Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1456: The Weight of Votes

Because the BIMM student had decided to drop out of the competition, there were now only two matches left to be fought. However, these final rounds carried more weight than any of the others. They were between the two academies that had been clashing with one another from the very beginning of the event, rivals whose presence and rivalry had shaped the entire atmosphere of the tournament.

Even the organizers themselves seemed aware of how important this confrontation was. The energy they put into announcing it made it clear they knew this was the moment most of the audience had been waiting for. What had already been a thrilling spectacle was now building toward something even bigger, even more exhilarating, than anyone had expected.

Wilton Academy had already proven itself to be impressive in more than one aspect, surprising many spectators with the strength and talent of its students. Yet, there still lingered a certain doubt. Perhaps their brilliance in other stages would not translate into this one.

After all, only two students could be selected to represent their side, and there were plenty who assumed Safa, the Light Mage, would not bring much to the battlefield. Few believed she possessed real combat ability, and that suspicion hung in the air, tempering the otherwise overwhelming anticipation.

Due to the height of the excitement, the event coordinators announced a short break. Spectators were given the chance to stretch their legs, head to the bathrooms, and grab food or snacks before the real action began. There was another reason for the pause too, once again, the voting stage had opened. This time, since the competition had narrowed down to only two academies, the organizers offered additional rewards for participation. Extra power stones were up for grabs to those who correctly predicted the outcome.

The crowd’s voices rose into a mixture of laughter, speculation, and bold claims. Everyone wanted to know: Who would emerge as the final victor of the entire event? The rules were clarified. If necessary, three battles could take place. Should each academy win one fight, then the last two fighters remaining would face off in a deciding round.

On the other hand, if both matches were won by the same academy, they would be declared the champions immediately. The system was made that way because no one wanted to see students of the same academy forced into fighting one another for entertainment.

As the betting carried on and coins exchanged hands, there was another topic buzzing in every corner of the arena: the match-ups. Which students would be drawn to face one another first? This decision wouldn’t fall into the hands of the teachers; instead, it was left entirely to chance, making it impossible to predict with certainty.

Meanwhile, in the waiting room, the tension hung thick in the air. Raze exhaled deeply, releasing a heavy sigh that broke the silence.

“I hope you end up going against George, and I get matched with Kayzel,” Raze muttered, his voice flat but firm.

“Oh? Really? And why would you prefer that arrangement?” Yolden asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.

“Because I want this entire event finished as quickly as possible,” Raze replied without hesitation. His gaze was sharp, calculating. “From what I’ve observed, Liam should be able to defeat George fairly easily, even with George’s gravitational specialty. It wouldn’t drag on long.”

Raze leaned back slightly before continuing. “As for Kayzel, although I don’t believe you would lose against him if it came to that, Yolden, he’s someone we know nothing about. No information, no data on his real strength. I would prefer if we kept your full abilities hidden for now, rather than revealing everything here.”

“To put it plainly,” Chiba interjected, nodding thoughtfully, “Raze could probably win even against Kayzel using magic alone. But the question is, would Liam really find it that easy to get past gravity magic? I honestly can’t imagine a clear strategy that works against that ability.”

Liam’s lips curled into a confident smirk, and he let out a low chuckle.

“Well, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we? If the two of us end up being placed against each other, then everyone will get their answer soon enough.”

The results of the audience vote were finally coming in, and soon enough the numbers had been forwarded to the principals’ booth, as they always were during these stages of the event. When the slips appeared before them, most of the results aligned with what the majority of people had already expected, everyone, that is, except for Ibarin.

“Thirty percent still believe Wilton will come out on top? Even after seeing what Kayzel demonstrated out there?” Ibarin muttered under his breath, his tone sharp with disbelief. “Surely by now they should realize he’s capable of far more than what he has shown. They should already know that he is the son of Idore himself. Do they really think someone like him could possibly lose to anyone?”

“Don’t say that so lightly,” another principal interjected, shaking his head. “We’ve already seen upsets today. Remember Lee Roy? Everyone claimed he had the strength to challenge even a Central Academy student, yet he was defeated before our very eyes. And don’t forget, Wilton Academy has already dominated in two out of the five events so far. With that record, of course people are going to have confidence in them.”

He leaned back, crossing his arms. “If anything, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Wilton’s votes were actually in the lead. The fact that they aren’t might simply come down to Central Academy’s long-standing accolades and reputation. Or perhaps it’s just because Kayzel himself is one of the competitors. If it were any other student, I imagine the results would look very different.”

Wilton Junior seemed about to add his own thoughts, but he froze mid-breath. At that very moment, both he and the others in the booth felt it, the sudden shift in the atmosphere, the mana swirling like unseen currents around them. The energy was sharp, almost oppressive, and they all knew instantly who it belonged to.

They had been attending this grand event for years, long enough to know the familiar presence of their peers. And in all those years, Ibarin had never once displayed his power in such a blatant, heavy-handed manner. He had always maintained a mask of politeness, greeting the other academy heads with courtesy every single year.

But maybe now, with his academy steadily losing match after match, the strain was starting to show. Perhaps this was the first glimpse of his true colors.

“Well,” Ibarin said at last, his voice low and carrying through the crackling mana that surrounded him, “we’ll just have to prove every single one of them wrong. Every person who dared vote against us.”

As he spoke, his form began to blur, his body fading away as if swallowed by the very air.

The atmosphere in the arena shifted again, this time with a new surge of excitement as the announcement came booming out. The next match was ready to begin. The projection screens flared to life, revealing the two names and faces of the competitors who would step into the arena.

On one side stood George, representing Central Academy, widely regarded as one of the most athletic and naturally gifted students specializing in gravitational magic. His reputation had already carried him far, and many in the crowd leaned forward in anticipation of what he would display next.

And on the opposite side, standing tall with unshaken confidence, was Liam.

“I guess it’s about time I show everyone here exactly how you’re supposed to handle this kind of magic,” Liam said, his lips curling into a determined grin as his turn finally arrived.

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