Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1344: Breaking Away

On the other side of the portal, the students and teachers finally arrived at their destination.

Grouped together, they took in the strange new world around them. The air itself felt different, heavier, denser, yet oddly clean. The smells were foreign, the atmosphere thick with unfamiliar energy, and even the gravity felt slightly off, pulling at them in a way that made walking feel both lighter and harder at the same time.

Redrick and Diana stood near the shimmering portal, glancing back toward the gateway with growing concern.

It had been several minutes since anyone else had come through.

"Do you think something’s gone wrong?" Redrick asked, tension creeping into his voice. "It shouldn’t be taking this long, right?"

"I’m a little worried too," Diana admitted, folding her arms. "But Panla and Luka are still back there. They should be able to handle things... right?"

Redrick gave a dry chuckle. "Against an entire guild? Unlikely. Maybe if the Academy sent all of its teachers, we’d stand a chance. But with just those two? No. I’m honestly glad Luka convinced me to come through first. That’s not a fight we want to start, not now."

Back in the portal chamber, inside the Underfang Guild’s base...

Dame hadn’t exactly whispered his bold words. His voice echoed loud and clear for everyone to hear, students, teachers, and guild members alike.

And the reaction was instant.

Fury lit up the faces of the Underfang members. Their bodies stiffened, hands inching toward weapons, magic already beginning to stir. They were ready to act, waiting for an excuse.

Seeing this, Betrax subtly tightened her grip on her weapon, while Liam stood ready to summon his from the ring at his side. One move from Raze, and they’d all follow.

Every single one of them had made up their mind.

If this turns into a fight... we’re not backing down.

They didn’t believe for a second they’d lose. Not with Raze leading them.

The ranked students watching from the sidelines, however, were having very different thoughts.

"They’re all seriously crazy! Like, completely out of their minds!" Chiba exclaimed. "Is this what it takes to get that strong? You have to be insane? I thought nutjobs like this usually died before they could even level up!"

At this rate, even Panla and Luka, two of the Academy’s most composed instructors, weren’t sure they could stop what was coming.

Maybe this is just how it was always meant to be, Luka thought grimly. I didn’t get to witness his full strength during the entrance assessment... but if we’re going to perish today, at least I’ll die knowing what he’s truly capable of.

Then a softer voice cut through the tension.

"Raze," Safa said gently, placing her hand on his arm. "I appreciate you standing up for me, I really do. But even if that attack had landed... it wouldn’t have done much."

She gave him a knowing look before continuing.

"And I know what you’re about to say. That it’s the intent that matters, and you’re right. It is. But think about this. These people here? They’re not the ones you really want revenge against."

Her voice lowered, but the fire behind her words didn’t fade.

"If you act now, if you burn everything down in this moment... how will it affect your plans for the future? I’m not even hurt. You’ve already given these fools a scare they’ll never forget. And when the time is right... we’ll come back. Thenwe’ll deal with them properly."

Safa herself was furious. She hadn’t done a single thing to deserve being attacked by some arrogant fool.

But she understood how this world worked. These people only lashed out when they thought they were stronger. They bowed before true power, but preyed on those they believed weaker.

She hated it, but she also knew this wasn’t the moment to feed that fire.

Not for Raze.

She’d already made her choice, she would be the one to pull him back when the storm in him started to rise.

Raze closed his eyes for a moment. Then he turned to the group.

"Everyone," he said, his voice level and composed. "Let’s... head into the portal."

One by one, his allies relaxed. Weapons were lowered, shoulders loosened. They took a breath, and obeyed.

The same couldn’t be said for the Underfang guild. Their eyes still burned with tension, flicking toward Bronto, waiting for an order.

But none came.

Raze turned his back to them all.

Just like that.

As if they weren’t even worth his time.

As if no attack could touch him anyway.

It was another insult, silent, yet loud. A declaration of dominance without saying a word.

He dared them with his silence... try it.

But nothing happened. No one moved.

With that, Raze walked into the portal, his group following behind. The ranked students quickly trailed after them, leaving only the two teachers behind.

Panla turned, bowed her head toward the guild members, and spoke calmly.

"Please remember... these are students. And the Academy still wishes to maintain a good relationship with the Underfang Guild."

With those parting words, Panla and Luka stepped through the portal, heading toward the others.

Just before entering, Raze felt a wave of quiet disappointment in himself.

He had used Qi to stop the lightning attack. That’s how he’d neutralized it completely, without injury.

And now, ironically, he might be the one to blow their cover, when all along, they had tried to stay hidden.

But things were different now.

He wasn’t just protecting himself anymore.

He had people he didn’t want to lose, just like before.

Back in the portal room, audible grumbling broke out among the Underfang members.

"What was wrong with those students?" one muttered. "Did you see the look in their eyes? I really thought they were going to fight!"

"Same here," another replied. "I was ready to call in the whole guild. I just needed one excuse."

"Honestly," a third added, "it doesn’t matter anyway. Especially with what’s going to happen to them in there... right, Bronto?"

Bronto turned to them with a cold, confident smile.

"Right. When we proceed with the plan... we already know exactly who to target first."

He chuckled darkly.

"Assuming they even survive in that place."

*****

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