Chapter: The Evidence of a Shattered Silence
The courtroom, once roaring with tension and argument, fell deathly silent the moment Lola raised her voice.
"I have proof!" she declared.
The suddenness of her cry stunned everyone. Her hands trembled as she reached into her bag, pulling out a slim, glimmering magical device that resembled a crystalized flash drive. Its surface shimmered with runes and circuitry, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.
"This," she said, holding it high, "is an AetherGlyph, a memory-locked projection quill enchanted to capture visual imprints."
Gasps echoed through the courtroom. AetherGlyphs were notoriously difficult to manipulate without leaving traces. The moment she mentioned it, Class C's composure cracked. Zechariah narrowed his eyes.
"Please," he said, voice dangerously calm, "don't dig this hole any deeper."
But Lola held firm. "This is proof that I was at the Special Annex the day the incident happened."
The courtroom buzzed like a hive of disturbed hornets. From the gallery to the judge's bench, people shifted, whispered, stared.
The judge, an old mage with golden spectacles perched at the tip of his nose, gestured to his assistant. "Display it on the VisiRune."
The VisiRune—a large crystalline orb that projected memories and footage from magical devices—glowed to life.
In the teachers' gallery, Class C's head teacher, Derrick Tina, leaned toward Elvara. "Don't get your hopes up. A single image won't change the tides."
Elvara smiled faintly. "Let's watch."
The AetherGlyph's memory streamed into the VisiRune. A brilliant image appeared, drawing a collective gasp.
It was Lola—wearing a dangerously tight pink bikini, posing awkwardly in the corner of a secluded garden, clearly unaware the recording had started too soon. The men in the courtroom blushed furiously.
Lola cleared her throat. "Ignore that part. That day... I was looking for somewhere deserted to take personal photos. The device automatically timestamps each frame."
Zechariah folded his arms. "Timestamps on an AetherGlyph can be falsified. It doesn't amount to anything substantial."
The judge raised a hand. "But these images—they seem genuine."
The footage slid to the next image: Lola in the hallway, holding the pen out to take a selfie. Behind her in the blurred background, Class C students were clearly visible coercing Cain. One of them held the stolen crystal ball.
Another shockwave of murmurs rippled through the courtroom.
"With this," Lola said gently, "I hope you believe I was there that day."
Prisca smiled gently. "Thank you, Lola."
Lola returned the smile, a mixture of pride and exhaustion on her face.
But Zechariah wasn't done. He stepped forward.
"So you were present. But that still doesn't confirm you witnessed the full event. It doesn't identify the mastermind."
"But—"
He raised his hand. "May I propose a compromise, your honor?"
The judge narrowed his eyes. "A compromise?"
Zechariah nodded. "Cain is clearly implicated. Expel him. Reduce Class E's points as consequence. Suspend Class C's involved students for one week. It reflects the differences in severity."
Cain's fists clenched tightly. A vein pulsed on his temple.
From the benches, Paul whispered to himself, "Even without Lola's evidence, Cain would've been expelled anyway. This is... compromise, yes."
Class E began murmuring loudly. Naomi's eyes blazed with rage. Peterson punched the air in frustration.
The judge turned calmly. "It appears a conclusion is drawing close."
Paul turned to Lola. "You did well."
Then Zechariah, smirking, addressed Prisca. "Class E's representative, what is your opinion?"
Prisca stood, a glimmer of steel in her eyes. She bowed slightly.
"Cain may be reckless. He rarely considers how his actions ripple out. But he is not guilty. This was no accident. It was orchestrated. Cain is the victim."
Zechariah laughed.
"How quaint. The mighty Prisca, sister of Liorion, crying foul—"
"As the witness testified," Prisca cut in sharply, "Cain is a victim. Please deliver the correct judgment."
Joel suddenly stood. "We're the victims here, your honor!"
"Shut the hell up!" Cain barked. "You're full of it!"
The courtroom erupted into screaming matches. Just then—snap!
Liorion snapped his fingers.
Instantly, Cain and Joel froze in place, their bodies paralyzed by magic.
Gasps filled the chamber.
Liorion walked slowly between them, his expression unreadable. He bowed slightly to the judge.
"Forgive their disrespect."
"Release them," the judge said.
Liorion did so and returned silently to his seat.
The judge adjusted his robes and spoke solemnly.
"This is a farce. One side is clearly lying. I will ask directly: Class C, do you swear your testimony is true?"
Joel nodded. "Yes."
"Class E?"
Prisca answered with dignity. "Certainly."
The judge folded his hands. "Then I will deliver my judgment tomorrow, at 4:00 p.m. Unless I receive proof or a confession, expulsion will be placed on the table. Court is dismissed."
Outside the courtroom, in the echoing hallway, the tension hadn't lifted.
Prisca turned to Paul. "Do we have any chance at all?"
Paul answered, barely audible. "Maybe the gods will provide."
Prisca nodded slowly. "I hope you meant that."
She walked away.
Lola stood beside Paul, eyes glistening. "I'm sorry. I should've spoken up sooner. I just... didn't have the courage."
Paul turned to her, voice soft. "Hold your head high, Sakura."
"But..."
Liorion and Tachibana approached.
"Still lingering?" Liorion asked, eyes on Lola. "When you appeared with Prisca, I assumed you had a strategy."
"I'm neither Isaac Newton nor Kuroda Kanbei," Paul said, shrugging. "There is no grand strategy."
Liorion turned sharply to Lola. "Sakura Lola, was it?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"If you can't prove it, it's a lie. Your mask is a shackle."
Tears welled in her eyes. "I only told the truth."
Paul stepped forward. "I believe her."
Liorion smiled.
He thrust his hand toward Paul's face. Paul leaned back. The hand smacked into the wall behind him.
Liorion, grinning, leaned in close. "Can you prove Cain's innocence, Paul?"
Paul met his gaze.
"That's a good question."
---
To be continued...