Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1403: A Lesson Before It’s Too Late

Raze had grown used to Piba’s questions by now. He was someone who didn’t hesitate to speak his mind, no matter how awkward or confrontational it might be. If something was weighing on him, he’d voice it, regardless of whether it offended someone or not.

Whether Piba genuinely didn’t care about others’ feelings or simply didn’t register social barriers the way most people did, no one could say for certain. But this time, as his question hung in the air, Raze sensed something different.

There was hesitation. Concern.

"I know you’ve already done a huge favor for us," Piba began, raising one hand and drawing in pure Mana until it shimmered above his palm. "You restored our Mana circles, put us back to the way we were."

He stared at the energy in awe, still not fully believing how effortlessly it came to him. Just minutes ago, performing this simple act would have sent waves of unbearable pain through his body. But now? He felt alive again. Whole.

That alone was more than enough. Raze had already gone far beyond what anyone could have expected, which was exactly why Piba felt uneasy bringing up the next thing on his mind.

Still, he couldn’t stay silent.

"I know you said earlier you wouldn’t take part in the events," Piba continued, his tone almost reluctant. "You didn’t want to take our places, or the chances that belonged to us. But... I want you to reconsider."

He paused, took a breath, and then made his request clear.

"I want you to participate. Not just to be there and lose politely, but to go all out. I want you to show the Central Academy that there’s someone greater than them, someone above everything they think they stand for."

The room fell quiet for a moment.

At first, the other students and even the teachers looked taken aback by the bold request. But as the silence stretched, heads began to nod slowly in understanding. Especially Moze.

"I think I might be able to explain it better than Piba can," Moze said, stepping forward. "The question probably sounds strange. Maybe even selfish. But after just that brief encounter we had with the Central Academy students... we saw enough."

He swallowed hard, recalling the moment.

"Piba and I both realized something, neither of us can beat them. Their strength... it’s far beyond our own. But it’s not just about power. It’s about how they carry themselves because of it."

Moze’s voice tightened with frustration.

"They did what they did because of their strength. Because of their position. They knew that even if they acted like that, nothing would happen. Even if they went too far, they wouldn’t be punished. They’d still be treated like heroes. Champions."

He looked directly at Raze now, his voice rising with conviction.

"If we enter the event and they beat us, it’ll only reinforce their beliefs. It’ll prove to them that they’re untouchable, that their cruelty is justified. We can’t let that happen."

The arrogant mindset of the Central Academy students reminded Raze far too much of the world he had left behind. Of the Grand Magus. Of the elite guilds that looked down on everyone else. When he was still at the academy, things hadn’t been this bad.

But now, the situation had clearly deteriorated. The toxic values of the higher-ups were being passed down to the students, the ones meant to shape the future.

Raze didn’t need any more explanation. He understood exactly what Moze and Piba were saying. More than they realized.

As long as those students kept winning, as long as the world continued to cheer them on, they’d feel like gods. Like they were beyond consequences. Beyond morality. And in that world... they’d become monsters no one could stop.

"What about the group events?" Chiba asked, glancing between the two boys. "Are you expecting Raze to go all out on those too?"

"We don’t have a choice!" Moze said, louder now. "You saw the state we were in after just one confrontation. To them, this isn’t a competition. In their minds, they’ve already won."

He clenched his fists.

"And if we manage to beat them, even just once, they’ll do everything in their power to drag us down before we have a chance to rise above them. That’s what people like them do."

His eyes flicked back to Raze, filled with determination.

"I know that if we win, we’ll be targeted. We’ll be pushed even harder, punished for stepping out of line. But I’m willing to take that risk. Just to pay them back for what they’ve done."

Moze’s legs trembled. Everyone could see it, Chiba, the other students, even the teachers. The same Moze who had walked through a dimensional portal, survived near-death encounters with beasts, and faced off against the false Dark Magus... now looked like he was standing on the edge of a cliff.

Being directly confronted by the Central Academy students had shaken him to his core. So much so that even if he had to fight them again, he probably wouldn’t be able to perform at more than half of his actual strength.

That was the kind of fear they had left behind.

"I have no problem with it," Panla spoke up, stepping forward. "The Central Academy did this intentionally. They choseto break our students before the assessments."

She narrowed her eyes.

"That kind of interference will affect the final results. It already has. This event has always been about showing the world how the Central Academy compares to others."

She turned to the group.

"The principal sent us here with one goal, to show something better. But it seems like the only way they’ll let that happen is if we fight through every single test they throw at us."

"I agree," Chiba added, his tone cold. "And honestly... I want to see their reaction when everything gets flipped on its head."

One by one, everyone began to nod. There was no more hesitation. The transfer students were free to go all out during the upcoming assessments.

But there was still one person who hadn’t spoken.

Raze.

Beatrix turned to him, her expression gentle but firm.

"What about you, Raze? Is this okay with you? If you go through with this... will it interfere with whatever it is you’re really here to do?"

The room waited in tense silence.

Then Raze smiled.

"The moment I heard your story," he said, "I knew I should teach these kids a lesson, before they go too far down the wrong path."

His voice dropped, carrying the weight of something deeper.

"There are values worth preserving. And there are lessons that must be passed on to the next generation. Someone has to do it."

He paused again. It almost felt like a "but" was coming.

Then,

"As for your question... No. If anything, this will help me."

His eyes locked onto Beatrix’s.

"As a favor to you all, for helping keep our true mission a secret... I’ll take part in the events. And I won’t just join. I’ll make sure we win."

He took a breath.

"Every single one."

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