The Majarlican Demigod

15: The Trial

The Majarlican Demigod

Chapter 15: The Trial

Saphrias and Kori entered the room.

"Ally, thank goodness you're ok!" Kori said.

"How's the investigation going?" I asked.

Kori breathes deeply, "Not good. There's 90% that you had an encounter with Artes. He silently worked on this. Apparently, the perfume that was sold to most of the girls has his spirit on it. That's why it's effective."

"We will have a meeting tomorrow. All of you in my class and the rest of the youngsters," Phrias announced, "In the court."

"Althea and Talia, you have to be interrogated too," Saphrias said weakly, "The investigators are almost close to the root cause of this perfume ghost incident, but what they are trying to find out is, why of all the people, the Lady Of first district West is the only one that was attacked by that ghost."

"She's a Kinesthetic Nullifier, that's why. The rest were obviously weak in their abilities because of their age and the nature of their skill. Althea has a unique kinesthetic ability," Rupert said, "She's drained. They can do the interrogation with her and Talia when they are ready. It's the crown prince's order." Rupert said, and the royal guards saluted it.

Perhaps, Rupert can protect me from this thing alike if not from Artes. We spend the night in the infirmary. The classes were suspended because most of the students did not get enough sleep because of the incident.

The next day late afternoon, we are all called to the court.

The court feels different today, unlike our previous visit here. The hall is full of people. The Higher Minister, Herra Normina Zamora, is here to facilitate the session. King Luxembourg is represented by Rupert as the crowned prince. The higher minister pounded the hammer on the table to start the session. "Estudiantes de Premiera Centralia, you are all here for the investigation of last night's incident. According to the investigation, Artes— a demigod who attacked Lady Althea of the Western 1st District and Talia Astarte last night. We have gathered enough information from all the students. Everyone involved will give their own statement. First one, Lauren Kohl."

"I was urged to buy the perfume from Zera Foster because they told me that it is very effective. It was indeed a crime of witchcraft, and I am fully aware, but because I'm fascinated to know how it will change my life, I tried it on." Lauren said. "There's nothing unusual even after the ritual. I didn't see anyone else in the mirror but myself. It is the opposite of what happened to Lady Ally and Talia."

Brighton stands as the defense of Youngsters because Saphrias is one of the jurors.

"Your honor, Lauren Kohl is still a youngster and is still in her junior years. Psychologically, Miss Kohl doesn't have a full capacity of understanding the weight of the consequences when she commits a crime of sorcery." Brighton said.

"Lauren Kohl will remain under investigation," Saphrias announced. She doesn't want to do this.

"Let's hear it from Zera Foster." the higher minister said.

"The one who told me to sell those enchanted perfumes promised me a big reward if I will be able to..." Zera is shivering. Something's stopping her. "If I... If I will be able to turn down one of the youngster's councilors."

"Before you answer who asked you to sell them, can you tell us what is the real purpose of those perfume Miss Foster?" The higher minister asked.

Zera was very nervous, "The perfume is a love potion. It is designed to allure the person you like, and the person told me that it was made with a witch's spell. I know it is illegal here in Kingdom Majarlika, so I refused to sell it for them, but they told me that they would give me a big amount of money. Also, whatever profit I got from selling it will all go to me. I changed my mind because of big money. I had a total of 50 gold coins."

"Now, tell us who asked you to do it?" The higher minister asked.

"She's here, your honor. It was Councilor Kadeen O'neel." Zera answered.

Councilor Kadeen stood up, looking furious, and the hall began to be filled with murmurs.

"Silence in the court." the higher minister ordered as she pounced the hammer on the table.

"Your honor, Miss Zera Foster— a half mutant was born and raised in the third district of West. Their unpopular family belongs to Gentry Class. Her father died of terminal illness and was raised alone by their mother, who owns the shop. She needed the money for their specialization level and was indeed manipulated by the accused Councilor." Brighton defends.

"Before you give your statement Councilor O'neel, I would like to ask Miss Foster last question." The higher minister said. "Miss Foster, who was the target victim of this scheme according to the one who sold you those perfumes?"

"None, in particular, your honor, she said that anyone who is part of the youngsters' council will be good. She said that TNGY club should be over, and this is the gateway for that." Zera answered with closed eyes.

"Higher Minister Herra Normina, I deny all of the accusations against me. It is not me who asked Miss Foster to sell the enchanted perfume to the youngsters. My office is far different from the youngsters', and I don't connect to a witch or anyone who knows witchcraft. My father is a half mutant, but I was born and raised here in Centralis, so I don't know what these are." the furious Councilor said.

"Miss Foster stated that it was given to her a week before yesterday. Where were you, Councilor O'Neel?" Brighton asked.

"I was here in the court doing overtime works for the young adult's department for the job openings for the peasants, and everyone knows that I was here for the entire 2 weeks." the counselor responded.

"According to the investigation, 3 other students saw you in the same place Miss Foster was. Are you saying someone copied you?" Brighton asked.

"Indeed," Councilor answered.

The higher minister pounced the hammer on her table then Saphrias announced, "The Councilor will remain under investigation. We will call on Councilor Maestro Augustus for his statement."

"I was clearly victimized by this incident. I understand that a maestro can't have an affectionate relationship with their student regardless if it is consensual or forced. I came from a noble family in West, and it never crossed my mind to violate the oath of the Maestro." Maestro said.

"Maestro Augustus, you must also know the rule that even if you are under a spell, it will not be an excuse because being under a spell means you have a weak ability to resist it." The higher minister pounded the hammer again. "The court is giving you a privilege to keep one of your positions. Will you keep your license to teach or keep your Councilor's position?"

"I will choose my license to teach and go back to West, your honor," Maestro responded.

Higher Minister pounced the hammer once, "Maestro Augustus Heredaccia II, you are no longer part of the youngster's council."

Maestro immediately left his Councilor seat beside Kori and transferred to a lower center.

"Ellana Echavaria already admitted her fault and was given a privilege to leave Centralis due to her young age. She will no longer be punished inside the jail but is not allowed to go back here on the next 20 years." Saphrias announced, "Talia Astarte, time to give your statement about the incident."

"I decided to meddle with the incident because we want to help our good Maestro from the hand of whoever wants to drag him down. I heard that there was an enchanted perfume that said to allure a person, so for me to understand how it works, I encourage Lady Althea to try it. Then the incident last happened. We saw a different person in the mirror. It was not what was told. It began attacking the Lady of West after it broke out the mirror because she resisted it. The Lady is a Kinesthetic Nullifier. Only 1 percent of Majarlican have such skill." Talia said.

"Miss Talia Astarte is a mutant raised in the Mutant's Orphanage. She's a smart girl and knows many things about Earth where sorcery is not a heinous civil crime. She protected the Lady of West during the incident but was outpowered by the ghost." Brighton said.

"Miss Astarte, how are you able to protect the Lady?" Higher Minister asked.

"I used the fireball to cover us. I'm a fire commander, your honor," she responded.

"Are you aware of the Lady's skill?" the higher minister asked.

"Yes, your honor. I'm aware."

"Talia Astarte is cleared but will remain as a witness," Saphrias said, and the higher minister pounded the hammer on the table. "Duke Socratheus West granddaughter, Lady Althea of the first district West. Tell us how you were able to unveil the spirit of the enchanted perfume." My cousin asked.

"On the last part of the instruction," I'm so nervous... I looked at Brighton, who will be my defense tonight, "The spirit appeared in the mirror, trying to possess me. It can't get inside me because I can resist it. Then it attacked me. The crown prince of Centralis helped me fight the spirit, your honor." I remained standing.

"Your honor, according to our census, only one in a million per year will be born a Kinesthetic Nullifier. The Lady of West is the only one from West who has this ability that is registered. She was a victim of the spirit. If it wasn't for our crown prince, she might have been killed." Brighton stated.

"It was reported that the Lady of West was able to defeat her enemy with the help of wood. According to our studies, only a demigod can only defeat a demigod." The higher minister said. "If you, Lady Althea, are not a demigod, how are you able to defeat Artes?"

"I..." how should I answer this?

Before I could continue defending myself, the mysterious lullaby sound echoed around the court, making everyone sleepy, including the king. So, I covered Talia's ear while the others, including the higher minister, were falling asleep. Few covered their ears too and used their power against it. It's good for me because I'm not the only person who is awake this time.

We were shocked when Imman entered the room with many other him. He looked surprised like us and immediately removed his copied bodies. There's something in his ears that I think is the one protecting him from the lullaby. I believe there are approximately 12 of us who saw Imman Holster like this. It was me, Talia, Hans, Rupert, Brighton, Randall, Winslett, Zera, Hamilton, Heavenly, Hasmin, and Evan. Instead of going inside to ask us, Imman evacuated the place immediately.

(To Be Continued)