The show has ended, and the curtains will fall. The encore, however, was just about to begin.
CK stood in the middle of the courtroom, waiting silently for the seats to be filled and for the judge to arrive. During these moments of silence, CK had the chance to recollect her thoughts.
The Juris Vindicator was killed, Winslow had his glory, and everybody is safe. At least, these were good news. CK's eyes opened at the sound of the doors opening behind her. She looked over her shoulder, finding several faculty members walking in and taking their seats.
Professor Kitmar walked over to the judge's seat. Professor K'Thal was the only one to occupy one of the seven seats below Professor Kitmar, which have been reserved for the other Core Instructors had they been present.
'Looks like the only thing I need to prioritize is this trial,' CK thought and yawned. She couldn't get eight hours of comfortable sleep thanks to that stupid cuff. So annoying.
"All rise," Professor K'Thal's voice echoed in the courtroom, "The Institutional Court, Faculty Division, is now in session with Core Instructor and Head of Faculty Kitmar presiding."
The faculty stood promptly. Only Professor Kitmar was seated. He adjusted his robes, his face still seemingly tense as he spoke, "Members of the faculty, remain standing. Core Instructor, Professor K'Thal, please lead the Oath of Impartiality."
K'Thal extended a palm, silently casting an immediate incantation. A sigil appeared above each of the faculty members' heads and connected to the magic circle atop K'Thal's palm.
"Speak nothing but the truth and solemnly swear that you will listen, bear witness, and render fair judgment upon the defendant," he spoke. "We solemnly swear that today's verdict will be lead by absolute impartiality," the faculty members murmured their reply.
Madam Yanyan crossed her arms and shook her head. Things shouldn't have escalated into a trial. But she said nothing as K'Thal finished his incantation.
"Be seated," Professor Kitmar spoke, "We shall commence Case No. 2: The Nonaphrontistery versus CK of House Vincenzo. The lack of evidence to prove Miss CK's innocence deems a trial necessary."
"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."
The 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. Ms. Dulia 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. Professor Kitmar 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," Kitmar spoke.
"Hm, I dunno. You tell me," CK shrugged, making the other professors frown. "Is this supposed to be a joke?" Ms. Yvonna 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," Professor Kitmar 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!" Ms. Dulia 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?" Professor Kitmar frowned. 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, a rank given to beings and entities rated 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. In other words, the idea that CK was stronger than the professors did not sit well.
"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?" Madam Yanyan 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."
'If you think you can make me confess by using my own words against me, you're sorely mistaken,' CK thought snidely, her arrogant stare masked carefully by her smile.
Professor K'Thal crossed his arms and observed the trial in silence. The child is slowly baring her fangs.
They tensed as CK sighed loudly and gestured with her hands. "It seems that my wise mentors and professors struggle with putting the pieces together. Allow this lowly student of yours to help you," CK said and summoned a book with her first name as the label.
"Please, open it for your perusal," CK said and gestured the book to levitate towards Professor Kitmar. The professor frowned but said nothing. He took the book and flapped the pages, carefully reading its contents.
"The book that Professor Kitmar is currently reading is a compilation of all my activities during the writing of my thesis. Research logs, signed permits, and letter of approval to use the facilities of the school are compiled in there. Each of them has the dry seal of the faculty members so I cannot possibly fake any of it," CK gestured with a hand, "Do you find any inconsistencies in the paperwork, professor Kitmar? Your signature is most apparent so you should be able to tell."
"Hm…" Professor Kitmar examined the documents. After a while, he closed it and sent the book to the direction of the faculty table. He nodded, "Miss CK's activity log is validated. No traces of evidence leading to any suspicious activity can be found."
"T-That doesn't change the fact that she could be using the forbidden technology elsewhere! Just to remind everyone, we are also putting CK on trial for using forbidden technology to subdue the archdaemon Malphas," Ms. Yvonna said. CK sighed.
"Goodness, me. Wisdom has always been chasing my lovely professor, but she has always been faster," CK said, "I've never used forbidden technology. Professor K'Thal is a skilled lie detector, no? Listen to him if you don't believe me."
The faculty members turned to the seated professor in front. Professor K'Thal nodded while his eyes were closed, "Miss CK speaks the truth."
"B-But what about those apparel in Professor Erzem's storage rooms?!" Ms. Yvonna asked. "I have nothing to do with the master's stuff. Also, this trial is about me, not him," CK said.
"The accusation of using forbidden technology has been rectified. Proceed with the next charge," Professor Kitmar declared. Ms. Dulia clicked her tongue while Ms. Yvonna reddened apprehensively.
Madam Yanyan cleared her throat. "Let's discuss the issue with the archdaemon Malphas and the violation of the Individualist Law," she said and looked at CK. Her gaze was kind, but the professional coldness was stronger.
"Tell us the truth, CK. There is evidence that Professor Erzem has the archdaemon in an imprisonment incantation. Is the archdaemon truly forced into it, and do you have anything to do with it?" Madam Yanyan asked. CK shrugged.
"It is true that the Chalk Prison has the ability to imprison and forcefully control its prisoner with the approval of the Prison warden. It is also true that master and I worked together to use the Chalk Prison," CK admitted, causing small murmurs among the faculty members.
"However, I must correct you on 'forcing' Malphas into the prison," CK smiled, "It was his idea to be imprisoned by us. Malphas willingly surrendered himself to imprisonment after he lost a duel to me, which leads to the current situation."
"What?!" Ms. Dulia stood up in indignation. Madam Yanyan's eyes widened, and she immediately turned to Professor K'Thal, "Core Instructor…Is she telling the truth?"
The room was tense with silence. To their surprise, Professor K'Thal had an uncomfortable frown. He opened his eyes and spoke grimly, "She speaks the truth."
"Impossible!"
"That means there was no violation of the law involved."
"Is the professor sure about this?"
"Why would an archdaemon willingly submit himself to imprisonment?!"
'He's a masochist,' CK thought with a snort. She heard a faint chuckle in her mind,
"Silence in the court."
The room fell silent at Kitmar's beckoning. He adjusted his glasses and CK noticed he was both exhausted and torn in judgment. CK rested on one leg idly, trying to stifle a yawn.
"If the archdaemon willingly allowed himself to be imprisoned, there has been no violation. However, there is no guarantee that he was coerced or deceived into agreeing," Professor Kitmar said and looked at CK seriously.
"CK, answer our questions. Core Instructor K'Thal will verify the truth in your words," he said, "What is the reason behind archdaemon Malphas' actions regarding his imprisonment?"
CK could feel the burn of K'Thal's observant gaze and could feel the radiation of his incantation in her mind. He was penetrating her thoughts and subconscious for sure. CK shrugged. It's not like she intends to hide anything now that she has proof.
"Fine. I'll give you the truth as I know it," she said and smiled, "Let's start from the beginning. I have been apprenticing for Professor Erzem for almost two years, so when it was time to work on my thesis, it would naturally resemble his works. That's what happened with my graduation thesis and his doctoral dissertation: we both worked on the nature of sifts since they appeared five years ago, when the Empire was first formed."
Ms. Dulia gritted her teeth at this. "Unlike the master, I did not have the budget to travel to places sensitive to sifts and had to work with what I have in the Nonaphrontistery. But as fortune or misfortune would have it, there have been traces of spatial disturbances in the school. Those disturbances made it easier to conduct experiments on opening sifts and travel through dimensions. But it is also around this areas that corruptive energy would spring from and cause damage," CK stated.
"It is during this time that I've come to a conclusion: the Nonaphrontistery may be a hotspot for spatial disturbances and corruptive energy," CK smirked, "Ah, but of course… I'm sure you already know this."
Professor Kitmar's eyes narrowed. Does that mean…
CK's eyes glimmered dangerously as she tossed a photocard in the air above her, "Please take a look at this."
Poof!
The photocard burst into dust of varying colors, then morphed and gathered to recreate a larger image of a room with an obelisk surrounded by tendrils of dark energy. The professors stared at this in shock and horror.
"This is…!"
"Yes. Deep inside the Nonaphrontistery, at the lowest floors, lies a very, very nasty secret that could damage the school's credibility," CK smirked, "Deep in the school lies an obelisk channeling continuous streams of corruptive energy. Surrounding this obelisk are several warp tunnels and portals where the dark energy would be flushed out into random places. I cannot say how long it's been there, but judging from the set-up… It's been a long while. Am I correct?"
"You have no business taking photographs of restricted facilities in the school! We could charge you with trespassing at this very instant!" Ms. Dulia proclaimed angrily. "I'd be careful, Ms. Dulia," CK said coldly, "Thanks to the trial, I'm currently a favorite topic among school journalists. If I 'accidentally' blurt out about the obelisk, there's no guarantee what might happen next…"
"You would dare blackmail the entire school?!" Ms. Dulia scoffed. "No one's trying to correct my assumptions on this scenario," CK ignored her and continued on with a venomous smile, "That only confirms it, then."
"Ms. Dulia, take a seat this instant," Kitmar ordered Ms. Dulia firmly, causing the woman to grit her teeth and force herself down on her chair. Professor Kitmar sighed tiredly and looked at CK, "What do you wish to prove by bringing this up."
"I have many questions about why you are all keeping a dangerous obelisk down there, but I understand that I'm the one on trial. Putting it simply, Malphas was a casualty of the school's activity," CK said seriously, "I mentioned that I conducted experiments within school grounds to test the stability of travelling between sifts. During one such instance, master Erzem helped me build a foundation that made us travel successfully into a dimension inhabited by the daemons under Malphas' leadership."
"Malphas' dungeon was one of the places corrupted by a sudden flush of dark energy, which leads me to believe that at one point in the past, the warp tunnels near the obelisk opened a gateway to the dungeon and flushed out the energy. Malphas has also come to this conclusion once he saw my uniform at the time," CK said amusingly, "Naturally, he was displeased to meet someone connected to the reason for his dungeon's instability. He chose to attack."
Malphas chuckled as he remembered those events. The moment he saw the obelisk through CK's eyes, everything became clear. He rested idly in the confines of Chalk Prison while the trial took place.
"And you defeated him, causing him to submit to imprisonment. Correct?" Professor Kitmar asked. "No," CK answered, causing the professor to stare silently, "Aside from losing the duel, he learned that master and I were studying and experimenting with sifts and how to open them."
"We made a deal with Malphas at the time," CK said, "Master and I would find a solution to the dungeon's instability due to the corrupted energy. In turn, he will give us assurance not to attack us or anyone affiliated with us."
"That's how he chose to be caged by Chalk Prison," Professor Zeke muttered in realization. They turned to Professor K'Thal. Not once had he made an objection to CK's story.
Ms. Dulia frowned. This can't be right. Was that really what happened? It can't be! As an archdaemon, Malphas could easily defeat CK and Erzem. Why would he choose to be imprisoned just because his dungeon is about to collapse?!
"Everything Miss CK said is true," K'Thal said. "In that case, the accusation of violating the Individualist Law for All Entities has been rectified. Are there any charges that must be investigated?" Professor Kitmar.
"Of course, there is. Are we going to forget CK's illegal association with Erzem? She may be proven innocent, but her master is an entirely different case! He's also accused of questionable allocation of funds, remember?" Ms. Dulia protested, "We can't let them get away with it!"
"Ah. About that," CK produced a folder full of papers and gestured it towards Ms. Dulia's desk. The faculty members flinched as the folder slapped against the table forcefully, causing it to open due to the force.
"In there the transcript of Master's expenses. Please, read it over as you wish," CK smiled sarcastically. Ms. Dulia glared and read over the papers. As time passed reading, her lips parted in shock and disbelief.
"This…This can't be right!" she said. "Gimme that," Madam Yanyan frowned as she snatched the papers from Ms. Dulia's grasp. She read over it, then scoffed.
"Well?" Professor Kitmar asked boredly. "Unbelievable," Madam Yanyan said as she let the others take the papers, "We investigated that there was 300,000 credits missing from Erzem's inventory, right?"
"Right!" Ms. Yvonna said. "Well, as it happens, that same amount was deposited into the administration's budget inventory," Madam Yanyan said, "It says here that in exchange for the credits, the administration itself sponsored Professor Erzem's travels and have several papers signed by the administrators. However, the specific items were deliberately erased."
The room's temperature dropped at Madam Yanyan's words, and Ms. Yvonna paled in horror. Forget the items Erzem used his credits on. If he and the administration were both involved, it indirectly meant they were questioning the administration simply by putting Erzem's apprentice on trial!
To question the school's administration means questioning the 'laws' of the entire school. Realizing this, the professors fell into grim silence. Professor Kitmar frowned and held his forehead. What a circus.
'Heh,' CK wanted to smirk. She knew this from the beginning and chose to keep her silence. She must admit that seeing Ms. Yvonna pale at her mistake made CK feel wickedly satisfied.
"Looks like the attempt to smear master's name suddenly backfired, eh?" CK crossed her arms. Ms. Yvonna reddened and sputtered, "What 'smear'?! W-We were just doing what we thought is right! You have to admit the both of you have been behaving so wrongly. Of course, we'll end up questioning you!"
"I'm not talking to you, you fat cow," CK said bluntly, causing Ms. Yvonna to gasp offendedly. CK's glance slowly turned to the side, "I'm talking to you."
Ms. Dulia frowned upon seeing CK staring right at her. "You've suddenly gone silent. Has the gun run out of ammunition?" CK mused. "I've no idea what you're talking about," Ms. Dulia said emotionlessly.
"Of course, let me make it clearer. I'm talking about running out of things to accuse me…or my master, specifically. You're very cruel to attack my master during his weakened state. Or was it all planned, I wonder?" CK glared icily.
"You-! Watch your words, Miss CK! You're speaking to a professor!" Ms. Dulia pointed angrily. "Oh, I'm watching them, alright. They're going where they're supposed to be," CK said, "You tried to steal master's doctoral thesis after he fell into a comatose in the midst of the chaos, didn't you?"
Ms. Dulia flinched as CK turned her full body towards her. Her blood ran cold to see CK's emerald eyes glowing with an icy light.
"Don't be shy. Come on. Admit it."