In the Lawrence Manor's library, the old mage Haville often lingered alone for hours. Under the dim light, his figure appeared eerie and solitary. One day, Vera accidentally caught him flipping through a forbidden tome of magic, its cover etched with ominous runes banned by the Church.

"Teacher, what are you studying?" Vera asked cautiously.

Haville snapped the book shut in haste and cast a cold glance at her. "Just some ancient knowledge about demon banishment. Nothing you should concern yourself with."

Despite his dismissive words, his trembling hands and the way he clutched the book as if guarding a treasure betrayed his unease. Vera, respecting her teacher, held back her questions but couldn't shake the uneasiness in her heart.

Recently, Haville had also been slipping out at night under the pretext of patrolling the manor. Yet, every time he returned, the hem of his robe was stained with soil and grass, and a faint, unsettling stench of decay followed him.

"He's just ensuring the safety of the Lawrence family," Vera told herself, though the nagging sense of something amiss lingered.

As the manor residents debated their suspicions, a booming voice filled the courtyard:

"By the power of the heavens and earth, may the Holy Light descend!"

The Lawrence Manor was hosting a bizarre exorcism ritual.

Draped in gleaming Holy Knight armor, Luo Wenkai twirled a priest's staff in one hand and a water pouch filled with so-called holy water in the other. He performed a strange dance resembling the rituals of a tribal shaman, muttering incomprehensibly under his breath. With the firelight casting flickering shadows around him, the scene was almost comically unsettling.

The onlookers—servants, guards, and townsfolk—whispered among themselves, their skepticism mounting. Even the soldiers tasked with maintaining order exchanged confused glances.

But Luo Wenkai remained unfazed, continuing his act with unwavering conviction. After all, this was the fifteenth day he had used "exorcism" as an excuse to freeload in the Lawrence Manor.

At first, the townsfolk had welcomed him warmly. Now, suspicion colored their every glance. Were it not for his status as a Holy Knight, he might have been thrown out long ago.

Near the bonfire, the old mage Haville crossed his arms and squinted at Luo Wenkai's ridiculous dance. His gaze briefly lingered on the Holy Knight's Silver Radiance Medal, a prestigious emblem of the Church. A shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"How peculiar," he muttered, as if talking to himself—or perhaps to Vera, who stood nearby. "A Holy Knight bearing the Silver Radiance Medal shouldn’t behave so frivolously. And his Holy Light, while pure, seems… different from the Church’s standard teachings."

"Teacher, do you suspect him?" Vera frowned.

Haville didn’t answer directly, tapping his staff rhythmically instead. "There’s an old tale about a fallen knight banished from the Church. His name became infamous for trickery and scandalous behavior, yet his Holy Light was unparalleled. A tale so absurd, it seemed like a joke. But…"

His voice trailed off as he cast another glance at Luo Wenkai, his expression growing heavier. "I hope I’m wrong."

Vera shivered, a chill creeping into her chest. She steadied herself, lowering her voice. "But, Teacher, what if it’s true?"

Haville sighed deeply. "If it’s true, then the Lawrence family has welcomed a harbinger of chaos into our home."

The Holy Church was the largest religious institution on the continent of Adrim and the state religion of the Kingdom of Estoria. Holy Knights, embodying both divine justice and sacred might, were held in the highest regard.

Yet, after fifteen days of theatrics, even Luo Wenkai knew it was time to produce some results—he had planned for this moment.

"Father, please put an end to this ridiculous charade."

Vera, the eldest daughter of the Lawrence family and a promising magic apprentice, scowled in disdain at Luo Wenkai.

"He’s no exorcist," she said, voice dripping with disdain. "He’s nothing but a clown, wasting our time and mocking us. He’s a fraud. Order his arrest now!"

But the Earl of Lawrence hesitated. "But his Holy Light shines with undeniable purity, and his interpretations of the sacred scriptures are remarkably profound. His possession of the Silver Radiance Medal surely validates his authenticity."

"Father," Vera pressed, her tone rising in frustration. "This so-called Holy Knight was arrested on his first day here for causing a drunken brawl at a tavern!

"Since then, he’s done nothing but leer at the maids, claiming to read their fortunes from their palms, and squander our household's resources on feasts and fights in the town. He even has the audacity to shout, ‘Tonight’s feast is on Earl Lawrence!’ while leaving behind enormous debts!"

The Earl winced but remained unsure. "If we’re wrong about him, the Church’s wrath would be unbearable."

The family’s advisor chimed in, "Lady Vera, patience. I’ve already sent a messenger to the Grand Cathedral in the capital to verify his identity. We’ll know the truth soon enough.

"In the meantime, if his so-called ritual fails, we’ll have ample cause to bring him to justice."

Before Vera could respond, Luo Wenkai sprang in front of them, shouting, "By the Holy Light, begone, foul demon!"

He splashed his holy water over the trio before him—Earl Lawrence, Vera, and Haville.

The crowd froze in stunned silence. For a moment, the only sounds were the crackling bonfire and the dripping water sliding off the trio’s faces.

Nothing happened.

Vera’s temper snapped. "Holy Knight, is this what you call an exorcism? Where’s the demon?"

Despite the lack of reaction, Luo Wenkai maintained an air of mystique, masking his dissatisfaction with an enigmatic smile.