Dark Magus Returns

Goodbye, Raze Cromwell

The wind was sharp and biting as it raged atop the towering skyscraper. An old man, hair and beard whipping wildly in the gale, squinted against the luminescent neon lights that illuminated the city's buildings.

Raze Cromwell raised a hand to his eyes, trying to shield them from the stinging gusts. "Why on earth did I choose the rooftop for this damned ritual?" he grumbled.

As his long hair veiled his eyes, he brushed it aside impatiently. "Magic may solve many problems in this world," he mused, "but it can't fix poor decision-making."

His robe billowed, tugging at his frame as he made his way towards the center of the rooftop.

"If it weren't for this wind, I would have been done with this ritual by now."

The muffled cries of several voices reached his ears—sounds of despair, some even on the verge of a scream.

Raze's patience wore thin. "Will you all keep quiet? What could you possibly want to say?"

Below him, etched into the rooftop, was a radiant circle filled with intricate symbols and glyphs. It glowed white—not from any external power source, but from Raze's own magic. Bound with their hands and legs tied, within the circle were five individuals. Though no physical seals covered their mouths, their cries were reduced to mere muffled sounds.

"If I allow one of you to speak, will the rest of you stay silent?" Raze questioned, tracing a symbol in the air. A faint purple glow emanated from his fingers.

At his gesture, one of the captives—a middle-aged man—found his voice once more. Drawing a ragged breath, he pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "Please, Dark Magus! Spare me. I'll give you anything! Please just don't kill me!"

Raze stepped closer, looming over the man. "And when that couple begged for their lives, what did you offer them? Where are they now?"

The captive froze, eyes wide with terror.

"How did you know?"

Continuing his circuit around the circle, Raze listed the sins of each captive. "Killed their lover in a fit of rage for looking at another person. Creating false reports of being abused, sending those that she dislikes to the pit. Selling illegal substances to desperate mages, causing their cores to burst."

The captives understood now—Raze was recounting their hidden crimes, the atrocities they'd committed and escaped.

But when he reached the last captive, he paused. "And you," he said, a note of mockery in his voice, "a zealous vegan, imposing your views on others. Truthfully, you're just here because I needed five, and time was running short."

Tension filled the air as more symbols appeared within the circle, its luminescence intensifying.

Just as Raze was readying for the next phase of his ritual, a defiant voice from among the captives challenged him. "So what! You judge us, but what about you, Dark Magus? How many lives have you claimed? How many people have you killed, you are no better than us!"

Raze opened his mouth before his response was interrupted by a bout of violent coughing, flecks of blood staining the ground below. "You're right," he rasped, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, "We all deserve to die."

Suddenly, a voice from behind proclaimed, "Not all, just you!"

The captives and Raze turned to the newcomers - five figures dressed in pristine white robes, descending from above.

"The Grand Magus! They've come to save us!" one captive exclaimed.

Among the mages, these were the elite, each holding the power to reshape entire nations. They were all 9-star mages at the very top. Due to their power, seeing them assemble like so came as quite a shock, even if they were going after the Dark Magus.

"I see you've received my invitation," Raze taunted, singling out one. "Enaxx, how does your wife cope, knowing you're... incomplete with just having one ball to play with?"

A sharp pain welled up from below, as a heat of anger rose to Enaxx's face, making him turn red.

"Raze!" One of the Grand Magus with long blonde hair stepped out before the others. He radiated with energy, lighting up the night sky around him. "I can't believe such a talented mage like you has become this!"

"SHUT UP!" Raze shouted back. "None of you, not a single one of you have the right to speak to me! You can all drop the act. All of you took everything I cared about from this world! You all know what you've done. Especially you, Idore!"

Dark energy started to shroud Raze in his tattered clothing, growing around his back even larger, causing the other magus to radiate their own energy as well.

Despite these taunts, Idore had a smile on his face.

"Did you think we didn't know?" He asked. "You're already dying, you already have one foot in the grave. Even if you did nothing, you would naturally pass away. But how could we let that happen? You, the Dark Magus, the most wanted man in the world, we need to kill you with our own hands."

"HAHAHA!" Raze let out a loud belly laugh. "Idore, Gizin, Ibarin, Trubin, and One ball. This is my last message to you all."

The magic circle from beneath was starting to light up. Cautious about what this would do, the Grand Magus shielded themselves with their own magic.

The captives inside the magic circle soon felt pressure building up in their heads. A great pain welled up, until *Pop*. The tops of their heads exploded, their bodies falling to the floor, including the man who stood in the center, Raze Cromwell.

Seeing this, the magic started to fade from the Mages, and they began to walk forward. They felt no traces of life and looked at the blood splattered on the floor.

"Do you think he's really dead?" Ibarin asked.

"He has to be, that's his body and his head, at least what's left of it," Gizin commented.

Trubin, the youngest of the mages, looked around, examining the magic circle and the blood splatter. That's when he smirked.

"Well, now I know what he meant by the last message."

They all took a good look at the floor, and now they saw it as well. The blood had splattered in such a way, along with the magic circle, that it created a bloody image. An image of a large fist with its middle finger raised towards them.

"Raze Cromwell's death is confirmed," Idore stated, lifting his hands, summoning a ball of fire. He started to levitate, floating in the air, and so did the others by his side above the buildings. "Our secrets will die with him."

The fireball was hurled toward the building, and as it hit the roof, it expanded, setting everything ablaze in an instant, including all the dead bodies on the rooftop. As the magus flew away from the scene, they all looked back at a stain in their past, with a great sigh of relief.

---

'I can't believe I gambled my life away like that,' Raze thought. 'I put all my hopes into that book I received from the portal. I don't even know if it will work. I was dying anyway… I just wanted a chance to get them all back.

'Those damned smug faces. They call me the evil one, yet they would easily steal candy from a baby. All I would do is lick it when they weren't looking and give it back. Who's the more evil one?'

Memories of Raze's life started flashing before his eyes, especially the painful ones. Memories from his childhood, the losses he had experienced in his life, the memories that turned him into the Dark Magus.

Then, other images entered his mind: vast mountain tops, grand temples, lush greenery everywhere. Images of a man, a woman, and a young girl he had never seen before, wearing robes, and people fighting using just their fists.

'What is all of this? These aren't my memories! They don't even look like they're from my world!'

Flashing back and forth were memories that Raze could tell were clearly his, interspersed with unfamiliar ones. Intense pain pulsed in his head, sending shockwaves through his body, until Raze's eyes snapped open once again.

The Dark Magus Has Returned

Memories flooded Raze's mind, like a torrent of emotions, emotions he had locked away for so long. They made him sick every time he revisited them.

"When did it all start, my terrible life? Was it my father? Selling me to those men... every night? No, that wasn't what broke me. It was..."

However, the vivid memories were soon overwhelmed by something else: faces he didn't recognize, places he had never been, and names he was sure he hadn't heard before.

Suddenly, his eyes opened, vision blurred momentarily.

"Why... why am I in pain? My neck hurts, and it feels like... I can't breathe!"

As his vision sharpened, it seemed to dim simultaneously. Eventually, a pair of bulging eyes became clear, staring right at him. Now, he recognized the sensation of fingers clenched around his throat.

"I've escaped death before, and now this? I'm being strangled, facing death again!" Raze thought. "If I were to die, I'd never choose something this painful! I won't die again!"

He saw his attacker: a man draped in black garments, his face obscured, leaving only his eyes visible, reminiscent of a ninja.

Struggling, Raze pressed his hands against the man's stomach.

"Let's see how you like having your insides torn out!"

Raze pushed, but nothing happened. No explosion, no reaction from his assailant, who kept tightening the grip on Raze's neck.

"Did I deplete all my magic using that spell? Damn it... I really am going to die..."

Darkness encroached on his vision, and he felt consciousness slipping away. Yet, he sensed the man's strength waning for some reason.

"Did part of my spell take effect? This is my chance."

Catching sight of a broken shard of a plate from the corner of his eye, he grabbed it, thrusting it into the man's side. The man grunted, his grip weakening.

Blood dripped from where the shard had also cut Raze's hand, but adrenaline numbed the pain. He pulled out the shard, stabbing repeatedly until the man's strength failed entirely, and he collapsed atop Raze.

"I can breathe!" Raze gasped, but the weight on his chest felt oppressive. He waited for strength to return before shoving the man aside and painstakingly getting to his feet.

Exhausted, Raze huffed and panted, feeling as if he might collapse. After a few moments, the pain faded, and he surveyed his surroundings.

The motionless man in black bore injuries other than Raze's inflicted wounds. Raze had seen enough dead bodies to know this man was truly gone.

"Arghh!" A sharp pain struck his head, memories pouring in, clearer this time. Examining his hands, the smooth skin told a story. They were smooth, his hands were responsive as he opened and closed them.

"The spell... it actually worked. I've been reborn!"

Judging by appearances, he seemed to inhabit a young body. That of a teenager or a young man at least. It was hard to tell without looking at himself in a mirror. "I had my doubts about that book, but it worked!" Raze mused. "Thankfully, I'm young. Who knows how it would've been if I'd ended up old again? Or in the body of a bed ridden man!"

His joy was tempered by the grim reality around him. His first experience in this new body had been a brush with death, hardly auspicious.

Scanning the room, Raze attempted to piece together events. The modest room had water-damaged floorboards and moldy walls. Crude wooden utensils and half-eaten food hinted at a bygone era. Feeling as if he had stepped back in time.

"They were in the middle of a meal," Raze noted.

By "they," he meant the three other bodies: an adult male, a female, and a teenage boy, each bearing fatal wounds. The memories suggested they were his new body's family. A pang of sorrow surfaced, though Raze tried to suppress it.

"They were murdered, likely by the man who tried to kill me. But why?"

His new memories were fragmented. He remembered family names, which seemed pointless, but not their lives or experiences. However, he remembered his name: Raze.

"Maybe it's coincidence this body's named Raze," he pondered. "Or perhaps the spell ensured it. Regardless, I've succeeded."

Raising a fist, he tried to channel magic. His eyes were staring hard, he was focusing, and focusing, The veins were popping at the side of his head, but there was nothing. Leaving him to delve deep within himself. After a few moments, it started to click.

'Now it makes sense, why my spell faltered earlier,' Raze mused. 'It's because this boy doesn't possess a mana core. And that means he hasn't chosen an attribute either!'

At first, Raze had been disheartened. Inhabiting a person's body with no mana core meant that he was devoid of magic, and he'd have to embark on the long hard journey from scratch. The painstaking years he invested to ascend as a 9-star mage seemed to evaporate in the blink of an eye. It was as if he was reset to square one.

Yet, as he delved deeper into the implications, he realized it could be a blessing. Had he inhabited a body with a pre-existing mana core, that individual would undoubtedly have an innate magic attribute.

In his former life, Raze had a natural predisposition towards wind magic, making him adept at harnessing its spells. But as the sands of time flowed, he gravitated towards the Dark Attribute. It was an arcane form of magic, pursued by few mages. He became an enigma as the only 9-star mage who exclusively delved into Dark magic, earning him a name whispered in both reverence and fear, the Dark Magus.

His inborn inclination towards Wind magic, however, ensured that his proficiency in Dark magic would always remain somewhat lacking. But now, with this clean slate, he could amend past shortcomings.

His gaze settled on the lifeless body adjacent to him. Grinning ear to ear, Raze settled into a meditative posture on the cold ground. Using the blood oozing from a wound on his palm, he meticulously sketched a magical circle around him.

'For eons, it was believed that one's affinity for attributes was merely a capricious act of fate. Upon a mage crafting their core - the bedrock of all magic - the core would shimmer in a colour based on one's magical affinity.'

'Yet, as history unfolded, it was discovered that certain acts could steer the formation of the mana core. As long as it hadn't been made. Consuming spicy dishes could kindle fire, while a perilous fall from a great height might awaken wind magic. But for the enigmatic Dark Attribute, the path to a jet-black mana core was paved with a most sinister act...murder.'

"HAHAHA!" Raze's laughter, unhinged and manic, reverberated through the air. "Is this fate's own design? It's as though the cosmos itself is directing my path!"

With the final touch to his magical circle, Raze's concentration deepened. The ambient energy seemed to dance, twirling and wrapping itself around him, gradually getting absorbed.

He felt minuscule orbs of power wriggling within, converging near his heart - the cradle for a mage's mana core. The energy coalesced, condensing into a potent sphere.

After what felt like hours, the process reached its crescendo. Nested within Raze was a deep-black mana core, enveloping his heart.

His eyes snapped open, gleaming with triumph.

"The Dark Magus, has returned."

Unfamiliar Territory

The smirk on Raze's face was irrepressible. The prospect of beginning a new life with the dark attribute meant he could grow stronger as a Dark mage, reaching heights previously unimaginable.

A mystic energy, a blend of dark purples, blues, and blacks, began to swirl around his finger. It was thick, almost like paint, yet fluid as parts of it moved and disappeared.

Raze extended his finger and pointed it at one of the plates on the table. "Dark pulse!" he exclaimed. The energy dispersed and shot out like a small beam, hitting the plate and shattering it into pieces.

Using just one spell made his head throb slightly. Dark magic was powerful and destructive but consumed large amounts of mana compared to other attributes.

Now that his body physically possessed a dark core, he would need to strengthen other attributes through magical items, crystals, herbs, and so on. It was possible for mages to learn every attribute, but depending on their core, some would be more difficult to master than others.

For instance, Raze would find it challenging to increase his strength in the light attribute since it opposed his dark core, but it wasn't impossible. Raze tended to perceive things more like a game to simplify his understanding.

If it was like a game, having a dark core granted a person 10 points in the Darkness attribute to start with. This could be increased through certain techniques or items that enhanced that particular attribute. Due to his dark core, Raze's body could easily absorb items, adding to his points.

Items related to the light attribute could still be absorbed, but he would need to absorb ten times the amount of energy to see a single point increase. Other attributes would be easier to enhance, just not as easy as the Dark attribute.

Moreover, no other attribute could now surpass his Dark core, as it was the foundation of his body.

Eventually, the headache subsided, but it posed a serious problem.

'I'm only a one-star mage right now,' Raze thought. 'My mana is limited. Since I only have the dark attribute, I can only use one-star dark spells, which consume a lot of mana. It would be wise to learn another attribute quickly that doesn't consume much mana, perhaps wind?'

Mages were ranked based on the amount of mana in their cores, ranging from one-star to nine-star mages. Raze had been a nine-star mage in his past body.

However, being a higher-star mage didn't merely mean having more mana. It also enabled the performance of higher-level skills, but that wasn't everything in a battle, especially if one had a large arsenal of spells and different attributes.

Many of Raze's early battles with mages were won because many underestimated the strength of dark magic.

Rubbing his hands together, he couldn't contain his smile any longer and burst into laughter.

'Haha, but I won't be a one-star mage for long! I wasn't entirely sure the spell would work, but just in case, I stored all my items, herbs, and crystals in a secret vault! All I need to do is access it, and I'll be back to being a nine-star mage in no time.'

Raze was already envisioning his new life—a life where he wasn't a criminal, wasn't pursued by the Grand mages, and could grow stronger even more rapidly than before. With all the experiments he had conducted and the experience he had gained over the years, he would excel faster than any other mage, be hailed as a genius in this new life, and, when the time was right, exact his revenge.

Suddenly, heavy knocks echoed at the front door, almost pounding it down.

"Open up!" a deep voice bellowed from the other side. The voice sounded slightly strange to Raze, as if it had a strong accent and a twang, but he could still understand the words clearly. "This is the Red Brigade! We received reports of screams coming from this house. If you don't open up, we will force this door down!"

'Red Brigade?' Raze pondered, struggling to recall any group by that name. It sounded like a guild. He was in a new body and didn't know all the Mage guilds' names, so he had to be cautious.

'If they discover I've been practising Dark magic, I'll be reported immediately!' Raze realised. Another reason he was hunted down was that Dark magic was a prohibited attribute to learn.

The banging on the door continued, and they could no longer wait. The door exploded open, crashing into the side of the house and breaking off its hinge. Five men in red armour burst through the door.

Raze raised his hands, eyeing the men warily.

'Hopefully, they don't think I'm the killer. Although being the only one alive isn't a good sign. I wonder what level these mages are at.'

However, as the men came in, Raze realised something was extremely strange. For one, they were wearing armour, not light clothing by any means. Their bodies were all well built as well.

Strangely, some of them had swords by their side as well as a host of other melee weapons.

'Could the Red Brigade be a magic weapon's guild? If that's the case, this could become extremely difficult.'

The men who had come in forcefully soon spread around as they looked at the scene, and a lot of the emotion had left their bodies as they looked at the dead bodies around.

"What happened here…" one of the men said. "Was it an assassination? Who would go after a family with no name?"

Raze could hear the others speaking but he couldn't understand it. What did they mean by no name? He had a name; the person he had taken over had a name, it was Raze.

'Wait a moment, wait, why can I only remember his first name… does this mean I have no family name, but everyone has a family name? And these people, they are definitely my family.'

One of the younger members had entered through the front door, and he immediately covered his mouth as he looked at the bloody sight, but his eyes soon laid on Raze.

"Raze!" the young member called out. "What happened to you… your hair?"

'My hair... What's wrong with my hair? Why would someone comment about my hair? Well, at least it looks like this person knows who I am. I don't think acting calm is good in this situation either.'

Seeing as someone knew him, it looked like this situation would be cleared up with a bit of acting, so Raze fell to his knees and placed his hands on the top of his head while looking at the floor.

"My family, they're all… they're all… dead!" Raze said.

"Raze," the man said in a soft voice.

"Sonny," the oldest member of the Red Brigade with a thick moustache on his mouth, the leader of the group shouted. The young man who had just entered looked up upon hearing his name.

"Take the boy out of here, make sure he gets looked after. We will see what we can find here. For now, he should get some rest."

"Yes, sir!" Sonny said, rushing over and went to pick up Raze, but before he could, Raze stood up on his own two feet and shook his hand in the air gesturing to the other there was no need.

"It's okay, I can walk myself," Raze said, as he followed Sonny out of the building. When he went outside, the bright light of the sun hit him, blinding him for a few moments, and soon he could see where he was.

'Wait a second, what is all this? Nothing on the ground but just the dirt. Houses that are crudely built right next to each other… and there are no skyscrapers, heck, I can't see any lights, and why are there so many mountains off in the distance?'

The people were all dressed strangely with many carrying around weapons. They looked ordinary, no special crystals embedded into them, and there was one more thing that was noticeable just looking everywhere; there wasn't a single person using magic anywhere.

'Wait a second… is this… is this… another world!'

The Red Brigade Clan

A whole new realm unfolded before Raze's eyes, a tableau of sights he had never encountered. Market stalls brimming with fresh produce lined the streets and townsfolk sauntered openly with weapons strapped to their sides.

No building rose higher than three stories, each one nestled close to its neighbours. Not a single vehicle was in sight, a stark contrast to his world where vehicles soared through the sky. Instead, only wagons laden with goods, pushed or pulled by hand, populated the streets. People traded with coins and notes, rather than relying on technology. It was evident that this was not the world Raze had known. As he ambled down the street behind Sonny, he absorbed every detail of his surroundings while contemplating his predicament.

'Could this truly be another world? Or have I been transported to a remote land where society and technology are still primitive? But then, why is there no magic? It must be another world.' Raze mused.

'The book promised that I would inhabit a new body, but it never specified where or how. I should have anticipated this from a book requiring dark magic. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.'

Abruptly, Raze halted in the middle of the street, his hand instinctively clasping his chest as a heavy realisation sank in.

'My treasures!' he lamented internally. 'If I am in another world, then everything I stored for my advancement as a mage is gone. Lost forever... How am I supposed to increase my power now?'

Memories flooded his mind: the arduous trials he had endured to collect those items, the mythical beasts he had battled, narrowly escaping with his life. All that effort, now in vain.

A tear threatened to escape as Sonny, sensing Raze's distress, turned and noted the sombre expression on his face.

'Poor lad, he just lost his family. The reality must be sinking in,' Sonny speculated.

'My items!!!' Raze fought back a sob as he forced himself to move forward.

Just as he began to accept the loss of everything he had worked for, another thought struck him.

'Wait, the Grand Magus! They don't exist in this world. My entire purpose for being reborn was to exact revenge. If they aren't here, what is the meaning of my existence?

'Isn't rebirth supposed to be a cheat code? Attending the magic academy, being hailed a prodigy at five, defeating bullies who underestimate you, and proving your doubters wrong?'

His dream life crumbled before his eyes.

"Get back here, you little thief!" bellowed a rotund, bald man with sweat pouring down his face as he pursued a small child, who Raze guessed was about five years old.

The child, clad in tattered clothes speckled with dirt and scabs, darted past Raze, closely followed by the large man, who seemed to be gaining on the exhausted child.

Raze, tapping into his magic reserves, felt the core within him ignite as power spiralled around his finger.

"Dark pulse," he murmured. A beam of energy, paler than usual, shot from his finger. In the sunlight, it was almost invisible, but it struck the man's leg, causing him to stumble and fall face-first into the dirt.

'He looked well-fed, while the child seemed starved. He can spare a few loaves of bread.'

Onlookers gathered around the fallen man, some chuckling, others offering assistance. Either way, the child had escaped, and no one had witnessed Raze's intervention.

'No one should have to endure hunger,' Raze thought, as he continued onward.

Finally, they reached their destination: a grand edifice surrounded by a wall and flanked by two enormous red doors. Beyond the wall, the building loomed majestically, its roof adorned with ancient tiles and dragon carvings. Intricate patterns decorated the supporting pillars, a testament to craftsmanship long forgotten in Raze's world.

Guarding the entrance were two stone lions, regal and imposing, as if truly safeguarding the doors. Beside the stone pillars stood two men clad in red uniforms, like Sonny, each holding a spear and standing as rigid as statues.

Above the entrance, a sign read 'Red Brigade Clan.' The letters, patterns and lines foreign to Raze, were somehow comprehensible.

'This is not my world. And what is a Clan? It's not a guild or a faction. What kind of world have I entered? If magic doesn't exist here... could I be revered as a god?'

———

Raze found himself in a guest room of the Red Brigade's complex, a term more fitting than 'building,' given its sprawling nature with several structures scattered about and grand courtyards at either end. A constant flux of individuals, all donned in identical uniforms, traversed between the buildings.

The fading sun signalled that many of the several hundred residents had already retreated to their slumber. Raze was tucked away in a corner room of a building set apart from the largest one he had encountered.

The room was spartan, equipped with just a single bed, a table, and an oil lamp to stave off the encroaching darkness.

'It's so dim in here. I could employ my magic to amplify my vision, but it would squander my mana. The struggles of a 1-star mage resurface. It would be optimal to bolster my mana. Amplifying my dark attribute is futile without mana for spellcasting.'

Raze estimated that he could currently muster a mere five spells in quick succession. Moreover, the recent demise of his newfound family loomed large. With no knowledge of the events, anyone could potentially be pursuing him.

The Red Brigade clan seemed to be a sanctuary of sorts, possessing some influence in this realm.

Venturing to the toilet, Raze made a startling discovery. The absence of a separating door revealed that the toilet was, in fact, a part of the single room. His dismay deepened upon discovering the toilet to be merely a hole in the ground.

'No...please, don't tell me the toilet is just a hole!' Raze heaved a sigh of resignation. 'I endured the slums of Alterian, but this is pushing it.'

This revelation galvanised his resolve. If he had been transported to this world, there must be a way to return.

Clutching the oil lamp, Raze examined his reflection in the room's mirror, the first glimpse of his new form.

As suspected, his skin retained a youthful radiance, devoid of wrinkles, aligning his age with late adolescence. However, his physique was alarmingly slender.

His former self was also lean, but compared to the populace he observed on the streets, he appeared emaciated. His fingers grazed his hair, which, although mostly straight, curled at the ends and was wildly dishevelled. Strikingly, it was a stark white.

'This… my hair was also white in my previous body. I lacked the fortitude for 5-star magic and underwent a forbidden procedure. It succeeded, albeit at the cost of a gradual decline in health and the bleaching of my hair.'

Raze recalled Sonny's initial reaction upon seeing him.

'Did the original occupant of this body not have white hair? Did my arrival instigate this transformation?'

A knock interrupted his musings, followed by the entrance of Sonny.

"Apologies for the delay, Raze," Sonny expressed. "I understand your anxiety and curiosity about the current circumstances. We are eager to learn any details you can provide that might shed light on this situation."

It was evident that they did not perceive him as a suspect, despite being the sole survivor. Raze seized this opportunity to partially disclose his predicament.

He recounted his awakening amidst a life-threatening confrontation with an assailant, ultimately culminating in a fatal act of self-defense. Given the ubiquity of armed civilians, he doubted that this act would be deemed egregious, particularly under the circumstances.

However, Raze then confessed his total amnesia, encompassing not only the world and his location but also his age. This admission would serve as a buffer for any future unconventional behaviour.

"I can't fathom your emotional turmoil," Sonny empathised. "Do you have any recollection of me?"

Regrettably, Raze shook his head. The original body retained scant memories, more akin to vague sensations than concrete recollections.

"Got it, just a sec." Sonny walked out of the room, carefully closing the door behind him. It wasn't long before he returned, this time with a teenage girl in tow. She had unruly black hair, fairly thick, that cascaded past her shoulders.

Her outfit mirrored that of Raze - a plain grey shirt and trousers - but her eyes, shadowed underneath, hinted at a world of fatigue.

As soon as Raze laid eyes on her, a torrent of emotions flooded over him, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

"Thank heavens," Sonny breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems you do remember your sister, Safa."

'Wait, my sister? Did he just say... my sister?'

Suddenly, the pieces started to fall into place, just like when he had seen his parents. Memories, long-forgotten, resurfaced, linking him to this girl.

"She was hiding in the cupboards during the commotion. When we searched the house, we found her trembling inside. The fact that you both made it out alive is nothing short of a miracle," Sonny elucidated. "I'll leave you two to reconnect."

With that, Sonny exited the room once more. Safa, looking up at her brother, offered a timid smile. She appeared to be around the same age as Raze, but he recalled that she was actually a couple of years younger.

Almost immediately, she dashed over to Raze and clung to his arm, her body leaning against his. Raze's heart began to race, and images started to flood his mind.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" he bellowed, violently shaking off her grasp and stepping back.

Safa was taken aback. Her eyes locked onto Raze's for a few moments before welling up with tears. She quickly retreated behind a chair in the room, almost collapsing onto the floor.

Raze was still panting heavily, his heart pounding. Witnessing her reaction, a pang of guilt pierced his chest.

'This wretched body... it's still reacting to her... and my emotions are a complete mess.'

Approaching Safa, who was clearly still terrified, Raze struggled to find the right words to mend the situation.

"I... apologise," he stammered. "Something's messed up in my head. I've kind of lost it and can't stand being touched. Do you get it?"

Safa, although still somewhat apprehensive, nodded her head slowly.

'Great, just great. She's lost her entire family, and the only one left, her brother, is now a lunatic who yells at her for simply touching him. This can't be easy for her either.'

Gradually, Safa regained her composure and stood up. They both stood there, awkwardly staring at each other.

"You hid in a wardrobe, right?" Raze inquired.

Safa nodded but remained silent. Raze began to suspect that his sister might be mute. However, as certain memories resurfaced, he realised that she indeed was.

'Wait, if she was hiding in the wardrobe... Did she witness what I did? Did she see me use magic? If she did and told people, there would be trouble... No, she must have seen nothing. Otherwise, she would have come out after the killer was neutralized, or when the Red Brigade arrived.'

Sonny reentered the room, clapping his hands together cheerfully.

"Alright, I have some good news for you both. We've figured out where you'll be staying for now. I know it's a tough situation, but I'll explain everything in due course. For now, just follow me."

They exited the building and strolled through the expansive courtyard of the base. Raze trailed behind Sonny, while Safa lingered at the back, her head bowed.

"Even though I won't be with you two, you'll be well taken care of. If you need anything or just want to talk, come visit me. Of course, I'll also check up on you both tomorrow to see how you're doing."

Suddenly, Sonny halted mid-sentence and swiveled his head to the right. Charging towards them was another man, dressed identically to the one Raze had encountered earlier. He seemed to materialize out of thin air.

In a single powerful stride, he closed the distance between them.

'Enhancement magic!' Raze surmised. 'So magic does exist in this world?'

The mysterious man brandished a dagger, aiming directly for Raze. In his palm, dark energy swirled ominously.

'I didn't want to use it publicly because it would raise too many questions. But if my life is at stake...'

"Red Lightning Fist!" Sonny unleashed a punch, striking the man squarely in the chest and sending him hurtling through the air until he crashed into a building on the other side.

Witnessing such raw power, Raze was dumbfounded, his mouth agape.

"What... kind of magic was that?" he blurted out.

"Magic?" Sonny echoed, puzzled. "That wasn't magic; it was martial arts."

Raze had stumbled into a world where battles were waged not just with weapons but with fists as well.

Pagna Warriors

Raze and Safa found themselves residing in a place referred to as a temple by the locals and the Red Brigade. However, in Raze's homeland, it would have been labeled as an orphanage.

Nestled partly up a mountain, and a tad isolated from the town, the vast estate featured a large, tiled courtyard at the front and an exceptionally broad single building. Raze couldn't help but wonder about the cost of constructing something this grandiose on his home planet Alterian.

Including the newcomers, the orphanage was now home to twelve children, all there for various reasons. Yet, this was no ordinary orphanage. Acceptance was contingent upon the approval of Mr. Kron, the proprietor. A scar running from his chin through his face marked the visage of this bald, monk-like figure, always seen in robes. The children, on the other hand, made do with ill-fitting hand-me-downs, their ages ranging from as young as five to adult teenagers like Raze, who had recently discovered he was fifteen.

Sonny had mentioned that a year older, and Raze would have been on the streets. Pondering this, Raze recalled a starving child and wondered why he was admitted to the temple, but the other was not.

Raze was clueless about Mr. Kron's criteria. Sonny had mentioned there were requirements before leaving them in Mr. Kron's care, assuring them they were safe. Whether Sonny genuinely believed that or merely sought to instill confidence in them after a recent attack remained uncertain to Raze. Nonetheless, the previous night's events made Raze realize he needed to understand this world of martial arts better.

On their first night, Mr. Kron assigned them a shared room with only one bed due to space constraints. Raze, unbothered, let Safa take the bed while he settled on the floor. Although Safa gestured that sharing the bed was fine, Raze quickly reminded her of his rule - "No touching." Disappointed, she abandoned the idea.

Ready to help around the temple the next morning, they stepped into the main hall and encountered a familiar face. "Ah, looks like the two of you managed to sleep in alright then," Sonny greeted them warmly. "I told you I would be back tomorrow to check up on you two. Now that I see you're both okay, I can head off."

"Wait!" Raze interjected. "Actually, I have a few things I want to ask you about."

As Safa accompanied Mr. Kron to familiarize herself with her chores, Sonny and Raze retreated to the latter's study—a spacious room filled with well-maintained, high-quality books and furniture, superior to anything in Raze's own home.

Settling into a single-seater chair, Sonny invited Raze to sit on the couch before asking, "So what is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Struggling with memory gaps about this world and recent events, Raze sought clarification, particularly regarding martial arts. In his world, martial arts served merely as exercise, not a combat form. The notion of someone punching hard enough to break a wall belonged to the realm of fiction, not reality.

"Oh, I see. I guess I should really treat you like you're an alien or something then?"

'More like from another world, but close enough,' Raze mused.

As Sonny elucidated everything he could, Raze's curiosity deepened, realizing the world was not just slightly different, but vastly so.

Primarily, those proficient in martial arts, like Sonny, were known as Pagna Warriors, akin to how magic practitioners were dubbed Mages. However, a rationale existed for the distinction.

Not everyone pursued martial arts to the extent Raze witnessed. Pagna Warriors belonged to a unique community, separate from the military and Empire, with their own societal norms. Although it was a standard rule for Pagna life members not to interfere with others and vice versa, Sonny explained it was more of an excuse. Pagna Warriors enjoyed greater freedom, such as the right to kill. Kingdoms also often hired and compensated Clans for their services.

"Now that you know about Pagna Warriors, you need to know how they are split. The continent is considered one large piece, despite there being islands here and there, but it is divided between three large factions.

"You have the Dark Faction, the Light Faction, and the Demon Faction."

Sonny had marked the territory areas on the map, and it was fascinating to note that several different places and kingdoms resided in different regions.

"In each of these factions, there are several families, each with their unique styles of martial arts that they pass down to those loyal to the clan. For example, the Red Brigade, we are a clan that is part of the Dark faction."

Sonny continued to explain a few details, such as, even though other clans were in the same faction, it didn't mean they were friendly. Clans mostly operated on an individual basis.

The faction a clan belonged to mostly depended on the source of their martial arts energy. It wasn't as simple as the clans in the light faction being good, or those in the dark being bad, but rather the type of energy they used for their techniques.

Raze was incredibly interested in this particular part, considering his own powers. Being a mage, research was his forte, but Sonny seemed to be pressed for time.

"Of everything I tell you today, this might be the most important. As warriors, we cultivate our powers and perfect our techniques, and among us, we have masters so powerful they could obliterate an entire city with one fist."

What Sonny described sounded like the same power as that of a 9-star mage.

"The stages of a Pagna fighter can be split into three parts. The initial stage, where fighters are ranked from level 1 to 6, the middle stage, where fighters are ranked from 7 to 9, and then the Deity stage, from rank 10 to 12.

"If you ever become a Pagna warrior, you would truly learn how frightening each of these stages can be, and the titles that are given in each of these stages. Because the difference in power between ranks can be astronomical. For you, though, just understanding the three stages is enough. If you ever hear someone use the words 'Deity stage,' then you should never anger them. No one will be able to save you if you do."

The tone of Sonny's voice and his entire demeanor changed when talking about the last part. It was interesting to note the mention that the current Raze was not a Pagna warrior. A 'no name,' one with no family name, was one that wasn't related to a clan, nor were they related to any of the higher-ups in the kingdoms and empires.

He could only imagine the strength he would have had if he had transmigrated into the body of a powerful Pagna warrior.

"So... what stage are you at?" Raze asked.

Sonny smiled as he thumped his chest. "I'm at the initial stage, a rank 2 Pagna warrior," Sonny declared.

Raze was quite impressed. If that was what a rank 2 warrior could do, he could only imagine in his head what a Deity stage warrior could do.

Thinking about that, something clicked in his head.

"Wait, the ones that attacked us, were they Pagna warriors as well?"

Sonny nodded.

"Then, if that's the case, why would Pagna warriors target a no name family like ours? And even go to the point where they would target us again last night?

Pagna Academy

From what Raze had learned, members of Pagna typically refrained from meddling in human affairs. It was only the high-ranking officials or those particularly irked who would intervene. Hence, the recent attack baffled Raze.

"I honestly don't know," Sonny replied, releasing a deep sigh. "There's a lot happening right now that we don't understand. Even though the Red Brigade controls this area, it's challenging to monitor everything."

"Look, I know you want answers, but don't even think about seeking revenge. An ordinary person like you wouldn't stand a chance against a Rank 1 Pagna warrior. Remember, you have a sister to take care of."

'Revenge!' thought Raze. 'Why would I care about a family I have no connection or memory of? The only people I want revenge on are the Grand Magus.'

Sonny was already halfway out the door, clearly pressed for time, so Raze didn't press him with more questions. He could either ask next time they met or do his own research.

Returning to Mr. Kron, Raze was introduced to the other temple occupants. Four were his age: three boys and one girl.

The first to catch Raze's eye was a dark-skinned, curly-haired boy with an incredibly goofy smile named Simyon. He seemed genuinely pleased to have new companions.

Next were two boys: a shorter one with a handsome face and good build, reaching only to Raze's shoulders, named Gren. He seemed annoyed to be summoned for no apparent reason.

Beside him were twins, one male and one female, Biyo and Giyo. They were identical, except for their hair length. They politely introduced themselves but seemed indifferent.

The remaining children were much younger and greeted Safa and Raze with broad smiles, waves, and bows.

After the introductions, everyone resumed their tasks. Safa continued cleaning the ornaments and floors before sweeping outside. She was paired with the twins for cleaning, the main chore here. Raze was assigned to help prepare food and was instructed to shadow Simyon.

Entering the spacious kitchen, which resembled a canteen capable of serving hundreds, Simyon lifted a large basket of potatoes and slammed it onto the table.

"Alright, just follow my lead, and I think you'll get the hang of it!" Simyon grinned.

They washed the potatoes, removed certain roots with a knife, peeled them, and tossed them into another basket. Simyon monitored Raze closely and was somewhat surprised.

"Man, you peel those potatoes even better than me! How did you learn to use a knife so well?" Simyon inquired.

"I lived alone for a while and learned to cook for myself. I've been doing this for a long time," Raze replied.

"A long time? Aren't you my age? Were you peeling potatoes since you were three or something?" Simyon joked while continuing his work.

Raze had answered automatically and realized he might have revealed too much. The children were unaware of his backstory, but kids being kids, they would inevitably ask all sorts of questions. Currently, Raze was supposed to have lived with his family, not alone. He needed to ensure his story remained consistent.

"You must have had it rough too, huh? Don't worry, everyone here has had a hard life. But don't stress too much; we're in a good place," Simyon reassured.

Raze recalled Sonny mentioning they were safe here, all thanks to Mr. Kron.

"Is it because of Mr. Kron? Is he a Pagna warrior too?" Raze asked, wanting to gauge his surroundings and potential threats. With his current strength, he might not even defeat a rank 1 warrior.

"Ha!" Simyon chuckled. "I guess you haven't heard; you did just arrive, after all." He glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "Rumors say that Mr. Kron used to teach at the Pagna academy."

"The academy? There's a Pagna academy?" Raze raised an eyebrow. Sonny had never mentioned it, but it made sense since Raze wasn't initially a warrior.

Simyon was so shocked he dropped a potato he was peeling. Before it hit the ground, he kicked it back up, catching it, although now it was covered in dirt.

"What rock have you been living under? How do you not know about the academy?" Simyon asked.

Raze pointed to his head.

"I… don't have many memories. Something happened to me before I came here." Raze tried to pull a face that made it look like it was a difficult subject to talk about. That way he could avoid more questions. "Could you explain the academy?"

The topic seemed to excite Simyon, he placed the potato down along with the knife as he swung his arms as he explained away.

"The Pagna academy is the place for anyone aspiring to make a mark in this world," Simyon elaborated. "There's one in each faction, including here in the dark faction. It's a school funded by all the clans in the faction."

"It began as a way for the clans to nurture promising fighters, and its success ensured its continuation. Clan members send their children to the academy, but it's also open to those not affiliated with any clan, offering a stepping stone into the world of Pagna.

"Upon graduation, other clans would eagerly recruit you. Joining the academy isn't mandatory to become a Pagna, but for those like us, without a clan or access to cultivation techniques and skills, it's the only path to becoming a warrior!"

Simyon's voice quivered with excitement, unable to contain his enthusiasm.

The mention of the Pagna academy reminded Raze of the Mage academy. Although he was told he lacked magical talent, he ultimately proved everyone wrong.

He even secured a respected position within the Mage academy, despite never being a student.

'Those... memories... are ones I don't wish to relive,' Raze reflected.

"However, not just anyone can join the academy. You must at least be able to cultivate your Qi and demonstrate a rank 1 basic skill to a certain standard."

Many unfamiliar terms were used – Qi, basic skills – but Raze doubted Simyon could adequately explain them. He found written explanations in books easier to comprehend.

"That's why we're fortunate to have Mr. Kron. He teaches us for an hour every day. Thanks to him, we all have a chance to become Pagna warriors!"

Raze examined his hand as he clenched it into a fist. He had harmed many with his magic, but had he ever physically hurt someone?

Memories of the assassin he killed flashed in his mind. He certainly had used his hands back then. There was no doubt about that.

'I guess he was the first. I wonder if this body is capable of performing these martial art skills. I guess I'll find out today.'