Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1438: Runes Beyond Understanding

The question came with a subtle sting, almost carrying a hint of malice beneath its polished delivery. For every reason Ibarin had listed moments ago, anyone with even a sliver of common sense would have chosen the Central Academy in a heartbeat, especially with a talent like hers.

There was no logical reason to refuse such an opportunity… unless it was for one of the very reasons he had just stated aloud. And now, gnawing at the back of Ibarin’s mind, was a darker possibility, one he couldn’t quite shake.

Could it be that she had refused the academy because of him? That her decision was not about the institution itself, but about who ran it? And if it truly was because of something to do with the academy, wasn’t that still a reflection of the system he had shaped, the environment he had created?

The thought irritated him. It was baffling, unthinkable even, that there could be someone out there who simply did not want to attend the Central Academy. Why? What possible reason could there be?

Safa, however, was no stranger to situations like this. She cast a brief glance toward Redrick standing behind her, a silent exchange passing between her and Raze. They’d gone through something similar before, and they both understood the stakes.

If Ibarin decided her answer was unacceptable, the fallout would be immediate. If this had been a scouting mission, he might have gone so far as to dismantle his entire scouting team over a single perceived failure. If she’d come here for an assessment, there was every chance that the assessor in charge would vanish from the public eye entirely, never to be heard from again. Right now, Safa’s words had the power to decide the fate of several people, whether they would keep their jobs, or even their lives.

Raze could tell exactly what kind of man Ibarin was. When Raze had been framed so Ibarin could take the position of principal, that had been the first stone in a landslide, one that only gathered more speed as it tumbled downhill. Ibarin had tasted victory once through underhanded means, and now he repeated those methods without hesitation, without shame.

“I am not used to the city life,” Safa began, her voice calm, measured, as if she were walking a tightrope between truth and necessity. “My family had to live outside the city because it was simply too expensive for us. The only reason I managed to get into Wilton was because of personal connections. I was able to stay at a relative’s home that isn’t too far from the academy.

“So unfortunately, I never came from a long line of great mages. We didn’t have the wealth to even consider a place like this. In fact, it was only because of my talent in Light magic that my parents insisted I attend an academy at all.”

She paused, as if weighing how much more to reveal, then continued. “However, back then, I knew my talent wasn’t nearly good enough for somewhere like the Central Academy.”

This made Ibarin tilt his head slightly, the faintest sign of curiosity breaking through his composed façade.

“I only managed to figure out and unlock the God Eyes while I was at Wilton,” Safa went on, her tone softening as a small, almost wistful smile formed on her lips. “Unlocking the God Eyes greatly enhanced my healing capabilities and increased my Light affinity far beyond what I had before. But that happened only recently, very recently. That, Principal Ibarin, is the only reason why I never joined the Central Academy until now.”

Her words hung in the air, perfectly poised between humility and quiet pride, leaving no space for him to twist them without making himself appear unreasonable.

The answer was convincing enough, more than believable to Ibarin, that he decided it was best to simply let the matter rest.

“I look forward to joining you and your school soon,” Safa added, her voice carrying a deliberate sweetness meant to soften the tension in the air. She was offering him one last olive branch, a small gesture to shift his mood in her favor.

Ibarin, ever conscious of appearances, gave a small, dismissive wave of his hand, signaling for them to leave.

The moment the two of them stepped out of the room, the heavy atmosphere inside seemed to settle again. Ibarin returned to his desk, lowering himself into the chair with the composure of someone convinced they had just steered the situation exactly where they wanted it.

“As expected,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, “there isn’t a single person in their right mind who would choose anywhere else over the Central Academy. That girl is bright and sharp, unlike you, Nannan.” His eyes slid toward the woman still standing nearby. “You’re free to leave, but try not to embarrass the academy again.”

Nannan stiffened at the words but gave a curt nod before walking out.

Once alone, Ibarin leaned back slightly, letting his mind drift back to the conversation he’d just had with Safa. For all the girl’s politeness and seemingly humble reasoning, there had been… something else. A weight in the room that hadn’t come from her at all.

It had come from the back, subtle but undeniable, the pressure radiating from the teacher named Redrick.

Though Redrick had maintained his manners and avoided outright confrontation, there was one moment that had struck a nerve. When he had spoken up to say it was fair for Safa to finish what she wanted at her current school first… Ibarin had felt it. The challenge. The unspoken defiance.

A thin smile tugged at Ibarin’s lips. “I’m sure he thinks I’m a fool,” he muttered under his breath. “But I’ll make certain he learns who the real fool is.”

Outside, the bright daylight washed over Raze and Safa as they left the Central Academy grounds. For a moment, neither of them said a word, their silence carrying the weight of what had just transpired. Only when they had walked far enough that the academy was a distant silhouette behind them did they finally exchange glances.

“You did a good job in there,” Raze said, his voice low but sincere. “You didn’t stutter, and you got every single thing out the way you needed to. If I were in your shoes, I’m not sure I could’ve done the same.”

Safa’s lips curved in a small smile. “You did good as well, backing me up when you thought it was appropriate.” She gave him a sideways look, her tone teasing but honest. “And you didn’t lose your temper when he came close to me. If anything, I wasn’t worried about what the Grand Magus might do… I was worried about what you might do.”

Raze smirked faintly at that, though he didn’t deny it.

Up ahead, two familiar figures appeared, Kelly and Londo. As they drew closer, they stepped into the range of Raze’s silence spell, their conversation becoming inaudible to anyone beyond its boundaries. Both wore broad, triumphant smiles.

“We got it,” Londo said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. “We got exactly what you wanted.”

****

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