Chapter 1490: Masks in the Dark

In the end, the Central Academy students had no real choice, at least, that was how it felt. Reluctant, fearful, and uncertain, they found themselves following behind Raze and Kelly wherever they were leading them.

Their footsteps were heavy, their hearts heavier still. Many of them couldn’t stop staring at Raze, the thought gnawing at them: he had somehow obtained George’s special affinity. That single detail left an uncomfortable weight pressing down on everyone’s chest. It made them question everything.

If he has George’s affinity, doesn’t that mean he really did steal our powers? some thought. Others clung stubbornly to the belief that it had all been the Grand Magus’ fault, that the pills were the true reason. Yet doubt lingered, poisoning the air between them.

“The Grand Magus will punish us for this, without question,” one muttered under his breath. “But… can we really believe it was all just because of the pills?”

“Where do you think he’s taking us?” Nannan finally asked aloud, her voice tight with unease.

“Maybe to one of the teachers at Wilton,” Bones suggested grimly. “Or maybe he’s planning to smuggle us out of the Academy entirely. But sneaking a group this large? That’ll be nearly impossible. And now, after openly going against the Grand Magus, we’re practically fugitives.”

That word, fugitives, echoed in their minds. They weren’t just students anymore. They were rebels, branded by their own inaction, marked by their association with Raze. And worst of all, they worried for their families. How would the Academy explain this to them? Would their parents be punished, their homes destroyed? Everyone here knew the Grand Magus’ influence stretched far. Far enough that even the Dark Guild might not be able to oppose it.

Thankfully, as their tense march continued, some of their anxiety eased when they noticed Raze steering them back toward the celebrations. The closer they got to the noise and lights of the venue, the safer it felt. At least in a crowd, they couldn’t simply be dragged away without witnesses.

Before they fully stepped back into the open, Raze stopped. With a wave of his hand, he produced a bundle of masks and tossed one to each student.

“They’re the same masks the Wilton students used during the events,” Raze explained flatly. “I’m sure you remember how useful they were. We can’t assume Ibarin will hesitate, he may already have sent people after you. From this moment forward, we move quietly, and we move in secret.”

The students caught the masks, turning them over in their hands. Some hesitated, unwilling to place the disguise over their faces, but Raze’s tone left no room for debate.

In truth, part of the reason Raze had arrived late to rescue them earlier was because he had been preparing for exactly this situation. He knew it wouldn’t be as simple as just defeating a few staff members. He knew the real danger was the storm that would follow.

Even Raze donned a mask. It wasn’t the same one he had once given to Alen, the special artifact that allowed him to copy faces flawlessly. These were simpler, ordinary disguises, crude yet effective enough to alter their appearances.

As they began walking again, Raze cast a silence spell around the group. Only then did they realize they could speak freely without fear of being overheard.

“So where exactly are we going?” Kayzel asked, suspicion sharp in his voice. “Are you taking us to someone at Wilton? To your principal?”

“Do you really think Wilton, or its principal, could help you in this situation?” Raze replied coolly. “If the Grand Magus demanded it, they would cave in without hesitation. No. We’re going to someone who can actually do something.”

They slipped toward the far corner of the venue. Staff members patrolled in pairs, their eyes scanning the crowd. Sometimes it seemed like they were looking for someone in particular. Other times, it was impossible to tell if they were simply guarding against trouble. The tension made every student’s heart race faster.

When they reached the far wall, Raze scanned the area. Seeing no one nearby, he stomped his foot against the ground.

The earth trembled. Stones shifted. A hidden staircase revealed itself, spiraling downward into darkness.

“I really don’t like this,” Bones muttered nervously.

“Well,” Kayzel snapped back, “either you come with us, or you stay behind and throw yourself back into the arms of the Grand Magus. Your choice.”

With that, Raze moved first, Kelly close beside him. One by one, the rest of the students followed. As soon as the last pair of feet descended, the earth closed up above them, sealing the staircase behind.

The air grew damp and cold, and the only sound was the shuffle of boots against stone.

“Are we even going to be able to breathe down here?” Nannan asked, her voice echoing slightly.

“Don’t worry,” Raze answered. “There are shafts and cracks leading to the surface. Air passes through. It’s not a place to live forever, but you’ll survive long enough.”

The atmosphere pressed in around them, and Raze couldn’t help but be reminded of the assessment he had once endured in Pagna. A dark, confined place. A trial of survival. Back then, many had died. And here he was again, leading frightened students into the unknown.

Finally, as they reached the bottom, a figure stood waiting in the shadows. When the students’ eyes adjusted, they gasped in shock.

“That’s… Alen Flen!” Nannan exclaimed. “He’s one of the high-ranking officials in the military, isn’t he?”

“Right,” Bones added quickly. “And didn’t Aurora, his sister, used to be a student at Central Academy too? She was famous for her talent. What’s he doing here? Don’t tell me… is he part of the Dark Guild as well?”

The man stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “I am not.”

The students froze at his stern denial.

“However,” Alen continued, his eyes narrowing, “I am well aware of the Grand Magus’ wrongdoings. And I, like you, am trapped in this same situation. That is why we must work together.”

*****

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