Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1495: The Final Challenge

Raze and the rest of the group headed out toward the venue. As they walked, a faint tingling sensation ran through their bodies, one that seemed to grow heavier the closer they came to the arena. The Wilton students especially felt it, the anticipation that wrapped itself around their nerves like a tightening coil. The teachers beside them were no less uneasy. They, too, felt the pressure of the moment, though their anxiety was tied to something else entirely.

The teachers still hadn’t been able to reach Wilton himself. The silence, the lack of response from their principal, hung over them like a looming shadow. During the course of the day, he should have replied at least once, yet no word had come. The absence felt ominous, as if it were the quiet before a storm, a dark prelude of what was about to unfold.

By the time they entered the colossal coliseum, the stands were already filling. People continued to pour in from every direction, taking their seats and chatting excitedly. Today’s gathering was even larger than usual. The final event, paired with the closing ceremony, always drew the greatest crowd. It was said the magical displays were unlike anything else in Alterian, and that witnessing them at least once in one’s lifetime was an experience worth treasuring.

Bright, shimmering screens of magical projection hovered above the arena, showing highlights of the previous contests. Guests who might have missed earlier events could still catch glimpses of the most spectacular battles and victories. This was one of the reasons the final day always promised the grandest turnout, it was not only a conclusion but also a celebration of everything that had led to this moment.

Among the crowd, in the midsection where rows of guests sat comfortably, Alen was present. His features were hidden behind the mask he wore, a disguise necessary for the role he was playing. Directly in front of him, ten figures sat quietly, each of them disguised as well. These were the Central Academy students, once proud representatives of their institution, now shadows hiding in plain sight.

Bones shifted slightly in his seat, lowering his voice. "After this event is over... we’ll be able to go back, right? We can finally return home, back to our families?"

Kayzel shot him a sharp look. "Don’t be stupid. Do you really think the Grand Magus will just stop because he couldn’t find you here? He won’t forget. He won’t forgive. He’ll hunt down every single one of your families, and none of them will be safe for a long time." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "That’s why I’m more curious about what was said before, that after today, we would find out the truth. You meant that, didn’t you?"

Alen gave a small nod, though he didn’t elaborate further. His expression was grim. Could Raze really accomplish what he had claimed? Could one person truly drag down the image of a Grand Magus, a figure revered as untouchable, almost godlike? The thought seemed impossible, like asking a mortal to topple a divine being. Yet, impossibility or not, Raze had made his intention clear. Today would decide everything.

High above the arena floor, the principals began to gather in their usual viewing area. As always, their arrival drew whispers from the crowd, their presence lending gravity to the event. But once again, there was one glaring absence, Wilton.

The excuse circulated among the staff was that he would be away for several days. But whether that was true or a carefully crafted lie, none of the other principals could say. Doubt lingered among them, and the unease was plain to see.

With how tense everything felt, even the smallest fluctuations in mana drew attention. Several times, traces of energy leaked from Ibarin himself, subtle yet suffocating. It was enough to make those nearby anxious, though no one dared to comment. Quietly, many were simply glad the event would end today.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer’s voice rang out, amplified magically to reach every corner of the coliseum. "We will now proceed with the final event of the exchange! Today, our teachers themselves will take the stage and demonstrate whatever they wish for us. Each display will be unique, perhaps a lecture, perhaps a performance of great magic, and each will surely leave an impression!"

Applause echoed through the stands as the event began.

The first teacher stepped onto the stage and immediately began casting. A blend of elements swirled into the air, merging in a dance of light and color. Fire, wind, and water intertwined, forming radiant bursts that expanded into fireworks of shimmering magic. The audience gasped in delight as sparks rained down like stars. Though not overly complex, the elegance of the execution left its mark. When the performance ended, applause thundered across the coliseum.

The second teacher approached with a very different idea. Instead of a display of power, they opted for a demonstration, a lesson in wind magic. After a short explanation, they invited a guest from the stands to step onto the stage. Under the teacher’s guidance, the volunteer was able to manipulate their magic more precisely than before. Though the guest was already a practicing mage, the improvement was clear. Murmurs of appreciation spread through the crowd, and soon several more volunteered, eager for similar instruction.

The next teacher followed with a bold display of combination magic. Element after element fused together, carefully balanced into large-scale spells. The audience leaned forward, fascinated by the intricacy. Many had never seen different affinities merged so flawlessly. The raw scale of the spells, combined with the precision needed to keep them from collapsing, drew heavy applause.

One by one, the academies had their representatives. Now, only two remained, their performances to serve as the finale, leading directly into the closing ceremony.

The stage shifted, the floor opening once more. All eyes turned as a figure with striking white hair stepped forward.

"Wait," someone in the crowd murmured. "That’s... that’s not a teacher."

"Yeah... isn’t that one of the students? What’s a student doing out there?"

"Is that even allowed? Why would an academy send a student instead of a teacher?"

The whispers spread rapidly, confusion rippling through the stands.

But the figure on stage, Raze, paid the words no mind. He walked calmly to the center, every step steady, deliberate. Once there, he lifted his hand, casting a simple spell of wind magic. His voice, carried by the spell, boomed across the arena, reaching every ear.

"For this event," Raze declared, his voice unwavering, "I, Raze of Wilton Academy, challenge Ibarin, the Grand Magus, to a duel."

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