Dark Magus Returns

"Fear the unseen," Londo said calmly.

"For we are always near," Raze replied without hesitation.

At first, when Harvey had introduced both the phrase and the entire structure of the Dark Guild to him, Raze had thought it was a little cringey.

Honestly, it had been hard for him to even say the phrase out loud at first. But now, running such a discreet group himself, he was starting to appreciate how useful those words could be, especially when identifying an ally during moments like this.

"I just had to check," Londo said, his expression neutral. "With how skilled you are and what you've shown so far... what's your position? So I know how to address you properly."

Raze lifted a hand and tapped the side of his head, as though sorting through old memories.

He remembered when he'd first been introduced to the Dark Guild, the ranking system, the pecking order.

*If I remember correctly… Shadow Acolyte was at the bottom. They only knew Dark Magic at the one or two-star level.

Above them were the Void Binders, mages who mastered Dark Magic at the four-star level or higher.

Then there were the Nightcallers, the founders of the guild. Kelly and the cat, Sophie, held those titles.

Harvey himself was the Dread Magister, the one who led them.

And above even that... was the Dark Spirit, the Dark Magus. Me.*

Raze smiled inwardly. Of course, I can't reveal that to him. He wouldn't believe me if I did. Besides, I haven't even met up with Harvey or Kelly yet.

In the end, Raze crafted a safe response.

"I am... a Void Binder," Raze answered smoothly.

The title explained his level of skill with magic. And if he ever needed to openly use Dark Magic, this would justify it.

But there was another reason Raze had chosen that rank, if Londo turned out to be a Shadow Acolyte, it would make it easier to ask for his help.

"Oh, I see." Londo smiled. "I suppose we're both the same rank, then. No need for me to address you formally."

The quiet, mysterious boy seemed composed. If only the others knew just how highly some praised him, Raze thought.

"I have a few questions to ask, if you don't mind," Raze said. "Shall we take a walk?"

As the two of them strolled through the academy's grounds, Raze prepared to ask what he needed. But Londo was the first to speak.

"The phrase you taught that Liam transfer student," Londo began. "The fact that you came out instead of him... it makes me assume that the other transfers aren't part of the Dark Guild."

"They are not," Raze answered truthfully.

At least, they weren't recognized yet. There will be a time and place for that, he thought. But with the strict rules Harvey set... would he even allow those who don't know Dark Magic to join?

There was a reason only those with Dark Magic were allowed into the guild. A crux had been placed on them, they were hunted by the world, unified by their outcast status.

Allowing those without Dark Magic carried its own risks. But Raze was the Dark Magus, surely he could convince Harvey to change that rule, since the guild had been formed around him in the first place.

"I will have to report this matter to those above," Londo said. "Even if you are a Void Binder, you should know the phrase is not something that should be shared with outsiders. Now they may use it unknowingly. I hope you won't hold it against me."

"Not at all," Raze replied with a fake smile. "Report it to the Dread Magister, if you really wish."

For some reason, the young man's attitude was beginning to grate on him. But Raze forced himself to let it go. Londo was a skilled student, after all.

"So," Londo asked, "is there a reason you're here? Have you been given a task?"

"I have. Directly from the Dread Magister himself," Raze said, wearing a smug smile.

"I see. But I'm sure the Dread Magister still wouldn't approve of your methods," Londo said flatly. "So I'll still report you."

"It's fine, as I said," Raze replied. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something. During the item selection portion of the assessment, those Dark Gloves... were you responsible for planting them?"

Londo shook his head, and then even let out a loud chuckle, showing how foolish the idea was.

"Do you think I'd do something so foolish?" Londo asked. "And is there any reason for me to? We only act in ways that benefit the goals of the Dark Guild. I noticed those gloves as well."

"I wasn't sure whether to take them or not," he continued. "When you picked them up, I honestly thought you were being reckless. But I suppose I should have known, you must have had your reasons."

He took a breath. "From what I know, items like that are gifted to the academy. I've come to two conclusions: either they expected the academy to find out, these gifts have likely been given to several academies. That way, they can paint the Dark Guild in a bad light.

"Or... someone genuinely wishes to harm the students here. But as far as I know, we're the only two Dark Mages. And I doubt someone like you would know how to enchant."

Raze inwardly shook his head. The thing is... aside from discovering cursed items, only a Dark Mage can create dark artifacts.

If someone is trying to damage the guild's reputation... does that mean the Grand Magus has someone else who knows Dark Magic?

Raze's eyes narrowed slightly.

I would expect no less from them, he thought.

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