Chapter 248: Trial [2]

Chapter 247

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Episode 62 - Trial [2]

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The Class 6 villain collapsed to the ground as black blood seeped from his pores and every opening in his body.

Using Inverted Mana had many advantages, although its inherent purpose was to use Inverted Heaven.

That didn’t mean it couldn’t be used creatively.

The Class 6 villain must have felt unimaginable pain, as he even passed out on the spot.

"W-what’s happening?!"

At that moment, Professor Lunia asked in confusion.

"Mhm, it seems they’re villains who wanted something from you, right, Master?"

"Yes, well, that’s true, but..."

She stared at me, clearly surprised.

’Oh, right. Probably no one knows how strong I actually am.’

Very few people knew that I had reached Five Stars and was practically on the verge of reaching Six Stars.

"Anyway, Master, they’re wearing professor or assistant uniforms."

Professor Lunia looked at the villains on the ground before nodding.

"Yes, three of them are wearing professor uniforms, and the rest are wearing assistant uniforms."

In any case, I crouched down and searched through the leader’s pockets.

Shortly after, I pulled out a palm-sized orb.

It had a strange texture, as if it were made from the scales of some reptile.

’Don’t tell me it’s made from the scales of a Great Ancient.’

After all, it was a Relic, so I probably shouldn’t have been surprised.

I then stored the Relic in my Inventory and stood up.

"Master, you can take care of the rest."

I said to Professor Lunia. She, in turn, nodded and said:

"Ah, yes. Don’t worry, and thank you for saving me."

"It’s fine. Then I’ll be going."

Before turning around, I used Mana and poured it into their brains.

Then, all the villains who were still conscious fell into comas.

’They should wake up in about two hours.’

With that, I walked toward the door, but just as I was about to leave:

"Ah, I almost forgot about this."

I returned to the table where I had been making my potions and then stored the ingredients and bottles in my Inventory.

Finally, I left Professor Lunia’s office.

***

Since I had finished today’s objective, there was nothing left to do but train.

However, I first went to a coffee shop and bought a cup.

"Here you go, Cadet."

"Thank you."

I took the coffee from the vendor and then turned around.

On the way, I took a sip of the coffee, savoring its freshness. Although it was hot, I honestly couldn’t even feel it.

In any case, I walked across the academy grounds.

At that moment, dozens of cadets were walking back and forth. Others, who seemed to be couples, chatted and laughed together.

Meanwhile, some were focused on studying; they were probably second-year cadets.

As I walked, I suddenly felt numerous gazes directed at me.

".....?"

At first, I ignored them, since I had been known as the Dark Attribute blind guy since the very first day of classes.

However, for some reason...

’... There’s way too much hostility.’

This time, they weren’t even trying to hide it; they had even started whispering among themselves.

So, I looked at their emotions and couldn’t help but stop for a second.

’What the hell...’

Just then, three cadets appeared in front of me.

Their leader was a girl, and judging by her appearance, she seemed to be a third-year.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed her sudden appearance.

Then, the girl suddenly held a piece of paper out in front of me.

"....?!"

’She’s provoking me.’

At a glance, anyone would realize that I was blind; yet she was being incredibly brazen right in front of all the cadets.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

At my question, the girl finally spoke.

"Cadet Adel, Rank 1 on the first-year leaderboard, you are hereby accused of murder for killing a second-year cadet. According to the Law established by the Student Council, you have the right to a Trial to defend yourself and prove your innocence."

"....?!"

At first, the cadets at this Academy used to call me a villain.

That was because the Dark Attribute was frowned upon throughout the entire Continent.

Naturally, ever since childhood, all cadets, whether commoners or nobles, had discriminated against and accused Dark Attribute users.

As for me, I simply ignored them, since I barely felt any emotions back then anyway.

Besides, I was Rank 1 and considered the strongest first-year, even among the second-years.

In addition, the Academy had very strict rules.

Everyone simply pointed at me, whispered about me, and looked at me with various emotions.

Moreover, I was involved with the heirs of the Five Noble Houses and the future Saint of the Holy Church herself.

The cadets eventually stopped talking about me and simply ignored me as if I didn’t exist.

’Ha, this is ridiculous.’

The girl who kept holding the paper out in front of me as if I could see it was, to begin with, the most absurd and shameless part of all this.

But that wasn’t all.

’So they finally want to kick me out of the Academy.’

I was certain that the third-years wanted to expel me from the Academy.

If we were talking about the most arrogant people who believed themselves superior to everyone else, anyone would say that third-year cadets were the obvious choice.

First, because reaching the third year wasn’t easy; second, because all of them were heirs to powerful houses, aristocrats, and followers of the Holy Church.

Someone like me, the only cadet with the Dark Attribute.

Sooner or later, they were bound to do something against me.

’You’re in serious trouble, disciple. It seems they want to frame you for murder, and since everyone has harbored some hostility toward you from the beginning, they won’t just believe it—they’ll also slander you.’

I nodded inwardly.

’Mhm, that’s true. I expected something like this to happen sooner or later, although I didn’t think they’d do it as soon as today.’

I took a sip of my coffee with an expressionless face and remained silent.

The girl frowned and said:

"Do you think this is funny? You know that if you’re found guilty, they could send you to the gallows, and you’d die a miserable death."

"....."

"Even ignoring me, perhaps because you’re a filthy and vile villain who kills for pleasure, you think this is all a game, don’t you?"

"....."

Hearing her words, I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

’She’s trying to make me laugh.’

However, she simply continued throwing insults at me, causing all the cadets around us to look at me with even more hostility.

Finally, I sighed and tossed my coffee cup into the trash.

I approached the girl and then gave her a calm smile.

"Murderer, I... Honestly, your little scheme to frame me for something I didn’t do is impressive."

"Applause! Applause!"

I clapped again and again as I smiled.

"Do you think this is a game, you damn murderer? You’re nothing but a despicable villain who will be killed sooner or later, and you won’t be able to protect yourself with the Academy’s help."

The other cadets began shouting one after another.

Throwing out insults such as "murderer," "despicable villain," and so on.

"Do you see this?"

The girl pointed at all the cadets.

’I’m blind, idiot.’

But ignoring my inner thoughts, she continued.

"From the very beginning, you were never welcome in this Academy. You should have died like all the other villains, being tortured day and night in the Holy Church, unable to do anything, and..."

I placed my hand on her shoulder and, without even using Mana, relying solely on my presence, said:

"Ugh, you’re giving me a headache. Honestly, you’re the first person who’s ever talked this much in front of me. Normally, I would’ve ignored you, but since I’m being accused of murder, you’re starting to get on my nerves."

"Besides, if I wanted to, I wouldn’t have any trouble killing all of you right now, with the exception of the Headmistress and the few Nine-Star professors who aren’t even here."

I gave her a calm smile.

"This entire Academy could be stained red if I wanted it to be, and there wouldn’t be anyone strong enough to stop me."

An absolute silence filled the entire area.

Thanks to my senses, I could hear their rapidly beating hearts.

Moreover, I could see their emotions at a glance, and fear was spreading across everyone present.

Perhaps it was because I was using my presence, which was something akin to Killing Intent.

Everyone present was overwhelmed.

My presence at that moment was incredibly powerful, considering that all my stats surpassed Eight Stars, not to mention the tone of my voice.

At that moment, the girl standing in front of me trembled as she said:

"Y-you bastard... Y-you damn despicable villain."

Her legs were trembling, and it was impressive that she had even managed to speak.

Normally, people would have passed out.

Because the stronger an Awakened’s presence was, the more fear it could instill, and it could even create illusions that amplified the fears of those nearby.

I patted the girl’s shoulder and then said with a smile:

"I’ll go to the Trial tomorrow, although honestly, I don’t give a damn about that nonsense."

I walked past her and headed toward the dormitories.

Today was Saturday, so there were no classes. In any case, tomorrow was going to be a rough day.

’I’ll probably have to kill a few people.’

The Trial was nothing more than a facade. I was certain of what the Student Council would do after the Trial ended.

Especially since, from the very beginning, the Trial was simply going to serve as a means to officially declare me a murderer, and since I had no evidence proving my innocence, I wouldn’t even bother doing anything.

’Rather, it’ll just be a formality.’

Appearing before the Trial would merely be a formality.