Ehre Protzen is not just an annual student festival—it's the ultimate showcase of skill, creativity, and ambition. In this prestigious event, the academy's students display their progress, competing in various activities according to their specialized departments. Geist Protzen, the highlight of the festival, sees students from the renowned Geist department demonstrate their extraordinary abilities. But beneath the surface, this event is more than a celebration—it's a high-stakes battleground. With the eyes of professionals from across the world watching, eager to scout the best talent, reputations and futures are on the line. For some, Ehre Protzen is a chance at fame and success, but for others, it could be their undoing.

Anneliese, out of nowhere, invited me to participate in Geist Protzen with her. I refused, of course—why would I want to be part of something like that? But she wouldn't take no for an answer. Her insistence was relentless, as if there was more riding on my involvement than she was letting on.

"Why don't you just go with her?" Professor Verra inquired, his eyes fixed on his paperwork.

"I can't be bothered by a mere festival, when my friend is out there possessed by god knows who."

"I heard it was the true demon king, wasn't it?" Professor Verra, whose eyes were glued to the paper, shifted his focus.

"Now that I think about, just who exactly is that?" Eis asked in a serious tone, his brows furrowing.

From what Professor Verra knows, the true demon king, Azazel, has ties to the history of the academy, Ehre. It was a long time ago—so long that the history is now considered a fairy tale. Professor Verra himself also mentioned that he never believed Azazel to be a real being.

"In actuality, the book recording Azazel's history is categorized under fiction."

Professor Verra murmured as he realized that the fairy tale had believed was actually real.

It was stated in the book that the true hero, Ehre, alongside his six companions and one dragon, fought valiantly to bring peace to the lands ravaged by the true demon king and his minions. Their quest to vanquish Azazel led to a fateful confrontation, resulting in the demon king splitting his soul into ten fragmented pieces, each hidden in the darkest corners of the world. As Azazel awaits the perfect vessel to reclaim his power, Ehre, with resolve burning in his heart, founded the Academy of Ehre, a place for fostering younglings to become the ones who would defeat Azazel once and for all.

So you're telling me, I have to defeat someone out of my reach even at their utmost weakened state. Just to get my friend back?

"That's even more reason not to join the festival; I need to train even harder." Eis uttered as he clench his fist.

"Look, I know you need to get your friend back as soon as possible. But pushing yourself won't do you any good."

"As much as I would like to take it easy, there are people out there who are helping the true demon king. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for someone to frame me for aiding in the demon king's awakening."

"Must be the cultists—those damned people praying for Azrael's awakening." Murmured by professor Verra with a solemn expression.

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Finding out who had actually possessed his best friend, Eis set out deeper into the dungeon, reaching the 16th floor. There, he faced a 121 centimeters tall, airborne monster, resembling that of a bald eagle.

Screeching, the monster flew straight ahead, charging flames within its feathers. The acrid scent of smoke filled the air as Eis, standing his ground, threw a smoke bomb. A thick, gray cloud enveloped him, muffling sounds and obscuring vision. Unable to see ahead, the monster halted its trajectory, disoriented by the sudden darkness. Spreading its wings, which had a wingspan of 253 centimeters, it flapped them powerfully, creating gusts of wind that rattled the stones of the massive cave.

Upon reaching the top, the monster fired its charged flame from its wings toward the flashing light within the smoke. The blast erupted like a fiery comet, illuminating the cave and casting flickering shadows on the walls. Eis could feel the heat radiating from the flames, even through the smoke. Unable to determine from above whether its target was dead or not, the monster landed on its two feet, causing the ground to tremble beneath him.

Closing its wings, it spread them in an instant, sending a wave of air that scattered the remaining smoke like a curtain pulled aside. The monster scanned its surroundings but was unable to find Eis. Looking upwards, it saw a massive rock with a sharpened edge falling right above it. The monster dodged the falling rock, relieved that it had managed to avoid its demise. Relaxing, the monster felt a sudden stiffness in its muscles, specifically its back. Experiencing intense discomfort, the monster fell to its side, confused about what was happening.

Eis emerged from the monster's back, his breath steady despite the battle. After using a smoke bomb to blind it, he had latched onto the beast, methodically wearing it down with his geist technique. The creature's desperate thrashes grew weaker with every moment, until it could no longer fight back. In one swift, final blow, Eis finished the job.

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As Eis approached the entrance of the cave, his eyes caught sight of four figures shrouded in cloaks, their faces obscured by heavy hoods. He walked past them, determined to mind his own business. But in an instant, one of the cloaked figures hurled an axe toward him. Eis' reflexes saved him—he barely managed to block the attack. The assailant pressed forward with relentless strikes, forcing Eis back, while the other three closed in, encircling him like wolves around prey.

As the two elementalists charged their geists, one of the three attacked with his sword. Just as Eis was about to be stabbed, he managed to break free by destroying the axe wielder's weapon, using the sword user's momentum against him. Eis then grabbed the axe user, using him as a meat shield to avoid being stabbed.

Seeing the three visibly startled by his quick maneuvering, Eis could immediately tell they were inexperienced in combat. Using this to his advantage, he headed straight for one of the cloaked individuals in the distance, keeping up the pressure.

One of the elementalists had finished charging his attack and fired it in Eis's direction. With quick thinking, Eis swiftly changed his course toward the sword wielder who was trailing behind him.

Startled by Eis's immediate switch, the sword user couldn't react in time to prevent Eis from tripping him. Eis then grabbed the swordsman, using him to block the incoming fire blast.

With only two of the four remaining, the pair attempted to flee, desperation in their eyes. However, they were swiftly obstructed by Eis, who stood his ground, ready to confront them.

Eis questioned the two about their intentions in attacking him. The two tried to act tough, keeping their mouths shut; however, Eis found their silence futile. With a firm grip on their necks, he explained that using his technique, he could immobilize them. One of the attackers shrugged off Eis's threat, confident that being paralyzed wouldn't matter, as they believed they could simply use their geist to undo it.

"My technique won't simply render you two unable to feel anything... or paralyze you. No, I will slowly inject my geist through your spine. As you accumulate enough of it, you'll start to feel cold—your muscles stiffening. The more you move, the more excruciating the pain becomes.

And if you think you can dispel my cold geist from around your body, you are sorely mistaken. After a while, my geist will begin to merge with your own, blending undetected... like a cancer. Once it fully integrates into your geist, it will freeze you from the inside, destroying your geist flow.

Now, do you understand what it's like to have your geist frozen and destroyed? I'll tell you. Your geist flow isn't actually destroyed—just frozen. Your electrical signals will go awry, continuously sending pain signals to your brain that something is wrong with your body. Eventually, the constant barrage of electrical signals will become unbearable for your brain, frying it and killing you in the process."

"Just how do you know that!" The two cried out, obviously scared of what Eis said.

"Don't underestimate me. I could become the world's best in any type of profession if I wanted to. Now, talk!"

As the two tried to spill the beans, they suddenly started to experience muscle spasms, their eyes rolling and blood spitting from their mouths. Before Eis could gather any information, the two died. Disappointed, Eis took off their hoods to learn their identities and was shocked to discover that the individuals who attacked him were students of the Ehre Academy.

Not wanting to risk trouble again, Eis decided to leave their bodies in the dungeon, fearing he might be framed if he revealed this confrontation to the authorities.