stop the glass from shatter, “
Her voice caught.
Her breath hitched in her throat.
Because the moment she truly looked at the formation…
She realized she was completely wrong.
It wasn’t like the others.
Not even close.
“I know,” Londo said, folding his arms. “You think I didn’t check the other mirrors on the way up here? I did. All of them. And this one is different. This is the only enchantment I couldn’t figure out. That’s why I’m sure there’s something going on here.”
Kelly’s expression shifted into something far more serious as she studied the formation closely. The structure, the runes, the patterns, all of it. Slowly, it began to make sense. A disturbing sort of sense.
The enchantments on the other mirrors… they were just decoys.
Their purpose wasn’t to protect or reinforce.
They were meant to discourage.
A trick to make anyone who discovered one assume that all mirrors had the same harmless spells. That way, when they reached this floor, empty, forgotten, quiet, they wouldn’t even bother checking.
And even if they did…
No one would understand it.
No one except her.
Because Kelly had been studying these formations. She had access to files, classified research that even most Dark Guild members hadn’t seen. She had worked with Sophie, the guild’s spy-cat, analyzing rare documents, breaking down lost spells.
And this formation?
This one was unique.
“In order to bypass this magical circle,” Kelly said, her voice calm but confident, “and access whatever’s hidden on the other side…”
She looked directly at Londo.
“…you have to use Dark Magic.”
****
****
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Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 1436: The Shadow in the Glass
Even mages from the Dark Guild wouldn’t have recognized these runes.
Kelly’s interest had been sparked the moment she found the book Sophie had been studying, the same one that had somehow turned her into a cat. It was from that strange text that she had first learned about the formation.
But that raised more questions than it answered.
This formation clearly hadn’t been set up by Raze.
Nor by any known members of the Dark Guild.
So then why… why was there a magical formation hidden inside a mirror, one that required the use of Dark Magic to activate?
“What do you mean?” Londo asked, furrowing his brow. “It uses Dark Magic? But there aren’t any mages in Centereal Academy outside the Dark Guild who would touch that stuff. The Grand Magus would never allow it. Are you saying we’ve just discovered something that doesn’t belong to them?”
Kelly kept her eyes fixed on the glowing lines of the circle, her fingers brushing over the edge of the mirror’s surface.
“No,” she replied softly, still deciphering the etched script. “Look… you said you’re decent with formations, right? So even if you can’t read this part, you should still be able to understand the framework.”
She traced a line with her finger, the glyphs shifting faintly at her touch.
“They’ve set it so that Dark Magic is the key. As long as someone channels even a small amount of it, the formation activates and unlocks access to whatever’s behind it.”
Londo stepped back slightly, eyeing the mirror with growing unease.
The idea of using forbidden magic to open something, especially inside the academy, was disturbing enough. But what unsettled him more was the idea that someone else had already done it.
The Dark Magus hadn’t created this formation himself.
But… he had
used similar methods in the past, scattering secret caches and hiding personal items throughout the academy, guarded with unique magical locks. It was a technique Raze knew well. And one that had been nagging at the back of his mind.
Because if someone else had managed to enter a hidden room that required Dark Magic…
Then someone besides Raze was using it.
“Wait,” Londo said suddenly, his eyes widening. “Now that I think about it, there was a cursed item among the artifacts that were handed out. It came from the Cerberus Guild. They’re directly tied to the Grand Magus, aren’t they?”
Kelly turned toward him, her expression sharpening.
“It’s possible,” Londo continued. “The item was low-level, nothing impressive… but if it had been enchanted specifically to react to Dark Magic, it could’ve served as a way in.”
Kelly nodded slowly, connecting the threads.
“Then there’s someone on the Grand Magus’s side… someone who can use Dark Magic.”
She had long kept an eye on Ibarin, suspecting that sooner or later, they’d find themselves on opposing sides. Given Raze’s goals, that day felt inevitable. But even so, she had never seen Ibarin use Dark Magic. Not once.
Still, it wasn’t the sort of thing one would just casually demonstrate in public, especially not in a place like this.
“I just can’t imagine Ibarin touching something like that,” Kelly muttered. “Not with all the eyes constantly watching within the academy. There’s barely a place left where someone could safely practice forbidden spells.”
“Well, whether it’s Ibarin himself or someone else, it doesn’t really matter,” Kelly said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “They could have used an item, a conduit enchanted to store and release specific types of magic. If that’s the case, Ibarin wouldn’t even need to cast Dark Magic himself to access this place.”
She turned toward Londo, eyes glinting with satisfaction.
“I think we might’ve just found what we’ve been looking for.”
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“I can’t believe it. They actually used Dark Magic to hide something like this. I guess they assumed no one else would dare touch it. That this place would stay sealed forever…”
Her voice dropped slightly, a whisper filled with irony.
“Little did they know, it’d be opened by the very people who want them gone.”
Without hesitation, Kelly extended her hand. She channeled the energy, pure, forbidden, and cold, and cast the Dark Magic directly into the runes.
The mirror shimmered.
Then rippled.
Her hand began to sink into the surface as if it were made of water.
“Mirror realm,” she muttered. “Interesting… I’ll admit, it is a pretty good hiding place.”
Londo stepped forward, preparing to follow.
The runes glowed again. He felt resistance at first, but when he channeled Dark Magic himself, the barrier opened. The spellwork was clear, only those who could wield the forbidden could pass through.
Even if someone saw them enter, they wouldn’t be able to follow.
Only those marked by darkness would be allowed beyond.
With that thought, the two pushed forward, and stepped through the glass.
They emerged on the other side… only to find themselves back in what appeared to be the academy’s library.
But something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Everything looked the same, and yet completely different.
The air had changed. The colors had bled out of the world. A pale gray and faint red tint saturated the room, as if life itself had been drained from the surroundings.
The shelves were mostly empty now.
Only a few scrolls remained, scattered and curled at the edges. Several cracked power stones lay in forgotten corners of the room, flickering faintly with dormant energy.
“It’s a mirror realm duplicate of the library,” Kelly said. “Looks like it was built purely as a storage space.”
She scanned the rows. “Which means there’s not much to sift through. We should be able to find what we need quickly.”
That was the good news.
Kelly also doubted anyone else in the entire academy could even enter this realm, aside from the Grand Magus himself.
So for now… they were safe.
“Let’s grab what’s useful,” Londo said, already moving toward one of the shelves. “And report back to Raze. Something tells me he’s about to have a very good day.”
The two split up and began their search.
It didn’t take long.
Just as Kelly had suspected, the hidden space was small and efficiently organized. Within minutes, they had gathered the scrolls and components Raze had been searching for.
Another piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.
Another thread of the plan… complete.
Still, as Kelly stood in the eerie quiet of the mirror realm, a strange thought crept into her mind.
Was today really going to be a good day for Raze?
She hoped so.
Truly.
But in a world like this, hope was never enough.
****
****
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Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 1437: A Dangerous Offer
There was at least one good thing about the situation Raze found himself in right now.
Ibarin hadn’t strayed from the script, not even a little.
He was doing exactly what Raze had predicted he would. Every move, every word, it was unfolding just as Raze had imagined in his mind. Right down to the moment Ibarin turned to Safa and extended an offer to join the prestigious Central Academy.
Because of that, Raze was able to remain composed.
At least on the surface.
But that didn’t mean there wasn’t a fire burning inside him.
An anger, deep and heavy, surged through his chest.
Just hearing Ibarin speak. Just watching him make his move. Watching him try to pluck away someone Raze cared about, someone he had promised to protect, it stirred something ugly inside him.
Especially after what had happened to Simyon.
It rubbed him the wrong way.
And he had to work hard to keep that storm from boiling over.
“I’m sure you understand why I’m making such an offer,” Ibarin said smoothly, addressing Safa directly now. “You’re far too talented to remain at Wilton Academy.”
He gestured toward Raze, toward “Redrick”, as if to include him in the moment.
“I say this proudly in front of your teacher here, because even he has to admit it.”
He took a step forward, his voice rich with authority.
“We have the best resources for Light mages. The best programs. The strongest connections when it comes to where your path might lead next. Staying at Wilton would only stunt your growth.”
He paused, letting the words hang in the air.
“I don’t know why you weren’t invited to Central Academy from the start. Perhaps our assessors missed something. Perhaps our scouts overlooked you.”
He leaned in slightly.
“But I didn’t.”
His eyes locked onto hers.
“I believe the world brought you here, to the steps of Central Academy, because we’re meant to do something great together.”
The way he said it… the words alone would have been more than enough to sway most students.
And Raze knew that all too well.
If the real Redrick were standing here right now, he wouldn’t have had the authority, or the will, to say a thing against it. Not just because Ibarin’s words carried weight. But because this wasn’t just his opinion.
This was the will of the Grand Magus.
And who could defy that?
Who could say no to such an offer… from someone like him?
Then, to everyone’s surprise, Safa beamed.
She placed both hands together, her smile radiant.
“Thank you so much!” Safa said warmly. “First, I want to thank you for setting up the meeting with Nannan. I understand now what she did, and I want to thank her as well.”
Her eyes sparkled with sincerity.
“Because of her actions, I was able to show you just how special my powers really are. I might never have had the chance to demonstrate that otherwise.”
“As for joining the Central Academy,” Safa continued, her voice filled with enthusiasm, “after everything you’ve said, I would love to.”
She smiled graciously.
“There are hardly any Light Mages at Wilton Academy, aside from the nurse. So I really believe the Central Academy will be the place where I can grow and reach my full potential.”
The words were perfect.
Almost too perfect.
Because they were the very lines Raze had prepared for her.
But there was still one last condition she needed to deliver.
“However,” Safa added, folding her hands politely, “I do have one request.”
Ibarin tilted his head, listening.
“I would like to ask that my transfer to Central Academy be postponed until after this event is over,” Safa said. “I believe I have a duty to Wilton Academy, as their student, and as a member of their current group.”
She stood tall, her expression sincere and unwavering.
“Even if the rules allow for substitutes and replacements, I still wish to finish what I started. I want to fight alongside them, or at the very least, take part in the event as one of them. Once it’s over… I will formally join Central Academy without hesitation.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Ibarin’s face.
And for someone like him, that said a lot.
He was not a man who liked to wait, especially not when something he wanted was already within reach. When opportunity knocked, Ibarin preferred to open the door immediately and take what was his.
To him, claiming a rare Light Mage now, especially one with potential like Safa, didn’t seem like much of a disruption. There were always ways to smooth things over, ways to adjust the tournament brackets and justify his actions.
He was the Grand Magus, after all.
But before he could object, another voice entered the room.
“I think what she’s stated is reasonable,” Raze said calmly, stepping forward.
He kept his tone neutral, composed, but every word was calculated.
“She has honor. She wants to finish this event with the team she arrived with. It’s a simple request, and once the event concludes, she’ll be free to do as she wishes.”
Ibarin’s eyes narrowed.
For a moment, Raze could see it. The man was considering rejecting the request altogether, perhaps even threatening that if Safa didn’t accept the offer now, it would never come again.
But then, something shifted.
Perhaps it was the teacher’s voice, rare, assertive, unexpected.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that others were watching.
Or perhaps, just perhaps, Ibarin realized that patience would get him further here than pressure.
“Very well,” he finally said, nodding slowly. “I suppose the two of you may enjoy the remainder of your event. I’m satisfied that you’ve made the right decision, Safa.”
Raze offered a small bow, and Safa followed his lead. With the conversation seemingly concluded, the two of them turned to leave the room.
But just before they reached the door,
“Wait,” Ibarin said.
His voice stopped them cold.
“There’s one more thing I wanted to ask.”
Raze turned slowly.
“Why is it,” Ibarin said, his tone growing sharper, “that despite your talent… and the power of your God Eyes… you never joined Central Academy?”
****
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Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 1438: Runes Beyond Understanding
The question came with a subtle sting, almost carrying a hint of malice beneath its polished delivery. For every reason Ibarin had listed moments ago, anyone with even a sliver of common sense would have chosen the Central Academy in a heartbeat, especially with a talent like hers.
There was no logical reason to refuse such an opportunity… unless it was for one of the very reasons he had just stated aloud. And now, gnawing at the back of Ibarin’s mind, was a darker possibility, one he couldn’t quite shake.
Could it be that she had refused the academy because of him? That her decision was not about the institution itself, but about who ran it? And if it truly was because of something to do with the academy, wasn’t that still a reflection of the system he had shaped, the environment he had created?
The thought irritated him. It was baffling, unthinkable even, that there could be someone out there who simply did not want to attend the Central Academy. Why? What possible reason could there be?
Safa, however, was no stranger to situations like this. She cast a brief glance toward Redrick standing behind her, a silent exchange passing between her and Raze. They’d gone through something similar before, and they both understood the stakes.
If Ibarin decided her answer was unacceptable, the fallout would be immediate. If this had been a scouting mission, he might have gone so far as to dismantle his entire scouting team over a single perceived failure. If she’d come here for an assessment, there was every chance that the assessor in charge would vanish from the public eye entirely, never to be heard from again. Right now, Safa’s words had the power to decide the fate of several people, whether they would keep their jobs, or even their lives.
Raze could tell exactly what kind of man Ibarin was. When Raze had been framed so Ibarin could take the position of principal, that had been the first stone in a landslide, one that only gathered more speed as it tumbled downhill. Ibarin had tasted victory once through underhanded means, and now he repeated those methods without hesitation, without shame.
“I am not used to the city life,” Safa began, her voice calm, measured, as if she were walking a tightrope between truth and necessity. “My family had to live outside the city because it was simply too expensive for us. The only reason I managed to get into Wilton was because of personal connections. I was able to stay at a relative’s home that isn’t too far from the academy.
“So unfortunately, I never came from a long line of great mages. We didn’t have the wealth to even consider a place like this. In fact, it was only because of my talent in Light magic that my parents insisted I attend an academy at all.”
She paused, as if weighing how much more to reveal, then continued. “However, back then, I knew my talent wasn’t nearly good enough for somewhere like the Central Academy.”
This made Ibarin tilt his head slightly, the faintest sign of curiosity breaking through his composed façade.
“I only managed to figure out and unlock the God Eyes while I was at Wilton,” Safa went on, her tone softening as a small, almost wistful smile formed on her lips. “Unlocking the God Eyes greatly enhanced my healing capabilities and increased my Light affinity far beyond what I had before. But that happened only recently, very recently. That, Principal Ibarin, is the only reason why I never joined the Central Academy until now.”
Her words hung in the air, perfectly poised between humility and quiet pride, leaving no space for him to twist them without making himself appear unreasonable.
The answer was convincing enough, more than believable to Ibarin, that he decided it was best to simply let the matter rest.
“I look forward to joining you and your school soon,” Safa added, her voice carrying a deliberate sweetness meant to soften the tension in the air. She was offering him one last olive branch, a small gesture to shift his mood in her favor.
Ibarin, ever conscious of appearances, gave a small, dismissive wave of his hand, signaling for them to leave.
The moment the two of them stepped out of the room, the heavy atmosphere inside seemed to settle again. Ibarin returned to his desk, lowering himself into the chair with the composure of someone convinced they had just steered the situation exactly where they wanted it.
“As expected,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, “there isn’t a single person in their right mind who would choose anywhere else over the Central Academy. That girl is bright and sharp, unlike you, Nannan.” His eyes slid toward the woman still standing nearby. “You’re free to leave, but try not to embarrass the academy again.”
Nannan stiffened at the words but gave a curt nod before walking out.
Once alone, Ibarin leaned back slightly, letting his mind drift back to the conversation he’d just had with Safa. For all the girl’s politeness and seemingly humble reasoning, there had been… something else. A weight in the room that hadn’t come from her at all.
It had come from the back, subtle but undeniable, the pressure radiating from the teacher named Redrick.
Though Redrick had maintained his manners and avoided outright confrontation, there was one moment that had struck a nerve. When he had spoken up to say it was fair for Safa to finish what she wanted at her current school first… Ibarin had felt it. The challenge. The unspoken defiance.
A thin smile tugged at Ibarin’s lips. “I’m sure he thinks I’m a fool,” he muttered under his breath. “But I’ll make certain he learns who the real fool is.”
Outside, the bright daylight washed over Raze and Safa as they left the Central Academy grounds. For a moment, neither of them said a word, their silence carrying the weight of what had just transpired. Only when they had walked far enough that the academy was a distant silhouette behind them did they finally exchange glances.
“You did a good job in there,” Raze said, his voice low but sincere. “You didn’t stutter, and you got every single thing out the way you needed to. If I were in your shoes, I’m not sure I could’ve done the same.”
Safa’s lips curved in a small smile. “You did good as well, backing me up when you thought it was appropriate.” She gave him a sideways look, her tone teasing but honest. “And you didn’t lose your temper when he came close to me. If anything, I wasn’t worried about what the Grand Magus might do… I was worried about what you might do.”
Raze smirked faintly at that, though he didn’t deny it.
Up ahead, two familiar figures appeared, Kelly and Londo. As they drew closer, they stepped into the range of Raze’s silence spell, their conversation becoming inaudible to anyone beyond its boundaries. Both wore broad, triumphant smiles.
“We got it,” Londo said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. “We got exactly what you wanted.”
****
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Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 1439: The Grand Magus Summons
Londo wasted no time. The moment they were in range, he stepped forward and pressed a scroll into Raze’s hands, a scroll that contained everything he had asked for, every piece of information he would need. Right after, Kelly approached and slipped several crystals into his palm, each one gleaming faintly with stored magic.
Raze recognized them instantly. One was a storing crystal, capable of holding vast amounts of energy or information. The other was a projectile crystal, designed to unleash destructive force when needed. Exactly the kind of tools he would require to ensure that everyone would see, without question, everything he intended to display during the upcoming event.
“You two did an excellent job,” Raze said, his voice calm but tinged with genuine appreciation. “I wish I could reward you properly right now. If I can find the time, I’ll craft and enchant the strongest weapons I’m capable of making, for the both of you.”
To most, the promise of a crafted item might have been a pleasant gesture, but for those who knew the legends, a creation from the Dark Magus himself was the kind of thing that could change destinies. Still, here on this world, Raze’s reputation as a craftsman didn’t carry the same infamous weight it did back on Pagna. The two didn’t react with the shocked awe Pagna natives might have shown, but excitement still flickered in their eyes.
“An item from the Dark Magus himself…” Londo’s voice almost trembled as he spoke, his words spilling out loudly enough that nearly everyone nearby could probably hear his heartbeat. “I swear I’ll treasure it forever, I’ll never let it out of my sight!”
Kelly, as usual, was quieter. She didn’t speak, but the faint satisfaction in her expression made her feelings clear. The thought of owning something personal, something hand-crafted by him, was enough to make even her heart stir.
After that, the group made the practical decision to split up. They all knew it was wiser not to linger together for too long, not here, not now, and they understood that perfectly. Safa slipped her mask back into place, vanishing into the role she wore in public, and headed off with Londo to rejoin the others.
As for Raze, he had a different destination. He planned to return straight to the dorms, to tell Redrick he was free to move around again, and then keep himself indoors until the event began. There was something else on his mind, something that couldn’t wait. He wanted to spend the remaining time studying the magic formation.
When he reached the corridor, he stopped at Redrick’s door and knocked, not a normal knock, but one with a deliberate rhythm. It was their signal, a silent code that meant everything’s done rather than I need to speak with you.
When Redrick opened the door, he found no one waiting outside. All he heard was the distant sound of another door closing further down the hallway.
“I guess that means I can finally get out of this place,” Redrick muttered, stretching his arms until his shoulders popped. A small grin tugged at his lips. “Well then… I suppose I should try to enjoy myself while I’m here.”
Meanwhile, Raze entered his own room and immediately turned back toward the door. His fingers traced a precise pattern in the air, placing a magic seal upon it. Then, with another quick motion, he layered a silence spell over the entire room, ensuring that nothing, no sound, no whisper, could escape its boundaries.
Finally, he crossed the space to his desk and lowered himself into the chair. From his coat, he drew the scroll Londo had given him and placed it carefully on the table. The parchment shimmered faintly with magical light. It wasn’t just any scroll, this was a crafted magical document, designed so that when unfurled completely, it would remain open on its own, allowing the user to study every line, every diagram, without interruption.
And now, alone in the warded quiet of his room, Raze leaned forward, ready to unravel its secrets.
The moment Raze unfurled the scroll completely, the intricate web of lines and symbols revealed itself, and for a second, even he could do nothing but stare. The magical formation laid out before him was breathtaking, a tapestry of precision and power woven into every curve of the ink. He could follow some of it, enough to understand the general shape of its function, but then his eyes fell on certain runes, symbols so foreign that even he, with all his years of study, could not decipher them.
Raze and Ibarin were equals in rank, both Nine Star mages, but there was a sharp divide between them. Raze had always been relentless in his pursuit of knowledge, the kind of mage who valued research above titles. His mastery wasn’t built purely on raw magical strength; it came from the foundation he had painstakingly built through the study of countless disciplines, including the complex craft of magic circles.
And yet, here it was. Something that defied his understanding.
This… doesn’t make sense. His mind immediately began racing. Even among the Grand Magus, I can’t think of a single one who could create something like this. The only person who might come close would be Idore, but even then… I doubt it. This isn’t Ibarin’s work. It can’t be.
His eyes narrowed, tracing the formation’s structure again. The others only managed to find this single copy. No other versions, no scattered duplicates… so is this even the Grand Magus’s creation at all? What if it was found rather than made?
The thought sent a chill of familiarity through him. He had felt this before, that disquieting awareness that somewhere out there was a mage whose knowledge outstripped his own, someone capable of casting spells that made even him pause in confusion.
That someone had a name: Bofan Klikola, the founder of the Dark Faction, who had originally come from Alterian.
Raze’s gaze sharpened. I never found any trace of him in Pagna. Most likely he’s in Alterian, or at least, he was. If he managed to reach the Divine Stage, then he could still be alive even now.
But another possibility crept into his thoughts, one far less hopeful. If Alter ever hunted him, and if he discovered a link between them and the Grand Magus… wouldn’t that mean there was another powerful mage out there who stood against them? What if he tried… and failed?
He exhaled slowly, a shadow passing over his features. If he lost, maybe that’s why items like this have ended up in the wrong hands.
Elsewhere, Redrick had just stepped out of the dormitories, stretching his arms as he prepared to finally enjoy some freedom. But before he could take more than a few steps, a figure in the Central Academy’s event staff uniform hurried up to him.
“Ah, you’re just the person I was looking for,” the staff member said with a polite smile. “The Grand Magus has called a meeting, one teacher from each academy is to attend, to discuss certain matters about the event. It shouldn’t take long, and since you’re already here, would you mind coming along?”
Redrick didn’t particularly want to go, but he’d been feeling somewhat useless lately, with little to actually do. At the very least, he could handle this much.
“Sure,” he said after a brief pause. “Let’s meet the Grand Magus.”
****
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