The aftermath of the duel was heavy in the air. The arena had been repaired almost instantly with magic, but the tension among the students and staff remained. Caseoh stood at the edge of the training grounds, his eyes calm despite the whirlwind of emotions stirring within the crowd.


    As Elric tries to walk away he lost his consciousness,


    Elric lay unconscious on the ground, dark energy still faintly radiating from his body. The corrupted aura was unmistakable — and dangerous. Caseoh could sense the twisted presence of dark magic coiling around Elric like invisible chains.


    A deep voice echoed through the training grounds.


    "Stop this madness at once!"


    The headmaster, Grand Mage Orthran, stepped onto the field, his staff glowing faintly with golden runes. His piercing gaze swept over Elric''s broken form before settling on Caseoh with narrowed eyes.


    Orthran knelt beside Elric, his hand hovering above the boy''s chest. A sudden burst of violet light erupted from Elric''s body — the unmistakable mark of a demon contract.


    "Dark magic…" Orthran''s expression hardened. He rose to his feet, his eyes filled with quiet fury. "This is unforgivable."


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    Murmurs erupted among the students. A contract with a demon — an apostle of a god — was the ultimate taboo within the Magic Academy. It was a violation of the sacred magical code — a direct threat to the balance of the academy''s foundation.


    Two instructors stepped forward, their robes billowing as they summoned magic circles beneath their feet.


    "Restrain him," Orthran commanded.


    Elric''s unconscious body lifted off the ground, encased in glowing chains of light. His breathing was shallow, his expression twisted in unconscious pain.


    "Wait!" Caseoh stepped forward.


    Orthran''s gaze snapped toward him. "Do you have something to say, Caseoh?"


    Caseoh hesitated for a brief moment. He knew the truth. He had felt the dark presence stirring within Elric long before the duel had begun. The demon''s influence was clear — but something about the timing felt off.


    "It wasn''t completely his fault," Caseoh said calmly.


    Orthran''s expression darkened. "You think a contract with a demon happens by accident?"


    "No," Caseoh replied, his eyes sharpening. "But it’s possible that Elric was manipulated."


    The murmurs among the students grew louder.


    "You would defend him?" Orthran’s gaze was like a blade.


    "I''m not defending him," Caseoh said. "I''m stating the truth."


    Orthran studied him for a long moment before waving his hand. "That will be for the tribunal to decide."


    Elric''s unconscious form was lifted higher by the chains of light.


    "For now, Elric Greyridge will be expelled from the Magic Academy and placed under magical restriction. He will face trial before the High Council for conspiring with dark forces."


    A hush fell over the crowd as Elric''s body was carried away. His face was pale — the dark energy flickering faintly beneath his skin.


    Caseoh stood still as the students began to disperse.


    "Why did you speak for him?" a voice whispered behind him.


    Caseoh turned to see Lira — a classmate with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes — standing at his side.


    "Because…" Caseoh''s gaze darkened. "This isn''t over yet."


    He could feel it — the demon''s influence hadn’t left Elric. If anything, it had just begun to spread.