Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1345: The Students Noise

The students had finally crossed over, they’d stepped into another dimension for the very first time.

Their eyes widened, heads craning in every direction as they tried to take in the strange, new environment. It was unlike anything they’d ever seen in Alterian. For starters, the entire area was covered in rich, vibrant greenery. Even the ground beneath their feet was a mossy green, a stark contrast to the familiar orange, red, or even jet-black terrain of their homeland.

Stranger still, the mud itself seemed to shimmer with a faint green hue, almost as if the very soil was alive. The plants around them stretched high and wide, each one sporting colors that didn’t seem to belong in nature, blues, purples, and oranges that clashed and danced together in a chaotic beauty. A thick layer of humidity clung to the air, making it feel heavy and dense. Within moments, many of the students found themselves sweating and shifting uncomfortably, already affected by the oppressive heat.

"Hey, do me a favor, will you?" Yolden groaned. His hair was sticking to his forehead, and his shirt clung to his back. "Can you cast an ice spell or something? Just enough to cool us down?"

"What?" Chiba replied, scowling. "Do you have any idea how much mana that would take? I might as well empty my whole core right now. I need that mana for when we actually fight whatever beasts are hiding out here."

As the students gathered, the teachers moved along the group, doing a quick headcount. The latest arrivals were filling the others in on what had happened back at the guild. But with every passing minute in the suffocating heat, fatigue was beginning to sink in.

"Why do you guys all look completely fine?" Chiba asked, panting like a dog, her tongue practically hanging out. "Are you using magic or something? Seriously? You’re wasting it just to stay cool?"

The group didn’t immediately answer. At least, not until Dame spoke up.

"We’re used to hotter climates," he said casually.

Some of the others glanced his way, slightly surprised. Normally, Raze would be the one to speak in moments like this. But Dame had stepped in. The reason was simple: they couldn’t always expect Raze to handle every situation. If they relied on him too much, people would start getting suspicious.

Yolden tilted his head. "I mean... I guess that kind of makes sense. But you’re not even sweating. Not one drop."

Still, there wasn’t much time to press the issue further. They were already moving again.

The group of twenty students walked together in formation, with Redrick and Diana bringing up the rear, while Luka and Panla led the front. Luka had the most experience with interdimensional travel, which was why he’d been given point for this exploration.

"Did the guild mention anything about safer zones or dangerous areas in this dimension?" Panla asked.

Luka shook his head. "The deal was made at the last minute. And let’s just say, the guild wasn’t exactly cooperative."

As they trekked through the unknown landscape, Luka subtly activated his wind magic, sending small currents ahead to feel for disturbances. That’s when he felt it.

To the right, nestled just beyond a curtain of overgrown grass, was a swamp-like area. The water was dark and murky, thick with muck and strange growths. But more importantly, Luka could sense movement, beasts lurking beneath the surface.

’Swamps usually serve as nesting grounds,’ Luka thought. ’Which means there’s a high chance of large numbers... and bigger threats.’

"Alright, students," Luka called out. "Prepare to engage. We’ll observe how you handle the situation, but we won’t interfere unless necessary. And if we do step in, it won’t affect your evaluation, as long as you’ve shown what we’re looking for."

The students nodded. Emotions ran high: excitement, fear, anxiety, all written clearly on their faces.

As they approached the swamp, their feet began to sink slightly into the soft earth. The mud clung to their boots and crept up the sides of their legs.

"Eww! Eww, gross!" one student shrieked. "The dirty water, it’s all up my leg!"

"Then cast a cleansing spell, you idiot!" another snapped. "Or better yet, you should’ve brought gear for this!"

"It’s just mud," someone else muttered. "Some of you are so spoiled. Born in the city, huh? Ever touched dirt before in your life?"

The loud chatter and splashing had an unintended consequence, it attracted something.

Without warning, a long, thick tongue shot out from the tall grass. It coiled tightly around a female student’s wrist, yanking her forward. Her body slammed into the mud with a splash before she could even scream.

She was being dragged fast, too fast to react, until a sharp gust of wind sliced through the air.

A wind blade struck the tongue clean off, severing it. The creature’s grip vanished instantly, and the student collapsed back into the swampy muck, gasping for air. Her heart was racing, her limbs trembling. She didn’t even care that she was covered in grime anymore, she was just relieved to be alive.

"T-Thank you..." she breathed out, looking around. Her eyes landed on Piba, who gave her a small, confident smile. He had managed to cast the wind spell just in time.

"All of you need to be far more alert!" Panla shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "We’re deep in enemy territory, and you’re acting like we’re on a school field trip. You’ve made so much noise, I’m shocked this is the first thing to grab you!"

"Wait... what do you mean?" one student asked nervously.

"That we’re already surrounded," Panla said grimly.

The tall grass swayed ahead, and from between the trees, glowing amphibian eyes began to peer through. Strange frog-like beasts, thick-skinned, bloated, and hanging from branches, started to emerge.

Then, from the very mud they were standing in, massive creatures began to rise. Frogs the size of rhinos pushed up from the earth, their slimy bodies glistening as they croaked low, threatening growls.

Redrick cracked his knuckles.

"Well then... it’s time to see what these students are made of."

****

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