Although Dark Magic was forbidden, there were always going to be those who learned it. In most cases, they were criminals. Since it wasn't a widely researched magic and a forbidden one, when fighting against other mages, they tended to find it a little more difficult.
But just because two people learned Dark Magic didn't mean that there would be a sudden connection, other than the fact that the two of them had become instant criminals. However, seeing these two mages in front of Raze mention the words "Dark Magus," now he had some idea of what their connection was.
'Their connection is the Dark Magic and me... I can't believe it. These people, they really follow me?' Raze was largely confused.
It was strange in itself hearing two people say these words in front of him, without them realizing that he was the one they were talking about, but the whole thing had come as a shock.
During his time in Alterian, he never knew he had followers. He had never heard of anything , a group of people that worshipped him.
He had heard of copycats from time to time, those doing the same as the Dark Magus, trying to follow in his footsteps of going against the current state of the system and the Grand Magus, but none of those that raised their banner, and fought under the idea of the Dark Magus.
'Was it just something that I had never noticed before? When I fought as the Dark Magus, it truly did feel like the whole world was going against me. The news reports, public opinion, I couldn't live an ordinary life no matter where I went.'
In the middle of deep thought, the man in the hooded figure continued to talk.
"It does not matter if that is not the reason why you learned Dark Magic. Everyone has their reasons just like the Dark Magus did as well," the man said in a cheerful voice.
Raze had heard this type of voice before. There were several religions, guild recruitment centers, and cults that would use this tone. This type of voice that would reach out to those in need.
"We can help look after each other, and work together to better the lives of all, just like the Dark Magus did!"
Under the shadow, Raze could tell there was a deep smile. He still couldn't get used to the way they were speaking about him, especially since it was wrong.
'Is that why they follow me, because they thought I was doing what I did for a righteous reason? To better the lives of everyone?' Raze looked beyond some of the broken glass windows, and the smell that entered his nose.
He knew where they were now, the underground living areas. It was similar to the place where Raze had grown up, but he hadn't returned in a long time... he never wanted to return to these places.
'I never had such a righteous goal like helping the people around me. I just wanted to get my revenge. I am a more selfish person than you think,' Raze thought to himself.
"Please, tell us what you are, who you are! There is no need for you to give personal details. All of us followers keep our real identity in the real world a secret, but we work together and bring information to each other to help."
"There must be a reason why you decided to learn Dark magic?" the man asked.
Hearing this, flashes of old memories came back to Raze. He remembered the point when he had decided to delve into Dark Magic as well. It was when he had been kicked out of the Mage Academy and placed in prison, all due to the work of one of the Grand Magus.
However, that wasn't important. What was important was how he could use the current situation to his advantage.
"The name Dark Magus, I know it well," Raze spoke, and the two lifted their heads slightly taken aback by it.
"I believe that there is a reason why we met today because I am exactly what you call me, a Dark spirit, a creation of the Dark Magus!" Raze proclaimed.
He had to bring out his inner role-playing for this, and his face was getting redder by the second, but he had no choice. Right now, he felt like he might just be dealing with crazy people. People who were worshipping him, who had never met him, so he needed to act just as crazy as them.
"Haha!" the woman started to burst out laughing. "Do you really expect us to believe that? Why would you be here in front of us, and why would you arrive now of all times."
"That I do not know," Raze stated. "But I believe it's because he wishes for me to complete his will. I believe it is the same for you, correct? The job is still not done, and I believe you know the current state of the Dark Magus, correct?"
The laughter quickly stopped, and it appeared as if the mood had gone somber. Raze expected as much. After the Dark Magus's death, the celebratory news would have spread all over. To the world, it was something for them to celebrate as he was a menace to them all.
In fact, that might have been the reason for cults popping up, those that wished to carry on using the strong name of the Dark Magus.
"Yes... he is dead, and you have appeared, but just because you know Dark Magic doesn't mean you are a creation of the Dark Magus," the man said.
It would have been easier if Raze said he was the Dark Magus, but he had no proof of that himself. For one, he was no longer a 9-star mage, so he didn't even have the power to back it up, nor did he have the same appearance as before, even for those that did know what he looked like.
"We don't know if he's dead or not either!" the woman shouted. "Just because they televised it, there is no proof, the Dark Magus might still be out there!"
In a lot of ways, the woman was right.
"I was by the Dark Magus' side. My creation is due to the things he needed to do still, the things he needed to learn. If you can help me, then you will be helping him as well."
"No!" The woman shouted. "I can't just take it, that someone we have just met, something that doesn't even seem human is related to the Dark Magus. If you were really by his side the entire time, then you should know everything about him, correct?"
This might have been the route and path of questioning he needed. Who else but the Dark Magus himself would know more about him?
"That I should," Raze answered.
"Great, then you better answer everything you can, and not slip up for even a second!" the woman was almost shouting.
"What was the first incident in Alterian that spread the Dark Magus' name?" She asked, with a smug smile. The woman was a self-proclaimed super fan of the Dark Magus, having followed every single event he was involved in.
She was confident that she knew more than any person in the world.