```
With a resounding crash,
the central statue crumbled to sand, and the Demon suddenly fell to the ground, unconscious.
Angel also escaped a disaster and sat on the ground, gasping for breath.
After a good while, when the white smoke in the hall had dispersed and the Dust had settled, Angel's gaze shifted from the Demon beside him back to his own hands.
It seemed that the consciousness of the Cruel Scholar had departed, leaving behind only the mini statue in the palm of his hand.
Looking at the intricately carved statue, Angel's thoughts were complex.
He had thought that after agreeing to the Cruel Scholar's request, something unexpected might happen or some kind of uncontrollable Transmutation would occur; however, none of that happened.
The eerie statue lay unobtrusively in his palm.
As if the dust and smoke had settled without stirring a single ripple.
Although he didn't know what changes might come in the future, at least for now, everything seemed calm.
