Dark Magus Returns

Four teachers would be accompanying the portal expedition, and while some of the students whispered that it might be overkill, Raze knew better.

This would be the first time most of the students had ever entered a portal dimension. Mages, especially those fresh to the experience, tended to get overexcited. They wanted to show off, to prove themselves, and that led to one thing: recklessness. Many would throw themselves into dangerous situations without thinking.

Sometimes, it was the opposite. The shock of the dimension would freeze them in place, paralyzing them with fear.

And with a group of twenty, there was always the risk that someone might wander off, or worse, get taken by a lurking beast.

That’s why three seasoned teachers were required for this type of task. And to top it off, a mage healer was joining them as well. If that wasn’t proof enough that the academy was expecting something to go wrong, Raze didn’t know what was.

Something always happens on these trips, he thought.

“Remember, this isn’t a contest!” Redrick announced as the group assembled. But after a brief pause, he scratched the back of his head and chuckled. “Actually… now that I think about it, it kind of is a contest. We’re not picking all of you, only the top twenty will make it, haha!”

Panla gave him a sharp side-eye.

What kind of pep talk is that? she thought, sighing as she stepped forward to fix the messaging.

“We won’t be assessing you based on how many beasts you take down or how flashy your spells are,” Panla explained clearly. “What matters is your adaptability. Your awareness. There are a number of criteria we’re cross-referencing.”

Her eyes swept over the students with stern warning.

“No one try to be a hero. Don’t try to stand out. In a dimension, all our lives are on the line.”

A few more important details followed. The students were told they’d need to stay within a fifty-meter radius of the teachers at all times, and more importantly, remain in visual range. There would be no exceptions.

As they waited for transport, a large vehicle descended from the sky, its sleek metallic body glowing faintly with magical energy. It looked like a bus, only far more advanced, floating down smoothly on magic-powered thrusters.

The students from Pagna stared in awe, jaws practically hitting the ground.

Yolden smirked as he caught one of them frozen in wide-eyed shock.

“What’s wrong? You guys come from the countryside or something?” he teased. “Even they’ve got crop-harvesting machines with magic tech. Sometimes your reactions really confuse me.”

“I’ve seen one before!” Liam blurted out quickly, as if trying to defend his pride. “I just haven’t seen one this nice.”

In Pagna, they’d heard of artifacts and high-level techniques that allowed warriors to fly. Some even trained to replicate that through movement arts. But seeing something so refined, capable of carrying a large group without a single technique being used, it was awe-inspiring.

Once onboard, the transfer students and top-ranked students headed toward the back of the vehicle, settling in for the ride. The seating was two to a row, meaning everyone would have a partner.

Chiba plopped down next to Beatrix without hesitation.

“We drew names, remember?” Chiba grinned. “So it’s all fair. We’re sitting together.”

Yolden and Piba were just ahead of them, clearly positioned to keep things relaxed between the different groups.

Meanwhile, Dame and Liam were paired up, probably a wise decision in case Liam started mouthing off to someone from the academy.

As for Raze… he found Safa sitting beside him, a warm smile lighting up her face. It had been a while since the two had been in close proximity like this, and there was a quiet comfort between them that didn’t need words.

“So where are we going exactly?” Liam asked aloud, leaning into the aisle. “Are we heading straight to the portal?”

“Nope,” Chiba answered, overhearing him. “First, we’re heading to the guild.”

She turned slightly in her seat so everyone behind her could hear.

“The academy often collaborates with guilds for things like this. They’re the ones who control and manage access to certain portal dimensions. Each guild owns rights over specific ones they’ve claimed.”

There was a clear distinction between how things worked in Pagna versus Alterian.

In Pagna, portals appeared randomly, phenomena that burst into existence across the land. Because the crystals and resources found inside were so valuable, nearby clans would fight over ownership. Whoever was closest usually claimed the portal for themselves.

But in Alterian, many portals were deliberately opened. With magic.

Using beast crystals, mana, and complex magic circles, a guild could force open a dimensional gateway. It was the same technique Raze had used back when he first arrived in Pagna… only, back then, he had no idea where his portal had led.

Here, the guilds had full control.

“They wouldn’t send us through a hard one… right?” Yolden asked cautiously.

“Who knows,” Piba shrugged, not sounding reassured in the slightest. “Wiliton Academy’s pulling out all the stops this year. Guess they really want to make a name for themselves against the Central Academy. They even switched guild partners to aim for a higher-tier dimension.”

That comment didn’t go over well.

Several students exchanged worried glances. They had been hoping for something manageable, a lower-difficulty dimension where they could showcase their talents.

But the transfer students? They didn’t look nervous at all.

“Have any of you ever been in another dimension before?” Piba asked, turning around in his seat. “I’ve been in one, thanks to my family’s connections. But I figured with how strong some of you are, maybe you’ve had the chance too?”

Everyone turned subtly toward Raze, waiting for his response.

“None of us have had that privilege,” Raze said calmly. “So this will be a new experience for us all.”

Piba gave a short nod and finally turned back around, thankfully deciding not to press the subject any further.

But just as the conversation died down, a student stood up and began making his way toward the back.

He stopped a few rows away.

“I need to speak to you,” Londo said, his eyes locked on Raze.

****

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