"CK, student of the Nonaphrontistery, you stand accused of engaging in illegal transactions using your master's name and using forbidden technology to enslave a Code Red entity to accomplish your graduation thesis, both of which violated the institute's rules and code of ethics."
A young woman stood at the center of a room, surrounded by faculty members seated on the round table. She frowned as a professor continued to list the charges, occupied with a thought. Shucks, why didn't she think of that? The entire dissertation could have been done earlier!
"That's so annoying," she grumbled, causing the speaker to trail off and look at her with a blank face, unhappy to be cut off. She turned to him and smiled, "Ah, it's nothing, Professor. Please continue."
"…How do you plead?"
"Guilty. We've been through this already," CK said. The room was silent. One of the professors crossed her arms and spoke to the rest, "She's pleaded guilty already. Aren't we going to proceed to her sentence?"
The other professors did not answer. The head of the trial linked his hands and leaned his elbows on the table. "You've pleaded guilty before as well. If you choose to plead guilty again this time, then that means you're ready to tell us your reasons after dodging the questions the first time around," his eyes narrowed seriously.
"For what?" CK asked. "For committing fraudulence as well as breaking the Nonaphrontistery's regulations," the head professor spoke.
"Hm, I dunno. You tell me," CK shrugged, making the other professors frown. "Is this supposed to be a joke?" a professor said displeasingly.
"We're not playing, CK. It's not just your graduation at stake here. It's your entire future. You're one of the most talented students we have, so we allowed a recess," the head professor said gravely, "But if you don't take this second and final trial seriously, I'm afraid we can no longer intervene and help you."
"Then why don't we begin with questions that I can actually answer?" CK suggested with an amused smile. "Are you aware that using forbidden technology results in corruption?" another professor asked.
"Yep."
"Then why did you use it?"
"Hmm, I'm pretty sure it's because you said I used it to enslave some creature that's supposed to be dangerous," CK said with a short giggle, "Funny, really."
"Stop making a fool out of your mentors, Ms. CK. All this roundabout nonsense is not worth our time!" another professor said, her voice full of irritation. CK side-glanced at her.
"If you thought of that a week ago, none of us would be in this mess," her voice was a little icy before she regained her casual composure, "But seriously, I wouldn't turn to forbidden technology to subdue anything or anyone."
"Then why did you confess to this accusation if you did not do it?" the head professor was irritated. CK smiled.
"Because I dare not question my own mentors. If you say I'm guilty, then to some degree, I am indeed guilty. Ah, but I'm not sure why exactly so you need to fill in the blanks," CK smirked.
"You're the teachers and the masters. Surely, you would know the answer. Why would I forcefully enslave a daemon to do my bidding when I am perfectly capable of subduing him on my own?" she asked, not an ounce of bluff in her voice.
For a moment, the professors hesitated. Sure, CK was a talented student. But it was paradoxical how they did not believe she would be knowledgeable enough to take on a Code Red, beings and entities ranked highly on the danger tier list. It was easier to believe she had resorted to other methods than believe she can deal with beings that even professors had to face carefully.
"According to the information presented, the daemon you summoned was a joint effort between you and your master, where you forcefully extracted him from his habitat and then coerced into an agreement to work for you. However, information presented also stated that this daemon was sealed in an incantation that allows torture at the owner's will, who happens to be you. Why did you lock him in a dangerous incantation if you are sure that his cooperation is guaranteed?" a professor asked.
"The same reason why this trial is taking place," CK's eyes flickered dangerously, "I can't let sly and dangerous people loose unless I had a leash on them, making sure they don't do anything to me."
The professors were silent. CK's lips curled into a smirk, "The only difference is that I succeeded. You will not."
Act I: Innocentes vel nocentes
"CK, what in the interstellar void has gotten into you and you got yourself an F on the evaluation?!"
"Really? Great, great! Seems like I guessed right. Good thing I studied a different chapter," CK said, rather pleased with herself. A professor scoffed.
"Well, clearly, whatever you studied for clearly wasn't part of the test coverage!"
"That's the point," CK shrugged. Seriously, she had to skip her afternoon pancakes just for this. What a horrible treatment, denying her sweet tooth after trying so hard to get her answers wrong.
Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the reaction of the seated professors in front of her. Ms. Yvonna, in particular, was fuming. She was one of the proctor's and leading professor's for the graduating batch's assessment. Having CK treat it as a joke was basically an insult to her.
"CK, whatever attitude you're putting up needs to stop. Your recent examinations have gone down drastically. Is the point you're trying to make worth it all? Because from the looks of it, no."
CK glanced at the other professor. Ms. Dulia was calmer than Ms. Yvonna. She was also the 'holiest' of all faculty members, always sounding self-righteous whenever she opened her mouth. The coldness in her voice and gaze are often mistaken for 'strictness' since she was a teacher, but CK would beg to differ.
"What makes you think I'm trying to make a point?" CK asked. "Studying for a different chapter even when a test coverage was given only implies you tried to fail on purpose. That makes me wonder what must be going on in that teeny, pretty head of yours," Ms. Dulia said and smiled.
"But if you're not throwing any tantrums, then that is more concerning. If the test results are evidence of your genuine skills, that will be sorely disappointing given your…rank," her smirk widened, "Second, was it? You were always behind Winslow. From all throughout your years here, I don't recall a moment where you managed to beat him at any field."
"Things were much better when she was performing as a top 2 student. Although hardly a match for Winslow, at least it shows you were trying at least," Ms. Yvonna tutted, "What happened, CK?"
CK only stared as an answer. Ms. Dulia made a small snort, "What, you're depressed or something? I don't know what it is with kids these days and they claim to be suffering when they're hardly putting out any effort on what is expected of them. Tsk, tsk."
"I guess asking her to be more like Winslow is too much for her. It isn't in her capabilities to be on par with him," Ms. Yvonna's lips curled viciously, "Otherwise, she would have had a shot at being the running valedictorian."
'These professors and their righteous sermons,' CK thought, hardly surprised. She might as well go to church every time she was summoned to the office, being lectured while in the presence of other professors. They all seem busy with their own thing, but let's be honest: Both ears are open to hear criticism towards CK.
'Either way, I gotta leave. I'm wasting time in the office, and these two don't seem to be ready to dismiss me anytime soon,' CK snorted. Breathing in a hefty amount of air, she feigned a dramatic clap of her hands, causing the professors to jolt in surprise.
"My beautifully enchanting professors are absolutely right! I could never be able to beat Winslow, my lifelong archnemesis, for he is too great and powerful. All the girls swoon over him and all the boys wish to be his friend while I hide in the corner, holding bitter grudge knowing I will always be second to him, remaining in his glittering shadows! If only I am permitted, I shall curse his name forevermore!" CK spoke dramatically as she gestured somberly.
"And you're sooo right about me being so childish and incompetent. I'm too dumb to understand anything unless someone spelled it out for me! It's even a surprise you all have so much kindness and mercy in your hearts to allow this foolish student to graduate. My, truly generous!" CK continued in forced emphasis, "Not only are Ms. Yvonna and Ms. Dulia so kind but also beautiful! It's no wonder no student wishes to approach you at all! Your beauty is absolutely blinding and puts us common women to shame! Ah, my envy is pouring out of my pores!"
The two professors were dumbfounded, mouths slightly agape in bewilderment. "C-CK, you…!" they sputtered, red in either embarrassment or shame.
"CK?"
"Oh?" CK paused in the middle of her dramatic monologue and turned to the side. A man seemingly in his mid-twenties approached. A neat stack of papers floated behind him. His brows rose at the sight of her confusingly.
"Professor Erzem! You are always a sight to behold. Say, have you been using hair products? Your hair looks extra shiny today," CK grinned as he approached. The professor gave her a disturbed look, "Cut this strange act out, CK. You're still inside the faculty office in case you forgot."
"I could never forget. This is the altar of two of the most dazzling professors known to the institute, after all," CK continued with her genuinely backhanded dramatization. "Stop speaking," Ms. Dulia ordered, one hand holding her creased forehead.
Taking note of Dulia and Yvonna, professor Erzem connected the dots rather quickly. "Did either of you call her here again?" Erzem asked tiredly, not surprised.
Ms. Yvonna blinked, "I-It's because of her test results! Have you seen them at all, sir Erzem? They're horrible for someone of CK's standing!"
"I've seen them, yes. I was the one who checked them, after all," Erzem answered. Ms. Dulia frowned, "And you're not bothered with her behavior? She created doodles and wrote song lyrics on the blank lines! It's like she's trying to mess up on purpose!"
"To be fair, it was a catchy song. If I didn't write it down, I would have sung it out loud instead. We all know how horrible my singing voice is," CK piped in with a guiltless smile. "Shut your mouth," Ms. Dulia hissed.
Erzem sighed. "I understand your concerns, but the results are not worth embarrassing CK. Although she scored a 0/100 on the evaluation, her over-all performance this past semester falls under the 95th percentile, only three points away from our excellent topper," he stated, "May I also remind you that the evaluation is only an auxiliary test, a chance for the other students to gain credits. To be frank, CK was only obliged to take the exam because it was mandatory. She had no use for the evaluation since her grades are beyond excellent."
"But still!" Ms. Yvonna scoffed, "Are we seriously letting her go for her antics? Behaving like a child and disregarding a mandatory exam is still-!"
"Misbehavior should be rectified with an appropriate punishment. You're both teachers, Ms. Dulia and Ms. Yvonna. You should have first-hand experience as to why a one-hour sermon never works on students," Erzem promptly cut her off and turned to CK, "And you…"
He trailed off when he caught CK sticking her tongue out tauntingly from behind his back in a split-second. CK smiled innocently at him, "Yes, sir?"
"Hmph… We are going to nullify your evaluation result, which means whatever points you earned will not be added to your final grades…not that there was any," Erzem muttered the last part, "However, your disrespect towards procedures will not be tolerated even if you're a graduating student. You will either perform a make-up exam or receive a penalty according to the institute's handbook."
"Ooh, I have an idea then!" CK said excitedly. Erzem moved his head back as CK jumped in front of him with a conspiratorial grin, "I heard the freshies just finished their ranking exams a few hours ago. From my own experience, that would mean the venue they used will be quite messy. To show my sincerity, how about I go and clean up their messes?"
CK's eyes were glimmering expectantly, which made them suspicious. Why request for this penalty of all things? However, there's no real reason to deny her request.
"Hm… What an odd request. But the penalty is reasonable. It will also be less trouble for the maintenance team, and you can use your time better than snatching all the pancakes at the cafeteria," Erzem said and nodded, "Alright, you can do that."
"Yay~! I will never forget your kindness, my good ma'ams and sir," CK clapped and curtsied, "Now, if there is nothing else, your humbly dumb student shall take her leave now. I bid you all adieu!"
CK's lips curled mockingly as she bowed, turning on her heels to leave the office. Suspiciously, the sound of chatter in the office resumed after she left. The three professors knew they were listening.
"Aren't you going to make sure she isn't going to run off?" Ms. Yvonna asked. Erzem snorted, "I have faith that I taught her to be a person of her word. Perhaps if you were confident that you even taught her well, you wouldn't be so skeptical of whether she has enough respect to listen to your words."
Ms. Dulia scoffed. "She has tendencies to be picky. Everyone knows she is fairly biased towards you. Who's to say you don't think she is better than Winslow?" she implicated, "She has been your student for the longest time, and you were her personal mentor outside of school."
Erzem's lips twitched in amusement. "I could have said that my situation is the same as yours. You and Winslow belong to the same church at your home planet, if I recall, so it would also be natural for you to take his side," he said, "But there's a difference: I judge my students according to their talent and performance, not on their background and how they behave towards me."
With that, he left women's table and approached his cubicle. Dulia stared coldly as the stack of papers floated after Erzem. Yvonna rolled her eyes, "He would've been popular among ladies if he held his tongue back a little better."
"Pfft, just who did they think they are to me?"
CK rolled her eyes as she flicked a rock out of her way with the heel of her school shoes. "Those two will never change unless someone really handed their asses to them," she muttered.
But nooo, they're women! There was no way the institute could dare to hurt two of their younger professors without being tried for inequality and harassment. They're just…inexperienced, that's all! The way they treat their students will change even if four years passed and there's seriously no sign. Have faith!
But CK was past the point of even thinking her professors could be reasoned with. They summon students to criticize them inside the faculty for the smallest things, smaller than her little stunt (which is reasonably worth punishing, to be fair). They were the kind of professors that gave short deadlines and have their students do a public apology and letter just so they can reconsider them. Almost no excuse was tolerable, if CK remembered her younger years.
It didn't matter if she suffered from dysmenorrhea or someone she knew had passed away. The only viable excuse they'd accept for a resubmission was if you actually got into an accident and can't move your limbs at all. So, what if your family member died? You can still finish your incantations while grieving! They're gone, but you're the one who disappeared. Preposterous!
The only way CK deals with confrontations is to shower them with praise. Professors like Ms. Dulia and Ms. Yvonna only like to hear how skilled or amazing they are. And that thing with Winslow? Old history. Why should she bother competing with the bastard?
The young woman stood atop the stairs descending unto a mini-arena located south of the administration building. Dozens of synthesized monster corpses littered and traces of Syntaxis lingered in the air.
This was the venue used for the first-years who would be graded according to how many and how well they killed the conjured monsters. Her classmates used to fret over their kill counts while she was busy pitting those monsters against each other. CK sighed in nostalgia.
Those were the good times. CK's lips curled as she returned her gaze to the arena.
"It's good that professor Erzem came in time," CK said. He gave her the window of opportunity she risked detention for. She jumped off the stairs and landed on the arena with a huff, a cloud of dirt swelling beneath her feet.