Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1401: Destruction Over Healing

Raze and the others had been called in by the academy’s teachers. Given the recent events, the sudden and violent attacks, they were worried. Not just about what had happened, but about what could still happen. There was a looming sense that more danger might be on the horizon, and the faculty wanted to ensure that all students were informed and prepared.

Not that the teachers were particularly worried about Raze and his group being easy targets. If anything, the group had already proven themselves more than capable. But it was still important to keep everyone on the same page. And besides, with only a few hours left before the main event at the coliseum, it was better to regroup and align now.

Raze and the others sat in scattered seats around the briefing room, settling into a hushed silence. Then, from the front of the room, they began hearing the full story from the instructors.

It turned out the students from the Central Academy had been behind the attack.

"They really are scum," Liam muttered, his arms crossed in frustration. "I mean, I can’t believe they went that far. If they had done it during the event, at least then they could claim they were proving something."

"Well," Dame replied with a sigh, "there are always people like this. In a world that’s so intricately built, you’d think things would be different. But people are the same no matter what world they come from."

"You guys don’t need to worry about us," Piba said, offering a small smile despite the injuries. "We were naive. We trusted too much in the rules. Thought no one would attack us before the competition. This is the result of our foolishness. You all were busy chasing your own goals, and that’s how it should be. Stay focused, we’ll see each other at the coliseum."

"At the coliseum?" Yolden repeated, concern filling her voice. "Wait... in the condition you two are in, you’re not actually planning to still participate, are you?"

Though they could still perform basic magic, the strain would be immense. The damage they had sustained wasn’t minor, it was enough to weaken their casting ability significantly. From the severity of their injuries, it was obvious they shouldn’t be anywhere near the battlefield.

"I’m not sure they even can," Panla chimed in. "We haven’t had a situation exactly like this before, but there have been times when students were too injured to participate. If it’s a group-based competition, they have to fight with whatever members are available, even if it’s fewer than the opposing team."

She continued, her voice steady but laced with concern. "This is a magical exchange event, not an official tournament. Sure, winners will be named, and it can influence sponsorships or academy rankings, but in the end, it isn’t something that changes the official record books."

"If it’s a solo event, they’ll ask us to find a substitute from the available students," she concluded.

Meanwhile, Raze hadn’t been moving aimlessly around the event grounds. Everything he’d done had a purpose. He’d been assessing, observing not just the students but the layers of security around them. He was taking stock of how many professors were present, how many guards were stationed throughout the area, and who among them actually posed a threat.

From what he’d gathered, the Central Academy had hired a guild specifically for security during the event. They were there to protect the students and keep the atmosphere calm. Since these events were invite-only, trouble rarely surfaced. But clearly, that wasn’t always the case.

Still, for Raze, this wasn’t just about safety. He was planning something more.

He noted that the academy buildings themselves, the places where teachers usually held private resources, were less monitored than usual. Because of the event, key personnel, including the principal, would be out for large portions of the day.

Which meant... it was the perfect time to act.

What Raze truly wanted was to gather everything he needed before confronting Ibarin. He didn’t know how much of the academy would remain after that fight, or if there would be anything to return to at all. He had no guarantees.

So, before even thinking about fighting Ibarin, and before seeking answers about time magic, Raze had another priority: retrieving the special item that Alen had mentioned. That, too, was hidden somewhere inside the academy.

Still, he had a few days left to complete his objectives. For now, something else was tugging at his focus.

Helping the students right in front of him.

"Can Safa’s magic heal them?" Chiba asked, her eyes hopeful. "I mean... she’s got really powerful Light magic, right? Better than most mages. And she has the God Eyes. Couldn’t she use her Light magic to pinpoint exactly where the injury is, in the core, and just... fix it?"

"It won’t work," Luka said, shaking his head solemnly. "Even with the God Eyes. Safa might be able to see where the disturbance is. But Light magic’s purpose is to heal. Like someone said earlier, it’s not meant to identify or reverse the nature of foreign magic disrupting the core."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

The students looked defeated. The teachers, too. They were up against a magical problem that couldn’t simply be solved with kindness or power. It was a cruel reminder of how unforgiving the world of magic could be.

But then Raze stood.

"You two," he said firmly, pointing at Piba and Yolden. "Stand up. Turn around. Back facing me."

"What...?" Chiba blinked in confusion. "Why are you saying this? You’re not going to do something to them, are you? You don’t even have Light magic. How are you going to solve this?"

Raze didn’t flinch.

"Did none of you learn anything from the lessons I’ve given?" he asked, voice sharp with authority. "I told you, think outside the box."

He stared at them, eyes intense.

"What needs to happen right now... isn’t healing."

He paused.

"What needs to happen is destruction."

In that moment, the realization hit Londo like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened. The answer had been right in front of them, and yet no one had thought of it. Of course they hadn’t, no mage would ever consider something like this. It sounded ridiculous. Absurd. Almost dangerous. But now, with Raze putting it into words, it finally made sense.

"Magic that causes destruction..." Londo said quietly. "That’s what we need."

He looked up.

"Dark Magic."

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