ENOUGH!
Kraven roared fiercely as his gavel slammed onto the stone podium with such force that a crack echoed throughout the Tribunal Hall, showcasing his authority as the Chief Magistrate.
Silence reigned supreme once more as Kraven surveyed the hall, his gaze sweeping across the congregation as though warning every last one of them to remain silent.
"I have reached a conclusion.
The Bureau shall decide the outcast's fate by vote.
So, if you please—"
There were a total of five Tribunal Mages, with Kraven serving as their Magistrate.
"All in favor of executing the outcast—"
"That outcast has a name," Sai cut in, his tone laced with irritation.
"SILENCE!" Kraven shouted in utter frustration.
"As I was saying, anyone in favor of the outcast—"
"I SAID I HAVE A NAME!
SAY IT RIGHT!"
Sai lashed out once more, gritting his teeth in fury. His eyes pulsed with rage as he stared Kraven dead in the eye.
Kraven clenched his jaw tightly.
What insolence...
His left eye twitched slightly in frustration.
"SAY IT RIGHT!" Sai insisted, not a shred of sarcasm in his voice.
"E-Er..."
Kraven flinched slightly, unease spreading across his face.
"He is right, you know," Miss Aurora casually chimed in.
Sai continued staring at Kraven with an intimidating aura.
Eventually, Kraven had to give in.
What is it with this boy's stubbornness?
He looked worriedly at Sai, who still scowled at him like a bloodthirsty hound.
With a deep sigh, Kraven relented.
"Fine. All Tribunal members in support of Sai Takka's execution, please raise a hand."
The two Exorcists among the Tribunal immediately raised their hands, while the remaining two Mages kept theirs lowered, silently showing support for Aurora's proposal.
Seeing this, Kraven sighed deeply and closed his eyes in exhaustion.
At this point, there was no use asking the august congregation before him for their votes. All they wanted was for another outcast to be uprooted and removed from the lands of Zorel.
"Well, aside from me, it's safe to say this vote is tied.
However, as much as I believe it is wrong to abandon our tradition of exorcising an outcast such as Sai Takka, I must confess that I see merit in Miss Aurora's little tactic of using him to our benefit.
Therefore, I have come to a conclusion."
Kraven tightened his grip around his gavel.
The congregation, along with Miss Bramble and Aurora, listened attentively.
Everyone was deeply concerned about the Magistrate's decision.
Everyone except Sai.
He seemed far more interested in the chains around his wrists than the trial itself.
Man, these things are itchy...
Sai stared blankly at the restraints, rotating them curiously as they produced subtle clanking noises.
Kraven closed his eyes as though gathering his thoughts.
"Sai Takka can only earn his freedom through the Zorel Academia Tournament.
If—and only if—you emerge victorious, Sai, then you shall be granted your freedom.
But..."
Kraven's expression turned cold.
"If you don't—
You die."
Sai stared blankly into the Magistrate's eyes without a hint of emotion.
"Fine with me."
His response came in a dull, casual tone.
"He's okay with this?" the congregation exclaimed in unison.
Kraven groaned in annoyance before raising his gavel and slamming it onto the podium once more, sealing his verdict.
The sharp crack echoed throughout the hall.
A slight grin appeared on Miss Bramble's face.
"Typical Sai," she muttered, tilting her head slightly forward with her eyes closed in satisfaction.
Kraven surveyed the hall once more, somewhat surprised by the congregation's reaction.
"Without further ado, this trial is dismissed.
I wish our outcast over here the best of luck in the tournament."
"You'll need it," he added darkly.
"No, I won't," Sai casually replied.
The Tribunal Mages departed one after another.
"Thank you, Magistrate. I do hope we meet again under better circumstances.
Although..."
Headmistress Aurora rose to her feet, her beautiful and mischievous smile returning.
"These circumstances actually work quite well for me."
Kraven gritted his teeth in annoyance.
Without another word, he departed alongside the others.
The congregation followed suit, whispers and muttered curses filling the air as they exited.
"Alright, kiddo, let me help you with those nasty-looking chains of yours," Miss Bramble offered, approaching Sai with a cheerful grin.
"Nah, it's nothing really."
Sai snapped the restraints apart as though they were old, weathered ropes.
Crimson-blue sparks erupted from the broken chains as they fell to the ground with a metallic clink.
"SAI!"
A distressed scream rang out.
Hurried footsteps rushed toward him.
It was Maya.
She wrapped her arms tightly around him as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Whoa there, girl. I'm okay.
It's not like I'm dead or anything... heh."
Sai scratched the back of his head awkwardly while placing his other hand around Maya's waist.
His dark hair rustled beneath his fingers.
"What the hell was all that?"
Another voice emerged from the sidelines as Leah stepped forward.
"It was like you wanted to get yourself killed."
"But I wasn't, right?
At least not yet anyway."
Leah's expression immediately turned dull.
"You're really that casual about it, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah... sorta."
"Alright, you three. Let's get moving back to the school grounds.
Sai's got a life to save."
"His own," Miss Bramble added sarcastically.
"Hahahaha!"
The four burst into laughter.
Sai merely looked mildly annoyed.
Whether it was because the joke was about him or because he simply didn't care was anyone's guess.
Regardless, he was glad to be free of the Tribunal Trial—
Even if only temporarily.
---
The evening sun slowly descended beyond the horizon, signaling the end of the school day.
Classes had ended, and Sai now made his way toward the gates of Zorel Academia.
A familiar figure stood waiting at the school's exit.
Headmistress Aurora.
Sai sighed lightly, clearly annoyed by her presence.
"Heading home, are we?"
"What's it to you?" Sai asked.
"Oh, nothing much."
Aurora's cheerful smile remained unchanged.
"I simply wanted to tell you to be careful during the tournament.
Kraven is highly biased against outcasts like yourself, and I assure you he'll do almost anything to ensure your elimination."
"I'm going to win," Sai interrupted casually.
"It's my job to win.
It's what I do.
It doesn't matter what schemes Kraven comes up with.
It doesn't matter what he thinks he can pull off.
In the end, it'll all be futile.
Because I am going to win."
There wasn't a shred of emotion on Sai's face.
Yet beneath that calm exterior lay absolute confidence and determination.
Aurora smiled a little wider.
"The way your expression and tone change is quite unique, Sai."
---
Clank. Clank. Clank.
Sai's footsteps echoed as he climbed the stairs leading to his dojo.
He stretched out a hand toward the door and reached for the handle.
But—
His palm stopped inches away.
Something was wrong.
Something's off...
His eyelids narrowed into a dangerous glare as strands of jet-black hair drifted across his eyes.
He scowled silently.
Someone's here...