After deliberating on what to do for a while, and watching both students and teachers stand frozen in silence, Raze made his decision. He would return to where the others were.

If he could still solve the situation the way he had originally planned, then that was the best course of action. But to do that, he needed to get a sense of how the students and teachers were reacting to him now.

As he walked back, Raze extended his hand. A flicker of dark magic appeared in the air. His sword had already been stored away, and now, using his dark magic, he began to switch his outfit from his specialized Blazer gear to the standard school uniform.

"That should make me appear more approachable to them, right?" he thought.

Watching the scene unfold, Dame couldn't help but shake his head. He understood what Raze was trying to do, but there was a problem. The issue was that Raze had used the very magic that everyone feared: Dark Magic.

As Raze got closer, he could clearly see the students' expressions. Many of them had stepped back, their eyes filled with unease and fear.

"What are you doing?" Safa said, turning around sharply, her voice tinged with frustration. "Raze just saved all of us. He fought against that massive beast, not just now, but he's protected you multiple times before. And this is how you treat him?!"

"We can't help it!" one of the students shouted. "He knows taboo magic! He knows cursed magic! Things have always been weird with you transfer students from the start… Are you part of the Dark Guild?!"

Safa didn't understand where all this hostility was coming from, and neither did Liam or Beatrix. But the teachers… they understood. In fact, their reactions were even stronger than the students'.

Because the truth was, they had grown up being taught the same fear.

In the background, Bronto was silently smiling. This was exactly what he had expected to happen. The moment Raze revealed his powers, they would all turn on him.

"Dark Magic has been one of the greatest taboos in the world for generations," Bronto thought. "They've all been conditioned to believe that only the worst kinds of people study Dark Magic. So much so that anyone found using it is executed immediately, along with anyone even close to them."

"The teachers have lived even longer lives than the students. They've had even more time to absorb the fear and hatred toward Dark Magic and the Dark Guild. No matter what strength you show today, Raze… it won't be enough to change their minds."

When Raze took another step forward, the group collectively stepped back. Even Safa and the other students who had stood by him found themselves surrounded by those inching away from them as well.

This was the true state of Alterian.

"Is this why you wanted me to do all of this, Alen?" Raze wondered. "Because even if the Grand Magus are defeated, it won't matter… if the people's way of thinking doesn't change."

The situation didn't look good, but Raze had somewhat expected this. So instead of trying to convince everyone, he focused on the few he might still reach.

His eyes locked onto two of the academy's top-ranked students: Yolden and Chiba.

"Do you remember when we had our first tutoring session?" Raze asked, directing his voice to them. "I asked you both to make a list. One about what you thought of the Grand Magus… and one about what you believed regarding the Dark Guild."

Now, the signs were undeniable. Yolden and Chiba both clearly understood, Raze was associated with the Dark Guild. Yet, they still listened as he continued speaking gently.

"What I want is for you to judge me based on my actions. Yes, I use Dark Magic, just like others use different kinds of magic. I did it because it needed to be done in that moment, for the sake of survival.

"If I am truly a member of the Dark Guild… and if every interaction you've had with me has been positive, then hasn't your only experience with a Dark Mage been a good one?"

He didn't stop there.

"Now look at the Underfang Guild. They attacked us. They forced the students to choose which one of them should be killed. They're under the control of the Cerberus Guild, which is loyal to the Grand Magus.

"If you really think back on everything that's happened, on how we've acted and how they've acted, then I hope you're able to decide for yourselves who the real enemy is."

There was one thing Raze and his group had done consistently since arriving at the academy: they had made a strong impression.

And that was something Bronto didn't account for.

Raze had always been kind to the students. Safa, the Saintess, had healed their wounds without hesitation. Beatrix and Dame were always respectful and helpful. Every interaction they'd had with the academy's students had been sincere and positive, even when their lives weren't at risk.

There wasn't a single student, or teacher, who could honestly say a bad word about them.

Which was why Raze's words, urging them to judge by actions, struck deeper than anyone expected. Deeper than even Bronto had anticipated.

If anything, the students weren't angry that Raze used Dark Magic… they were upset they had seen it. Upset that now they were being forced to question what they'd been taught all their lives.

"Raze…" Luka finally said, stepping forward. "You said before that you came here on an investigation, because of Alen. But I doubt Alen knows you're using Dark Magic.

"Which means there must be another reason why you joined the academy… right?" Luka continued, narrowing his eyes. "So tell us, what's the real reason you're here? Or more importantly… what is it that you want from us?"

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