Not just Soren; anyone with functioning brain cells in the courtroom understood.

The persecutor was implying that Soren attacked the instructor before having knowledge of his 'possession.'

In fact, according to this line of thought, she was saying that the Eldritch purging itself out of the instructor's body was only a coincidence.

"That's not true." Soren whispered.

"Oh, but it is. According to several eyewitnesses, before the departure for the Soulforge Academy, Cadet Soren had been late for the assembly, and Instructor Marcus, being as diligent and upright as ever, sought to discipline the cadet.

One might say that after the event, Cadet Soren held a grudge against the fine instructor and sought ways to get back at him.

As she spoke, Soren's fists tightened.

This woman. She is twisting the story.

Soren wanted to talk so bad he had to bite on his tongue.

The obstacles he had gone through until now had taught him to hold back on his impulses.

Also, he could see Devon's eyes, begging him not to react like he did before.

Even Boyed at the far back had a level gaze.

"In fact, more research shows that this aggressive behavior has always been a part of the cadet. Before he touched the glass for the first time, he would engage in home-wrecking pranks."

Did she say home-wrecking pranks?

Soren felt like facepalming. Which child who grew up in the league of towns did not engage in pranks?

In fact, which child grew up anywhere in the world that did not at least prank one person their entire life?

That's like saying food was not necessary to survive.

But she was not done.

"...Further evidence from the Blackspire Bastion prison shows that this terrible behavior is a norm. Only on the first day of his arrival, Cadet Soren attacked a prisoner in the cafeteria, leading to the unfortunate death of not one but two inmates. And on the second day, he attacked a guard."

She stopped here, looking around, ensuring all attention was on her.

"Objection, your honor. The prosecution is referring to a corrupt system in this prison, which my client managed to root out, allowing not only for a smoother system but also saving the life of a Noble... a Soul Mecha pilot, if I might add."

"Objection sustained." The head council member turned to the prosecutor.

"The members of this council are well aware of the cleanup that happened in the Blackspire Bastion prison, which led to the preservation of important state assets. And do acknowledge Cadet Soren's contribution even in prison.

The prosecution should please refrain from refining the narrative."

Soren was pleasantly surprised by that one.

He did not think that the council would take his side.

Wait a minute. Was it his side or... the Kanta family's?

Soren heard that they were strong and influential. But this... not just the council, but he could see the prosecutor clicking her tongue and dodging the matter.

Such a thing would only happen if the Kanta noble family was stronger or at least as strong as the Ivory family.

Either way, he was grateful he ended up getting their favor.

Nevertheless, this did not mean that the prosecutor was going to peacefully back away.

"Yes, of course, your honor. Regardless, it does not excuse the cadet's history of violence." The prosecutor continued convincingly. "If the court so wishes, I could present evidence that backs this statement in accordance with the first encounter the accused had with Instructor Macus.

Or, will the accused deny that he did not have any ill feelings towards the instructor?"

She looked Soren's way.

A pause.

"I didn't."

"Lie," Lema echoed.

The court gasped.

"Cadet Soren. You are under oath." One of the council members reminded sternly.

Soren looked towards Devon. The ever-calm lawyer nodded.

"Yes. Yes, I did."

"Exactly, you did." The prosecutor pressed further. "And therefore acted on ill intent—payback on the instructor for disciplining you. Is that wrong?"

"Objection, your honor," Devon spoke calmly. "It is only natural for kids to get mad at guardians when they are disciplined. This does not prove anything."

"Overruled. The prosecution may proceed."

The prosecutor smiled, courting a victory glance Devon's way. "Thank you, your honor."

She turned towards Soren.

Her smile was one that said. 'I have won this.'

"What I'm saying is this. There was no way Cadet Soren could have known that Instructor Funguslus Marcus was possessed and instead acted on MALICIOUS INTENT."

As one would expect, the court entered a state of murmuring again.

"He has no respect for authority."

"What an unruly child."

"He should be kicked out of the academy for a lack of respect."

"Kicked out? I stand by my earlier statement. He should be hanged."

And then the voices began to evolve—quieter this time around.

Regardless, with Blackfield active, Soren heard it all.

"Why are we even having this trial?"

"True. He is just a F-rank, trash anyway. They are useful for nothing."

"He was just venting because he is useless like those commoner scum and took advantage of the only opportunity he had to raise his hands on a noble. He should be used as an example."

The moment the first voice spoke about his unfortunate rank, it spread like wildfire. Soren could tell that what Devon said was true. These people were only looking for an example.

However, Soren now understood how things worked.

If they were going to be like this, he was going to pull out a move of his own.

"But I did."

The prosecutor's smile froze. "What?"

"I did." Soren repeated himself, and the courtroom went silent. "I knew ahead of time what Instructor Marcus was going to do. I knew he was going to kill all the cadets even before he attacked them. Same with Instructor Ivory. I knew."

Everyone froze, and then, as if on command, all eyes turned to the lady in red, Lema.

"Truth," she answered.

The court froze.

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