Raze knew someone had accessed his secret room in the academy, one that required Dark Magic to even activate the entrance.

Thankfully, he had a second, deeper compartment they hadn't found.

Still, the fact that anyone else could use a Dark Magus enchantment meant something troubling. It might not be one of the Grand Magus themselves, but there was a high chance it was someone under them.

After all, Dark Magic wasn't something you could just casually pick up. This also meant the Grand Magus side already had a Dark Mage working for them, even before this whole mess with the Dark Guild began.

Londo was probably right. It was likely some elaborate publicity stunt designed to make the Dark Guild look bad. But this tactic felt a little... off. It seemed too new to simply be part of an ongoing plan.

"So is that why you were looking for me?" Londo asked.

"Right," Raze replied. "I wanted to know if you were trying to harm students in some way. You should know, the Dark Guild is not what the public makes it out to be."

Though Raze, as the Dark Magus, never intended to harm innocent people... he couldn't be entirely sure whether Harvey's vision of the Dark Guild perfectly aligned with his own.

For now, Harvey claimed to do everything for the sake of the Dark Magus. But that was based on Harvey's own interpretation of who the Dark Magus was supposed to be.

"Of course not," Londo replied. "There's a reason I managed to reach the rank of Void Binder. I'm not as foolish as some of those who join the Dark Guild thinking there are hidden motives at play."

As the two continued walking a circuit around the academy, late at night when hardly any students were around, there was still some time before they would reach the dormitory.

Just to be safe, Raze had been maintaining a silent wind spell around them the entire time, ensuring that no one could eavesdrop on their conversation.

"If you don't mind me asking," Raze said, "you seem to have strong feelings for the Dark Guild. Is there a reason for that?"

He noticed a small smile creep onto Londo's face. The question was personal, so Raze hadn't expected him to answer. If Londo chose to stay silent, Raze wouldn't press.

"I'm actually quite new to the Dark Guild," Londo said. "And yet I managed to reach the rank of Void Binder quickly."

"That's because of my intellect and natural talent, of course. I don't know how long you've been in the Dark Guild. At the meetings, most of us wear those robes that hide our faces anyway."

He paused. "But I joined after the recent grand event."

"Recent event?" Raze asked, curious. Had something happened while he was away?

"I'm talking about the day the Grand Magus returned," Londo said. "You should know about it. They attacked a particular guild, and exposed all of their crimes.

"Not only that, but they did it without allowing a single hostage to be harmed. Only those tied to the guild were targeted."

He clenched his fists slightly. "And the Dark Guild was right to do it. That guild was scum."

Londo's voice hardened. "My mother and father were mages in a small guild. To eliminate competition, a joint guild operation was launched. During the mission, they purposely abandoned my father's guild, left them to die.

"My father and his entire guild perished.

"My mother tried to work as a freelance mage, but they blocked her at every step.

"She couldn't join any other guilds because of the slander they spread about my father and his guild."

Londo's voice grew bitter. "They made up lies, and because of their reputation, everyone believed them. In this world, reputation and status are everything.

"The higher the guild, the stronger the mage, and whatever they say becomes the truth.

"After years of struggle, my mother took her own life. That's when I swore I'd never forgive the guild that caused all of this."

He exhaled slowly. "But how was a single mage like me supposed to fight an entire guild? As talented as I was, it would take years to get my revenge.

"Then... I witnessed the Dark Guild in action. They did what I dreamed of doing. And not just them, the Dark Magus himself led the charge. His appearance, when he declared his return... that was his message to the world.

"So I joined the guild. I worked hard. And with my talent, I rose quickly through the ranks."

He smiled faintly. "I'm not sure if I believe the rumors, that the new Dark Magus is a reincarnation of the old one... or if he used some kind of spell to become younger and stronger.

"Maybe it's a different person entirely. But either way, I hope I can help the Dark Magus in any way I can.

"And when I rise high enough... I hope to meet him face to face. To say one thing, thank you."

Raze turned his head to the side, hiding a small smile.

He had never planned to become some kind of symbol. Never intended to be thanked. He was simply doing what he needed to do for himself.

But hearing Londo's words... he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. Perhaps it isn't so bad, he thought. Perhaps I'm happy with how I'm viewed within the Dark Guild after all.

"And you," Londo asked, "how did you join the Dark Guild?"

Up ahead, Raze spotted the dormitory building.

"I'll tell you the full story another time," Raze said, his tone calm. "But for the same reason as you... there are those I wish to punish.

"Unfortunately, the Dark Magus hasn't reached them yet."

****

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