Dark Magus Returns

The surprises for the teachers and students would have to end there, for today, at least. The final bell rang, echoing through the academy halls, marking the official end of classes. And although the day had come to a close, what everyone had seen still lingered in their minds.

The students had witnessed more than they’d ever expected. There were mixed reactions spreading across the academy like wildfire. Some of the students looked defeated, realizing just how far behind they were compared to the transfer students. Others were buzzing with inspiration. They had gained a whole new perspective and were fired up, ready to push themselves harder, ready to improve. And then there were those who wore solemn, serious faces, silently vowing to train harder so they wouldn’t be left behind.

Panla watched the wave of students as they walked past her in the hallway, her eyes catching the different expressions on their faces, shock, admiration, frustration, curiosity.

Guess Principal Wilton was right after all, she thought. These transfer students really are lighting a fire under everyone’s belly. Though… I’m not sure this is the kind of flame he had in mind when he approved their arrival.

Just as Panla was thinking this, her gaze shifted, and she spotted Raze standing out in the hallway. And right on cue, two girls were already making their way over to him. Panla narrowed her eyes as she recognized them instantly: Chiba and Yolden, ranked second and third in the entire class.

“Raze, that explanation earlier was amazing!” Chiba said, her eyes practically glowing with excitement. She looked up at him like she was seeing him for the first time. “I always struggle with this kind of class, and honestly, I couldn’t figure out why. I didn’t know if I was just an idiot or if maybe Panla was just bad at teaching. Maybe it’s both!”

She laughed, embarrassed but genuine. “But when you broke it down with Moze, it just clicked. Everything made sense.”

Yolden glanced behind her, instantly sensing that burning stare boring into her back, and sure enough, Panla was standing nearby and had clearly heard every word.

“Anyway,” Yolden continued, shifting her focus back to Raze, “what we’re saying is… you’re clearly talented. Like reallytalented. And because of that, we had something to ask you.”

She paused dramatically.

“Would you be willing to tutor us?”

Raze turned his head slightly. Down the hallway, he could see the rest of his group waiting for him, getting ready to head back to the dormitory. He hadn’t even said a word yet before someone else made his entrance.

Dame strolled over with perfect timing. He moved to put a hand on Raze’s shoulder, then stopped himself just in time, remembering Raze’s aversion to being touched.

“Don’t worry about us,” Dame said with a laid-back grin. “We can handle ourselves. You don’t need to babysit us. Go help the pretty ladies here.”

Then he gave the girls a little wink, and that’s all it took.

Chiba and Yolden were momentarily stunned, eyes drifting upward to take in Dame’s face. The more they looked at him, the more their faces turned pink. He wasn’t just handsome, he looked like someone pulled straight out of a fantasy drama. No, scratch that. All of the transfer students looked like that. It was no coincidence.

Their refined appearances were a byproduct of their high cultivation. The further one progressed in the magical arts, the more their physical form evolved. But Dame? He was on another level entirely. He was born with good looks, and cultivation had only turned him into a living sculpture.

“I mean, you guys could join too,” Yolden added, still a little flustered. “You know… we could do a group study session.”

Raze immediately knew that was a terrible idea. Talking about the intricacies of magic in front of the others, especially when it came to things they weren’t supposed to know, would be the quickest way to expose themselves.

“I’ll tutor just the two of you,” Raze said firmly. “Let’s head to one of the study rooms and go over the material together.”

Then he turned back toward his group, giving them a subtle nod. “Since we’ve got some free time now, I think it’d be smart for you guys to get some practice with the new artifacts you’ve received. There are several combat rooms available. You should go and try them out.”

It wasn’t just advice. It was a pointed message, a warning.

He was telling them to learn their gear now, before they got caught off guard in a real test or worse. And with Liam around and his system, Raze hoped they’d figure it out in time.

“Safa,” Raze added, turning to her specifically, “you should head to the Nurse’s office. Trust me, they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

“Ohh… Is that why Luka let her pass straight away?” Chiba gasped, pointing at Safa. “I was wondering about that earlier. But now it totally makes sense! She’s a Light Mage!”

Light magic, one of the rarest and most prized magic types in existence. Every academy outside of the Central Academy would accept a Light Mage instantly, regardless of their Star level. They were too valuable to pass up.

“I’m so jealous,” Chiba admitted, sighing dramatically. “And with that artifact you’re using, you’ve gotta be a pretty high-tier Light Mage, right?”

Safa’s face flushed red at the unexpected attention and praise. Compliments weren’t something she was used to.

“And she’s a total cutie too,” Yolden added with a grin. “It’s always the good people who get all the good things.”

“Hey now, don’t get any ideas,” Liam said, stepping in defensively.

Both girls shot him a look.

“What are you, her boyfriend or something?” Chiba teased.

“No,” Liam answered, glancing at Safa before turning serious. “There was a time when we could’ve been together… but things are different now. These days, I’m her sword brother.”

There was an awkward pause. The girls blinked, then shrugged, and basically moved on from him entirely.

“No problem,” Safa said with a polite smile. “I’ll see what I can do.”

With that, the group broke up and headed in different directions.

Raze walked off with Chiba and Yolden toward one of the private study rooms. Dame, Beatrix, and Liam made their way to one of the combat areas to begin training. Safa was on her own, heading to the Nurse’s office like Raze suggested.

But Raze had a deeper reason for sending her there.

The Nurse’s office will have patients, real ones. That’s exactly what she needs. Using Light magic in a real situation, not just theory or tests. That’s how she’ll build her affinity.

And if she can increase her affinity with Light magic, even just a little, she’ll advance through the Star ranks quickly. After absorbing that Celestial energy, and fusing with Stoney, if she manages to max out her affinity, she could be the next Nine-Star Light Mage.

That was the potential he saw in her. But there was still something else that was gnawing at him. A mystery he couldn’t let go.

And then there’s the other matter. I still need to find out the truth, whether Time Magic is present in this academy… and whether those two students are part of the Dark Guild or not.

****

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