CHAPTER 179: THE MEETING OF DISBELIEF!

They have started their meetings.

Some of the staff room’s chairs were absent and lined up perfectly in an even. Erainlia stood on the side of the tables where professors sat in front of them.

Professor Sylvia’s gaze turned toward Kael.

"Is that true, Kael?" she asked.

All eyes in the room turned to him. The young student stood stiffly in the corner, his palms clenched into fists at his sides.

The accusation pressed down on him like a boulder, and for a moment, his throat tightened.

"No," Kael said firmly. He met Sylvia’s eyes directly, though his heart pounded.

"I did not steal the sealed box."

A murmur rippled across the room, some professors frowning, others looking skeptical.

Erainlia slammed his hand against the table.

"Lies! The box disappeared while he wandered nearby. Who else could it be?!"

Before the tension could flare again, Professor Orwen raised a hand.

"Calm yourself, Erainlia. Accusations must be supported by proof, not emotion. Let the boy speak."

Kael hesitated, then slowly shook his head.

"It wasn’t me. The sealed box was stolen, yes—but not by me. It was taken by something far away that we don’t see everyday."

The room quieted. Even Erainlia paused, his glare unyielding but curious.

Kael’s voice grew steadier as he continued.

"The thief was a Shadow Disciple. They’ve been sighted near the borders of Elaris and Arcadia. They control the small territories, lurking in the dark, spreading their corruption. It wasn’t me who took it. It was them."

Some professors exchanged surprised looks, whispering.

Professor Sylvia leaned forward slightly.

"A Shadow Disciple? Are you certain? Who are they?"

"Yes," Kael said. "They aren’t just thieves. They’re demons, part of a ranking that stretches across the abyss. And this box... it must be valuable if they move to take it."

He drew in a breath, recalling what he had read in the novel.

"There are three demon ranks," Kael explained.

"The Shadow Disciples are the lowest. They control smaller areas, using fear and manipulation. They also command devil contractors—humans or creatures who sell their souls for power."

Professor Orwen nodded slowly, his brow furrowed.

"And above them?"

"The Abyss Wardens," Kael said.

"They hold dominion over vast territories. Their armies sweep across lands like plagues, and their strength dwarfs even the greatest mortal warriors."

The room seemed to grow colder.

"And at the very top," Kael’s voice dropped, almost a whisper, "stands the Demon Lord. A being so powerful that even celestials are forced under their will. He is the god-level demon, the embodiment of despair itself."

A heavy silence followed his words. The professors sat in grim contemplation, the weight of Kael’s explanation sinking in.

Erainlia’s jaw tightened, his suspicion unbroken, but even he could not easily dismiss what Kael had said.

Professor Sylvia spoke.

"If what you say is true... then we are facing something far greater than a stolen box. This matter must be handled with care."

Kael exhaled, his shoulders heavy. He had spoken the truth—but whether they believed him was another matter entirely.

Some of the professors laughed at Kael’s explanation.

His words about Shadow Disciples, Abyss Wardens, and the Demon Lord made them laugh uncontrollably.

One of the younger professors, seated near the far side of the table, leaned back in his chair and smirked.

"Shadow Disciples? Abyss Wardens? Demon Lords?" He chuckled and shook his head. "What nonsense. He’s just spinning tales to get out of trouble."

"These are the stories our grandparents used to tell when I was kid".

Another professor joined in, letting out a short laugh, professor Orwen. "I’ve taught Kael in class before. The boy can’t even cast a basic offensive spell, and now he claims to know about ancient demon hierarchies? It’s absurd."

The laughter spread like a ripple, some shaking their heads in amusement, others muttering under their breath.

Kael clenched his fists at his side. His heart sank, but he kept his expression steady.

He had expected disbelief—yet hearing them laugh when he spoke the truth still cut deep.

Erainlia slammed his hand against the table.

"Do you hear yourselves? He’s mocking us with these lies! Shadow Disciples, Abyss Wardens—fairytales told to frighten children!"

His eyes burned as he turned toward Kael, pointing a finger like an accusation made flesh.

"You dare stand here, in front of my sister and professors, and spew this garbage to cover your crime?!"

Kael’s jaw tightened, but before he could answer, Professor Sylvia raised her hand.

"That’s enough," Slyvia said. Her eyes swept the room, silencing both laughter and fury.

Then she turned her gaze toward Kael, studying him with unusual intensity.

"Kael."

"Tell me again—how do you know of this?"

Kael met her eyes, steadying his breath.

"Because I’ve read from the book," he said.

"Not just stories or rumors. Traces left behind in ruins, whispers from merchants near the borders, and..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "...a mark on the box itself. Before it disappeared, I felt the corruption leaking from it. That corruption belongs only to a Shadow Disciple. I would stake my life on it."

Sylvia’s turned thoughtful. Unlike the others, she didn’t scoff.

She had lived long enough, studied deeply enough, to know that not all myths were false.

But Erainlia wasn’t finished. He took a step forward with anger.

"Professor Sylvia, you can’t seriously be considering his words. This is Kael we’re talking about! He’s been nothing but suspicious since the day I saw him. And now, conveniently, he knows about demons that no one else here has seen?"

A few professors nodded in agreement, their skepticism clear.

Sylvia, however, did not look away from Kael. "Sometimes," she said quietly, "truth hides where we least expect it."

The laughter and mutters in the room faltered.

Kael felt a flicker of relief in his chest, though it was fragile. At least someone was listening.

Still, Erainlia’s glare didn’t soften. He leaned forward, his voice low but sharp, meant for Kael alone.

"If you think you can fool them with stories, you’re mistaken. I will find proof, and when I do, no barrier or excuse will save you."

Kael’s throat tightened. He didn’t answer—there was no point of explanation.

Instead, Sylvia rose to her feet. "This discussion will go no further. The matter of the stolen box is serious, yes—but so are the claims made here. We cannot dismiss them outright."