The blinding light that followed lit up the entire training ground.

A deafening BOOM! echoed across the entire academy.

Dust and debris swirled through the air, and for a brief moment, even the birds that perched on the nearby walls scattered in fright.

From Ground One, students turned toward the sound.

"What was that?!" someone shouted.

"Is someone fighting again?" another replied, standing on tiptoe.

"Over at Ground Two! I saw light!"

Dozens began rushing toward the source of the explosion — some out of curiosity, others out of panic.

The echo of metal clashing and mana roaring had already died, leaving only the sound of crackling energy fading into silence.

And then, amid the chaos—

"ENOUGH!"

Professor Kalden, the third-year class instructor, strode across the scorched field.

His boots crushed the broken earth beneath him as his cloak fluttered in the heated wind.

His eyes scanned every face — from Lucas’s smirking expression to Jin’s defiant stance.

The moment he appeared, all murmurs ceased.

"Do you all want to destroy the academy?" Kalden shouted.

"Is this what you call discipline?!"

Lucas immediately lowered his sword, trying to compose himself. "Professor, we were just—"

"Silence."

The single word hit like a blade.

Lucas’s mouth snapped shut instantly. Even Lena, who usually acted indifferent, looked away, pretending to wipe dust off her clothes.

Kalden’s gaze swept the field again, lingering briefly on the cracks that ran across the ground and the faint scorch marks that spread like spiderwebs.

"Who started this?" Kalden asked.

No one spoke.

Even Lucas, bold as he was, kept his eyes lowered.

Jin clenched his fists, and Elysia stood rigid beside him.

Kalden narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Then I’ll find out myself."

He stepped forward. His eyes moved from Lucas to Lena... then to Jin and Elysia.

And then he froze.

"Huh? What are the first years doing here?" Kalden’s tone turned sharp, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

Jin stepped forward slightly, bowing his head respectfully.

"We came here to help our friend, sir."

"Your friend?" Kalden’s eyes narrowed. "Who is your friend?"

"There," Jin said, pointing toward Edwin, who was being carried by two third-year students at the edge of the field.

Edwin’s body was limp, his clothes torn, and dried blood stained his lips.

His face was pale.

Kalden’s expression hardened instantly. "Is he unconscious?"

The two students holding Edwin nodded nervously.

"What have you done to your juniors?" Kalden shouted again, turning toward Lucas and Lena.

His eyes blazed with restrained fury. "Explain yourselves!"

Lucas hesitated. "Well... we—"

"Stop." Kalden raised his hand. "I don’t want excuses."

Both Lucas and Lena fell silent immediately.

At that moment, a few figures tried to slip away quietly from the far side of the ground — Ethan and his group, who had been watching from a distance.

They thought they could escape notice.

But Kalden’s sharp voice stopped them cold.

"Stop there! All of you, come here."

Ethan froze. His heart skipped a beat, but he tried to remain calm.

He exchanged nervous glances with his friends before reluctantly stepping forward.

When they reached the center, Kalden folded his arms. "So... the third-year stars of the academy think the rules don’t apply to them now?"

Ethan quickly bowed. "Professor, we weren’t involved in the fight. We just came to see what happened—"

Kalden’s gaze cut through him like a blade. "Enough. I don’t want to hear it."

"But, sir, we really didn’t—"

"You’re third years," Kalden interrupted sharply.

"If you truly weren’t involved, then you should have stopped this madness, not stood there watching like fools."

Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t dare argue further.

His group stood in silence, eyes fixed on the ground.

Kalden exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. All of you — first years and third years alike — have embarrassed the academy today."

His eyes shifted toward Edwin again, lying motionless nearby.

His hand clenched slightly. "Beating juniors until they lose consciousness... do you think this is strength? You’ve crossed the line."

No one spoke.

Even the crowd of students that had gathered around stood frozen in silence.

Finally, Kalden raised his hand slightly, and faint golden symbols began forming in the air — glowing runes.

The mana in the area shifted immediately.

"I won’t report this to the Headmaster... yet," Kalden said slowly. "But you will all face the consequences of your actions."

He snapped his fingers. Instantly, golden bands of light formed around each of their wrists — Jin, Elysia, Edwin, Lucas, Lena, Ethan, and his three friends.

The bands pulsed once before solidifying into glowing cuffs etched with mana seals.

Jin’s eyes widened. "These are—"

"Mana Restriction Cuffs," Kalden said firmly. "You’ve lost the right to use your energy freely for the next two weeks."

Lucas clenched his jaw, glaring slightly. "Two weeks—"

"Silence," Kalden repeated. "You’re lucky I don’t make it a month."

The cuffs shimmered faintly, reacting whenever someone tried to channel even a trace of mana.

Jin could feel it immediately — the energy inside him felt heavy and dull, sealed as if wrapped in invisible chains.

Kalden looked at them one by one, his gaze stern.

"For two weeks, you are forbidden from any training involving mana. You will attend your regular physical training only — no duels, no spells, no enchantment practice."

He turned his gaze toward Lucas. "As seniors, you had a duty to guide and protect the first years. Instead, you set an example of arrogance and violence."

Lucas lowered his head slightly, his pride was burning. "Understood, Professor."

"And you," Kalden said, turning toward Lena, "you joined him willingly, knowing your strength far surpassed theirs. Do you find honor in overpowering the weak?"

Lena stayed silent for a moment, then muttered, "...No, Professor."

"Good. Then prove it by accepting your punishment."

Finally, Kalden turned toward Jin and Elysia. His tone softened slightly — but only slightly. "And you two. You’re first years. You shouldn’t have interfered in senior disputes."

Jin looked up, defiant. "We didn’t come here to fight. Edwin was—"

"I know," Kalden interrupted. "You acted out of loyalty, and that’s admirable. But there are rules in this academy. If every student took justice into their own hands, we’d have chaos."

Elysia bowed slightly. "We understand, Professor."

Kalden’s gaze lingered on them for a moment before shifting toward Edwin’s limp body again.

"And Edwin... will also face disciplinary review once he recovers. He may not have started this, but participation in unapproved combat cannot be ignored."

"Professor, he’s unconscious," Elysia said. "Can’t the punishment wait?"

Kalden nodded. "Of course. His health comes first. He’ll serve his restriction after he wakes."

He raised his hand, signaling several nearby students.

"Take him to the infirmary immediately."

Two students carefully lifted Edwin and began carrying him away.