107 PROVEN NOT A DEMON
Suddenly, a brilliant golden light erupted from Leo. The arena fell silent as an ethereal Rakshasa, identical to the librarian's, materialized around him.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"How did he master the sutra in one day? Even I required years to learn it," the librarian asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"I told you," Leo said with a grin. "I'm a genius."
"What's going on?" whispered one of the enforcers who had come to pursue Leo. "How did he replicate the librarian's transformation?"
"Didn't you know?" Petunia interjected, her voice calm yet sharp. "Lilleo Gullee came to the Tome Arena specifically for the Golden Rakshasa Transformation Sutra. He studied it for a day, and this duel was the result of claiming the tome."
"Are you saying the strength he displayed wasn't from demon magic but from mastering the sutra?" one enforcer asked.
Petunia smirked, her gaze locked on Leo. "The proof is right in front of you."
The golden Rakshasa surrounding Leo shimmered brightly, its power undeniable, leaving no room for doubt in anyone's mind. He wasn't a demon but a genius.
"Your conjuration is a little different from mine," the librarian remarked, studying Leo's transformation carefully.
Leo turned toward him, meeting his gaze with confidence. "My spell isn't at full strength yet. I've only learned it for a day, but with more practice, I'll reach your level," he replied with quiet determination.
The librarian studied Leo for a moment, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. Despite his earlier skepticism, he was impressed.
"Indeed, remarkable work. My name is Counselor Huggins. And may I ask yours?"
Leo inclined his head in a respectful gesture. "Lilleo Gullee."
The crowd around the arena gasped, and whispers began to ripple through the onlookers like wildfire.
"The Demon of Gullee mastered a high-tier spell in one day? Could he really be a demon?" one student murmured in disbelief.
"No wonder he was so arrogant—he's a true genius," another speculated.
Counselor Huggins smiled, his expression softening as he regarded Leo. "I look forward to seeing you again, Lilleo. If you ever have another tome to trade, come find me."
Leo nodded, his gaze steady. "I will," he said, before turning to leave the arena, his mind already turning toward what lay ahead.
Leo nodded. "I will," he replied.
The crowd remained silent, their collective gaze locked on the golden light surrounding Leo. For a moment, even the air seemed to hold its breath, charged with the energy of what had just transpired.
"Is he still a demon?" the pursuers asked each other, uncertainty clouding their judgment.
Petunia, who had been quietly observing, responded calmly, "Typically, demon practitioners are skilled in spell mastery, which is consistent with what we've seen. But..."
"Should we still arrest him?" one of the pursuers questioned, his voice filled with doubt.
The group fell silent, contemplating the situation.
Despite the lingering suspicion, the evidence of Leo's demonic magic had been thoroughly debunked. There was no concrete proof linking him to dark practices anymore, but the possibility that he might still be a demon hung in the air.
Breaking the stillness, Leo spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. "May I borrow the arena for a moment?"
Counselor Huggins, standing near the edge of the arena, raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Borrow it? For what purpose?"
Without answering directly, Leo moved to the center of the arena, sitting cross-legged. His posture shifted into a meditative stance as his fingers traced intricate patterns in the air.
Then, without warning, a radiant golden light burst from his body, rising like a phoenix toward the vaulted ceiling of the Arena Tome Tower.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
"Did he just… make a breakthrough here?" someone whispered, their voice barely audible over the stunned silence.
"It's not uncommon after a grueling fight," another student murmured. "Fighting the librarian might have pushed him past his limits."
"But… isn't he a demon?" an enforcer muttered, eyeing the scene with suspicion.
Petunia, standing nearby, crossed her arms and smirked. "A demon? Not a chance now. Demons don't break through like that. They advance through dark rituals and blood sacrifices. This is the Arena Tome—those things aren't possible here. The wards would incinerate them on the spot."
The golden light grew brighter, reaching higher and higher until it seemed to brush the peak of the tower. The pulsating energy radiated through the arena, a tangible sign of a significant magical shift.
Moments later, the light dimmed, and Leo rose to his feet.
His entire presence seemed transformed, exuding a refined aura that marked his ascension to the minor tier of Svad Cakra—Tier 2.
He turned toward Counselor Huggins and bowed slightly. "Thank you for allowing me this opportunity."
The counselor, still processing what he had witnessed, nodded slowly. "Of course… I'm glad the arena could be of use."
Without lingering, Leo stepped out of the arena, leaving behind a crowd buzzing with disbelief and awe.
The demonstration had been deliberate.
By showcasing his breakthrough so publicly, Leo had not only proven his strength but also silenced any lingering doubts about his nature. The golden light, a hallmark of pure magic, was irrefutable evidence against the accusations of demonism.
From the shadows, Petunia watched with a bemused smile. "So, you're not a demon after all," she muttered under her breath.
Nearby, Knekis, still slouched in a chair nursing his bruised ego, sneered. "He must be a demon. I'm sure of it! All this was just a clever ploy. I worked hard to bait him into this fight to expose him, and now it's all for nothing."
Petunia didn't bother responding.
Her thoughts lingered on her true mission, the one handed to her by the Assassin Workshop. She'd been sent to assess Leo and confirm whether he was a demon practitioner.
Now, with Leo's dramatic display of magical ascension, she had her answer.
"Well," she mused, stepping away from the arena with a wry grin, "for once, I got an easy assignment. Task complete."
As she turned to leave, Knekis groaned and tried to follow. "Wait for me!" he called, dragging himself to his feet and stumbling after her.
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