The atmosphere at the school courtroom was a dense fog of tension, with every breath held and every whisper quickly silenced. The walls of the Grand Tribunal Hall, adorned with the banners of each class and the Holy Ones' crest, echoed with anticipation. The audience was packed: students, teachers, and even Guardians of the Holy Order filled the rows, murmuring with nervous energy. This was not an ordinary trial — this was a showdown that could tilt the school's internal politics.
At the justice box, two students stood side by side, both battle-worn. Joel's face was wrapped in bandages, a patch covering one eye, while Cain stood firm, arms crossed, gaze unflinching. Though not wounded visibly, his reputation bore bruises enough.Both stood beneath the eye of judgment, silence blanketing the room.
Then she entered.
Wearing the black and crimson robes of court authority, Tachibana, the student council secretary to Mr. Liorion, walked up the center aisle. Her presence commanded respect.
"As the student council secretary to Mr. Liorion," she said with firm grace, "I, Tachibana, shall preside."
The Holy Ones were seated at the high bench with the teachers. A murmur ran through the room as Elvara, Class E's head teacher, turned to the regal figure of Liorion—council president and rumored head captain of the Holy Ones.
"The student council president himself? Or should I say, the Head Captain of the Holy Ones, coming over a little brawl like this? Wonders never cease, I suppose..."
Liorion paused, his icy blue eyes narrowed slightly. "Due to my busy schedule, there are some agendas I'm forced to miss participating in," he replied smoothly. "As a rule, I do attend."
Elvara smirked. "So it's just a coincidence, is it?"
Liorion paused and then replied, his eyes lingering on his sister, Prisca, seated among the Class E representatives. "Yes."
Class E's bench held Paul, Felix, Prisca, Peterson, and Naomi. But Prisca... her eyes were locked onto her brother, her mind elsewhere.Paul, observant as ever, noted her distraction. Seems like Prisca has some connection with the student president, he thought. And I'm suspecting she can't bring out her full potential because of it.
Tachibana spoke again. "To both sides: I wish to ascertain which version of events is the truth."
She opened a book—a ledger of case evidence handed to her by Liorion earlier—and read.
"Joel, you insist that Cain summoned you to the special annex and then attacked you for stopping him from stealing the school's magical core."
Joel nodded, still bandaged.
"Cain, you deny this claim and insist that Joel was the one who called you there, and gave you the core?"
Cain nodded too, firm and unfazed.
Tachibana closed the book softly. "Your stories conflict. What is certain is that Cain injured Joel and two of his friends. They are the victims."
Elijah smirked from the gallery.
"I'll admit I hit them," Cain interrupted. "But they started it."
Joel snarled back, "I don't recall doing that!"
The two began bickering like feral animals. Paul's eyes narrowed.
This isn't good. The argument is shifting toward injuries. That gives Cain free rein. We need to change the narrative...
He leaned toward Prisca. "Prisca."
But she didn't respond.
Suddenly, Liorion rose to his feet. "Enough," he said with quiet authority. "I will not allow such disrespect in this court."
A hush fell over the courtroom.
Murmurs erupted in the crowd:
"Isn't Cain dangerous?"
"Is Class E done for?"
"I heard Cain cracked three ribs on Joel—just for talking!"
"Class E's always in trouble."
"Maybe Joel lied?"
Then the judge said "1"Without new testimony or evidence, we will proceed under the assumption that Class E is at fault."
Elijah whispered, "Seems like there was no need for this trial."
Then the judge continued "It is clear from their injuries that the violence was one-sided. Class E's insistence on self-defense is contradicted by Cain's lack of wounds."
Then the judge called out, "Class Representatives, step forward—the Phoenix Flame."
From Class B, Zachariah, a confident figure with dark green hair and a sly smile, stepped out. "I will represent our case."
Then the judge nodded. "Class E?"
They called for Prisca again.
Still no response.
Paul sighed. Then he reached over, placed his hand on her waist, and twisted firmly.
Prisca jerked upright. Eyes widened. Everyone stared.
"When someone is spaced out, a strong physical stimulus will snap them back," Paul muttered.
Elvara smiled behind her hand.
Prisca glared at Paul, then stood.
Prisca glared at Paul, who met her eyes and said, calm but firm, "If you don't fight, we are going to lose."
Prisca took a deep breath, stood, and bowed.
"Apologies. I'm ready."
She stepped forward as the Phoenix Flame class representatives were summoned.Tachibana asked, "Are the class representatives ready to proceed with the issue?"
Both Zachariah and Prisca answered, "Yes."
"I beg your pardon," Prisca began. "I would like to question the witnesses."
The judge nodded.
Prisca approached Joel. "What were the circumstances under which Cain called you out?"
Joel smiled, rehearsed. "After school ended, he said he wanted to talk."
"Then what were John and Efe doing at the annex with you? Neither are basketball players."
Joel paused. "I wanted insurance. Cain is dangerous. Everyone knows he's a violent freak."
Prisca stepped closer. "So you expected him to attack you?"
"Yes."
Paul nodded slightly. That's a rehearsed line.
Prisca pushed. "Then you brought Efe, a known fighter, as a bodyguard."
"I did it to protect myself."
Zachariah cut in. "Objection! Too many questions."
Prisca turned to him, coolly. "The school court rules don't specify a limit to questioning. Right, my lord?"
The judge nodded. "Proceed."
Stephanie whispered to Liorion, "Your sister is impressive."
Liorion remained silent.
Prisca's voice sharpened. "You claim you weren't fighting back. But I know martial arts. Fighting multiple opponents exponentially increases the difficulty — and with Efe present, it makes no sense that you were beaten one-sidedly."
Elijah gave a subtle signal to Zachariah, but Joel replied quickly, "That's because we didn't want to fight!"
Prisca pressed forward. "If you weren't fighting back and didn't want to fight, it's extremely unlikely all three of you were injured that badly. Also... regarding the school's magical core — the item you claim Cain wanted to steal — why would he do that? There's no evidence placing it with him.Isn't it odd that no core was recovered on Cain?"
Elvara muttered, "That sounds like common sense."Zachariah stepped in. "Your questions are unreasonable when Cain is involved. We all know Cain is violent and a thief, right Class B?"
Class B erupted: "Yes! Yes! He's a monster!"
The judge slammed the gavel. "Silence! You've committed a serious offense, Zachariah. The gallery shall not participate."
Prisca bowed. "Thank you.I would now like to call a witness."
The room gasped.
King Matthew, raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Things are getting interesting."
The doors opened. A girl entered Shy, trembling, clearly terrified.
Class B erupted in accusations:
"Traitor!"
"Backstabber!"
"You filthy snitch!"
"Class E's puppet!"
The judge roared, "Silence, or I will suspend the entire class!"
Elijah asked John, "She's one of ours?"
John nodded.
Elijah grinned. "She just jumped into my den."
Lola sat in the Justice Box, barely able to hold her head up.
"State your name."
"C-Class 1B... Lola Airi."
Prisca encouraged gently. "Lola?"
"I-I saw Class B students attacking Cain. And... they gave him the school magical core. I'm sure of it."
Zachariah approached. "If you saw this, why didn't you speak up sooner?"
"Well... because..."
Zachariah smirked. "Honestly. Class E loves tricks. Are you sure you weren't forced?"
Prisca cut in, "Why would she be? Class B has been sending Cain threats before the trial."
The judge raised a brow. "Threats?"
Prisca nodded and activated a magical device.
The courtroom saw the messages projected in light:"Stop causing chaos, Cain."
"Cain, return the magical core.
"Don't drag the class down with your antics."
"Stop stealing from school property!"
Prisca froze. Nothing overtly threatening.The judge frowned. "These are not explicit threats."
Paul whispered, "Joseph... he did this."
Prisca protested, "But—"
Zachariah sneered. "You wasted court time."
He faced Lola. "Are you sure they didn't threaten you to lie?"
Paul whispered, "This isn't looking good."
Prisca defended, "Lola is here because she chose to come. If we were choosing a fake witness, why her?"
Zachariah pressed. "To add credibility, of course."
Prisca shook her head. "No—"
"Stop taking advantage of a weak-willed classmate."
"I'm not—!"
"She's trembling! Is this truth, or just coercion? Class E is known for defying rules. Now you're threatening classmates?"
Voices exploded:
"Class E always does this!"
"They're fakes!"
"Liars!"
"Threatening other students!"
Prisca shook. "We didn't threaten her!"
Joel sneered. "I think you did."
"ORDER!" the judge thundered.
Then—
"I HAVE PROOF CLASS E IS INNOCENT!" Lola screamed.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Silence. A perfect, still silence.
---
Meanwhile, in his dimly lit office, Lucia folded a document and activated a communication spell.
"Ruth," he said.Ruth's voice answered, "It's going well The court is progressing"
"Good," he said.
Lucia deactivated the spell.But then, behind him...
Kate, a blade in her hand.
"I shall kill you and avenge my master's death."
Lucia turned slowly, smiling. "I see."
---
To Be Continued.