Diego's Magnum Opus

Division: Son of Envy

Arc: Buzzutsu Academy

Date: September 16th, 2024

Locations: Buzzutsu Academy, comic book store

Overview

Diego is unexpectedly reunited with his older brother Fenix at Buzzutsu Academy, bringing back complicated feelings about his own self-worth as a sorcerer. As the two spend the day together, Diego reflects on his recent missions, struggles, and growth while Fenix offers both reassurance and subtle pressure about his potential. Their outing to a comic book store is interrupted by a minor curse attack, and the brothers successfully exorcise it together, allowing Diego to regain confidence in his abilities and rediscover inspiration for his magnum opus.

Detailed Plot Summary

In the aftermath of recent missions, Diego is shown struggling to focus as he works on a drawing that unintentionally reflects lingering trauma from the battle with the Chicken Man. His thoughts are interrupted by the long-awaited reunion with his older brother, Fenix, who visits Buzzutsu Academy. Diego excitedly updates him on everything that has happened since he last saw him — Troy’s arrival, the dangerous missions involving the Devious Lick and the laboratory curse, and the arrival of the powerful exchange student Magnus. While the reunion is warm and reassuring, Mr. C subtly hints at unresolved ties between Fenix and the world of buzzutsu.

The brothers leave campus together to spend time in the outside world, ultimately visiting a comic book store. Their outing is interrupted when a small flying curse appears nearby and begins threatening civilians. Diego attempts to handle the situation himself by summoning an octopus-like shikigami to distract the spirit, but the construct is quickly destroyed, highlighting both the limits of his current strength and the lingering fear from his recent experiences. Before the situation escalates further, Fenix steps in and exorcises the curse effortlessly using a comic book as an improvised weapon, demonstrating the overwhelming gap in skill between them. Rather than discouraging Diego, Fenix reassures him that strength is not static and that his current weakness does not define his future potential.

After returning to the academy, Diego speaks with Elysia, who vents about recent events — Magnus breaking her rod during sparring, Morgana sending her on a seemingly pointless materials search, and Renzo nearly getting into a fight with an ordinary civilian. Their conversation highlights the increasingly chaotic atmosphere at Buzzutsu Academy as powerful personalities and dangerous missions continue to disrupt daily life. Inspired by both his brother’s encouragement and his own growing determination to improve, Diego leaves Elysia and rushes back to his room. With renewed purpose and ambition, he resolves to begin work on what he believes will be his magnum opus, signaling a turning point in his personal growth and creative confidence as a sorcerer.

Key Events

• Diego finishes a drawing that oddly includes chickens, showing the lingering psychological effect of the Chicken Man mission.
• Diego reunites with his brother Fenix at Buzzutsu Academy and excitedly gives him an update on recent events, including Troy’s arrival, the Devious Lick mission, the Chicken Man mission, and Magnus joining the academy.
• Mr. C implies that Fenix may still have unfinished ties to the buzzutsu world, hinting that his peaceful life away from it may not be permanent.
• Diego and Fenix leave the academy together for a trip to a comic book store.
• A minor flying curse appears outside the comic book store and targets people nearby.
• Diego distracts the curse with an octopus shikigami, but the construct is destroyed.
• Fenix uses a comic book as a weapon to exorcise the curse in a single strike.
• Fenix encourages Diego, telling him that being weaker now does not mean he is not strong or cannot surpass him someday.
• Back at the academy, Diego talks with Elysia, who vents about Magnus breaking her rod, Morgana sending her on a pointless materials hunt, and Renzo nearly fighting a normal person.
• Diego leaves the conversation newly inspired and rushes back to his room, deciding he is finally ready to begin what he believes will be his magnum opus.