Chapter 1380: Shadows in the Halls

Just like the last time they had spoken, Raze and Londo found themselves walking through the academy’s halls once again.

It was late.

The moonlight barely trickled in through the windows, casting long shadows along the stone corridors. The students were long in their dorms, fast asleep or pretending to be. The academy was silent... mostly.

There was, however, one key difference tonight.

As the two strolled through the dim halls, they passed several members of staff on quiet patrol. Each time, the staff would offer a polite nod as they passed, but never asked any questions. They weren’t concerned with why the two were out this late. Their presence was simply a check, a precaution.

It was clear that this extra security was the result of the recent events. Raze guessed the decision had come from Luka, Panla, or perhaps Redrick.

And honestly, he didn’t think it was a bad idea.

If the Underfang Guild

had

been working with the Dark Guild, and if the Dark Guild truly was as dangerous as their reputation suggested, then the risk wasn’t over. Not even close. They wouldn’t want witnesses left behind. If anything, they’d be the type to come back and

clean up

their mistakes.

And in Raze’s case, that made him a clear target.

As they continued to walk, Raze noticed something else. Londo’s entire demeanor had changed.

The first time they had walked these halls, Londo had practically dripped arrogance. They were supposedly from the same faction, yet Londo had spoken like a superior. His words had been laced with warning, as if Raze was some unpredictable variable he needed to keep in check.

But now?

Now, Londo walked silently.

Not a single smug word. Not even a glance to assert himself. And though he was the one who had come knocking at Raze’s door tonight, he had remained completely quiet since they began walking.

Still, Raze didn’t press him. He didn’t want to rush whatever this was. And honestly, he found a strange comfort in the silence as they wandered the quiet halls of the academy. It gave him time to think.

He needed that.

The Magical Exchange was coming soon, a multi-day event that brought together not just one, but several academies. An ideal stage to make a move. There would be moments, chances, he just needed to find the

right

one.

A perfect opportunity to take down

Ibarin

.

But things had changed. His objective had shifted. Now, it wasn’t just about vengeance, it was about truth. About proof. About exposing Ibarin for the things he had done behind the curtain. If he could find that mysterious memory item at the Central Academy, it could change everything.

The drugs I was framed for... that might be the thread I need,

Raze thought.

If they’re still circulating, I can use that. Tie it to Gizin, then to Ibarin. Everything could unravel from there.

The silence between them lingered, until, finally, Londo broke it.

"I want to say something," he said quietly.

They had already completed three laps of the academy’s inner halls by then.

Raze turned his head slightly but didn’t interrupt.

"First... I want to apologize for how I acted when we first met," Londo continued. "I’ve dealt with members of the Dark Guild before. And sometimes, the only way to gain their respect is to act like you’re already

above

them. To posture."

"I thought you were the same."

He paused, then bowed his head, deeply. Once. Twice. Then a third time.

"I’m sorry."

Raze didn’t say a word, letting the apology hang in the air.

Londo lifted his head again, and his voice trembled just slightly, enough to betray something real behind it.

"I also apologize because... I thought we were equals. That we stood on the same level."

He turned to Raze, locking eyes with him.

"But I was wrong, wasn’t I? You’re the Dark Magus... aren’t you?"

"The same one that appeared on the broadcast."

His voice wasn’t accusing. It wasn’t fearful. It was filled with awe.

For the first time, the dull, almost lifeless look that had clouded Londo’s eyes began to fade.

They sparked.

Glinted.

Raze could feel the intensity growing beside him, the subtle pull of admiration, of belief. Of

recognition

.

I suppose it was bound to happen eventually,

Raze thought.

Sooner or later, everyone in the Dark Guild is going to find out who I am. Maybe it’s better to have at least one follower, someone who I can control if needed. Someone who knows magic... and the world... better than most.

"You’re right," Raze finally answered, turning his gaze toward Londo. "I am the Dark Magus. I didn’t tell you before because... it’s better if no one, even those inside the Dark Guild, knows that I’m here."

"I’m doing something important," he added. "And I don’t want the Dark Guild involved."

Londo immediately shook his head, firm and fast.

"You’re the Dark Magus," he said. "You can do as you please. You don’t need to give reasons. I know you have a goal, something larger than any of us understand. And now that I’ve confirmed it for myself... there’s something I’ve always wanted to say to you."

They stopped walking.

For a moment, the corridor was silent, just the distant hum of magic-infused lanterns lighting the halls.

They turned toward each other, eyes locking.

From the outside, it almost looked like something out of a romance novel. Two figures under the academy’s glow, standing a breath apart, words heavy in the air.

"I want to thank you," Londo said, his voice steady. "I mentioned it last time, why I joined the Dark Guild. So I’m sure you already know why this matters."

"I never thought I’d meet you. And if I did... I figured it would only be from afar, maybe watching you from the shadows. But now, to have you right beside me, to be walking these halls with you, I had to take the chance to say it."

Raze stared at him, and in that moment, he realized just how young Londo really was.

Unlike Raze, who only

pretended

to be a student, Londo actually

was

one.

He was still just a kid.

After everything Londo had been through, it was no wonder he had ended up joining a group like the Dark Guild, an organization built by people who had been hurt, wronged, or cast out by the world.

And now, looking back, Raze could see it more clearly. All the things Londo had said when they first met, the arrogance, the superiority, it wasn’t from ego. It was defense. A way to protect himself. A way to feel

in control

in a world that never let him be.

Maybe any high-ranking member in the Guild, with Londo’s level of skill, would’ve acted the same.

"You don’t have to tell me your plans," Londo said after a moment, breaking the silence. "Or why you’re going to the Central Academy."

He hesitated, then asked carefully, "But... how are you like this? In such a young body?"

"You said you’re the Dark Magus. Are you a new one? Or... are you the same Dark Magus from the past?"

Raze scratched the back of his head. He’d told this story to very few, only those closest to him. No one in Alterian knew the whole truth.

Until now.

"The situation’s... complicated," Raze replied.

But in this moment, he felt at ease.

If the truth about Londo were discovered, he’d be hunted across all of Alterian. Raze understood that fear, and he knew Londo wouldn’t share what he was about to hear.

So, he told him.

He explained how he had discovered an ancient artifact, one that gave him a second chance at life. How he woke up in a different body, in a different

world

, and how that world didn’t rely on magic. Instead, it relied on strength, tools, and willpower.

He told him how, through countless battles and challenges, he’d worked to reclaim the strength he once had. How he had grown, perhaps not to the same level of magic as before, but in other ways. He had learned how to wield a sword, to rely on skill and instinct rather than raw magical force.

And that journey had shaped him.

Londo listened intently, eyes wide with awe, drinking in every word.

He was captivated. The legend of the Dark Magus was already something people whispered about with reverence, but to hear the true story? To learn about his trials and transformation?

It only made Londo’s admiration stronger.

People had no idea what the Dark Magus had gone through. If they did, if they heard it from his own lips, there would be far more sympathizers across Alterian. Whether they believed it or not was another matter, but the story itself... was powerful.

"Wait," Londo said suddenly, "That other world, where they fought with their fists and weapons... does that mean the other transfer students with you, they’re from there too?"

Raze nodded.

"Some of them, yeah. Things may look a little different because we found a number of artifacts and tools to help us emulate magic as best we could. And then, well... there’s people like Safa."

He let out a small chuckle.

"She’s just naturally gifted."

Londo’s mind was spinning with questions. How did the Dark Guild start? What was the true reason behind his hatred for the Grand Magus? What kind of world had Raze truly come from?

But he stopped himself.

If Raze had still been just another student to him, he never would’ve dared ask so much. But even now, knowing who he truly was, Londo didn’t want to overstep.

"I won’t take up more of your time," Londo said, bowing once more. "But I’ll say this, and I mean it, I’ll do my best to help you at the Cultural Exchange. No matter what you ask of me."

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