Sudden Interruption

The arena was filled with silence as the crowd waited for the referee to make the announcement. The anticipation was palpable, as everyone held their breath, waiting to hear the winner of the competition.

Levi stood in the center of the arena, his body still covered in water mana. He looked calm and composed, but inside, he was feeling a mix of emotions. He had come to the competition with a single goal in mind, and now, it looked like he had achieved it.

Suddenly, the referee's voice rang out through the arena, cutting through the silence like a knife. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that the winner of this year's competition is... Levi!"

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd as Levi was declared the victor. People jumped to their feet, cheering and clapping, as the water mage walked forward to accept his prize.

As Levi approached the podium, he noticed that he was being greeted by none other than Professor Lumin, one of the most respected Professors in the academy.

"Well done, my boy," he said, clapping Levi on the back. "You've truly proven yourself as a skilled mage and a worthy competitor."

Levi felt a surge of gratitude toward the professor. He had always looked up to Lumin as a mentor and a role model, and to be praised by him was an honor beyond words.

"Thank you, Professor," Levi said, bowing respectfully. "It means a lot coming from you."

Lumin chuckled, patting Levi on the back once more. "You're a modest one, aren't you? But don't sell yourself short, my boy. You've accomplished something truly remarkable today."

Levi smiled, feeling a sense of pride welling up inside him. It had been a long road to get here, with many obstacles and challenges to overcome. But in the end, he had emerged victorious, and that was all that mattered.

Just then, Levi felt a tap on his shoulder, and he turned around to see his friend Mark standing behind him. Mark's face was still a little pale from the injuries he had sustained during the competition, but he was grinning from ear to ear.

"Congratulations, Levi!" Mark exclaimed, giving his friend a one-armed hug. "That was amazing! You really showed them all!"

Levi returned the hug, feeling a sense of warmth spread through him. Mark had been there for him throughout the competition, supporting him and cheering him on. And now, to have him here to celebrate his victory, meant more to Levi than words could say.

"Thanks, Mark," Levi said, grinning. "I couldn't have done it without you. You were my inspiration."

Mark laughed, shaking his head. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Levi. You're the one who did all the hard work."

Levi shrugged, feeling a sense of modesty wash over him. He knew that he had worked hard to get here, but he also knew that he wouldn't have made it without the support of his friends and mentors.

As Levi and Mark were still celebrating, a group of people with white cloaks caught their attention. Professor Lumin saw the group and directly greeted them, "Hello, representatives from Divine Holy Court."

Levi furrowed his eyebrows, wondering what the Divine Holy Court could want from them. He had heard of the organization before, but he knew very little about them.

They were known to be a powerful and secretive group, rumored to have magical abilities beyond what was normally seen.

One of the representatives stepped forward, a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression. "We have come to arrest Levi. Levi, you are suspected to have Demonic Mana."

Levi's heart raced as he heard the words. He had always been taught that Demonic Mana was forbidden, and anyone found to possess it would be punished severely.

He looked to Professor Lumin, hoping for some explanation or clarification, but the professor merely looked grim, his expression unreadable.

Levi tried to calm himself, reminding himself that he had done nothing wrong. He had never even heard of Demonic Mana before, let alone possessed it.

"I don't understand," Levi said, his voice shaking slightly. "What is Demonic Mana? And why am I being accused of having it?"

The representative glared at him, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "Demonic Mana is a forbidden form of magic that is known to corrupt those who use it. We have reason to believe that you possess it, and we cannot allow such a danger to go unchecked."

Levi felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he realized the gravity of the situation. If he was indeed suspected of possessing Demonic Mana, his life as he knew it was over. But he couldn't understand how such a thing could happen.

"I swear to you, I have no knowledge or possession of Demonic Mana," Levi said, his voice steady despite the fear and uncertainty he felt. "I am willing to cooperate with you in any way to prove my innocence."

The representative snorted, clearly not convinced. "Your words mean nothing to us. We will take you into custody and perform a thorough investigation. Only then will we know the truth?"

Levi's heart sank at the thought of being taken into custody. He had worked so hard to get where he was, and now it was all being threatened by these accusations.

Mark stepped forward, his expression fierce. "What do you mean? Levi was with me the entire time from the academy, and he never used any Demonic Mana. You can't just come in here and make false accusations without any proof."

The representative turned his cold gaze on Mark, sizing him up with a disdainful look. "And who are you to speak on his behalf?"

"I am his friend and fellow student," Mark said, his voice rising with emotion. "And I know for a fact that Levi is innocent of these charges. You have no right to come in here and disrupt our celebration without any evidence to back up your claims."