episode_0106

Episode 106: Trial (4)

“I never thought I’d meet you like this…”

She sits slowly and carefully across from me. Princess Ariel, who came for the visitation, wore a somewhat awkward expression.

The same place as half a year ago, but different positions.

The princess seemed to have a hard time adjusting to the bizarre situation of facing me as a visitor, not an enemy.

Of course, me too. But I couldn’t focus on facing Princess Ariel any more than that.

‘Hoo, this feeling just won’t subside…’

As always, anger seething from deep inside. That was interfering with me.

It’s been months already. Controlling my body whenever I face the princess is tiring in many ways.

‘I wish it was as simple as my brother.’

It would be really nice if I could solve it as cleanly and simply as Veil.

But I couldn’t figure out where the starting point of resentment and hatred was, so I couldn’t find a solution.

Anyway, I decided to postpone this concern and ask the reason for the visit. More than 5 minutes had passed since we met, and the princess hesitated and couldn’t speak.

“What brings you here?”

“I was just curious to see how you were doing.”

I stared at her blankly. It was certain that at least that wasn’t the main reason.

“Even if it’s anything else, the main reason isn’t because of that, is it?”

“…Haa.”

Did I see through her accurately? Princess Ariel let out a long sigh.

“It’s true that I came because I was curious. You know. What it means to hold a trial in Tianis.”

“Yes.”

As she keeps saying, Tianis Academy is kind to its students. Therefore, they do not do anything to hinder the growth and future of students.

Even if they commit a wrong, they secretly give them a penalty and end it there. So, an act like a trial that reveals everything is almost impossible.

“Especially if the subject of the trial is you, who received it even half a year ago…”

The princess didn’t finish her words and met my eyes.

“So, has your curiosity been satisfied?”

“Yes. I think the shock is less than expected.”

“Because it’s the second trial, as you said.”

The princess made a troubled face at my words. I then asked.

“More than that, who asked you to come? Lana?”

“No. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Lana either. The people who came to ask me were… Evan and Veil.”

I never thought that Evan and Veil would visit the princess instead of Lana. More than that, where and what is Lana doing?

“I didn’t know those two would visit you, Princess.”

“I know, right? I was surprised too. They came to me and persuaded me so sincerely. You would have been surprised if you had seen them running around.”

“I don’t really want to see that.”

What’s so good about seeing guys running around? I’d rather appreciate the sky.

After that, I was silent.

To be honest, it’s still uncomfortable dealing with the princess. How can I welcome her when my body is in such a mess every time I face her? Even if she is a main character, the day I can face her properly will be at least after this feeling is resolved.

“……”

“……”

An awkward atmosphere lingers. Knowing that I wouldn’t speak first, Princess Ariel slowly parted her lips.

“I’ll help, you…”

The princess flinches at that moment. She seemed slightly embarrassed as if she didn’t know her words would be cut off.

Regardless, I didn’t react at all. To be exact, no words came out.

“I know it might sound strange… since it was none other than me who punished you. Even if it’s at the request of two juniors, it might be suspicious to come suddenly and say these words. But, you’ve changed.”

The princess swallows once. The princess, unlike her usual self, seemed slightly nervous and continued to speak in a trembling voice.

“I can tell just by looking at your eyes. You have bright eyes that didn’t have any darkness, something that would never have existed in the past.”

Princess Ariel looked into my eyes as if she was seeing something behind them.

“What about the people around you? Lana, Evan, Veil, Chloe. Everyone likes and relies on you. Even if it’s not just those four, many students believe in you.”

She sent a look of faith as if the princess herself was included in it.

“Of course, not everyone does. Still, it’s true that many people have forgiven you for your past actions and appearance.”

The princess’s eyes shine brightly.

“I admit that too. Kyle, you are no longer the rascal of the past. Now you’re just an ordinary student of Tianis.”

As if to prove that, there was no feeling of disgust in the princess’s voice at all.

“So, so that you, who are loved by people, don’t suffer any more. I, Ariel Tianis, a friend of Arden and the 4th princess of the Tyran Empire, will help you.”

She will officially step up and help me, who was once an enemy. The princess said with such intention. In the process, one can see her will to accept even if she is criticized.

Yes, if the princess, who is definitely capable enough, helps, this trial can be won. It’s almost certain. Ariel, who sent me to hell, is someone with that kind of capacity.

However, the body consumed by anger only stared at Ariel with cold, sunken eyes.

How hypocritical that one word of helping felt.

Without knowing anything.

Never having believed even once.

Not having noticed even with her great abilities.

I felt nauseous at that disgusting sight of her claiming to be helping me. Even the gaze she sent was annoying.

“Those words…”

And the hatred and resentment that filled my body slowly flowed out through my mouth, which had lost control.

“You should have said them a little earlier.”

A voice with a sense of gloom. In that moment, I quickly regained control, taking advantage of the weakening emotions.

“……”

The princess looked at me with dazed eyes. I bowed my head to fix this situation and said.

“It was a slip of the tongue. I would appreciate it if you could pretend you didn’t hear it.”

Even with my belated excuse, the princess’s condition didn’t improve. I had no choice but to leave first.

“If the story is over, I’ll be on my way. And… if you give me help, I won’t refuse. Then, goodbye.”

I gave a short bow and left the visitation room. And on the way back to my room.

“Damn body.”

Today, I resented the memories ingrained in this body. Because even though I was far away from the princess, an inexplicable attachment remained in my heart.

The feeling of being forcibly synchronized with Kyle Arden’s emotions, even for a moment, was very unpleasant and dirty. I need to find a solution quickly…

“Haa…”

A sigh flowed out of my frustrated heart. In the end, I couldn’t focus on anything else that day and spent my time lying down.

***

The room Kyle Arden left.

“……”

Ariel still had a dazed expression on her face.

10 minutes, 20 minutes…

Time in the visitation room flows aimlessly.

Even so, she couldn’t come to her senses and slowly moved her gaze to the direction Kyle left.

After about 10 more minutes, Ariel parted her lips.

“Why, are you trying to cry? Why on earth…”

The princess knew what kind of eyes Kyle looked at her with every time.

It was only natural. Even if time had passed, it would be difficult to resolve the emotions that had accumulated between them.

Still, Ariel didn’t show it. Because she knew he was trying to hold back.

Ariel had seen several times how he was trying not to express the anger stemming from hatred and resentment, so she remained silent. That was proof that he had changed.

It was no different today. As always, he faced her as usual even while hating her.

But why today… is he showing different emotions?

Ariel could clearly see his appearance from just now.

Eyes full of tears, a voice filled with sadness.

The sight of him desperately holding back the sadness pouring out from within, barely uttering the words, came as a shock to Ariel.

That’s because Kyle, whom Ariel knew, was a person far from sadness.

Hadn’t she seen it several times? His heart, filled only with darkness, had no feeling of sadness. He never once felt sad, even in his desperate situation.

Then, what on earth made him sad? Ariel was still deeply troubled with dazed eyes.

However, no matter how much time passed, she couldn’t reach a proper conclusion. All she could know was that his emotions changed at the point when she said she would help.

“But that’s…”

That doesn’t make sense, does it? If that were true, he…

“No. That can’t be.”

Ariel shook her head in an effort to erase the thought that had flashed through her mind. It was absurd, even as a hypothetical situation.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t shake off the shock she had just received.

Ariel sat in the visitation room, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Haa…”

She could only let out an unfathomable sigh.

***

Time passed and flowed, and before she knew it, the day of the trial had arrived.

As usual, I woke up early in the morning and ate the breakfast that came out around 7 o’clock. And I put on the newly given school uniform and waited.

The trial time is 1 p.m.

So I had to move to the courthouse before the trial, and this was preparation for that.

After sitting for about 10 minutes, an academy staff member and a guard came to pick me up.

Still, Tianis Academy is an educational facility.

They didn’t restrain me with handcuffs or ropes like they would treat a criminal outside, and they didn’t treat me coercively when they took me away.

Of course, it wasn’t just out of consideration. It would have been nice if they moved me secretly. They showed me off and moved me openly.

Besides, the morning is busy with going to school, so many people witnessed this spectacle. Well, I just shrugged it off.

The waiting room I arrived at like that. I stay here until the trial begins.

“About 4 hours left?”

Looking at my wristwatch, there was about that much time left.

Then, since I have nothing to do, and there’s a place to lie down appropriately, I just lay down to kill time.

I’m not really the type to sleep a lot, and I don’t like naps either, but there’s nothing better than this when I really have nothing to do.

Of course, you might ask if I’m not worried about the trial that’s about to take place.

“What’s so special about a trial?”

Usually, people get scared when they hear the word trial, but if you’ve experienced this kind of thing several times, it’s not that special. It’s harder to catch monsters.

“Haaam~.”

Drowsiness quickly came over me. I yawned and closed my eyes.

And 4 hours later.

“Kyle Arden, a second-year student in the Department of Knights. We will now begin the trial regarding the charges of student assault and collusion with a black magician.”

The trial has finally begun.