The judge's eyes were unmoved.
"Do you deny the murder of the academy knight?"
Noah hesitated, his mind racing.
"I don't deny it," he said finally, his voice cracking.
"But it was self-defense! I was attacked, cornered, and my magic was being disrupted. I didn't mean to kill him—I aimed to disable—"
"I have heard enough!" the judge's gavel struck again, silencing him.
"You admit to the killing, which only adds to the charges. And the demonic power you wielded that night is irrefutable."
Noah's desperation turned to rage.
"You're not listening!" he shouted, his voice hoarse.
"This whole trial is a farce! You don't care about the truth—you've already decided I'm guilty!"
"Watch your tone," the judge warned, her gaze icy.
"We have multiple testimonies, witnesses who have seen you consorting with members of the cult, students who have reported feeling threatened or coerced by you."
