"Charlie, what exactly did you do?" Anthony couldn't help but ask him on their way to the inspection department.
"I killed a dozen Gold Badge apprentices..."
"What?!" Anthony was taken aback, staring at Charlie for a long time before finally managing a bitter smile. "No wonder you've scored so many points; were they all trophies from your murders?"
"That's not true!" Charlie shook his head, expressing sincerity. "I actually wanted to tell you directly, but I was interrupted by Jerry. The truth is, it's related to him. On the first night at Sogo Marsh, Daniel and Peter led a group of apprentices to ambush me, and they ended up being caught in my counter-ambush. Those apprentices died during that ambush, and that night, my location was exposed by Jerry. He placed a magical tracking mark on the bottom of a potion bottle from my backpack."
"Why did Daniel and Peter want to ambush you?"
Clearly, Anthony had hit upon the key point, which was also where Charlie struggled to explain. He had no evidence to prove that Prince Weining was behind it, nor could he say Daniel harbored resentment towards him because of Qianxue; it lacked persuasion.
Charlie sighed bitterly. "On the magic ship to the Arcane Circle, I had a conflict with Daniel. We dueled, and he lost. Perhaps that resentment started at that time! As for Peter, it was because on the first afternoon, there was a massive battle between apprentices and the fishmen, and the fishman lord was killed. I obtained several pieces of equipment from the fishman lord."
Logically speaking, Charlie also had some responsibility; he couldn't completely absolve himself.
Then the question arose: the earlier incident between Charlie and Jerry might replay itself, but this time Charlie was at a disadvantage.
Anthony sighed, "You! You don't understand some of the academy's unspoken rules. It's also my fault for not reminding you. Gold Badge apprentices and higher are considered valuable potential by the academy, and apprentices at this level are not easily expendable.
The return scroll in a Gold Badge apprentice's backpack has a hidden communication function that allows them to contact the academy's rescue team. If they face a life-and-death crisis, a teacher can remotely unlock the scroll's inscription, allowing the apprentice to teleport back directly.
You must have taken them by surprise and struck them down in one blow, right?"
"Yes."
Anthony sighed again. "Make a strong case for yourself! As long as certain big figures don't step in, I might be able to save you; otherwise, there's little I can do."
"Understood."
Soon, the two arrived at the investigation room they had been summoned to. In a small conference room sat over fifty people, many unfamiliar faces, and from their demeanor, it was clear they were all high-ranking members of the academy.
As soon as they stepped into the room, Charlie distinctly felt Anthony's aura shift, becoming more amiable and honest, indicating that there were individuals present he could not afford to offend.
Then, Charlie noticed Peter, who had a sly smile on his face, saw Daniel wrapped in bandages, and spotted Qingtong, Qianxue, and the Ghesta brothers sitting together.
The atmosphere made it clear that the academy was serious this time, taking a deep dive into the matter.
In a moment when no one was paying attention, Qingtong discreetly signaled to Charlie, who subtly nodded in return.
Anthony sincerely said, "Mr. Victor, Minister Marcus, hello. I've brought Charlie here."
Two elderly men behind a deep brown oak table nodded slightly.
A middle-aged man spoke up, "Charlie, we are investigating the reasons behind the abnormal deaths of apprentices during the new student activity season. There are allegations that you maliciously murdered 27 apprentices. I ask you if this is true."
Charlie smiled calmly, raising his gaze with a glimmer in his eyes. "Teacher, I do not agree with your term 'malicious murder'; therefore, I deny it."
This young man was quite challenging! Just one statement from him left an impression on the teacher's mind.
The middle-aged man paused before continuing, "Alright, let me rephrase my question. Do you admit to personally killing 27 apprentices?"
Charlie replied seriously, "I did not!"
A smile crept onto Anthony's lips; his student was quite perceptive, always managing to bring surprises.
Peter couldn't help but interject. "Charlie, everyone here is part of the academy's management, of high moral standing. Your absurd arguments will only increase your punishment and serve no purpose."
Charlie turned to him with surprise. "Are you also a member of the investigation team? If not, what gives you the right to lecture me?"
Peter's forehead twitched, his voice rising a few degrees. "I'm the accuser! Why don't I have the right to lecture you?"
Charlie scoffed, "It's the teacher who is asking me questions. Can you substitute for the teacher's authority? If not, please be quiet!"
Peter was immediately at a loss for words, his retort stuck in his throat, feeling frustrated!
"Silence!" The middle-aged man tapped the table and said sternly, "Charlie, since we called you here, we must have some evidence. Using verbal tricks won't earn you any points; it will only worsen your punishment. Understand this."
"Understood."
The middle-aged man continued, "So, you do not admit to killing 27 apprentices, correct?"
Charlie solemnly stated, "That night, I did cast a series of spells, killing 17 apprentices in one go, not 27. The numbers are inaccurate!"
"Great! You finally admitted to it!" Peter slammed the table, looking particularly excited.
"Silence!" The middle-aged man turned to warn Peter. "If you interrupt the investigation again, I will silence you magically!"
Peter raised his hands defensively, feigning innocence, then gestured for him to continue.
"Charlie, are you aware that murdering students will lead to punishments from the academy's inspection department, potentially resulting not only in your death but also costing your family enormous compensation? Do you understand?"
Charlie shook his head firmly, stating, "Teacher, I do not believe I am at fault. First, you haven't asked me why I killed those 17 apprentices. Now let me describe the entire process.
It happened on the first night of the task. Colin, David, Qingtong, Qianxue, Erin, and I formed a small team and rested in the reeds.
At midnight, we were ambushed by Daniel and a group of apprentices. I was on watch and sensed their intentions, turning their ambush into my counter-attack. The apprentices were all injured.
After that, Daniel and I had a one-on-one duel under the rules of an honorable combat, with no restrictions on weapons and life or death. He lost, and I spared his life, taking his cloak as loot.
At that point, no apprentices had died—only injuries. Everyone acted according to the implicit rules.
Then Peter and his team showed up, attacking me without mercy: over a dozen magical apprentices, four archers, bombarding me with spells and arrows, leaving no room for rebuttal.
Daniel's companions began to suffer casualties here, being mistakenly killed by them. Qingtong retaliated and froze the archers, allowing me to escape into the reeds!
An hour and a half later, I recovered and returned to retaliate against them. It was then that I killed 17 apprentices, the only time I killed anyone during the entire new student task season."
Having said that, Charlie looked up at the many teachers at the table, his gaze calm and collected. "Based on the principles of fairness and justice, my response to my opponents with the same method shouldn't be considered a wrongdoing, right?"
His clear logic, composed demeanor, and perfect statement drew admiration from his teammates, who all gave him a thumbs up.
The middle-aged man turned to Daniel, "Is what Charlie said the truth? Speak honestly."
Qianxue immediately fixed her gaze on him, her eyes sharp as a knife.
Daniel, with a complex expression, hesitated and then nodded.
Charlie wasn't worried about him slandering him, as there were too many witnesses present.
Next, everyone's attention shifted to Peter.
"Peter, you can speak now. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Peter replied, "I went after him because he stole my things. The Sea Pearl and the Coral Crown from the fishman lord were taken by him. I admit my actions may have been somewhat extreme, but he stole from me first."
The middle-aged man turned to Charlie.
Charlie smiled calmly and replied, "What a joke! During the battle between apprentices and the fishmen, over two hundred apprentices participated, and everyone contributed. Why should you claim that those were your belongings?! When the fishman lord died, a battle for the spoils broke out on the battlefield, and I was lucky enough to obtain two items because of my good fortune; I didn't break any rules. Did you not also obtain the fishman lord's staff?
Moreover, to investigate the abnormal deaths of apprentices, one should start with this battle, as that fight directly or indirectly caused the deaths of over 120 apprentices, and the final battle was instigated by Peter, who incited classmates on the beach to wage war against the fishmen.
For this, the teacher can investigate the accounts of surviving students who will tell you the truth. As for what Peter's motives were in provoking the war, I can't say; that's for him to explain."
At this point, the situation was basically clear, and the teacher had already formed his conclusions in mind. Anthony sighed in relief, appreciating Charlie's composure.
Peter wore a look of defeat; this guy was just too difficult to deal with, completely unaware of what it meant to be intimidated. From the moment he walked in, Charlie had taken control of the narrative, leaving no opportunity for him to retaliate.
A few teachers in front of the oak table began to discuss among themselves, whispering to one another.
Suddenly, a surge of powerful arcane energy swept through the room, the light growing brighter and brighter, followed by a wave of overwhelming mental energy that seemed to solidify the very air around them.
Charlie felt as if he had been burdened with a heavy load, struggling to breathe under the pressure. He looked up at the teachers on the platform, who also appeared to be under immense stress, rendered motionless.
Daniel tilted his head and fainted outright, while Peter showed a look of delight on his face.
A deep, authoritative voice resounded, "So, what's the verdict on the investigation regarding the murder of 17 Gold Badge apprentices? Have we reached a conclusion?"