Dark Magus Returns - Chapter 1454: Kayzel's Mood (Part 1)

Chapter 1454: Kayzel’s Mood (Part 1)

Those who had stepped into the colossal coliseum today, whether they were seasoned attendees or newcomers, had already heard the name Kayzel. His reputation wasn’t something whispered about in dark corners or kept under the lock and key of secrecy. Unlike other prodigies whose pasts remained wrapped in mystery, Kayzel’s history was openly displayed for all to see.

It wasn’t hidden. It wasn’t downplayed.

Because he was so open about what he was, and because everyone knew that a spawn of the Grand Magus walked among the students of the Central Academy, there was an unspoken consensus. Even without an official ranking system, people had a strong suspicion, almost a certainty, that Kayzel was the strongest student in the entire academy. There was no board that declared it, no tournament results that proved it beyond doubt, but the belief was there all the same, woven into the murmurs of the crowd.

When Kayzel finally strode out onto the vast stage, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. The low hum of conversation grew into a wave of cheers, applause rolling across the arena like distant thunder. With a calm, almost regal air, he lifted his hands toward the audience, offering a polite, measured wave.

“Oh, the kid’s quite the gentleman, acknowledging the crowd like that,” one spectator remarked, leaning forward with interest.

“Or he’s just unbelievably big-headed,” another scoffed. “I mean, we’ve cheered for every single fighter so far, but he acts like he’s some kind of king or something.”

“Well… considering who he is, I suppose he’s the closest thing we have to an unofficial prince. If the Grand Magus are our leaders, then he’s practically royalty by association,” a third voice chimed in, half-serious.

The comments surrounding Kayzel were a mixed bag, admiration from some, suspicion and resentment from others. His existence wasn’t universally celebrated. For some, the idea of someone like him, someone whose talent and strength so clearly hinted that he could one day ascend to the position of Grand Magus, was unsettling. If he reached that height, it could shift the balance of everything, and not necessarily in their favor.

As for his opponent, she was simply another female student standing opposite him on the grand stage. Kayzel didn’t even bother to recall her name. She wasn’t a stranger to the academy, but she wasn’t a notable figure either. The only real mark she had made was her participation in the group portal expedition earlier in the event. Beyond that, she had remained quiet, almost invisible.

The announcer’s voice boomed, signaling the start of the match.

Much like in previous battles, the student didn’t hesitate. She launched her first attack the moment the signal was given, wind magic, sharp and fast, whipping toward Kayzel in cutting streams. It was a common opening move, one taught across countless academies. There was a good reason for it, it provided a strong, reliable foundation to build upon at the start of a fight, allowing the caster to quickly gauge their opponent’s reaction.

However, before the attack could land, Kayzel moved. He didn’t summon an elaborate spell or conjure a barrier. Instead, he stepped forward, covering both his hands in crackling lightning. The air around his fingers hummed with electricity as he sliced them through the incoming gust.

The moment his lightning-clad hands cut through the wind, the magic dispersed into nothing, shredded into harmless air.

And then… he stopped. Kayzel didn’t retaliate. He didn’t counter with an attack of his own. He simply stood there, relaxed, as though he had all the time in the world.

The girl hesitated at first, her brow furrowing. But when it became clear he was content to wait, frustration began to bubble beneath her calm exterior.

Wind was her primary element. It was her strength, the magic she had relied on for years, so she leaned into it. One after another, she fired off a flurry of quick, slicing blades of wind. Each cut through the air with a sharp hiss, aimed to overwhelm him through sheer speed and precision.

Yet, each time, Kayzel met the attack with the same effortless motion, hands flashing upward, lightning flaring, slicing the gusts apart before they could reach him.

The display was simple, but the control it showed was staggering. He didn’t need complex incantations or overwhelming force. Instead, he relied on precise timing, strength, and absolute mastery over his magic.

Watching him dismantle each spell with such casual precision left more than a few spectators impressed, their eyes widening as the realization hit them, Kayzel wasn’t just powerful, he was in complete control.

They couldn’t help but wonder, why didn’t he simply wait until the wind strikes were close enough before cutting them down? Why waste movement by meeting them early? The thought passed quickly, replaced by a growing tension in the crowd.

The girl, clearly frustrated that none of her previous attacks had landed, decided to escalate. She raised her hands, magic flaring in an instant, and conjured a swirling wind vortex.

As it surged forward, the vortex coiled around Kayzel, the air wrapping around him with incredible force until it took the towering, violent shape of a tornado. From the outside, all that could be seen was a wall of twisting wind, spinning so fast it blurred into a single, destructive funnel.

But inside… inside was chaos. Sharp wind strikes were whipping in every direction, each one capable of slicing through stone, tearing apart anything, or anyone, trapped within. The sound alone was vicious, like hundreds of blades carving through the air.

When the vortex finally lost momentum and began to unravel, all eyes strained to see what was left behind.

Kayzel emerged, his body marked by deep cuts from the relentless strikes, thin trails of blood dripping to the arena floor. The sight drew a collective gasp from the stands. But before the shock could settle, a faint, almost ethereal white glow began to spread over his entire body.

The glow pulsed softly, and before their very eyes, the wounds started closing. Blood stopped flowing, skin knit together, and muscle mended itself with remarkable speed.

“What… what is this? Am I seeing things, or is Kayzel… a Light mage?” one spectator stammered.

“He might not primarily be a Light mage, but he definitely has Light magic in his arsenal. That, there’s no mistaking it, that’s healing magic!”

“And that speed…” another voice chimed in, sounding both awed and unsettled. “It’s almost as impressive as that girl from Wilton. Do you think he has the God Eyes too?”

Speculation buzzed through the crowd like electricity. None of them could see any sign of the God Eyes now, nor had Kayzel shown them openly. Still, the fact that he could wield Light magic at this level was enough to leave an impression. If it had been anyone else, they might have brushed it aside, dismissing him as just another non-combat Light mage.

But this wasn’t just anyone. This was the unofficial son of Idore, one of the Grand Magus whose most prominent and feared attribute was Light magic. That connection made his display all the more significant.

Kayzel didn’t give the murmurs time to fade. Without warning, he flicked his hand and hurled a bolt of lightning straight at his opponent.

The girl reacted fast, slamming her palms toward the ground and summoning a wall of earth to rise up between them. Dirt and stone burst upward, forming a thick barrier to intercept the attack.

But the lightning didn’t behave the way she expected. The bolt halted midair for the briefest moment, then snapped sideways in an unpredictable arc, bypassing the wall entirely and striking her directly.

The moment it connected, electricity surged through her body. She jerked violently, the magic lifting her off the ground, locking her in place as wave after wave of current flowed through her.

Kayzel stood with one hand stretched toward her, his expression unreadable, steadily feeding mana into the lightning. Each crackle and spark held her suspended, unable to move, completely under his control.

And as he advanced toward her, his steps slow and deliberate, his voice carried clearly across the silent arena.

“I suppose just this alone won’t be enough for them to declare the end of the match,” he said calmly. “So… I guess I’ll need to do just a little bit more.”

****

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