Trial (2): White Crimson's Genius
White Crimson, third daughter of Vain Crimson, was a once-in-a-generation genius who graduated from the Witch Academy—mandatory for all witches—at the youngest age on record. Her brilliance shone brightest in magic engineering, the fusion of magic and science.
Magic engineering was a relatively new field, recognized for barely 400 years at most. At first dismissed as an eccentric hobby, it exploded in popularity once its ability to simplify complex spells was proven. And at its heart stood White Crimson. Her inventions and theories rocked Triia to its core, drawing magic engineers from afar to beg for spots in her lectures as a Witch Academy professor of magic engineering.
For someone at the pinnacle of the discipline, whipping up a new device was child's play—easier than downing cold porridge.
"It's not officially announced yet, but this is the 'Residual Mana Analyzer' I co-developed with the Magic Tower. Tests are complete, certified by Nihilum's analysis squad—no issues as evidence."
Not just the accused Sonia, but the judge and gallery witches gaped in stunned silence. Mana reading had always relied solely on standard mana analyzers; no one dreamed of isolating residual mana alone. The witches marveled that—even co-produced—she'd built it in under a month.
"So the plaintiff created this device just for this trial?"
"Yes."
"...Understood.... Then, plaintiff—no, Lady White, one personal question, if I may?"
"Of course."
"Why partner with the Magic Tower? No ill will or doubt intended, but Nihilum's magic engineering surpasses theirs, no?"
The Magic Tower was a prestigious institution known even to non-mages. Sure, Nihilum was magic research's undisputed apex—but not every mage could study there. Nihilum housed only witches; outsiders faced brutal residency checks, maxing at a week. Among commoners, the Magic Tower was the magic world's peak.
Indeed, it was a byproduct born of exclusion. So the judge puzzled over why witch White bypassed Nihilum for the Tower.
White sighed faintly at the question.
"......I suspected Nihilum witches' involvement. Couldn't trust my homeland—commissioned the Tower formally."
White pressed on with the judge, ending with a sharp glare at Sonia.
"And I was right."
"......"
Sonia's eyes blazed icy blue, locked on White—no retort. Just gallery clamor and frigid air swirling the stage.
Sonia feigned utmost calm, but panic clawed inside.
'White Crimson…..!! You've pulled out all the stops!!'
A month back, Rose's vanishing shattered her schemes.
Sonia had drained the Sky God's mana via wood elves' innate Mana Drain. But hers wasn't standard. Normal Mana Drain targeted living mana only; corpses were off-limits. She'd twisted it with black magic, converting death's lingering grudges to fuel.
As Rose warned, Sonia never claimed supremacy from one god's power alone—she'd planned to drain Rose's corpse post-kill.
But Rose fled via magic device pre-death. Suspicious, Sonia hurled lightning—but interference warped its path, striking the device's rune. It triggered; Rose escaped.
Sonia rushed to claim Crimson eldest, Red—but never cast on her.
Dozens of slain gods lay cold. Amid them, a redhead spewed stabbing mana.
The supreme witch: Red Crimson.
Not Sky God-tier, but she'd soloed similar-strength deities. Sonia recalled Rose's parting words:
"Our sisters outmatch Nihilum's witches, true—but Red Crimson's the real monster. Eldest sis. Youngest aside, I've never beaten her!"
The spear-wielder who scaled to Seven Evils unchallenged.
'Rose…. You spoke truth…. Sky God's power won't fell that 'monster.'
Tearfully, Sonia falsified reports, retreating to her wood elf village on "recuperation."
Missing Rose nagged—but a month gone? Faulty rune, dead in obscurity. Stay low, safe. So she thought.
Till White Crimson's lawsuit hit.
In the buzzing tension, Sonia stayed mum. Gallery vibes screamed her guilt—even fellow elf witches had washed hands. Her rampant racism had tanked elven rep.
"Defendant, counter now—or judgment and adjournment."
No reply from shadowed Sonia; her lips curled slyly.
Instantly, eerie mana bloomed from her, blanketing the central plaza.
Stage witches countered swift.
Chaaaarak―――――!
Silver chains lashed from void, binding Sonia tight.
Bound fully, she grinned creepy, mana feral.
"Give up—you're finished."
"Heh…. Hehehe…"
Her creepy cackle echoed; witches sensed doom.
Chwaak―――!!
Chains burst with thunderous snap.
Sonia vaulted skyward.
"Escape! Seize her!!"
Judge's order: binders recast restraints.
But….
Kwaang――――!!!
Black lightning smashed stage center.
Nihilum elite Sonia's casts outpaced them.
-Kya aaaak!!
-Damn…!
-Evac apprentices first!!!
-Guards!! Summon guards!!
-Grab that bitch!!
Plaza devolved to chaos; witches fled frantic.
Stage-steady White thrust hand at Sonia.
Spatial tear yawned behind her.
White discs rocketed out—roughly 100.
They ringed aerial Sonia; she scowled.
"The famed 'magic weapon'?"
White discs: White's Rose-inspired magitech drones.
Crystallized user mana, remote limbs. Experts maxed five—insane control needed. Creator White? 150 peak. Genius only.
White's eyes gleamed up at her.
"Sonia, surrender meek now—life spared."
"Why trust?"
"Won't kill yet. Not till you spill on our idiot sis."
"Still lost? Hmm…… Stabbed her last—prime fertilizer now? Wood elf win. Hohoho."
"Die."
Pabababak―――!!
White's bark: drones unleashed spell barrage.
Plaza blazed—not moonlight, but drone magic—roar shaking Nihilum.