A few hours had passed since Rin and Taro drifted into restless sleep.
Their peace shattered when a voice echoed through the corridor.
"Hey! Both of you—wake up and get ready. Your court session is today."
Rin blinked, still groggy.
Court? Seriously… why did it have to go that far?
Taro leaned in, whispering, "Rin… should we try to escape?"
Rin shook his head. "No. That won't help us. Let's wait. Maybe the academy will back us up… or something."
Taro exhaled, resigned.
Minutes later, the cell doors opened again. A tall elven woman stepped in—blonde hair tied in a braid, green eyes sharp as her katana. Her armor bore the insignia of a commander.
"I am Commander Enra," she said coolly. "I'll be escorting you to court today."
As she snapped the cuffs around their wrists, her tone sharpened.
"Do not speak unless I permit it. And don't think about running—I'm faster than the one who fought you before."
Taro blinked.
Faster than that guy?
Before either of them could respond, a swirling portal opened beside them. A knight stepped through and saluted.
"Commander. We're ready."
Without a word, Enra walked through the portal. Rin and Taro followed, their hearts pounding.
In a flash, they arrived in the capital of the human kingdom—Matoka.
A massive building loomed before them, crowned with a towering emblem of justice.
It radiated authority, dread… and finality.
People crowded the courtyard.
"Look, mom! Criminals!" a child said.
"Hush," the mother whispered. "That's why you never break the law."
Eyes followed them—judging, curious, disgusted.
Rin kept his head down.
Taro clenched his jaw.
Each step toward the court doors felt like walking toward an execution.
At the threshold, Commander Enra stopped them.
"From this point on, your fate will be decided. Choose your words carefully."
Her tone... it wasn't cruel. Almost like she knew they were innocent—but couldn't do anything.
They entered the building, walking down a long, echoing hallway toward a massive golden door.
It opened slowly.
Inside, a grand courtroom unfolded—rows of officials, spectators, and magic knights. A judge loomed high above them behind a massive desk, robes draped like waves of authority.
Whispers filled the room.
Then, Rin's eyes caught someone in the crowd.
Instructor Kobe.
He stood with arms crossed, expression unreadable… then sighed.
"Good luck, both of you," he muttered.
Rin and Taro looked forward as the doors shut behind them.
Their trial had begun.
The judge raised his gavel, voice booming across the courtroom.
"Let the court session of Rin Takashima and Taro Okabe… begin."
---
To be continued...