Adam...
Standing near him, Nylian Feno was astonished to see the raven-haired youth display such strong emotions.
He recalled the first ti he had t the young man, and also all the other tis that he'd interacted with him.
Nylian always rembered him as a hardworking young man with a flippant attitude. And yet, that sa person spoke with such conviction that it truly moved him.
Even Lovelace was shocked. The first ti he'd t the youth face to face, the latter had displayed supre confidence that made it look like everything was under his control.
Just how long has he been holding back? He couldn't help but wonder.
anwhile, Magus Almasnour, who was standing closest to Adam, felt his back drenched in sweat. He bore the brunt of the youth's booming voice, and to be honest, he could still feel his ears ringing. Truth be told, he felt a flicker of fear creep into his heart.
Adam's eyes were opened wide as he breathed heavily.
Realization finally dawned on him as he thought, Shit! I lost control...
He took deep breaths and steadied himself. A few monts later, he appeared calm and composed on the outside, at least.
Seeing that Almansour was still in a state of shock, Magus Lovelace took a step forward. He cleared his throat and spoke:
"Magus Constantine, you have been charged with two cris: colluding with the enemies and treason against the great Acadian Empire during the Battle of Ravenfell."
His voice was enhanced by arcane ans, ensuring that everyone heard it.
"We shall first address your alleged collusion with the enemy faction known as the Cult of Bones."
Adam silently nodded.
"Before continuing" Lovelace began, facing the crowd.
"I, Richard Lovelace, Duke of Acryon, solemnly swear on the mana coursing within to enforce the law in a fair manner. I shall not let any prejudice cloud my judgnt."
He then faced Adam and said, "Magus Constantine, I request your complete cooperation and urge you to speak nothing but the truth."
Adam nodded again.
Lovelace's expression turned grim, and he spoke in a louder voice:
"Do you admit to the accusations brought against you, that you were secretly raised by the Cult of Bones during your childhood, and trained by them to act as a spy and gain the Empire's trust?"
"I do not." Adam's voice thundered across the city.
"But we believe that by the ti you beca a Mana Foundation Magus, you had already begun colluding with the Cult. Do you have evidence suggesting otherwise?"
Adam remained silent.
The people in the crowd studied the youth intently. Gradually, a hushed
murmur spread through them like an unstoppable wave.
Magus Almansour finally seed to have stepped out of his stunned stupor. He
raised his hands, signalling the crowd to quiet down.
He then turned to Adam and said, "Tell us, Magus Constantine."
Almansour deeply looked at the youth.
"Do you have evidence suggesting you weren't secretly raised by the Cult of Bones?"
Adam's eyes narrowed, and he said in a flat voice:
"I do."
A ripple of surprise spread through the crowd.
And the next mont, two figures climbed the stairs to the main platform.
One of them was the Storm King, Edward Turner of the Tower of Daybreak. And the other was...
Helene Godfrey, the forr Headmistress of the Clover Academy!
For a mont, the entire square seed to freeze. Then the murmurs erupted. People whispered among themselves as they stared at the two newcors. Even among the distinguished figures seated on the viewing platforms, many leaned forward with widened eyes.
On the stage itself, the reaction was no different.
Nylian Feno's brows rose slightly, genuine surprise flickering across his face. He had not expected these two to step forward.
Magus Lovelace also thoughtfully studied the pair. And even Almansour's stern expression cracked for a mont, and he couldn't help but begin to wonder... were the accusations against Adam truly based on lies?
The appearance of these two figures had changed the atmosphere of the hearing in an instant.
Only less than a handful of people knew the truth about Helene Godfrey, after all. All this while, she had been under Berger's spell. It was finally ti for her to
be of use.
"Storm King!" Almansour spoke in a dignified voice. "Introduce yourself as well
as this person with you."
Edward nodded. He briefly glanced at Adam, then faced the crowd.
"My na is Edward Turner, a Magus of the Tower of Daybreak."
He then turned to the old woman beside him, his eyes flashing with suppressed
rage. Then, he continued:
"This is Helene Godfrey, a Mana Vortex Magus and the forr Headmistress of
the Clover Academy."
He paused briefly before adding:
"Yes, the very academy where Adam studied magic and beca a Mana
Foundation Magus!"
The people in the crowd turned to one another in disbelief. Many stared at Helene Godfrey with widened eyes, especially the people who had co here from the Southern Federation.
The revelation stirred both surprise and confusion among the masses.
Magus Lovelace raised his hand and urged the crowd to quiet down. He then approached the elderly woman while speaking in a loud voice:
"First, I shall examine the testifying witness to see if she is under the influence
of any spell."
He approached Godfrey and saw the deadpan look in her clouded eyes. He
couldn't help but frown. Then he gently clasped the old woman's wrist and examined her thoroughly. There was not even a shred of resistance from her. A few monts later, he opened his eyes and stepped back.
Lovelace turned to the crowd again.
"Not under any external influence!"
Almansour stepped forward and addressed her.
"Magus Godfrey, the charge brought against Adam is that he was secretly raised
by the Cult of Bones during his youth to beco a spy within the Acadian
Empire."
He paused before asking solemnly:
"Do you have anything to say that may prove otherwise?"
Godfrey, who remained silent all this while, suddenly turned toward Adam.
When she t the youth's cold gaze, sha flickered in her eyes.
Her shoulders slumped, and in that mont, she seed to age years.
At last, she turned to the crowd and began:
"The Clover Academy is a prestigious arcane institution in the southern lands.
For generations, it has carefully selected the most talented children of the
region."
She paused.
When she spoke again, her words crashed over the square like thunder.
"But since its inception, its true purpose has been sothing else."
Her voice hardened.
"To recruit operatives... for the Cult of Bones."
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