Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 215

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 215

145. Trial (1)

Anywhere you go, the act of ‘trial’ is quite cumbersome and time-consuming.

It requires document submission, examination of whether the case needs a trial, and then lengthy discussions before it can be held.

That’s why people prefer to resolve matters between the parties involved rather than go to trial, or bring in an authoritative mediator to reach an appropriate conclusion.

This is even more true at the Academy.

Most cases involve disputes between students, and many are directly connected to family honor.

But this time was different.

The trial was confirmed more swiftly than ever before, and the court date was announced just five days after the incident occurred.

And after a week had passed.

The courtroom in the Academy Central Building, which would normally never be used, was packed with countless people.

“Really, you see something new every day. A trial being held at the Academy.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I heard this is the first time in almost 10 years.”

“The accuser is Dane Sogress. That’s why it’s like this. When the son of Count Sogress formally submits charges, who would be crazy enough to cover it up?”

As people said, there were reasons why the trial proceeded so swiftly.

Five people brutally assaulted one person for 2 hours, then forced him to drink potions to recover and assaulted him again.

Not only was the nature of the incident serious, but the fact that the person who filed the formal charges was Dane Sogress of Count Sogress was the decisive factor.

“I heard that the kid who got beaten was being bullied by those guys from the beginning?”

“If it were me, I’d just kill myself. I heard the beaten kid is Dane’s friend.”

“Are they in their right mind? Did they think they wouldn’t get caught?”

“Well, they’ve been bullying him all along, and now that they can’t bully him anymore, they couldn’t stand it. Tsk tsk.”

Therefore, there wasn’t even any sympathetic public opinion for the perpetrators.

There was no room for leniency in what they had done, and people were afraid of receiving glares if they defended them.

“Ahem, ahem. The Archbishop is entering.”

Then a staff member’s voice was heard, and a middle-aged priest entered the courtroom.

It was Akard Paeyon, an Archbishop from the Imperial Central Holy Church, dispatched by the Imperial Holy Church to judge this case.

“Why is the Holy Church making the judgment?”

“Well, it would be difficult for someone within the Academy to make a fair judgment.”

Whether Academy professors, staff members, or even the dean, it would be difficult to expect a fair judgment from them.

Because all of them are entangled with noble families in some way.

So ostensibly, priests who dedicate their lives to divine power, and among them, an authoritative Archbishop-level figure stepped forward as the judge.

More precisely, appointed by the Imperial Palace.

“Everyone please be quiet.”

The courtroom instantly fell silent.

And soon after, the perpetrators entered.

They weren’t bound with ropes, but they were surrounded on all sides by the Academy security guards who boasted excellent skills.

The ringleader, Bron Sauer.

And the other four, including Elrad Deringer.

They were trembling.

‘Th-there are so many people…?’

‘F-Father will somehow end this with just suspension or disciplinary action.’

‘If only that bastard Dane Sogress wasn’t here…’

‘Where is that bastard Ernest?’

As if they still hadn’t come to their senses, despite trembling, they inwardly believed without doubt that they would be released.

But something was strange.

‘Wh-where is Father?’

‘What about the servants? Didn’t the Head Butler come?’

‘Why isn’t anyone here?’

All five defendants couldn’t find anyone from their families no matter how hard they looked.

As if…

There was no one to defend them.

“Now, we shall begin the trial.”

The trial finally began.

Archbishop Akard glanced at the five perpetrators and asked.

“I ask the five defendants. Do you acknowledge the fact that five days ago, you approached Ernest Dylan, a first-year student of the Exploration Department, dragged him to a secluded place, and then assaulted him for about 2 hours, putting him in critical condition?”

Bron quickly answered.

“I agree with some parts, but I cannot agree with several facts.”

Murmuring immediately arose, but it quickly subsided when Archbishop Akard raised his hand.

“Which facts do you agree with, and which facts can you not agree with?”

Archbishop Akard’s voice became slightly heavier than before, but Bron answered without noticing this fact.

“Ernest and we have been longtime friends who played together since childhood. We didn’t drag him; Ernest just followed us. I acknowledge the assault, but Ernest provoked us first…”

Lies flowed smoothly without even wetting his lips.

“That’s right. Ernest and we are close friends!”

“We were just friends having a little scuffle and emotions got heated.”

“We gave him the potion because Ernest is a bit weak, and he fainted after we just hit him a few times, so we urgently gave it to him.”

“Then Ernest couldn’t get his senses together and provoked us again, so we ended up…”

Their synchronized responses looked quite desperate in one way.

“Huh.”

“Such ridiculous lies…”

Therefore, sighs erupted from all directions.

Even some professors who came to observe shook their heads, wondering what kind of nonsense this was.

When they should be acknowledging their crimes and begging for mercy.

Archbishop Akard asked in response to those words.

“If that’s true, then this is just a very light case that doesn’t even warrant a trial. Just hometown friends playing together and emotions getting heated.”

Bron answered as if he had been waiting for this.

“That’s right. Of course, we will do our best for Ernest’s physical and mental recovery…”

“Then let me ask.”

At that moment, Archbishop Akard’s voice, which had been gradually changing, crossed a threshold and became completely heavy.

“The victim Ernest, who experienced this ‘light incident,’ has been unconscious for three days, and according to testimony, he didn’t follow willingly but was threatened and dragged to a secluded place from the beginning. Pretending to be friendly, with hands on shoulders.”

Archbishop Akard held up a paper with Ernest’s testimony written on it.

That paper, filled with tiny handwriting, contained a heartbreaking account of what Ernest had endured.

Even the continuous bullying he suffered from childhood in his hometown.

“According to the victim’s testimony, Bron Sauer, you led the bullying of Ernest thousands of times since childhood.”

“What do you mean by that!”

“I’m just reading what’s written. Of course, it’s not about the current case.”

Archbishop Akard then asked.

“Furthermore, thirty-five potions were found at the scene. There’s no reason for ordinary students, especially from the Swordsmanship Department, to carry around multiple expensive potions. This clearly shows the intent to make him drink potions to recover and then continue the assault.”

“Th-that’s…”

Bron fidgeted for a moment, then frantically pointed at Elrad.

“I-it was because of Elrad! Elrad had just become interested in studying potions… Elrad brought them!”

“Th-that’s right!”

But Archbishop Akard was not such an easy person.

“When we traced the serial numbers of the potions, they were all purchased directly under Count Sauer’s name and delivered to the Academy.”

“Ah, ah! I forgot! I just bought them for my friend because he said he wanted to study!”

“Th-that’s right! Bron bought them for me!”

Archbishop Akard’s voice became even heavier.

“Then would you tell us everything you know about potions? Right here, right now? Elrad Deringer?”

“…Th-that is, I haven’t been studying for very long…”

“Didn’t you say you were studying? Generally speaking, when one studies, the starting point is purchasing books and learning theory first.”

Archbishop Akad drove the point home.

“Not actual potions that become useless if not used within a month of purchase.”

“….”

“Is there a Swordsmanship Department professor here?”

“…I am here.”

It was Professor Esteranza.

“Professor Esteranza, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then I’ll ask you, Professor Esteranza. Is there any reason for Swordsmanship Department students to carry dozens of potions all at once?”

“G-generally speaking, there isn’t. But the Elrad Deringer student I know is a good student. Perhaps he intended to distribute them one by one to the department students….”

“Professor Esteranza, do you think what you’re saying makes sense even as you say it?”

Professor Esteranza flinched.

“…It’s, it’s merely speculation.”

“What I’m asking for are facts. Not speculation. In any case, you mean it’s not a typical case.”

“That’s…correct.”

“I understand.”

Professor Esteranza sat back down with an expression as if completely resigned, which made Bron anxious.

Then Archbishop Akad spoke again.

“Should we assume there was another intention behind preparing the potions?”

“….”

“You’re not answering.”

Archbishop Akad continued speaking as if it didn’t matter.

“Moreover, while student Ernest was unconscious, there was no effort whatsoever to help with recovery from the injuries. If it had been a fight between friends as the defendants claim, stopping immediately after he lost consciousness would seem like the normal judgment.”

“Th-that’s because we were too excited….”

“Only answer when I ask you a question, defendant.”

“….”

As the situation turned completely unfavorable for the five, Archbishop Akad said.

“I will now hear the victim’s testimony.”

Amid the murmuring, the person who entered was none other than Ernest.

Ernest entered with an extremely calm but very tired expression and took an oath.

“Do you swear to speak only the truth?”

“I swear upon the Academy, my family house, and this Empire.”

“Then, testify about what happened at that time.”

And everyone was left speechless by Ernest’s following words.

“…After forcibly dragging me there, the assault began immediately upon arrival, and violence was inflicted on every part of my body without discrimination….”

And people let out sighs at the next part.

“When I lost consciousness, they made me drink potions to heal external injuries, then forcibly woke me up, and immediately resumed the assault. That process happened at least four times from what I remember.”

Everyone cursed at the horrific testimony.

“These crazy bastards….”

“Those damn sons of bitches!”

“And you call yourselves the honor-respecting Swordsmanship Department?!”

Bron Gang fell into a state of panic.

Countless people in the courtroom were pointing fingers and condemning them.

“Maintain order.”

Archbishop Akad calmed them down, but the gazes looking at them like waste remained the same.

Unable to bear those gazes, the gang hung their heads as if by agreement.

“Continue, Ernest Dylan.”

That’s when it happened.

‘If this continues, expulsion is certain.’

Bron desperately shouted, determined to fight tooth and nail.

“E-Ernest injured us! With archery! He shot arrows! Erland’s shoulder was pierced, and Owen suffered a major wound to his leg! His intent to kill us was clear!”

At those words, the courtroom fell silent for a moment.

Bron thought his words had worked.

Archbishop Akad asked.

“Ernest Dylan, this is written in the testimony, but I’ll ask again. Are those words true? Answer only yes or no.”

“Yes. It’s true.”

“Then this time I ask the defendant, Bron Sauer. If one drew a sword in resistance against an opponent who clearly made them feel a threat to their life without reason, is that a crime?”

“Th-that’s because we also felt a threat of death….”

“Answer only yes or no.”

“….”

Archbishop Akad shook his head at Bron who wouldn’t answer.

“In the Empire, we call that ‘legitimate defense.’ Not a ‘crime.’ Do you understand, defendant?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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