Trial (5)

The scene as the trial began was hardly different from what I remembered from the past. Me sitting in the defendant's chair, the three professors seated as judges in the center far ahead, and the crowd of spectators encircling me from behind. Even the location was the same, making it feel like I'd gone back to the moment of my possession.

But there was a clear difference from back then. The killing intent was barely palpable. They shot me looks of distrust and suspicion, sure, but no one glared like they wanted me dead. Of course, it wasn't entirely absent—a few still eyed me that way. About half sent gazes of goodwill and trust. A world away from six months ago. It really hit me how much my reputation had improved.

Above all, the professors acting as judges—who were different people this time—didn't seem all that hostile either.

Well, that's thanks to my efforts over the past months.

If I'd kept up my scumbag act after the last trial, I wouldn't be seeing this scene.

Hell, I might've ended up dead in some gutter by now.

Anyway. The trial itself was similar to what I knew, yet different in key ways. The procedure was streamlined and straightforward, no prosecutor since the judges handled that role. There was a defense attorney, though—usually a General Department student. This was an academy, after all. Even in a critical proceeding to judge guilt and deliver a verdict, Tianis Academy was a place of learning. They turned every opportunity into a growth experience for students.

That didn't mean you could underestimate them. General Department students lacked mana talent but made up for it with razor-sharp intellects. In pure smarts, they rivaled Magic Department prodigies—no one dismissed them lightly. That's why second- and third-years majoring in law handled it.

But to my left sat someone else. Ariel Tianis, bound to me by ill fate. As I'd mentioned before, she was right there beside me.

Then a voice rang out from the judges' side.

"We will first present evidence related to the assault charges."

Those were the so-called proofs of my crimes at the academy. All fabricated, of course. Unfortunately—or perhaps for protective reasons—no live witnesses appeared; altered voices substituted instead.

"Here we go..."

Ariel murmured softly beside me, her voice trembling just a bit at the end. Even someone as capable as her found the tension mounting. I wanted to offer some encouragement—she was the star here, after all. But my body wouldn't allow it. Just her presence made my skin crawl. In the end, I kept my mouth shut and sat still.

Still...

I hope this relationship improves someday. This body hates her, but I like Ariel Tianis, the novel's protagonist.

Maybe because two former enemies were sitting together, the area behind us grew noisy.

Shouts from students who hated me reached my ears too.

The vibe was split roughly down the middle at a glance, but positive reactions edged out. Thanks to the princess's presence. Even as a regular student at Tianis, her influence and reputation carried weight. And with her known for kindness and benevolence stepping up, it shifted perceptions—even for those harboring lingering doubts.

"...That concludes it, Kyle Arden. This is evidence that you inflicted violence and torment on fellow students. Do you have anything to say regarding this?"

The presiding judge asked while looking not at me, but at Princess Ariel.

Ariel rose from her seat, materials in hand, eyes gleaming as she calmly opened her mouth.

"I will now begin my defense."

"You're really going out there as a witness...?"

One student's question, laced with worry.

"I am. No—I have to."

"But... you know what he did to you."

"I know."

She knew all too well what Kyle Arden had done to her. How could she forget being kidnapped, locked away for over a week in pitch darkness without a drop of water? That trauma had her sleeping with lights on every night since. And the reason? He just found her an eyesore. He was truly... the worst villain Tianis Academy had ever seen.

"And you're still going?"

"Yeah, I am."

Her friend looked baffled, but the girl—Angelina—didn't waver from her resolve.

"Angelina. Think it over one more time."

Even then, her friend wouldn't let up. Stepping forward for Kyle Arden was far too risky.

"Everyone's gonna trash you, saying you got paid off or something. That's why no one else came."

Originally, ten witnesses should have been in the waiting room. Only four showed. The reason was simple: fear of the backlash post-trial. They'd come of their own will, promised by Ariel that they'd be safe, but on the actual day, terror set in. Old wounds lingered, sapping their strength to face it.

But Angelina stayed silent despite her friend's pleas. In the end, her friend could only gaze at her with pity.

"Angelina..."

"It's fine, Agnes."

She comforted her friend. She appreciated the concern, but she couldn't flee this moment.

Spotting the staffer entering the waiting room, Angelina stood.

"I'll be back."

"Say what you need to. I'll wait."

"Thanks, Agnes."

With her friend's encouragement, Angelina followed the staffer. As she walked, she thought,

It might not help much.

She had no idea how her testimony would land with the judges and students. They might ignore it—or worse, condemn her. But she couldn't back down. Kyle Arden had tormented her, yes, but she'd also received his grace.

Maybe I should've gotten an apology back then. Then...

She still couldn't forget his words from the prison.

The trial venue burned hotter than ever. Ariel stood at its center.

"In other words, this evidence is fabricated?"

"Yes, Your Honor. The seventh piece claims Kyle Arden's mana pattern was detected, but this doesn't match his at all."

She called out to the presiding judge once more. Spotting another flaw, she countered the judges.

"I understand Ariel was the one who uncovered it. Are you denying that?"

"No. The detection method is sound—the reverse-calculation magic for fabricated patterns was acknowledged by the professors. The issue lies with the investigator's mana pattern detection."

The judges still looked puzzled. After a quiet huddle, one spoke to her.

"Explain what that problem is."

She nodded and replied,

"First, you must understand that Kyle Arden was of a savage disposition."

Pointing at me, Princess Ariel declared,

"As you know, that ferocity came to light in the trial six months ago. But isn't it strange? Talented students and renowned professors across the continent failed to detect it for a full year."

Words that could irk the professor-judges, yet she pressed on undaunted.

"Your Honors, and students gathered here. He was called a dunce scholastically, but he wasn't dim-witted."

Turning from the judges to the spectators, Ariel continued,

"Do you know why I didn't report him immediately? Because he was sharper than anyone here, cunning in schemes for his own gain."

To those watching the trial, she spoke in a low, dignified tone.

"It took a full three months. Just to find one tiny clue. You can imagine my relief at finally catching him. If left unchecked, who knows what monster he'd become."

Gulps echoed from behind. Those in the front rows were overwhelmed by her words.

"I'm revealing this here, but... I acknowledged his talent. I was tempted enough to forgive him if he promised to use it for good."

A single line from the princess who'd once punished me. Short as it was, it shocked everyone present. Murmurs swelled into uproar.

"Quiet!"

The judge's shout quelled the noise, though stray excited comments popped up here and there.

"That's the kind of person Kyle Arden is. Would someone like him leave evidence the same way as before? I don't think so. Your Honor, the Kyle Arden I know would've used a different method."

Ariel turned back to the judges.

"In other words, this evidence is fabricated?"

"Yes. And considering the time to uncover the mana pattern, it would've taken at least two months to surface."

"Hmm..."

The judges pondered deeply. She'd exposed the evidence's sloppiness, and her testimony eroded its validity entirely. Even rational professors weighing the case logically had no choice but to sway.

But they weren't ones to yield easily.

"However, if true, this incident might conceal another truth."

"As explained with the second evidence, his movements make that unlikely."

"Hmm..."

One ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠judge spoke skeptically.

"Without proof of change, we can't conclude."

"That proof exists."

Ariel emphasized firmly. She then called for a witness at the judge's direction.

A student took the stand. I'd seen her somewhere before. The black mage prison, probably...

"Your name, student?"

"Angelina... Celestes."

"Yes, Angelina. If memory serves, you testified six months ago. Correct?"

"Yes..."

She glanced around nervously, voice quivering slightly.

"Before questions: Did you come here of your own will?"

"Yes... He might've tormented me before, but not this time..."

"Can we see proof of that belief?"

"Yes... I'll show you."

She gripped a magic tool tightly. An image floated in the air—a fragment of her memory, right before ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠escape.

"What do you think, Your Honor? Does he still look like a villain?"

"This is certainly..."

The judge who'd opposed earlier trailed off.

"Apologies, Your Honor, but the witness isn't just her."

As Ariel finished, three more stepped up. Their memories matched the first—similar turnarounds. The mood flipped almost entirely with the successive reveals.

But Ariel wasn't done.

"Your Honor. Finally, I submit evidence proving Kyle Arden's innocence."

Ariel drew a magic tool from her bosom.