The Trial (1)
This was my first time in an interrogation room, though it might be the second for Kyle Arden's body. I sat quietly in the chair, propping my chin on my hand as I waited.
"When the hell are they coming...?"
But it had already been two hours of waiting. I was starting to get pissed.
The investigator hadn't come in once since our first meeting, leaving me alone in the room. Boredom was setting in hard. Not like I could just take a nap, though.
I let my mind wander to why this mess had even happened in the first place. Not speculating about whoever was out to get me with their malicious rumors and fabricated evidence—no, I was thinking about why this plot point, which didn't exist in the novel, had unfolded.
And the answer came quickly.
'Did skipping Rana's episode cause this...?'
In the episode timeline, things were supposed to go: [Black Mage Attack], [Rana's Fall], [Auction House].
But Rana's episode had kicked off early because of me and gotten skipped entirely. This incident might be filling that gap.
Especially the [Fall] episode—it was a major turning point in Akacheonma, not some minor side story you could just brush off. Unlike the little events, this was mandatory plot.
'So how the hell do I get out of this...?'
This whole affair was uncharted territory for me. No clue how it'd play out, and I didn't even know the culprit.
'Blowing it up this big means they're pretty damn confident.'
Spreading rumors and escalating to a trial? That screamed certainty they'd drag me down. Fabricating evidence sealed it. Witnesses were probably all lined up too.
'They came prepared, alright.'
It was all stacked against me. No obvious escape, and the timing was perfect.
'Hmm, who could it be...?'
Students alone couldn't move this fast. There had to be someone pulling strings. A trial announcement before any investigation? No way that happened without backing.
A few suspects came to mind, but nothing solid. I'd figure it out as the investigation and trial dragged on. Professor Ratral was looking into it too.
Just as I wrapped up my thoughts, the room's only door burst open. In came the investigator, arms full of reports and a small snack basket.
"Kept you waiting long?"
I couldn't help a dry laugh at that.
"Yeah, pretty long. What kind of investigator leaves someone hanging for two hours?"
"Had a ton to sort through. You'd get it if you were in my shoes."
"Sorry, but I'd rather not."
She sat across from me, stacking her papers and sliding the snack basket my way.
"Grab something if you're peckish."
"Got it."
Perfect timing—I needed sugar. I popped a candy from the basket into my mouth. Meanwhile, she spread out the documents.
I eyed them. "What's all that?"
"What else? Your trial records from half a year ago and stuff related to this incident."
The first didn't interest me, but the second did. Curious what dirt they had.
She noticed. "Can't show you, even if you're dying to know. Same for the other students."
"You don't think I'd just snatch 'em?"
"Ha, try it. The professors waiting outside would swarm in and toss you in a cell."
"Yeah, that's too scary."
I shook my head. I could take her—a regular human—in a second, but not with professors watching.
Once she finished organizing, she activated a recording magic tool.
"You probably heard this before, but I'm Investigator Sophia Valena."
"Kyle Arden."
And so the interrogation began.
"You aware of the rumors floating around about you?"
"Heard 'em when I got back to the academy. Yeah."
"Makes this quicker, then. Let's start with the assault claims."
Sophia pulled a few sheets from a ten-centimeter-thick stack and laid them in front of me.
"Students claiming you assaulted them. Ten in total."
The papers detailed the assaults, all saying I'd used violence. No names, though.
I stared at the text, incredulous. "This is absurd."
"So these testimonies are fake?"
"Yep. You'd know if you'd investigated me properly."
She stared right at me, then spoke. "I do know."
"Then you know an assault was impossible."
"True. You're always with your girlfriend. But not always, right? Things could've happened in between. Late nights, early mornings—plenty of chances."
"...Fair point."
I wasn't glued to Rana 24/7. We had time apart.
"But nothing here says when these assaults happened."
I pointed at the papers. Just "assault occurred," no times or details.
She nodded. "I'm aware. And I've investigated thoroughly."
She spread another stack.
"This is the proof."
I scanned it slowly. 'Traces of mental manipulation and mana patterns detected.' Magic scans showed they came from the victims' bodies.
"You pulled the same crap last year, harassing students like that. Hid it well back then, but not anymore. You think Tiranis wouldn't notice once it was out?"
"......"
Kyle Arden was apparently sharp with tricks. He'd hidden it from Master-level professors for a year.
Still, I had to respond. "That was last year's me. Saying that now just makes me the victim."
"I've heard plenty about how you've changed. Nothing but good reports these past six months. Professors rave about you, and students have flipped their opinions. Your track record backs it up."
She listed incidents I'd resolved. All praiseworthy.
"Fine, let's skip that for now. Even I'm skeptical—could be jealous kids envious of your rep."
Like I'd sensed, she felt the same. The evidence had holes.
"What about the rumors of you colluding with black mages?"
"......"
I had zero ties to those bastards, but no good defense or explanation ready.
My silence prompted her. "If it's true, it explains everything. Black magic hands you massive power quick."
"...You know what the Arden name means and you're saying that?"
"Everyone in the empire knows Arden breeds talent. Your brother Veil's a genius. But not you."
"Talent can bloom late."
"Sure. But how do you prove it? Prodigies show early. Your story just sounds fishy—raises more doubts."
"......"
Couldn't argue. Talent defies words.
Swordsmanship? I had excuses aplenty.
"Sophia."
"What?"
"Doesn't that insult the professors who recognized me?"
"......"
Her turn to go quiet. Denying my skills and grades was slapping Master professors. Making enemies.
That's why I'd played weak at first—avoid noise.
Sophia smirked. "Fair. A mana-blind civilian like me can't match professors. But..."
She paused, pulling something from her pocket and setting it on the table.
"That doesn't clear the black mage collusion. This is proof."
It was a black magic stone. The one from the black mage attack, useful at the auction too.
They'd confiscated everything on the way in—anything that might be evidence. Including the stone and auction loot hidden in my uniform's sub-space.
Very inconvenient.
Black magic stones were black mage exclusives. Me having one tied me to them forcibly. The auction items boosted the rumors' credibility.
"Explain this. A black magic staple, plus auction loot from the free city that fell to black mages recently."
"......"
I stayed silent. Revealing it meant spilling secrets—too many. And who'd believe me now? Trust was zero with evidence out.
BAM!
She slammed the table. "Say something—excuse, whatever! Kyle Arden!"
Papers flew everywhere.
"......"
I kept quiet. She glared daggers, voice low and gravelly.
"Last warning. Don't want all this shit pinned on you? Tell me your black mage connection."
Her tone screamed finality. I replied softly.
"Sorry. Can't answer."
Her face hardened. She murmured, "Trial's in three days. Get ready for expulsion and punishment."
She gathered her papers to leave, muttering under her breath.
"Tch. Thought you'd changed..."
BAM!
The door slammed shut. I just watched her go.
If the trial went ahead like this, I'd lose for sure. Expulsion and penalties, as she said.
But I wasn't out of options.
'Hate to use it, but if things go south...'
I'd rather not. Last resort.
Gurgle~
My stomach growled.
"Ah~ Wonder what's for dinner."
Talking worked up an appetite. I filled my gut with snacks till dinner arrived.
The day after Kyle Arden was hauled in for questioning.
"Hey, you hear about that?"
"Oh, that? Yeah."
Tianis Academy buzzed with talk of Kyle Arden.