Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1491: Magus Revealed

When the Central Academy students first laid eyes on Alen Flen, a man whose name carried weight across the mage world, they felt an unexpected sense of ease wash over them. Alen wasn’t just another figure of authority, he was a respected officer, a man of the military who had stood against countless threats. To see him here, standing in the hidden chamber beneath the festival grounds, almost made them forget the chaos of the day.

Raze, watching the students’ shifting expressions, allowed himself a rare thought: he had made the right decision. Bringing Alen into this situation gave the students something he never could, familiarity and trust.

“I understand that what you’ve all gone through feels like your entire world has been flipped upside down,” Alen began, his voice steady and commanding. Even though his words echoed faintly in the underground chamber, they carried a weight that silenced every whispered doubt among the students. “The values you were taught from the time you were children, the pride of serving under the banner of the Central Academy… all of it now conflicts with what you’ve just witnessed. That conflict is not your fault. It is the fault of those who abused your loyalty.”

The students glanced at one another. Some lowered their eyes, ashamed to even think ill of their academy. Others clenched their fists, anger simmering beneath their hesitation.

“It is the same for me,” Alen continued. His gaze hardened. “The Grand Magus himself is after my life. For reasons I cannot fully explain yet, I have become a target. Because of that, I am forced to stay in hiding. But unlike you, I had time to prepare. I have gathered a group, men and women who are loyal to me beyond measure, who would trust me with their lives as I trust them with mine. Together, we are surviving.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over them. Even the sound of their own breathing seemed loud in the silence.

“What I am offering you,” Alen said slowly, “is access to those resources. Raze brought you here because he wishes me to protect you. And as part of the military of Alterian, it is my duty to protect civilians, yes, even students like yourselves, from corruption and injustice. I will not refuse that duty. Still, you must be willing. You must choose this path yourselves. Because what lies ahead may shape not only your lives, but all of Alterian.”

Several of the students shifted uncomfortably. Bones swallowed hard, his throat dry. Nannan tugged at her sleeve, eyes flicking between Alen and Kayzel. They could all feel the weight pressing down on them.

Alen’s voice softened but carried no less conviction. “If you agree to stay under my care, then I will immediately send my people to protect your families. They will be told what they need to know, and they will be kept safe. Ibarin will not be able to use them against you. But there is one condition. You cannot leave this place until the festival ends. Masks will keep your identities hidden. To the outside world, you will simply be spectators in the crowd. But as far as the academy is concerned… you no longer exist as their students.”

The words struck deep. To no longer be Central Academy’s chosen, to abandon the institution that had defined their lives, it felt like erasing their own identities. And yet, to return meant certain punishment.

“The least you can do,” Alen finished, his eyes sharp as steel, “is survive now, so that you may uncover the truth later. That is your choice.”

The silence that followed was suffocating. George clenched his fists, then slowly stepped forward. His face was pale, his voice quiet, but his words were firm.

“Please… look after me, and my family,” George said, bowing deeply. “I accept your offer.”

His choice broke the dam. Nannan followed, her lips trembling but her eyes resolute. Bones muttered something under his breath before stepping forward as well. One by one, the students agreed, until even Kayzel, who had no family to worry about, nodded. His pride had been shattered, but he understood what was at stake.

Alen wasted no time. He began issuing orders, his voice clipped and professional as he made contact with his people, already moving to secure the students’ families.

Kelly, who had disguised herself carefully, remained quiet, though her eyes softened with relief. At least the students would survive. That much had been achieved.

Raze, however, was already walking toward the staircase, his cloak shifting slightly with his steps.

George caught sight of him and hurried forward. “Thank you,” he said, bowing his head. “I still don’t know if you truly needed to take my power, or if you were the reason behind our condition. But… you didn’t have to help us. We lost to you. You could have ignored us. Instead, you saved us. So… thank you.”

Raze turned slightly, a faint smile flickering across his face, though he said nothing. As he moved past, other voices followed, murmured thanks that reached his ears.

Then Kayzel stepped into his path. His eyes burned with a question he could no longer hold back. “Is your goal truly… to kill the Grand Magus Ibarin?”

Raze stopped. He turned, his pale hair catching the glow of the torches. His gaze locked onto Kayzel’s, and for a moment, it felt as if the air itself grew heavy.

“It is,” Raze said. His tone left no room for doubt.

Kayzel’s chest tightened. His mind raced, but one question spilled out before he could stop it. “…Who are you, really?”

For the briefest second, Raze’s expression shifted, something sharp and ancient flickering behind his eyes. Then his voice, low and steady, cut through the silence.

“I am… the Dark Magus. And I have returned to finish my last task in Alterian, destroying every Grand Magus that remains.”

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