Elbeth's voice echoed through the silent classroom, stripped of its usual warmth.
"Did you drink the red elixir?"
Elijah stood frozen.
"Answer me!" she snapped. "Yes or no!"
Her voice was no longer calm, no longer the gentle guide. It was filled with panic, shock, and something deeper—fear.
Elijah swallowed hard.
"Y-Yes," he whispered. "I didn't… I didn't know. I didn't even see it properly. Someone—someone told me to drink it. I don't know why… I just—"
Before he could finish, Elbeth collapsed to her knees.
Gasps echoed around the room.
In the next moment, the door burst open—Professor Alaric stormed in.
"Is everyone alright?!" he demanded, his voice sharp.
His eyes landed on Elbeth, trembling on the floor. He rushed to her side, lifting her gently.
"Elbeth—what happened?! Are you alright?"
She looked at him, eyes wide and filled with unshed tears.
"He… drank it," she whispered.
"Who?"
"Elijah," she said, her voice cracking. "He drank the Red Elixir."
Alaric stood still for a heartbeat—then turned his gaze toward Elijah.
The color drained from his face.
"You… drank it?" he asked, stepping toward him.
He grabbed Elijah's shoulders.
"Are you alright? Tell me—do you feel pain? Numbness? Anything strange?"
Elijah blinked, confused.
"Can someone tell me what's going on? Why is everyone so panicked?"
Alaric didn't answer. Instead, he placed two fingers on Elijah's chest and they vanished in a flash of light.
In the blink of an eye, they reappeared inside a grand office filled with swirling runes and ancient books—the principal's sanctum.
The man behind the ornate desk looked up. Principal Belbub—a stoic, grey-eyed man with an aura of immeasurable power.
"What's the matter, Alaric?" Belbub asked calmly.
"He drank it," Alaric said, pushing Elijah forward.
"The red elixir," Elbeth added as she teleported in, her eyes still wet. "He drank it… completely."
Belbub narrowed his gaze. Without a word, he raised a palm. A radiant glyph bloomed in the air, scanning Elijah from head to toe. Symbols spun and settled.
"He… digested it completely," Belbub finally said.
Alaric sat down heavily, placing his hands over his face.
"No…"
Elijah stepped forward, voice trembling.
"Please—what is this elixir? Why are you all treating me like… like I've done something terrible?"
Alaric looked up slowly.
"The Red Elixir is not a gift, Elijah. It's a curse. A magical poison used to reset corrupted mages to level zero, permanently locking their growth. It severs the path to becoming a mage."
"What?" Elijah whispered, stunned.
"We use it on evil mages," Alaric continued grimly. "It strips them of power. Once digested, no amount of effort, training, or elixir can unlock essence again. You were about to begin your journey—but now…"
Elbeth knelt beside Elijah, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"It's my fault," she whispered. "I should have checked the box better… I should have never let this happen—"
Alaric gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's not your fault. Not Elijah's. It's fate. He's still a child, no matter how brave he acts."
Elijah stood silent, trembling, a storm inside him.
His dreams of magic—shattered before they began.
"Is there no cure?" Alaric asked, looking at Belbub with desperate eyes.
The principal's expression was grim.
"None. Not one known to our world."
He rose from his chair and stared out the window.
"Do not tell the truth to the students," he said. "Tell them it was a harmless misfire during a spell. If they find out, they'll mock him… especially the Serpentine Clan. They already dislike the fact you're mentoring him."
"I taught him," Alaric said coldly, "because he's worthy."
"He was worthy," Belbub replied without emotion. "But now, he's not even a mage."
Elijah froze.
Those words cut deeper than any curse.
"Not… even a mage?" he whispered, voice hollow.
"Alaric, take him out of here," Belbub ordered. "He shouldn't hear the rest."
Alaric hesitated, then nodded.
"Elbeth," he said softly. "Take him back."
Elbeth gently guided Elijah out of the office.
As the heavy doors closed behind them, silence followed.
But in Elijah's heart—
A fire had begun to burn.
Something deeper than magic.
Something the red elixir couldn't destroy.