Night shrouded the ancient magic academy. Torches on the stone corridor flickered uncertainly, casting eerie shadows. Aeburt stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze piercing through the darkness, as if he could see the essence of the world.
The demon still stood behind him, his black robe melting into the shadows, with only his hellfire eyes flickering in the darkness.
"Do you want to know the price?" the demon's low voice slid across Aeburt's ear like silk.
Aeburt turned, his gaze frighteningly calm. "I have nothing left to lose."
The demon chuckled, and the air seemed to freeze. "Every soul trade has its unique conditions. The price is not just your soul, but all your expectations and dreams about this world."
Outside, moonlight poured like mercury, illuminating the academy's ancient stone walls. In the distance, several ravens perched on a dead tree, watching the scene with an eerie gaze.
"All I want is power," Aeburt's voice was ice-cold. "To make those who once humiliated me kneel at my feet."
The demon walked closer, each step seemingly reshaping reality. "Power never comes without a cost. You will lose sympathy, mercy, even the basic emotions of being human. Are you sure?"
Aeburt remembered those mocking faces: Instructor Albert's sneers, his classmates' cold laughter, his father's disappointed eyes.
"I'm sure."
In an instant, black magical runes spread from the floor, climbing like living blood vessels across the entire room. The ravens outside suddenly screamed, as if heralding a terrible ritual about to begin.
The demon extended a pale hand, with bizarre black magical threads wrapping around his fingers. "Sign the contract, and you'll gain power beyond this world. But remember, every power has its price."
A pitch-black parchment appeared out of thin air, densely covered with ancient symbols written in blood. Each symbol seemed to tell of terrible curses and taboos.
"I don't care about the price," Aeburt gripped the quill, its tip flickering with an eerie black light.
Just as he was about to sign, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door.
"Someone has infiltrated the academy!"
The guard's shout interrupted this bizarre ritual. A flash of displeasure crossed the demon's eyes, but quickly returned to calm.
"It seems," the demon whispered, "your first test is about to begin."
Aeburt turned, black magical energy already circulating around him. It was a power beyond reason, seemingly capable of destroying everything at any moment.
"Who dares to enter here?" he said softly.
The door burst open. A knight completely covered in silver armor appeared in the doorway, his long sword radiating a holy light.
"Aeburt von Crest," the knight's voice was solemn and cold, "by order of the Kingdom's High Council, you are under arrest!"
The demon laughed softly behind Aeburt, "Interesting. Your first battle begins now."
Aeburt slowly raised his hand, black magical energy condensing like a tangible substance in his palm.
The first battle of the soul trade was about to unfold.