Tok! Tok! Tok!
"We will now begin the trial of the suspect known as the Masked Menace who has caused trouble in Orario these past few days," declared the azure-haired oneesan with a stern voice, tapping her hammer seriously.
So, they addressed me as 'Masked Menace'?
How should I say it... It's like something Megumin would say. You know it's likely not a compliment when Megumin likes the alias.
I sat in the center of the room full of various existence that looked like a big shot here.
The courtroom was spacious, built inside some kind of stone hall that looked both ancient and magically reinforced. Truly resemble a fantasy world.
In front of me, Shakti— azure-haired oneesan sat with some members of the guild, including a fat elf.
She play the role of judge or maybe executioner? Still unclear. But why I feel an intense hatred from her? I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything to her!
To my right, the deity bench shimmered with divine presence. Some of them make a serious face, others just looked bored. There is also someone who looked down on me.
Behind me, is Loki Familia. Not much to say other than some of them constantly giving me a killing intent.
Just a minor disturbance. Not important.
And then to my left—
"…Bell?" I blinked.
There he was, a white-haired boy with a face screaming 'I am innocent' surrounded by his little familia. There was also that shady old lady from the back alleys, Big Mia from the Hostess of Fertility—Wait, what? Were they all dragged in as witnesses?
...Ah. So that's the game. Bringing another victim to make my sentence heavier.
It's the same like that 'SATOU KAZUMA!!!' woman.
No wonder my body is a little trembling. I almost dead at that time because of Alderp.
Tch. You damn sly azure-haired oneesan. I thought you are the kind type and an ally of justice!
But relax, Kazuma. Now, I have advantage as the strong person if the situation got worse I will just teleport.
Okay, that's the plan.
Shakti cleared her throat. "Let's start from your identity. Please state your name, and which familia are you!"
"Mitsu—" Shit, my lips slipped, I'm too used to that identity.
I sat up straight, adjusted my posture, and gave them my most sincere stare. " My name is Satou Kazuma. I'm not affiliated with any familia nor I came from one."
There is a moment of silent before the murmurs crashed.
"Impossible!" Shakti slammed the table. "There is no way you can use magic without a falna! Are you telling me you cast all those spells without a blessing from the gods?!"
"Impossible!" Shakti slammed the table. "There is no way you can use magic without coming from familia. Don't you know that you need falna, a blessing from god to use magic?!"
"But that's the truth? Honestly, why do you need blessing from the god at the first place?"
Just imagining I have to beg Aqua to be able to use magic already caused me stomache.
"As long as you have enough mana, learn the magic you should be able to use it, right?"
Shakti narrowed her eyes. "Are you talking about congenital magic? Yes, that exists—but it's extremely rare, and weaker than magic acquired through a falna. Plus, it takes decades to master. Even elves spend their whole lives just to acquired a single spell."
"Skill issue..." I muttered under my breath.
That's the only think came to my mind after hearing her lecture.
Maybe, my world just more convinient than this world? I don't know.
"What did you just say?"
I flinched. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
A sigh escaped my lips. Okay. Time to shift gears.
I glanced toward Loki Familia, and Bell's team. Everyone here already knew about my so-called 'cheats'. No point in hiding it anymore.
I raised a single finger.
"{Ignite}."
A small flame flickered to life, dancing gently just above my index finger like a birthday candle.
Gasps echoed. Murmurs rippled. The courtroom air shifted, and not because the heat of my fire.
But I wasn't done. Not even close.
I raised my other hand, opening my palm wide.
"{Create Water}."
With a gentle splash, water burst from my hand.
Right before it hit the floor—
"{Freeze}."
The splash froze mid-air, becoming a glimmering shard of ice suspended like a crystal in sunlight. It fell and shattered on the stone floor with a light ting.
Now the courtroom was alive.
"Three magics?""He's not even… he doesn't look like a magician.""All without falna? No chant either?""How… how is this even possible?"
A symphony of shock and awe played around me, each note hitting just the right frequency to tickle my ego.
Somehow it feels... good?
Oh no, what is this? This feeling is not bad at all.
Is this… applause? Admiration? Genuine respect?
This is dangerous.
This feels really good.
I think I'm getting addicted to this.
Still, I needed a finisher. And as everyone in this world knows, you only get three magic slots with a falna. So, naturally, I had to end this act with something secara theoretically impossible.
I inhaled dramatically, opened my both palm, and whispered in a elegant voice.
"{Wind Breath}."
A fresh breeze rolled gently through the courtroom like a mountain wind sliding in through a temple gate. It flitted across robes, teased at hair, brought with it the scent of calm.
…And instantly turned the volume of the room.
"FOUR magics?!"
"That's four different elements—!"
"No chant!"
"No falna!"
"Are we sure he's even human?!"
"This guy beat Loki Familia multiple times… now it makes sense!"
Every second that passed, the chatter rose higher and louder, like an orchestra of disbelief.
I sat back casually, arms crossed, as if my act is the most normal thing, and their shock is not my business.
So this is how it feels to be the mysterious powerhouse character that appears mid-series. Damn, it's addictive.
"ORDER! CALM! PLEASE CALM DOWN!!"
Shakti's hammer slammed down like thunder, snapping the room out of its uproar. "I see… your magical ability is truly exceptional. No wonder you were able to defeat Bell Cranel's team and escape capture multiple times from Loki Familia."
"Ahaha… not much. It was pretty hard to hold myself back then," I replied with my best modesty.
We need to stay humble after all.
There was a strange sound from behind me— half growl, half frustrated groan. Probably one of Loki Familia suppressing the urge to jump me. Let's ignore that.
Shakti flipped through a stack of papers, and glanced at me again.
"In the reports, you've also demonstrated abilities such as stealth to evade perception, a draining skill that saps energy or mana, a magic to confiscate others' items, high-level archery, and even short-range teleportation. Are all of these true?"
I shrugged. "Yeah, that's all me."
Another round of murmurs exploded, but Shakti quickly raised her hand to silence the room.
"…Very well," she said. "Are there other abilities you haven't shown us yet?"
Ah.
There it was.
The trap question.
I leaned back and tapped my chin, pretending to think deeply.
In reality, my brain was just scrolling through a list of social consequences. I had no reason to hide everything. But if I just gave it all away now, they will think of me as an easy target.
No good in it.
"Hmmm…" After some moment of silent I opened my mouth. " Even if I have something, why should I tell you?"
Shakti raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you'd cooperate with the court?"
"And here I am cooperating. Answering. Demonstrating. Being a very, very good boy." I leaned forward. "But you're asking for my trump cards. The kind of things that decide life or death in battle. If I tell you everything, what happens when some punk watches this trial and uses that info to kill me in a back alley? Will you take responsibility?"
The room fell silent.
A long, thoughtful silence.
I pressed further. "Will you protect me? No. Even if you want to, you can't. You're not gonna be beside me every time I walk into the Dungeon, or when I get jumped at midnight by some lunatic with a grudge. You want me to cooperate? Fine. But don't expect me to die for your paperwork."
Shakti's expression shifted slightly. Less judge, more soldier.
"…You have a point. Adventurers' skills and magic are their lives. Revealing them completely is no different than exposing your throat to a blade."
She sighed. "We'll proceed with the accusations, then."
I nodded. "Glad we understand each other."
And with that, the courtroom atmosphere shifted once more. A new tension settled in. I wasn't just a mere defendant anymore.
Anyway, when will this judge ended.
I really missed hot bath and a warm bed.