Dark Magus Returns - Chapter 1455: Kayzel's Mood (Part 2)

Chapter 1455: Kayzel’s Mood (Part 2)

The student was still caught in the relentless grip of Kayzel’s lightning, each arc of energy crashing into her body with precision. This wasn’t just raw power. It carried a specific trait, a deliberate effect molded into the magic itself.

Every spell was different depending on the intent behind it. One could be shaped to travel further, stretching its range across great distances. Another might be altered to create a stronger paralysis effect, locking muscles in place and robbing an opponent of control. Or it could be tuned to deliver pure, destructive force, lightning aimed to strike deep, targeting the very core of the body.

An unskilled mage might struggle to manipulate their magic in such ways, unable to fine-tune the exact outcome they wanted. They might unleash lightning as it came, wild and without distinction. But Kayzel… Kayzel was not one of those mages. His mastery was absolute.

He moved forward with measured steps, advancing slowly across the arena floor. Lightning still arced from his outstretched hand, the constant hum and crackle filling the air. The girl twitched under the unyielding current, her breaths short and uneven. She was desperately trying to move, first her fingers, then her hand, anything to form the gestures needed to cast a spell.

But the moment Kayzel detected the smallest flicker of movement, he adjusted. The lightning flared brighter, its path subtly shifting to strike nerves and joints, locking her body in place once more. Every spark was intentional, every jolt aimed to rob her of that last inch of freedom.

From the stands, murmurs began to rise.

“Hey… isn’t this match already over? She’s so paralyzed from that lightning, I don’t think she can even defend herself anymore. There’s no point in continuing.”

“Maybe they’re waiting to see if she’s hiding something. She hasn’t really taken much actual damage, Kayzel’s been holding back in that regard.”

“Or maybe,” another voice said with a knowing tone, “the Central Academy just wants to put their strength on full display. Let everyone watch their ace dominate.”

In truth, that last guess wasn’t far off. The referees had been instructed not to step in, not yet. This was a showcase. They wanted the audience to witness the overwhelming difference in skill, to see firsthand the commanding presence of Kayzel.

When he finally reached her, Kayzel slowed to a stop, a faint smile touching his lips. He leaned in just enough for his words to be heard by her alone.

“If you surrender now,” he said evenly, “I’ll stop using my magic, and the fight will end. I’ll even adjust the lightning so it no longer affects your ability to speak.”

But those words were a lie. He made no such adjustment. At this distance, in the chaos of the arena, no one else could hear him clearly.

A beat passed, then Kayzel straightened, raising his voice so it carried just far enough to be picked up by some of the spectators.

“I gave you the chance to yield, but it seems you’re determined to keep fighting, still trying to cast a spell!” His tone held a false note of admiration. “I respect your will to keep going… so I’ll keep going as well.”

He lifted both hands now, and the lightning intensified, wrapping around her like a net of raw energy. Each strike pushed her back, the force of the current driving her across the arena floor. Sparks trailed in her wake until, with a final crash, she slammed into the stone wall behind her.

The impact shook dust loose from the surface, the sharp scent of ozone still lingering in the air.

She had been struck harder than she had ever been in her life, the force of Kayzel’s lightning far more punishing than any wind spell could ever be. For most mages, being slammed into a solid wall by that much raw power would have been the end of the fight. Mages weren’t known for their physical resilience, no matter how skilled they were with magic, their bodies were rarely their greatest asset.

And yet… this one was still standing.

Her breathing was ragged, her body trembling from the lingering current, but she refused to collapse.

“I see,” Kayzel said, his voice carrying a faint note of approval. “You don’t give up. I’ll give you that much.”

He raised his hand again, and once more the lightning leapt from his fingertips, wrapping around her body and hoisting her into the air. The crackling bolts danced over her skin, their light flashing across the arena floor. It wasn’t just an exhibition of his raw strength, it was a clear display of his control and endurance.

Not only had he demonstrated his powerful Light magic earlier, but now he was revealing just how deep his mana reserves truly went. From the moment the match began, he hadn’t once broken his lightning spell. Maintaining such a constant, high-output attack without faltering was something very few could manage.

It was also the only reason she had lasted this long. His lightning, while relentless, had been measured, he had chosen its intensity carefully, enough to control and hurt her, but not enough to finish her instantly.

Then, without warning, Kayzel shifted his focus. The lightning flared brighter, sharper, and slammed her straight down into the arena floor. The impact sent a plume of dust billowing into the air.

And just like that… the lightning stopped.

Kayzel released the spell deliberately, knowing that pushing beyond this point would have crossed a line. He’d already made his point, continuing would only risk unnecessary injury, and he knew exactly where to draw that boundary in front of an audience.

As the dust began to settle, the motionless form of his opponent became clear. She had passed out cold, her limbs slack, completely still.

“And we have a winner, from the Central Academy!” the announcer declared, his voice booming through the arena.

The crowd erupted, cheers echoing off the stone walls. They had just witnessed the overwhelming force of Kayzel in action. Everyone knew he hadn’t been truly tested, not by this opponent, but even so, the taste of his power was enough to ignite anticipation for his next fight.

“A mage who clearly specializes in lightning magic… and also has a strong affinity for Light magic,” one spectator said, leaning forward. “That’s something rare. Do you think he might have a unique or special affinity as well?”

Piba and Moze, who had crossed paths with Kayzel briefly before, knew the truth. Yes, he did. And no, he hadn’t shown all of it. Not even close.

With the match concluded, the day’s victors now stood at five. Initially, there had been talk of arranging one of the next bouts as a three-way fight instead of the usual one-on-one. But after what everyone had just witnessed, that idea was swiftly abandoned.

Lee Roy, representing BIMM Academy, wasted no time in pulling aside his student, the one who had barely scraped through their previous match. His advice was blunt, and it carried the weight of experience.

“You should withdraw,” he told them firmly. “No matter who you face next, you’ll be seriously hurt. You barely made it through your last fight. This isn’t worth it.”

The truth was unavoidable. Staying in would risk severe injury, or worse, public humiliation. Their student had already secured a win, and that was enough. Leaving now meant walking away with pride still intact.

The decision was made. With BIMM’s fighter stepping down, the stage was now set.

The final matchups would be a direct clash between Wilton Academy… and the Central Academy.

****

***

For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below.

Instagram: Jksmanga

Patreon*: jksmanga