The next morning, the Academy felt… different. Conversations stopped when Rayan walked by. Students glanced at him, whispered, then turned away quickly.
Kael noticed too.
"Feels like everyone's looking at us like we've got 'Kick Me' signs on our backs."
It didn't take long to find out why. A parchment had been pinned to the main notice board:
BLACK-ROBE CHEATER
"Caught using forbidden magic in the Aether Circle. A disgrace to the Academy." — Anonymous Witnesses
The handwriting was elegant. Rayan didn't need a scrying spell to know it was Cassian's.
Midday in the Training Grounds
Cassian was waiting, leaning on his staff, a smug smile curling his lips.
"Oh, the cheater arrives. Planning to bind me again, or will you run crying to your friend here?"
Kael stepped forward, but Rayan raised a hand.
"Don't waste breath, Kael. He wants an audience."
"Correct," Cassian said smoothly. "I challenge you to a duel — sanctioned by the Academy. If you lose, you're expelled. If you win… I'll publicly apologize."
Rayan tilted his head. A trap. Obviously. But useful traps can be walked into.
"When?"
"Tonight. The Moon Court."
Before the Duel
As Rayan prepared, the door to his dorm creaked open. The silver-haired girl slipped inside, her presence filling the room like cold moonlight.
"You can't win against him," she said without preamble.
"Good to see you too," Rayan replied.
She ignored the jab and stepped closer.
"Cassian's magic is fueled by House Ignis' battle rituals. They'll cheat for him. You'll need… unconventional help."
"And you're offering it?"
"Not for free." Her smirk deepened. "You'll owe me a favor. A big one."
For a moment, their eyes locked — a spark, sharp and dangerous. Rayan could almost hear the Grimoire's pages turning.
The Duel – Moon Court
Dozens gathered in the marble courtyard under the full moon. The white glow made Cassian's crimson robe seem like it was burning.
The referee announced the rules — none of which Cassian intended to follow.
The fight began with an explosion of fire. Rayan barely dodged, the heat singing his sleeve. Cassian's smirk widened.
"This is the part where you beg."
But Rayan didn't beg. He smiled. Because in his palm, runes flickered — ones the silver-haired girl had slipped him hours earlier.
The counter-spell detonated, turning Cassian's fire back on him. The crowd gasped as the Ignis prodigy hit the ground, coughing in shock.
Aftermath
Kael slapped Rayan's back.
"I swear, if you get expelled someday, I'm coming with you."
From the balcony above, the silver-haired girl watched, her gaze a mix of satisfaction and calculation. She'd helped him win… but now he owed her.
In his room, the Grimoire bled another line of ink:
Page 7: Every debt paid in magic is repaid in blood.