Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Academic Tribunal Begins
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My breath caught in my throat.
Why the hell were the initials of my ex-girlfriend written in this book?
When I first entered this game, I had all sorts of worries.
Not just in-game concerns like how to survive as a character doomed to every death route, but external ones too.
How was it even possible to enter a game?
Some advancement in science and technology?
Did some transcendent being like a god exist?
Did someone use superpowers beyond science?
Was it just an accident?
Someone's intention?
Why me, of all people?
For the first two weeks after arriving in the game world, those thoughts drove me nearly insane.
But gradually, as I adapted to this world and accepted my fate, I shifted to purely in-game worries like "how to survive."
I immersed myself in this world, forgetting my original reality.
And now.
I was confronted with a name that dragged those initial questions back to the surface.
GHJ.
Clearly written on the last page of the book.
Gu Hyejin always put her initials on her belongings or planning documents.
So I could be certain this wasn't my overinterpretation.
Gu Hyejin.
The woman who once claimed she couldn't live without me and loved me passionately.
The woman who, after we broke up, couldn't kill me fast enough.
The spiteful woman who used her position as a company director to add a character identical to me in the game under development, designing it to die no matter the route, just to vent her rage.
I had no idea why she tormented me so viciously after the breakup.
But if someone intentionally sent me to this world, she was the prime suspect.
Leaving her initials in an Enchantment Magic book only I could see was unmistakably a message directed at me.
If Gu Hyejin really was behind this...
Her personality was utter shit.
This wasn't just venting; she genuinely wanted me dead.
Did she give me the Eye that Sees Death and Enchantment Magic just so I could flail around desperately?
Rage boiled inside me.
I could shrug off her creating a character like me in the game.
But if it was all to actually kill me, that changed everything.
If I ever met her again, I'd never forgive her.
That said, I didn't want to escape this game world.
Honestly, this life was better than my reality of being slaved at the company without rest.
It would be even better without the constant risk of death.
The key point was that, while not certain, the odds were high that she sent me here.
In that case, my ultimate revenge was to not die in this world.
I clenched my fist, vowing to survive no matter what.
Time passed faster than expected, and Wednesday—the day of the tribunal—arrived.
Michelle hadn't visited the prison once during that time.
This was deliberate, to avoid suspicions of perjury motivated by favoritism toward her student during the Academic Tribunal.
No official visitors came, but one person sneaked in secretly.
Anna.
She seemed to have enjoyed the situation from Friday night and started visiting every night in secret.
I got some help from her, and it wasn't bad for me either, so I gave in to her temptations.
After school classes ended.
I was escorted by the sunglass-wearing women to the Academic Tribunal chamber.
In the center of the wide space sat a single desk and chair.
Still wearing the magic-suppressing bracelet, I took a seat there.
Directly ahead, seven desks were lined up at a distance from me.
Several teachers, including the principal and vice-principal, sat there, glaring at me as they judged my guilt or innocence.
Michelle was among them.
As my homeroom teacher, she was participating directly, beyond just being a witness.
My eyes met Michelle's as she took a deep breath, visibly tense.
She clenched her lips and nodded.
Did that mean to trust only her?
I had no one else to rely on anyway.
Notably, Selena was sitting there too.
As the reporter and witness, malice toward me radiated from her already, intent on pushing for my guilt.
"We will now commence the Academic Tribunal regarding student Ian Drakhin's suspected use of Black Magic."
The trial began with the principal's words.
In this game, Academic Tribunals were far simpler than real-world trials.
Participants freely discussed the incident, and the highest authority judged the defendant's guilt and punishment based on that.
"Since the Chairman is absent due to personal reasons, I, the principal, will participate as the final decision-maker."
Knowing my life hung on that woman's words made me tense up.
Just how busy was the Chairman?
Busy enough to skip a school tribunal that might involve a Black Magic user?
Since entering this world, I'd never once seen the Chairman of this school.
She never showed her face, always too occupied.
"That's for the best."
Selena was the one who spoke up in the quiet atmosphere.
"The Chairman is the one who specially admitted that criminal, right? I was worried she'd side with him in the trial, but it's a relief she's absent."
Despite it being utterly unlike something a student should say, the teachers just chuckled awkwardly without reprimanding her.
As I'd mentioned before, it was because her family donated massive sums to the school every year.
I even suspected her sitting there—despite not being a teacher—was thanks to her family's influence.
For reference, the Chairman was indeed favorable toward me, as Selena feared.
I didn't know the details, but per the setting, she admitted me at the request of my family.
Probably a scenario contrivance to place a male character in an all-girls school.
"First, I'd like to hear the tribunal committee's thoughts. Does anyone believe student Ian Drakhin is guilty?"
At the principal's question, everyone except Michelle raised their hands.
"Understood. Then let's hear detailed opinions one by one. First, from the initial reporter, Miss Selena Branzel."
"Yes."
Selena cleared her throat and spoke with deliberately elite enunciation.
"I've always considered Ian Drakhin a person of interest. Of course, that was just my opinion, and fortunately, he focused quietly on his studies. However..."
The teachers listened intently, barely breathing.
"That was a misconception, merely my hope for peace. Suspecting something might be off, I collected the sand he used during mana manipulation practice and had it analyzed by a mana analysis firm. Black Magic traces were detected in the mana residue."
The principal nodded.
"I've reviewed the analysis report submitted by Miss Selena Branzel as evidence, along with the committee. It clearly states Black Magic traces were found. That's likely why most committee members believe he's guilty."
A hollow laugh nearly escaped me.
They hadn't even seen the sand I used firsthand—just a piece of paper claiming analysis—and they called me guilty?
The teachers harbored no doubts about Selena.
It wasn't solely because of her family's donations.
The Branzel Family owned Branzel Corporation, a top-tier conglomerate with no rivals.
Unlike real-world conglomerates suspected of corruption and scandals, this world's Branzel Corp enjoyed overwhelming public support and trust.
No one could even imagine the heiress of such a family framing someone innocently.
Selena continued.
"Using Black Magic is an atrocious crime that violates human dignity. It undermines mages' centuries of achievements and could shake society's foundations. Even if not immediately, it invites ruin. We must punish the criminal to warn students and highlight Black Magic's dangers."
"Thank you for your opinion, Miss Selena. Truly befitting the Branzel heiress—commendable national security views and sense of justice. Next..."
The other teachers' statements were much the same.
They emphasized Black Magic's dangers and the need for harsh punishment, then claimed guilt based on reviewing Selena's evidence.
Without questioning her evidence at all.
This tribunal chamber felt less like a place of fair judgment and more like an execution platform for a witch hunt fueled by one chaebol family's power.
After the other teachers spoke, only Michelle remained.
"Finally, please share your opinion, Teacher Michelle Wayneis. Even as his homeroom teacher, set aside personal feelings and judge fairly."
The principal's added remark was transparent.
Opinions had converged; wrap it up quickly.
"Yes."
Michelle, who had listened silently, responded and pulled out her paper documents.
Unlike the others ranting bare-handed about my guilt, she came prepared.
Wearing glasses she rarely used showed her special resolve for this tribunal.
I cheered her on inwardly—my sole hope—and listened closely.
"I do not believe student Ian Drakhin is guilty."
The teachers stirred.
She was the only one who hadn't raised her hand.
"Nor do I believe he is guilty."
"Does that mean it's too early to judge guilt at this stage?"
Michelle nodded at the principal's question.
"Yes. While using Black Magic is a grave crime with profound societal harm, its severe punishments mean a wrongful judgment could victimize the innocent."
Irreproachable words drew a nod from the principal this time.
"I agree."
"Thus, we need thorough proof and in-depth discussion. But this case has too many unconvincing elements for judgment today."
With her measured speech and glasses, Michelle looked even more intellectual than usual.
"What elements lack conviction?"
"Miss Selena's evidence. Normally, the sand used by Ian should be submitted alongside the analysis report. Why only the report?"
Michelle's point was spot-on.
Black Magic traces are detectable only by specialized mana analysis firms.
If Selena submitted only the report intentionally, two possibilities arose.
One: The school verified the sand elsewhere, fearing exposure of bribing the original firm.
Two: They faked the sand itself, dreading the trail leading back.
If she were innocent and truly sought truth, submitting both was proper.
At the mention of her name, Selena jumped in.
"The sand Ian used contained Black Magic traces, so I judged it best to dispose of it quickly with the analysis firm's help. The firm I used is well-known and reputable—everyone here knows it. It's certified on the report, so trustworthiness is no issue."
The teachers said nothing, but their eyes and nods signaled agreement.
Even a famous firm could be bought with Branzel influence.
Yet they were blinded by the conglomerate's halo.
In a room sided with Selena, Michelle fought on resolutely.
"I see. Another question: The practice field's sand was replaced with new. Do you know about that, Miss Selena?"
"Same reason as disposing of the analyzed sand. After finding traces, I requested the school replace it to avoid harming students."
Selena countered calmly, like a homeroom teacher herself.
But Michelle pressed on.
"My investigation shows the sand was replaced the night of the mana practice. Per your statement, analysis completed and traces found the next morning. Your claim of requesting replacement after discovery doesn't add up."
Whoa, she'd even investigated that.
Her effort moved me to near tears.
While I cheered inwardly, Selena's lips twitched faintly.
"Th-that... must be my mistake. I think I requested the replacement when commissioning the analysis that day, just in case."
"Is that true?"
"I don't remember precisely, but probably. Sorry I can't answer clearly; my memory's hazy."
She slipped out that way—no further pursuit possible.
Selena's momentum dipped, but she still aimed to convict me.
Yet Michelle stood firm.
"The motive for collecting and analyzing the sand is also unclear. You said suspicion led to precautionary action. Not impossible, but not natural either."
"...Well, I just acted on my beliefs, so nothing more to say. Are you implying I fabricated evidence to frame Ian Drakhin? That I'd tarnish my family name?"
Michelle had heard my side and likely concluded as much from her own probe.
But prudent Michelle didn't reveal her full thoughts.
"No. I just want clarity on unconvincing points for a fair, just verdict. Black Magic warrants caution due to harsh penalties."
She turned to the principal.
"Principal, for the same reason, I believe we should postpone sentencing and secure time for proper guilt proof."
So reliable.
Michelle's argument was logical, airtight.
No matter Selena's background, they couldn't rush judgment on her word alone.
Or so I hoped—until the principal's next words shattered it.
"Teacher Michelle, you have a point. But Black Magic is too dangerous to delay."
"Also, it's hard to imagine Miss Selena framing someone."
She was fully duped by Selena, convinced of my guilt.
"Pardon?"
"Her discovering Ian Drakhin's crime by chance feels more natural than false accusation. What do the other committee members think?"
The teachers affirmed; a faint smile crossed Selena's face.
Meanwhile, shock cracked Michelle's composure.
Same for me.
"Having heard everyone, I believe sentencing guilty is correct."
"Wait, Principal! There are still many doubts..."
"Sorry, Teacher Michelle. As the top decision-maker here, I must heed the majority."
"How could..."
Michelle's head drooped, and my heart sank with it.
Was I to be convicted and executed like this?
Inevitably unable to escape death?
Gu Hyejin would be thrilled.
She got exactly what she wanted.
"That suffices for opinion exchange. I will now render judgment. Ian Drakhin's Black Magic charge is guil..."
"Hold on."
The door opened, and an unfamiliar voice rang out.
All eyes—mine, the teachers', Michelle's, Selena's—turned to the tribunal door.
"Chairman? You said you were busy—how did you...?"
My brow furrowed at the principal's words.
Chairman?
What did that mean? That woman was...
I widened my eyes, staring at the sudden arrival.
No doubt about it.
It was Gu Hyejin.