Chapter 4: Beneath the Crystal of Judgment

The interrogation room in Academia Arcana Prime was unlike any ordinary prison.
Its walls were built from mana-suppressing enchanted stone. Hanging from the ceiling was a massive blue crystal—The Crystal of Truth, said to detect lies through shifts in its glow.
At the center of the room, Angeline sat alone.Her hands were bound with magic-suppressing runes. Her sword—confiscated.
Her only companions were the ticking of time… and the rhythm of her own heartbeat.
> “This isn’t the first time I’ve been accused. But this time... I’m truly alone.”

🚪 The Door Opens
In walked Professor Vendal, followed by two members of the Ethics Committee and one instructor from the Arcane Security Division.
“Angeline Ceu,” Vendal spoke softly, “you are accused of trespassing in a forbidden training area without permission, and engaging in dangerous magical activity.”
“Alongside Erian Solvine,” one of the teachers added.
Angeline looked up.
“I was summoned by a letter—sealed with the academy’s crest! I didn’t go there on my own!”
The Crystal of Truth above her shimmered faintly.Its gentle blue light remained steady—she was telling the truth.
But one teacher hissed, “Pity there’s no proof of this letter. Nothing but a blank piece of paper… sounds fabricated.”

🧠 Emotional Interrogation
“You come from a race with little magical aptitude,” the security instructor said.“Why try so hard to stay here? Perhaps… you're trying to sabotage our system from within?”
Angeline clenched her fists. Her ears drooped slightly.
“Because you all stand on our backs. You mock us, trample us, call us lowborn—but still use us for manual labor, as servants, guards, couriers... Without us, this whole system would collapse!”
The blue crystal flared bright. Complete honesty.
But the instructors exchanged only cold, silent glances.
⚖️ Turning Point
Then… the door opened again.
Someone unexpected stepped inside: Rael Durnvarn—a dragonkin student, quiet and mysterious.Rarely spoke, yet known as the year’s most brilliant battlefield spell architect.
Rael looked at the professors and spoke calmly:
“I would like to testify.”
Everyone fell silent.
“I used a scouting familiar last night to monitor the grounds. I... saw someone in a golden cloak seal the letter and place it in Angeline’s room, then deactivate the arcane cameras.”
The professors glanced at each other.“Evidence?”
Rael raised a hand—projecting a short illusion: a cloaked woman placing a letter on Angeline’s desk. Celia von Elarien.
🧨 Reaction
The Ethics Committee teacher furrowed his brow.
“If this is real… then Angeline and Erian were victims of a setup. And Celia...”
Professor Vendal exhaled deeply.“Someone felt their status was threatened.”
He looked at Angeline, then released the binding runes from her hands.
“You’re free. But remember… this isn’t the end. The world of magic doesn’t welcome change. They’ll come at you harder now.”
Angeline slowly stood.Her gaze unwavering.
> “Then I’ll run faster.”
🧃 End of Chapter
As Angeline walked out, she glanced at Rael.
“Why did you help me?”
Rael answered plainly:
> “Because I know what it’s like… to be judged not for your actions, but for your origin.”

He then turned and walked away, leaving Angeline standing still for a moment.
For the first time… she didn’t feel entirely alone.