The isolation chamber wasn’t as bad as Aethyr had expected. In the stillness, his mind remained sharp, focused on his surroundings, even though time itself seemed to dissolve in the stagnant air. He had spent nearly a month confined, treated like a prisoner, though at least they provided him with food and water three times a day. Devoid of magic due to the enchantments placed upon the room, he turned to physical training. His body had grown leaner and stronger, every fiber of his being honed for what was to come. Though he was bound in more ways than one, his mind had become a weapon in itself, trained through sheer discipline and concentration.

One day, a guard in a dark robe came, binding his hands before leading him through the cold, winding corridors of the College. Aethyr felt a mixture of anticipation and dread as he approached the round-shaped room where his fate would be decided.

The chamber was imposing—a dimly lit hall with high, arching ceilings, carved from stone older than memory. Torches cast flickering shadows across the ancient walls, amplifying the tension in the air. In the center, seated upon a raised platform, were the Three Great Mages. Their figures loomed above, casting dark silhouettes over Aethyr as he stood before them. Each of the judges radiated an undeniable aura of power, their eyes like silent sentinels, watching him with suspicion.

Grandmaster Grandir, at the center, exuded an almost palpable calm. His face, weathered by centuries of wisdom, was unreadable, but his presence weighed heavily on the room. To his left stood Master Asphyr, whose gaze was more calculated, studying Aethyr with appraising eyes, while a subtle, protective aura clung to him. On the right was the menacing figure of Master Sarphin. His harsh expression spoke of barely contained fury, and the air around him crackled with volatile energy.

Asphyr was the first to break the silence. "You look... healthier than expected," he remarked, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of curiosity. "It seems isolation has done little to weaken you." He gestured slightly, and a soft glow emanated from his hand as he cast an appraisal spell. "How interesting..." he murmured.

Before Aethyr could respond, Sarphin strode forward, his footsteps echoing ominously in the vast hall. "Enough with the pleasantries!" Sarphin snapped, his voice sharp and accusing. His cold gaze locked onto Aethyr. "How did you fight Velehk? He’s no mere demon—he’s as old as time itself! A single encounter with him should have reduced you to ash!"

Aethyr met Sarphin's glare with unwavering eyes. "I fought him with my spear and shield," he answered, his voice steady. At his words, the guards threw his weapons onto the stone floor with a deafening clatter.

Sarphin sneered, his disbelief palpable. "Nonsense!" he barked, his voice echoing through the chamber. "No matter how well these weapons are forged, they do not possess the power to harm a demon like Velehk! Do you not understand? Velehk could tear cities asunder! He is ancient, invincible!" His voice rose with fury, as if the mere suggestion of Velehk’s defeat insulted his very knowledge.

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Aethyr remained calm, his voice unshaken. "I was trained from a young age to defeat enemies more powerful than myself—whether they be mage, wizard, or even demon. Skill can overcome power."

Grandir, still silent, raised a hand to calm Sarphin's outburst. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but carried an undeniable weight. "Why were you searching the teacher logs, Aethyr?" His gaze, though seemingly composed, drilled into Aethyr with unnerving intensity.

"I was looking for records on alteration magic," Aethyr replied, meeting Grandir’s eyes. "I stumbled across the journal of the missing students."

Sitting back, Grandir exchanged a knowing glance with Asphyr, while Sarphin snorted in disdain.

"Alteration magic?" Sarphin sneered, stepping forward again. "You sought forbidden knowledge! Alteration magic, at its most potent, is mind-breaking—used only by the insane or criminals. It was banned from the College over seventy years ago for a reason!"

"I wasn’t seeking madness," Aethyr defended himself. "I was seeking knowledge. Velehk may be strong, but he’s not invincible. I fought him bit by bit, weakening him with my spear. I defeated him, but I didn’t kill him. He escaped."

The three mages shared a long glance, doubt and suspicion lingering in their expressions. They knew the destruction in the chamber below did not lie; the very walls of the underground chamber bore witness to the fierce battle.

Master Asphyr spoke, his tone measured. "The demon may be gone, but we still have concerns. The forces you tampered with... They are not to be trifled with. You should have known better."

Grandir's gaze sharpened. "You are now under our strict supervision, Aethyr," he said. "But we would like to see if your claims of strength hold truth. There is an ancient ruin beneath the restless volcano to the south. We have sensed its stirrings. Inside lies a relic, a record older than the College itself. Your task is to enter the ruin and retrieve it."

Aethyr’s brow furrowed. "You want me to enter a volcano? The heat alone could kill me."

Sarphin smirked. "Consider it a test. If you truly are as skilled as you claim, then you should have no trouble navigating the heat and retrieving the record. Or, perhaps, you’ll perish there, and we’ll be rid of another fool who dabbles in things he cannot understand."

Asphyr remained silent, his eyes betraying a flicker of concern. Grandir stood, signaling the end of the interrogation. "You will embark on this task in one week. Prove your worth, Aethyr. Or let the mountain claim you."

The guards approached to take Aethyr away, but as they led him from the room, Grandir’s voice echoed one last time. "Know this, Aethyr. We are watching. And if you make one more mistake, no demon, no force in this world will save you from our judgment."

As the doors closed behind him, the weight of the task ahead settled on Aethyr’s shoulders. The chamber where he had fought Velehk was a battlefield, scarred and broken by their clash, but it was nothing compared to the trials that lay before him beneath the volcanic mountain.