Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1361: Safa’s Plan

Gasps rippled through the crowd the moment Safa stood up.

She hadn’t just volunteered, she was already walking forward, head high and hands behind her head, completely surrendering herself.

"The Saintess? No, she can’t..." someone whispered, barely audible.

"Damn it... it should be us going instead," another muttered through clenched teeth.

There was a painful stir among the students. Many of them had been healed by Safa, comforted by her during the worst moments of this nightmare. She’d been their anchor, their hope, and now, she was walking straight into what could only be her death.

They hated themselves for letting her go. Guilt twisted in their guts like blades. But even then... not a single person moved. Not one stood up to take her place.

No one wanted to die.

Some glanced toward Liam, Beatrix, even Dame, but Safa had already raised a subtle hand behind her back, signaling for them to stay down. Don’t act.

The man leading the masked mages tilted his head with amusement.

"I didn’t expect someone to volunteer," he said, his voice laced with surprise and sick satisfaction. "I was hoping for the usual, accusations, betrayal, a good old-fashioned bloodbath. But you know what? Different can be fun. Let’s see how the others respond after the first death."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a mutter. "Besides... I was planning to pick you anyway."

He motioned with a casual flick of his hand, and the crowd parted. Safa walked steadily through the sea of students. Her steps were quiet but confident. Hands still held behind her head, she passed Raze, and right then, she stumbled forward, pretending to trip over a loose stone.

"What the, ? I guess when you know your death’s coming, your legs give out, huh?" one of the mages snickered.

But as she picked herself up, Safa leaned in close to Raze, her lips barely moving.

"Just leave it to me," she whispered. "I have a plan."

Raze blinked, stunned. A plan? He wasn’t sure what she meant. The only option that came to mind was for her to fight back at full strength... but even that would blow their cover.

Still, it bought him time, and knowing Safa, she did have something in mind.

As she reached the front of the platform, the crowd fell completely silent. The students trembled, but it wasn’t from the cold. It was fear, raw and choking. Yet Safa stood calm.

No shaking hands. No quivering lips.

’Safa, what are you doing?’ Chiba thought, biting her tongue. ’If we had to vote, no one would’ve picked you. You did so much for all of us. You’re the Saintess. You said if we were ever in serious trouble... he would help. But maybe even you didn’t expect something this extreme. I don’t think even Raze can save us now.’

"I’m ready," Safa said, loud and clear.

The leader of the operation waved his hand, and two flame mages stepped forward. They stood five meters apart, flanking her on both sides.

"I’ll be generous," the man said. "Say your last words."

"I, "

Before she could finish, flames erupted from both sides. Fire poured from their palms, sweeping across the entire platform in a roaring blaze. The light was blinding. For a brief moment, all anyone could see was the silhouette of Safa standing in the heart of the inferno.

"NO!" Yolden shouted, lunging forward.

Diana, standing close, grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back down. "Hands behind your head!" she hissed. "Don’t let Safa’s sacrifice be wasted by breaking whatever rules they’re making up."

"I love it," the lead mage grinned. "That moment when you give them hope... only to rip it away."

Raze’s gaze snapped to him. Something about the way the man spoke, his eyes, his tone, made it feel like he was speaking directly to him.

The flames slowly receded. Smoke curled into the air.

And there she was.

Safa was still standing.

Her body trembled, her skin red and cracked. Patches of flesh were exposed beneath the burns, but she was breathing. She hadn’t fallen.

"What is this?" the man growled. "You idiots! You can’t even use enough magic to finish her?!"

Without another word, he lifted his hand. Lightning crackled at his fingertips. Several bolts shot toward her, striking her chest, arms, legs, her body convulsed, and she let out a scream of pain.

He poured more magic into the attack, lightning dancing wildly around her as if trying to tear her apart.

Still, she stood.

Her breathing was labored, her body bruised and burned, but she was alive.

’No...’ Diana thought, her eyes wide. ’Is this your plan?’

Raze caught on, too. His eyes narrowed.

Safa was a five-star mage now. Her light affinity had grown immensely. With that much light magic, her healing abilities had reached a terrifying level.

She was healing as she was being attacked.

Not just with magic, but through her special trait, she could recover mana mid-combat. Even while under assault, she could maintain her healing loop.

She wasn’t using her full strength. If she did, the attackers would grow suspicious. They couldn’t let it look like she was overpowering them.

So this was her plan. Not to fight back, but to survive. To force them to keep pouring magic into her, until they ran out of mana.

But there was one problem.

"Attack her again!" the leader barked.

This time, both flame mages unleashed more fire, and he added lightning of his own. Three streams of magic rained down on her, engulfing her body completely.

They didn’t stop until she dropped to her knees.

Her face was twitching. Her arms shook. Her legs gave out as her body buckled forward.

’She’s still in pain...’ Raze clenched his fists. ’Even with everything she has, it’s hurting her.’

"This is getting really annoying," the lead mage muttered.

Electricity crackled once more at his fingertips. He raised his hand and hurled a single, massive bolt of lightning straight at her chest, powerful enough to finish what the others had started.

And then,

A hand shot out, catching the lightning mid-air.

The bolt didn’t explode. It didn’t bounce.

It vanished, crushed in the palm of the figure who now stood between Safa and death.

"That’s the second time I’ve stopped your lightning," Raze said coldly.

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