Dark Magus Returns

The Dark Faction students were walking out one after the other, and it was the expected students that had been selected.

Ricktor, Mada, Simyon, Safa, and finally Liam. These five were considered the strongest in the Dark Faction and were the ones participating in the event. Immediately as they came out, most of the crowd had started to erupt into boo's. Another component of having the event away from the other factions.

The floating plates moved into place, allowing an up close image with the special machinery used by the Light Faction. Seeing them one by one, there were those that were recognized and those that weren't questions arose from both the Demonic Faction camp and the Light Faction camp.

"I recognize two of them, they're direct disciples of the larger clans," Lince said, stroking his chin. He had moved forward and was standing next to Raze, who had gone up close to the screen.

Sha Mo and the others didn't seem too interested in the event. They were more bothered with stuffing their faces with the complimentary food given to them on the side.

Lince, Raze, and the other participants of the Demonic Faction were the only ones paying attention.

"Yeah, the other three I don't recognize at all," Beret commented, the participant from the Lost Clan that Lince led.

"Was our intel wrong? This year I thought there were five disciples all from the major clans in the Dark Faction, yet I don't recognize three of them at all."

While in the town of Flendon, Raze was learning more about the Demonic Faction. The Lost Clan in the Demonic Faction was quite special among those in the clan.

That was because they were a networking clan, having members in disguise in other territories passing information to them.

Using this information, they had ways to tear other clans apart or bring them over to aid them on their side.

Because of this, it was difficult to gauge the Lost Clan's strength.

Although clearly something like information wouldn't dissuade loyalty in the Behemoth or the larger clans, for the sake of face or their own clans being ripped apart, it was quite possible that the Lost Clan could bring many to their side to aid them.

It was interesting because Raze didn't think anyone in the Demonic Faction would care to research the Dark Faction, but someone had to otherwise they would be far behind the other factions.

"There are two reasons for this: either the Dark Faction is so confident in their members they decided not to use the other three main disciples, or despite everything these three are truly the strongest of the academy."

When entering the main arena, the students got into position, drawing out their weapons. They were waiting patiently for the arena to rise just like last time.

There was some preparation needed between each group. Some might have thought this was a tactic as the students' faces appeared slightly nervous.

Inside the Demonic Faction's area, Alba suddenly made a request.

"Is it possible if I can watch from the stage as well?" Alba asked, the Light Faction member.

"I don't see why not, but the seats are filled, so you might have to go in the second standing section."

"That's fine," Alba said, turning to Raze. "You'll be alright here on your own, right?"

Raze nodded. He knew what Alba was up to, and he needed both Alba and Anna to do their thing. He would be too busy with the tournament itself, so he had to rely on them to find some way, some path into rescuing and bringing the others over.

"Don't worry, I will protect him from the big bad wolf," Lince said, not turning around. Presumably, he was talking about Sha Mo.

With that, Alba exited and headed straight for the area. Reaching the second area, she could see crowds of people standing, continuously making bets as time went on.

Mostly on the Light Faction after seeing their performance. While she walked through the crowd, she eventually stopped and turned to face the arena.

"I'm glad to see you're alive," Alba said, as if speaking to no one and just looking out on the field.

"I'm happy to see you're alive as well. It's been tough." A blonde swept-back hair figure with a mask covering half of his face was standing right by Alba.

"It's good to have you next to me again, Cronker."

Cronker had been in the Dark Faction ever since they had split up, promising to look after the Dark Faction students from the shadows.

There were too many times when he thought he would have been caught. He had managed to come along on this trip thanks to Amir, but he was unable to be in the same booth as them, so he was in the main crowd along with the others.

"A lot has changed in the Crimson Crane since you've been away, we have a lot to tell you, but they are good things for the clan, we are stronger than we have ever been," Alba stated.

"Right, I have heard some of the news, of fending off the Behemoth Clan. I wish I was there as well, to help you."

Alba wanted to talk about Elvlin as well, but she wasn't sure it was the right time. It was news that had reached almost no one's ears, and it wasn't important enough to share now.

She decided to keep it in for now because she didn't know how Cronker would react, especially if he knew who was responsible for it all.

"I haven't been doing nothing myself, there are three students from the academy that I have taken under my wing," Cronker smiled. "They are talented."

"Oh, you took in disciples, have you trained them in the stealth arts like yourself then?" Alba asked.

"That I have," Cronker answered. "They have absorbed everything, pushing themselves to be of some use. They can gather information, skilled in assassination, and attack weak points from the shadows when needed."

"It sounds like you've made yourself your own assassin group," Alba smiled.

"A group that is to be used by the Crimson Crane."

The group certainly would come in handy in the future, that was if they could get all of the students safely out of the place.

Now instead, she was looking at Raze's friends, the ones he had come for.

"About them, will they do well in this task? Are they safe, or is it best to try and get them out early?" Alba asked.

Cronker smiled as he could see the whole coliseum shaking. The floor underneath the arena was rising once more, and the same beast that had appeared for the Light Faction was seen coming out from under.

It was the same size as the last, chained like the last, and had heavy armor all the same. It certainly was an advantage going second, seeing how the beast acted.

Which just went to show the Light Faction's fairness in the event.

"They are the most amazing students I have ever seen before. If it was up to me, I would put all my coin on them winning this event," Cronker answered.