Dark Magus Returns

The Martial Arts Tournament was something Raze had thought about, but there were many things he would need to do to enter it in the first place.

For one, the use of strong magic would change his hair color back to the bright white it once was, making his identity clear to the others.

Sure, they could change some of his facial features with masks and prosthetics for the day, but he still believed his white hair would be a clear giveaway.

However, thinking about it, if he was just going up against other students in the tournament, then it wouldn't be something he would have to worry about so much.

With his skills alone, he should have been able to best the others. It was how to get the others out of there later, which would have to be planned on a day-to-day basis to see what the situation was like.

Then there was the fact of becoming one of the selected students in the first place. Students had already been selected from the Demonic Faction Academy to participate.

He would need to convince the Demonic Faction that he could take their place, and right now, one of the deciding clans that would be involved in all of that, wasn't exactly friendly with them either.

Thinking about this, Raze had continued to make shield after shield and had just finished the fifteenth one, placing it on the side with all the others.

[Uncommon Cursed Shield]

[A small percentage of damage blocked by the shield will power the one holding the shield.]

[Curse: If the shield is destroyed, a small percentage of power will be taken away from the user.]

'Using a level 1 power stone, with enchantment on this low-level equipment, most of what I made were Uncommon Cursed Shields. These aren't horrendous because the cursed effect isn't really strong.'

Looking through the bunch of shields he had created of different shapes and sizes, there were also the Rare shields as well.

[Rare Cursed Shield]

[A small percentage of damage blocked by the shield will power the one holding the shield and heal them.]

[Curse: If the shield is destroyed, a small percentage of the power will be taken away from the user.]

What was interesting to Raze was that the curse was still the same even though the shield ranking had increased along with its effect.

Still, he had no sealed items despite creating fifteen, and still through his methods of testing, he had yet to come up with a way to push the Dark Magic to create even higher-tier items.

'All the tests so far I have done have been lacking. I could still create the shield for Tilon with what he has given me, but it might only reach the Unique level, and at the moment, I would like it if the people that are by my side at least had Mythical level items and higher.'

It was something Raze had been thinking about for a while, but he had continued on his research.

Just as Alba had said, the Crimson Crane members had trickled into the town one after the other. A few of them looked roughed up, while others were completely fine.

As they entered, Alba would inform them of what had occurred and what was going on right now. The members accepted the fact, the ones attacked even more so, realizing it might be the only option for them.

When Reno had arrived in the city, he had dropped by, looking at Raze's work, and looking at the notes he had made.

It was a weird mix of things, some of it was written in Pagna; others were scribbles and symbols he didn't understand.

"I wanted to ask, is it possible to ask Fixteen to add a list of herbs to his order when he next goes and buys some supplies?" Reno said.

Out of all the Crimson Crane members, Reno felt like it was easiest to talk to Raze, and this went both ways for them.

"That should be fine. I'll let Fixteen know so you don't have to go through me," Raze replied. "Do you mind doing me a favor as well?"

"Those shields over there, hand them over to Alba. She knows what she needs to do, but just in case, she is to hand them to the people willing to fight and become guards of the city."

"It will do them well in a tough situation and is better than what they are currently using."

Reno went over to the shields. There were far too many for him to pick up.

"Tilon is not going to be happy that others are getting items before him. He's jealous every time he sees my tool as well. Which I thank you for as well, of course."

Raze let out a big sigh at that moment.

"It's not that I don't want to, it's taking time because I want to create a good weapon for him. Unlike with Kizer's sword, or your Pestle, he only has one quality shield, and they are hard to come by.

"I can't just trial and error it twenty times and hope for the best, we only have one shot."

Now, Reno knew what the strange notes were and why there were so many shields.

"I wish I could help you, like you, I am a researcher myself, but this isn't really in my field. Speaking of though, isn't there anyone that can help you?"

"I know that you are different from others, but there were those that attacked us in that dimension as well. Doesn't that mean there are those that will know about this stuff?"

"Of course, not saying that you're not an expert yourself, but at times it is good to have a team look over things. I'm sure you know it can speed up the process when you notice discrepancies or things that already don't work."

There was no one Raze could speak to, hardly anyone in Alterian looked over Dark Magic, and for the few mages that came to Pagna, that would be unlikely as well, but Reno's speaking did give Raze an idea.

'Wait a moment, although I gathered the books about Dark Magic from the central academy, that's not the only place that keeps information about Dark Magic.'

'On top of that, it has been a long time. Who knows what research has been funded in Alterian to go with weapon crafting.'

'It has been a long time since, and the meeting date is tomorrow as well. It might be best to visit Alterian and find out what's going on.'

"I have another favor to ask of you," Raze said. "Tomorrow, make sure no matter what, no one disturbs me and comes into this room."

"Not a single person, if they do, they will regret it, and I won't make any items for them whatsoever. Tomorrow will be a very important day, and I don't know how long I will be, so until I come out, no one should be allowed to come in."

Using the astral projection technique, it was time for Raze to head to Alterian as the Dark Spirit.