Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1473: The Stage of Ten

The principals of each academy were stationed in their own quarters, far away from the crowds and noise of the coliseum. Their lodgings were nothing like those given to guests or even the teachers; they were luxury suites, arranged almost like a small compound on the edge of the campus. Here, anything they required would be brought to them at a single word. Meals, information, attendants, even security , all was provided without question.

They were meant to be treated as dignitaries, as leaders of their institutions. The separation was deliberate. It kept them from being pestered by the endless questions of curious guests, and more importantly, it ensured that if they did want to conduct private meetings, they could do so without interruption.

After all, the principals were figures of enormous importance in Alterian society. The elite, guild leaders, and wealthy patrons often sought to contact them. With the performances of the students on display during the exchange, these meetings could determine sponsorships, resources, and alliances that would shape an academy’s future for years to come.

In truth, however, because the Central Academy had dominated nearly every exchange in the past, these other principals rarely drew any attention. Very few had even bothered to request meetings with them. And so, when one of their own , Principal Wilton , failed to appear, his absence went largely unnoticed.

No one outside the circle of principals questioned it. Only they understood the significance. But if their suspicions were correct, then none of them dared voice it aloud. Speaking such a truth in public could bring ruin. Instead, they swallowed their unease and kept silent, forced to continue watching the events unfold as though nothing had happened.

The roar of the crowd filled the arena as the announcer’s magically amplified voice boomed across the coliseum.

“We welcome everyone to today’s grand event , the Group Stage Battles!”

The audience erupted in cheers. This was the spectacle many had been waiting for, a full-scale clash of academies, not just duels between individuals.

“The format,” the announcer continued, “is similar to the singles tournament. It will be a knockout event, but this time, all ten of the selected students from each academy will participate!”

Ten students per academy. Fifty combatants in total. The scale of it was unlike anything that had come before in this exchange.

“Because of the severity of this event, we will have ten teachers and staff members stationed around the battlefield. They will monitor closely and are authorized to intervene at any time if the fight grows too dangerous.”

The crowd murmured. Even with safeguards, the risk was immense.

“The rules remain the same as before. A student can be defeated if they are knocked out, if they surrender, or if one of the supervising teachers deems them unable to continue. Only when every member of a group has fallen will a winner be declared!”

Excitement rippled across the stands. This was not merely about strength , it was about teamwork, about strategy. Some remembered past exchanges where mages had combined their powers, weaving spells together to form devastating combinations. Others recalled academies protecting their healers or support units, structuring themselves like miniature armies.

It was never as simple as one group being stronger than the other. At least, that was how it had been for most academies. Central Academy was the exception. Their reputation was so overwhelming that people wondered if strategy even mattered when faced with such raw power.

The announcer’s voice rose again. “I am sure you are all wondering what will happen with the matchups, since there are only five academies present this year. How will the brackets be decided?”

The crowd hushed, waiting eagerly for the reveal.

“Because of Wilton Academy’s extraordinary performance , winning every single event so far , we have decided to grant them a reward. Wilton Academy will advance directly to the finals!”

The announcement shocked even the students of Wilton. None of them had been told in advance. Some had expected the Central Academy to force them into as many battles as possible, exhausting their strength, exposing their techniques, or even injuring them before the decisive match. But this… this was something different.

For the first time, the audience felt that an academy’s success had been properly acknowledged. This reward was deserved.

“It’s a shame,” one guest muttered to his companion. “I wanted to see what Wilton’s hidden strength really looks like. But I suppose the Central Academy must be feeling the pressure. They’ve become the underdogs in this exchange. Now they’ll have to prove themselves.”

The murmurs spread. Some were disappointed, others thrilled. But all of them knew that the anticipation for the finals had just grown tenfold.

The first of the group battles began.

The Central Academy stepped onto the field, their ten selected students taking their positions with confidence. Kelly was among them, standing tall at the backline. Their opponents looked visibly nervous, exchanging uncertain glances.

The clash began.

It was over in moments.

Kayzel moved first, and with blinding super speed he cut through the battlefield. Three enemy mages were down before they had even finished raising their staves. The crowd gasped at the sheer speed of it.

Nannan had vanished into invisibility, reappearing behind an unsuspecting student and striking them down with ruthless efficiency.

George’s gravitational magic surged outward, pinning the opposing backline in place, their spells collapsing before they could even be released.

The rest of Central clashed spell for spell, but the truth was clear: the match was already lost. Seconds after it began, it was over.

This time, there was no holding back. Unlike the earlier rounds, Central Academy was no longer hiding their strength. They displayed it openly, brutally, as though to send a message: they were too strong, individually and collectively, for any other academy to stand against.

The matches continued. As Central rested and healed, BIMM Academy entered the arena for their own bout.

Their strategy was unusual but effective. The entire group focused on protecting Lee Roy, forming a tight defensive circle around him. They did not waste energy striking at their enemies. Instead, they relied on Lee Roy’s unique tracking magic to whittle down their opponents. His attacks came from every angle, carefully calculated, until their enemies collapsed under the pressure.

It worked. BIMM claimed their victory and advanced.

The crowd expected the next match to be Central Academy versus BIMM. Many were curious to see the clash between Lee Roy’s strategy and Central’s overwhelming force.

But just as before, the announcement came.

BIMM had withdrawn.

Gasps of disappointment swept through the stands. Another academy bowing out. Another opportunity lost.

And so, the inevitable had arrived.

The fight that everyone had been waiting for. The revenge match that Central Academy craved.

Central Academy versus Wilton Academy.

The final confrontation between two powers that seemed destined to clash.

The air in the coliseum trembled with anticipation.

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