Dark Magus Returns

“He managed to destroy all six golems!” the students shouted in disbelief.

“I can’t even remember the last time someone wiped out all six… and he’s a magic swordsman on top of that!”

“Wait, doesn’t that technically make him the strongest student in our entire school right now?”

Excited murmurs rippled through the academy as more and more students leaned out of their windows. Even some of the professors shook their heads in surprise. The commotion had reached such a level that teachers from nearby classrooms were starting to step outside just to see what all the fuss was about.

“Well, well,” Lady Rockbeth said with a warm smile. “I have to admit, that was impressive. Perhaps there is a reason why these students are transferring here. And it looks like we still have more left to see.”

Liam, beaming with pride, returned to his group with a spring in his step. He was ready to high-five everyone and bask in the glory of his performance…

Until he saw that look on Raze’s face, calm, controlled, but visibly unimpressed.

‘Right… I shouldn’t overdo it,’ Liam realized quickly. ‘If I celebrate too much, it’ll look like I just got lucky. I need to act like that was normal. Like it’s just something I do every day.’

“I could do that a hundred times over if I had to,” Liam muttered confidently as he took his place beside the others.

“You did good,” Beatrix said. “Quick thinking, seriously.”

Liam couldn’t help but grin. He tried to keep it cool, but the smirk spread across his face anyway. In that moment, he was especially glad Beatrix had come along with them.

Then, it was Safa’s turn.

Unlike the others, she walked forward without any nerves at all. Her expression was calm and composed. And truthfully, she had no reason to be nervous, because out of everyone in the group, she was one of the only ones who could actuallyuse magic.

“And what is your magic core?” Luka asked as he raised his hand and reset the test field. The golems returned, and the ground reformed smoothly under his control.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to do much with my magic,” Safa answered honestly. “That’s because my core… is Light Magic.”

A hush fell over the area. Even Luka, usually so unreadable, froze for just a second.

Raze, watching closely, understood exactly why.

Light Magic was rare. So rare, in fact, that students who possessed it were often fast-tracked into top programs. There usually wasn’t even a need for them to complete standard entrance tests. Light Mages were in high demand across every major guild, academy, and magical institution.

They were treated like treasure.

“I see,” Luka said eventually. “You’re right. This kind of assessment would be difficult. Still… I’d like to see a display of your abilities, if that’s alright.”

For a brief moment, he even considered injuring himself, just a small cut on the arm, so he could see if she could heal it. Or maybe ask her to cast something on him directly.

But Safa was already moving. She raised her hand and tapped the side of her temple.

Light began to gather in her eyes. It shimmered in the irises, glowing faintly, like divine embers taking shape. The power focused in her gaze was intense but controlled.

Then Luka did something unexpected.

He gasped, audibly, and even took a step back, his mouth slightly open.

“You… you have the God Eyes…” he whispered. “You actually have them…”

His voice shook slightly as he quickly straightened his blazer, brushing off invisible dust. “That’s enough. You can stop. Please… return to your place.”

Safa blinked, surprised by the professor’s reaction. She didn’t fully understand just how rare her power was or how it was perceived by others. But Raze had told her beforehand that if she simply showed her eyes, she wouldn’t have to worry about passing.

Now, she was starting to realize just how true that had been.

“Feel free to get back in line,” Luka said again, adjusting his coat even though it was already perfectly straight. He was clearly rattled.

“Wait… what? We’re not even going to see her cast anything?” one of the students complained.

“Did he just let her pass like that?”

“I’ve never seen Professor Luka act like that,” a teacher muttered from the sidelines.

“Yeah. He always makes students perform something. It’s his thing. If you fail, he sends you home right then and there, no second chances. I wonder what she did that let her skip the test.”

“What do you mean?” one student asked, eavesdropping nearby.

“I mean Luka doesn’t make exceptions. He only accepts students that can prove themselves in all areas of magic. And if you can’t, you’re gone. Honestly, I think the academy sent him out today planning to reject these transfers. Bringing in a whole new group in the middle of term? Big hassle. But… he hasn’t rejected a single one.”

Back on the field, everyone had taken the test now, everyone except one.

A lone white-haired boy.

“The last one. You’re up,” Luka called out.

Raze stepped forward, walking calmly toward the center of the arena.

None of the others looked worried, not even slightly. Luka noticed it, too. Their confidence in this boy was obvious. And Raze himself? He didn’t show even a flicker of hesitation. There was something in the way he carried himself that made it clear, this student was different.

Not just calm.

Completely fearless.

‘The real reason we’re doing these assessments,’ Raze thought to himself, ‘isn’t just to enter the academy. It’s to be selected. To represent this school in the Magical Exchange Program.’

‘If we want that… we can’t just pass. We need to stand out.’

And now, it was time to show why he would be chosen.

****

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