"If you're asking why I defeated that beast, why I chose to help you, or why I've saved all of you time and time again, there was no hidden intention behind my actions," Raze replied calmly.

"The answer is simple. We had the power to protect you. If I have the strength to make someone's life less painful, without interfering with my own goals, then I will act, as I have done now. I'm not asking for anything in return for what I've done."

Liam stood off to the side, a nervous smile creeping onto his face. He understood what Raze meant… but he also knew how his words might sound to everyone else. Raze had basically said that if helping them had interfered with his goals, he wouldn't have bothered.

And even if that was the truth, he didn't need to say it out loud.

"Our goal hasn't changed," Raze continued. "And most of what we've said to you in the past is still true. Alen knows some of what's going on, but not everything. Our actions aren't directly related to his."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"However, we came to this academy with the intention of entering the Magic Exchange Event. We still wish to participate, under this academy's name. That's all we're asking. To return to how things were before, and continue on."

A heavy silence followed. The teachers didn't know how to respond. Without even speaking to each other, they all understood the weight of the decision ahead of them.

If they chose to stay quiet about all of this, it would mean allowing someone from the Dark Guild to participate in one of the most important magical events in the entire continent. What if everything had been orchestrated to reach this exact moment?

If something major happened at the Central Academy, they would be held responsible. Their silence would mean they had enabled it.

But to believe that everything, the Underfang attack, Raze's intervention, the battles, they had all been staged… it was hard to accept. The actions of Raze and his companions had all seemed too genuine for that.

Just as the teachers were starting to truly consider the request, a voice rang out loud and bitter.

"What are you idiots thinking?!" Bronto snapped, unable to stay quiet any longer.

The silence had said everything he needed to hear, the teachers and even some of the students were actually considering allowing Raze and his group to stay.

He had never imagined things would turn this way. He'd heard there were sympathizers out there, people who had started to soften toward the Dark Guild after recent public events. But for students and teachers at a prestigious academy?

"I think you're all forgetting something very important!" Bronto shouted. "He's a Dark Mage, with an affinity for Dark Magic!"

He pointed at Raze like he was pointing at a criminal.

"No matter what he's done, no matter how many people he's saved, you all know why Dark Magic was outlawed."

And then, with impeccable timing, someone echoed the next truth aloud.

"It only grows stronger through death," Piba said, eyes wide.

"Exactly!" Bronto barked. "Think about it. You saw it for yourselves. How strong was his Dark Magic? It was terrifying! I haven't seen magic like that since the Dark Magus himself!"

He turned his gaze to the crowd, making sure they heard every word.

"That level of strength… it doesn't come from fighting a few beasts. He must have been surrounded by a lot of death. And don't kid yourselves, it wasn't just monsters."

The Pagna Warriors gritted their teeth. It wasn't fair. Bronto was twisting the truth, and everyone could feel it.

Raze didn't lie. He didn't deny what he'd done.

Yes, he had killed. And yes, many had died by his hand.

But none of them, none of these people, knew why. None of them knew the choices he had to make, the burdens he carried. And even if he explained, they wouldn't understand. To them, it would all sound like excuses.

"Look at him," Bronto sneered. "He's not even denying it!"

"Shut up!" Dame finally snapped, stepping forward with fire in his eyes. "Say one more word, and I'll make sure you lose every last tooth in your mouth."

Dame had held back until now. He'd been restraining himself, trying not to appear like the aggressor, not wanting to give the others a reason to paint them as villains.

But he couldn't take it anymore.

"You have no idea how many lives this man has saved, and continues to save!" Dame shouted. "Don't talk as if you know us. Don't act like you understand what we've been through!"

Bronto opened his mouth to respond, but quickly shut it when Dame raised his hand, daring him to try.

And then, what Raze did next stunned everyone.

The man who had just defeated a beast beyond their imagination, the same man who could destroy entire groups of warriors, got down on one knee.

Then, without hesitation, he bowed. His head touched the ground.

"Please," Raze said. "All I ask is that you pretend you never saw any of this. Just allow us to return and attend the Magic Exchange Event."

Gasps escaped the mouths of the teachers and students alike.

In the world of mages, power equaled status. High-star mages were treated like gods. They never bowed, not to lower-ranked mages, and certainly not to students.

But here was Raze, a Dark Mage no less, breaking every rule of status and pride. It didn't make sense.

But to Raze, none of that mattered. Formalities, pride, reputation, those meant nothing to him. If bowing meant he could get one step closer to his target, he would do it a hundred times over.

"Stop it!" Londo suddenly shouted, his voice cracking with emotion.

"You shouldn't have to bow to these people! You saved their lives, they should be thanking you! I can't stand seeing them treat you like this!"

His fists were clenched, his voice trembling.

"Why? Why are you still being so nice to all of these idiots?!"

Londo's words echoed across the battlefield, and for a moment, no one had an answer.

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