Chapter 21: Trial

Midnight, the atmosphere was eerie; but it was even more so- in the auditorium.

“Let the trial begin.”

In the auditorium, six people sat behind a long desk on the stage. Below the stage, in front of the six- stood a middle aged man with a moustache. And on the audience seats, behind the moustached man- sat a dozen or so men and women.

None of them were ranked lower than a silver embroidered senior instructor, nor weaker than a level 6 circler.

“Instructor Davian Reeds, you were arrested under the suspicion of murder of fourth-year student Alexis Pavel.” The middle aged principal, who sat at the centre of the six alongside another, declared.

“Principal, I am being framed! I never even met the student before!”

“But we have an eye witness report stating that you entered the victim’s dorm room just before the estimated time of his death.” She stated.

“What bullshit! That is definitely a lie! I was in my own room, preparing lessons for the next day.” He retorted with agitation.

“Do you have anyone who could verify your alibi?”

“No.”

“Then, you are still not in the clear.”

The middle aged burly man who was sitting beside the principal in the centre, Vice principal Aston Ragov, turned towards her.

“Who is the witness who saw him entering the dorm room? Bring him here.” He asked.

“I am afraid I can’t, just know that he is a student and he wants to remain anonymous for reasons concerning his safety.”

“A student?!” The moustached suspect was the one who retorted aggressively.

“Even if I were to enter the dorm room, how could I let a student be on my tail?” He continued.

“Well, he just happens to be special.” She replied.

“That is your excuse for apprehending him?” The vice principal asked with a scowl.

“Professor Midsley, I believe you have something to say.” She looked at the hunchbacked old man sitting within the audience.

The old man slowly stood up.

“I can only testify that the student is indeed special. His comprehension of the <Conceal> essence reached such a stage that even I have to use my whole concentration just to feel his presence, especially at night.” He spoke in a shushed voice but everyone in the auditorium could hear him clearly.

His statement caused a clamour.

‘A student who can avoid the detection of level 8 circler? Is that even possible?’

“Are you sure you are not mistaken?” The vice principal asked. It was one thing if the principal said such thing, he could have retorted. But this came out from the mouth of professor Midsley, who was the incarnation of neutrality itself.

“I swear on my love for potioneering.” The hunchbacked potioneer assured.

The vice principal could only sigh.

“But that doesn’t mean what the student testified is the truth.” He said.

“But we can’t also say that it is a lie.” The principal responded.

“How are you sure that it’s not the student who killed Alexis if he was there at the scene and he is just trying to frame me?” The suspect questioned.

“What? Are you admitting that you were there at the scene?” The principal raised her brows.

“No, definitely not!” He panicked realising his mistake.

“I will answer your question, if you want peace of mind. We detected remains of <Sharpness> property in the fatal injury on the victim’s chest. And the strength behind that attack is not something which can be induced by a circler lower than level 5.” She explained.

“And as far as we know, your first property should also be <Sharpness>, right?” She gave him a look.

“So what? All the wind circlers of the Academy has <Sharpness> attribute. Anyone could be the killer.” He replied as if he had an answer ready for this.

“But the size and shape of the wound matches that of your hands.” The principal responded.

“Whatever! That is not a viable evidence to prove me as the killer.” He retorted.

“What he is saying is the truth. A student’s unverified testimony, used property and shape of the would are not enough to judge him guilty.” The vice principal said.

“I agree. So, we will commence investigation immediately. We will search for evidence in the places recently visited by instructor Reeds including his residence, workplace and the tree he always sits under.” The principal declared.

“I AM GUILTY!” These loud words echoed through the whole auditorium.

“What?!” The vice principal stood up.

Not only him, everyone was shocked- including the principal. Even she did not expect it to work.

“I said, I am guilty. I am the one who killed Alexis.” The moustached suspect admitted, seemingly panicked.

“The trial will proceed. Why did you kill him?” The principal asked.

He thought for a moment before replying, “I suspected him.”

“Suspected him of what?” The principal squinted. Everyone was curious.

“Of being an imperial spy!” He replied.

The reply caused another din, everyone began to discuss amongst themselves.

The principal snapped her fingers, sending an energy wave and thus, bringing everyone to a silence.

“Do you have evidence?” She asked.

“No.” His reply was the same as before.

“So, how did you know that Alexis Pavel was an imperial spy? Please don’t make up anything, you will only be wasting time.”

“I just knew.”

“That is your answer? You just knew?” She was enraged, she slowly stood up.

“You KILLED one of our students. AND THAT IS YOUR ANSWER?” Her level 8 circler’s aura manifested, suffocating the lot of the crowd, especially the suspect.

“Calm down, Bell.” Professor Midsley’s shushed voice entered her ears, causing her to regain her calm and sit.

“I sentence his magic core to be sealed and him to be imprisoned in the dungeons for life!” The principal declared, the fire of rage still burning in her heart.

“Isn’t that too much? He said that Alexis was an imperial spy.” The vice principal was worried.

“Who was the one who enforced the significance of evidence?” The principal looked at him with a mocking look in her eyes.

He could only sigh in response.

“Dean Gistre, if you would, please.” She looked at the old woman sitting one seat away from her, at the extreme right of the six.

“Sure.” The old woman replied. She was the head of the department of magic circle research. Her achievements in that field were exemplary.

She reached out one of her hands, a complex circle formed in the air and started to rotate.

She looked at Davian and warned, “You better stay still and not resist. Otherwise, even the principal won’t be able to stop me from killing you.”

The moustached ‘culprit’ had a chill running down his spine. He knew that the old woman who looked so kind was not joking at all. Only the dean of combat department was strong enough to stop her.

The circle shot out and pierced through his heart, apparently. He was not injured at all. But he lost the ability to sense and control magical energy.

‘Why is life so unfair? I did not kill Alexis. Why would I do that? He was my subordinate. And now, my magic core is sealed!’ He could not stop his tears from flowing out.

“Thank you, dean.” The principal smiled.

“No problem.” The old woman smiled back, her teeth still looking healthy.

“Michael, take him to the dungeons.” The principal ordered.

“The trial is over. I don’t want to see such a case ever again.” She declared before leaving. Everyone began to follow and leave.

Not far away from the auditorium, the Fredrick House was located. On the roof, two silhouettes could be seen, seemingly enjoying the wind. One of them was a young man and the other was a young lady.

Though they were a bit far from the soundproofed auditorium, they could hear everything because of some prior arrangements he made.

“Case closed.” She sighed.

“Everything was perfect.” He praised.

“Thank you, young master.” His praise excited her.

“So, did you learn your lesson?”

“Yes!”

“A perfect murder has two victims.” He smiled.

“The killed, and the accused.” She replied.