Dark Magus Returns - Chapter 1448: The Weight of Victory

Chapter 1448: The Weight of Victory

The crowd had a clear view of the contestants stepping forward for the next round, and the air buzzed with anticipation. They had already witnessed the extraordinary abilities of fighters like Lee Roy and George, each boasting powerful special affinities and unique traits that had left lasting impressions.

But there was still one mystery yet to be revealed. None of the Central Academy’s students had demonstrated their powers so far, and that secrecy only fueled the crowd’s excitement. After all, they had seen what Nannan could do. If that was only a taste, then surely the Central Academy was saving something incredible for this moment.

“Hey, there’s a good chance we’re going to see something impressive today, right?” one spectator said, leaning toward his friend.

“Right. Everyone’s guessing the Central Academy’s been keeping this Kayzel student hidden just for this event,” the friend replied. “I guess it gives them an advantage, keeping their opponent’s abilities a mystery. But honestly… I think they’re doing it for the drama.”

In front of the massive audience, nearly fifty thousand strong, a glowing magical device suddenly illuminated, floating in the air like a suspended sheet of light. It was a shimmering projection, almost like a screen made of pure magic.

This was no mere display. The device was here for the audience to place their bets.

Just like in the earlier competition involving the portals, no real currency was being wagered. Instead, the reward for guessing correctly was crystals, valuable enough that everyone was tempted to participate.

This year, the odds of winning were better. Each academy had two competing students, but the audience only had to predict which one of them would win overall.

When Alen glanced at the glowing panel in front of him, a small smile tugged at his lips.

Well, I’m not even sure what to pick, he thought. If he uses his real power, then he’s bound to win. But would he actually do that in an event like this?

His gaze shifted downward toward the stage, where he caught sight of Raze. The boy wasn’t looking at his opponent, or even the crowd. Instead, his eyes were fixed on one area only: the section where the principals were seated.

That was enough for Alen to make his decision.

“Wilton Academy will win it,” Alen declared confidently.

A few people nearby smirked or let out soft chuckles. Some had also chosen Wilton Academy, though for them, it was more of a gamble than a conviction. Most would never have considered it until today, and even now, it still felt like a long shot.

The results of the betting began to register, though only the principals gathered together in their private viewing room could see the numbers coming in.

“Well, will you look at that, Wilton!” one of the principals remarked, leaning forward with mild surprise. “It seems your students have done a fine job of getting the crowd on their side. Is that… close to twenty-five percent of the audience thinking Wilton’s going to win?”

“After what the academy has shown so far, it’s no surprise,” another principal replied.

“True, but it’s still a shot in the dark. Look, five percent have voted for BIMM.”

“That has to be thanks to what that Lee Roy fellow showed earlier. I must say… this year might be the most interesting one yet.”

Out of the five academies present, only three had received any votes at all. Central Academy was overwhelmingly predicted to take first place. Ibarin, however, kept silent. The results didn’t please him, in fact, they frustrated him more than he cared to admit.

“All right, with no time to waste, you all know the rules, you all know the spectacle you’re here to see, so let’s begin!” the announcer called out.

The magical screen shifted, displaying the first two students stepping onto the battlefield. The first was George, the towering Central Academy student with the amulet-covered body.

Interestingly, the glowing betting panels remained active in front of the audience. This meant that after the first round of matches, guests would be given the chance to change their predictions if they wished, a clever way to keep the energy high and the wagers shifting.

George strode confidently toward the stage, his armor-like amulet pieces catching the light. His opponent was the same female student who had appeared earlier, the one capable of altering her magic to create different scenic effects.

“I don’t think your unique trait is going to help you much in this fight,” George said coolly as he approached.

The student looked nervous but stood her ground, waiting for the official start. The referee raised his hand.

“Match… start!”

Immediately, she lifted one arm, gripping her wrist with the other for support. A swirling flame began to form in her palm, growing larger and hotter, until it spun like a miniature sun.

It was an impressive and clever use of combination magic, exactly the kind of skill expected from a top student. With a burst of force, the fireball blasted forward, its size and speed enough to make the crowd gasp.

But George didn’t flinch. His expression stayed calm, almost bored. From a considerable distance away, he slammed his palm into the ground.

The fireball’s path abruptly changed. It plunged downward, smashing into the stage floor before detonating in a wave of flames.

The explosion filled the space with smoke and heat, momentarily obscuring the view. In that brief cover, the female student suddenly felt her legs buckle beneath her. She collapsed, hitting the ground hard. No matter how she strained, her arms and legs refused to move.

“My special affinity isn’t for show,” George said as he stepped into view, his voice low but firm. “Unlike your magic, mine is designed for practical combat.”

In a blink, he was beside her, his other hand starting to crackle with light as he began casting again.

The officials moved instantly. “Stop! The first match is over! The winner, George of Central Academy!”

The crowd erupted in cheers so loud they rattled the arena. The betting panels updated almost immediately, Wilton’s thirty percent dropped to a mere five, while BIMM’s share sank to a single percent.

“Haha… this will be fun,” Ibarin said, his eyes narrowing.

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