Trial (6)
Morning, 6 a.m. Just as the academy's day was about to begin. Someone came to visit Ariel, who was organizing materials for the trial that would start soon.
"Rana, where on earth have you been? I was worried sick."
"Hello, Your Highness?"
It was none other than Rana Heytald, who hadn't been seen for the past few days.
"Ah, come in first. It's cold out there."
Ariel led Rana into the room. The two women faced each other, and Ariel spoke first.
"You've skipped classes all this time, and what's with your face? Have you even slept?"
"Hehe, nope."
Rana answered with her usual bright smile. Ariel asked in exasperation,
"Just how many days have you been pulling all-nighters?"
"About four days?"
"Haa…."
Ariel let out a deep sigh. Even for mana users like them, going four days without sleep was no good.
"More importantly, Your Highness. Here, this."
"This is…."
At that moment, Rana suddenly handed something to Ariel. It was an orb-shaped magic tool.
Could this be why she hadn't shown up lately? Ariel examined the tool closely and realized it was a recording magic artifact. Most tools of this shape were for that purpose.
"What's on it?"
"Proof that Kyle is innocent."
Ariel immediately activated the magic tool. Her eyes gleamed intensely once she finished checking it.
"Will this help Kyle?"
"Yes. It will. Definitely."
They had been missing just that one piece to turn the situation around. With Rana bringing it, Ariel's plan became even more perfect. Of course, it wasn't absolute. But with this, the judges might….
Ariel carefully tucked the recording tool into her bosom. If it broke, everything would be for nothing.
"Your Highness… save Kyle. You will, right?"
Rana's face looked ready to burst into tears. It showed just how much she'd been suffering. Ariel replied with a confident voice.
"Rana, I'll save your lover."
Blushing at the princess's words, Rana shyly spoke up.
"Um, Your Highness."
"What is it, Rana? Do you have more?"
"No, it's not that…. We're not that kind of couple yet. With Kyle."
A question mark floated over the princess's head. Realizing the meaning belatedly, Ariel asked in disbelief,
"After showing off like that at the academy, you're saying you're not lovers yet?"
"Yeah."
Ariel was dumbfounded by the answer. They didn't flaunt their affection like other couples, but they sure looked like one. Just the pink aura when they were together said it all. Including what happened at the banquet, there was no doubt. So everyone—students, professors, staff—assumed they were dating. But not lovers? What the hell….
Even Ariel couldn't keep quiet at the absurdity. She said something she wouldn't normally utter.
"Is that guy impotent or something?"
"You're saying the same thing as Evan junior. But no. Kyle's a healthy guy. Back at the festival a few months ago…."
Ariel grew even more exasperated hearing about what happened between them. From the sound of it, their relationship was one step away from crossing the line.
"That's why. Kyle to me…."
Ariel stared blankly at the continuation. How was she supposed to save this poor girl….
"Ta-da! This bracelet too, from Kyle…."
Of course, oblivious to it all, Rana just chattered excitedly about her experiences.
"Haa…."
"Presiding Judge. Finally, I submit evidence proving Kyle Arden's innocence."
The princess's voice echoed through the hall. She took out the magic tool from her bosom. At a glance, it was a recording artifact.
"Evidence proving innocence…. If Ariel says so, it must be solid."
"Yes."
The confident reply from the princess. The three judges conferred and nodded, granting permission. Seeing this, Ariel infused mana to activate the tool.
The footage cut off abruptly—Ariel had stopped it on purpose. But no one could speak. The courtroom was wrapped in dead silence, broken only by faint breaths.
"Presiding Judge?"
"…Speak, Ariel."
"I trust the three of you recognize those students."
"……."
The judges answered with silence. Their faces darkened instantly. Those ten were likely the victims. One judge asked,
"…Did you obtain this footage yourself, Ariel?"
"No. A student who likes him pulled all-nighters for days to get it."
"That student…."
"Rana Heytald."
So that's why Rana vanished. Breaking those barriers must've been tough….
"Let us verify…."
"Yes, better to check thoroughly."
"Then…."
The three judges conferred and declared a recess with the evidence. To confirm its authenticity. If real, they'd accept it outright. In modern times, such footage might be illegal, but here it was different. As long as it wasn't fabricated and obtained through one's own power, it was valid.
20 minutes later.
"We acknowledge Ariel's evidence as genuine. Continue your defense."
"Thank you, Presiding Judge."
The princess bowed and proceeded.
"This incident had too many anomalies. Each piece of evidence had impossible flaws, as you saw—fabricated fakes."
She continued,
"Judges, and everyone here. This was a frame-up with one clear intent."
She looked at the judges again, then turned to the spectators.
"To pin a false crime on Kyle Arden and erase him from the world. Rumors still swirl around him. But."
Her low voice filled the space.
"As the witnesses testified, he's changed. Enough for his victims to forgive him."
Ariel turned back to the judges.
"Thus, Presiding Judge, declare Kyle Arden not guilty of student assault, and demand further investigation into the black mage collusion."
With that, the princess fell silent. A brief hush followed. Then the presiding judge spoke.
"This court deeply agrees with Ariel. The first charge arose from malice, leading to trial—clearly not guilty. However."
His voice rose sharply.
"Collusion with black mages is another matter. Evidence links him to them, with suspicious actions. And per Investigator Sophia, he gave no response."
The judge looked at Ariel.
"Anything to say on this, Ariel?"
"……."
The princess bit her lip silently. Understandably—the black magic stone and Free City incidents had no escape. That's why she tied the charges together. If they faked evidence once, they'd fake the rest. Plant doubt there, and her plan succeeds, ending the trial.
But professors weren't swayed by that alone. Ariel had prepared another witness.
"So, witnesses say having a black magic stone means one can use black magic?"
"Yes. It's the essence. Anyone handling mana can mostly use it."
"But it's rare, right? Professor Ray?"
"Yes. Precious even among them."
Yet despite her efforts, suspicion lingered. It only raised questions on how he got the stone. The reversed atmosphere flipped back, worsening.
Finally, the judge questioned me.
"Kyle Arden. Last chance: How did you get the black magic stone, and what happened in the Free City?"
"……."
As I stayed silent, Ariel whispered beside me.
"What are you hiding…? At this rate…."
Tch.
Didn't expect it to drag this far.
"Hoo…."
I sighed and looked at the judge.
"Apologies, Presiding Judge. I cannot disclose how I obtained it."
"Kyle, what are you…!"
Ariel freaked out in shock, and spectators gasped.
"Does that mean you admit to collusion?"
"Of course not."
"…Then what do you mean?"
I stood at his question.
And said,
"Presiding Judge. I, Kyle Arden, invoke judgment by Norang."
The way to prove innocence without spilling unnecessary truths in this world.
"……."
"……."
"……."
The hall fell utterly silent. No sound at all.
"You know the risks."
"Yes, fully aware."
"Then…."
"Wait, Presiding Judge! Kyle, are you insane?!"
The princess interrupted, halting proceedings.
"Norang's Judgment isn't simple. Mess up, and you lose everything!"
"I know."
Better than anyone here. But that's why it's perfect for proving my innocence. No need to blab like in a trial.
"So don't worry. You don't trust me?"
"N-no, it's not…."
The flustered princess. Seizing the moment, I told the judge,
"Then summon it."
"I pray you emerge unscathed."
Even the judge's well-wish.
It's not that scary.
Rumors probably spook them. Moments later.
A Justia Holy Kingdom priest brought the sacred scale of Norang.
"We begin."
Infusing holy power into the scale, the priest chanted to call Norang.
Across the continent, Norang had an infamous reputation. Because of Norang's Judgment.
What to call it… utterly merciless.
Norang's Judgment involved the accused standing on the platform as Norang discerned guilt. But it wasn't as fair as it sounded. Norang caught even the tiniest lie; if it deemed any falsehood mixed in, it reclaimed soul and body without mercy. Success rate over 99.9%—virtually no one returned intact. Hence the notoriety.
Even Justia, devoted to gods, avoided it. Yet its accuracy was unmatched, making it trustworthy.
Shwoooo—
Holy power swirled around the scale. The priest chanted holy spells to control it.
Chatter—!
Suddenly, the scale trembled. A massive holy orb formed, and something burst out.
"Norang's here! Hi hi~!"
Waving cheerfully like a child. Norang appeared as a kid, voice matching.
"Whoa~ Tianis Academy? Long time no see. Hundreds of years? 100? Nah, 200 years ago?"
Behavior too—flying around noisily upon arrival.
The priest bowed to it.
"Hayang's servant greets Norang."
"Yeah yeah, hi~! So, why'd you call? Something needing my mediation?"
"Yes."
Excited, Norang bobbed its head.
"Tell me who. I'm on my way to tease Parang—hurry up!"
Norang flailed arms and legs like a whining kid, urging.
The priest answered promptly.
"That student there."
Following the priest's point, Norang moved.
And spotting me, the god of contracts and order….
"Ah! It's you? The kid Chorok wanted as saint."
Dropped a bombshell.