"Uriel, urge him on."
Instantly, the burst of bright crimson flames hanging in midair descended upon Ryan.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ryan screamed in agony.
His skin charred and blackened as flesh split apart, exposing raw muscle and bone beneath. Blood streamed down his body while his tears evaporated under the blistering heat. Even his trousers were reduced to ash.
A foul odor, similar to that of roasted meat, rose from his body, which had been burned down to the last strand of hair.
"As I thought..." Uriel muttered in disappointment.
"You are beyond pathetic."
His tone remained calm and composed, yet his aura radiated absolute dominance.
"Gh... gbb... guah..."
Ryan gurgled through his skeletal mouth, as though trying to utter words of remorse.
Slowly, his skin began regenerating. Fresh flesh crawled over exposed muscle, and his hair started growing back. The burns and charred remains gradually disappeared from his battered body.
"But no matter..."
Uriel's voice echoed coldly.
"You will do it again."
"You will burn and burn..."
His expression remained unchanged as he stared at Ryan's suffering.
"...until even death itself has no choice..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"...but to reject you."
The final words left his lips with an unsettling calmness, carrying an intent that felt almost demonic.
---
The grand hearing chamber stood in deathly silence.
Rows upon rows of spectators filled the elevated galleries. Their murmurs and whispers spread throughout the hall like a contagious disease.
Nobles.
Mages.
Exorcists.
Military officials.
All had gathered for the same purpose.
Judgment.
At the center of the chamber, bound by glowing restraints and surrounded by heavily armed guards, stood Sai.
His expression remained unchanged.
A sharp crack echoed throughout the hall as the Chief Magistrate slammed his gavel against the stone podium.
"Bring the accused forward."
The murmurs instantly died.
Hundreds of eyes locked onto Sai as he stepped forward, the chains around his wrists clinking softly.
The Magistrate adjusted his monocle before reading from an ancient scroll.
"Sai Takka... you stand accused of being sought by a secret organization known as the Death Stalkers. While we remain unaware of their exact motives, we are certain that they require you as a crucial piece of their plans."
A heavy silence followed.
Then, from somewhere within the audience—
"HANG HIM!"
The shout ignited a wave of outrage throughout the chamber.
Yet amidst the chaos, Sai remained silent and unshaken.
The kind of silence that could make anyone uneasy.
These mages, exorcists, and sorcerers were clearly prejudiced against outcasts.
Sai didn't need anyone to tell him that.
There was no point defending himself.
The outcome of the trial already seemed inevitable.
At this stage, the best he could do was wait and hope for the best.
The murmurs and protests intensified.
The tension became so oppressive that it felt as though the room itself was drowning in spiritual pressure.
The Chief Magistrate raised a hand.
The hall instantly fell silent.
Adjusting his golden-framed monocle, he fixed his gaze upon Sai.
"Considering all the circumstances surrounding this trial and the dangers that may arise, Sai Takka will most likely face severe punishment. However, the final conviction has yet to be determined."
The Magistrate paused.
The hall remained silent.
"We shall allow the defendant to speak."
Dozens of eyes shifted toward Sai.
"Well..." Sai scratched the back of his head.
"I just want to make one thing clear. I have absolutely no intention of helping the Death Stalkers. It wouldn't benefit me in any way."
"It wouldn't?" one of the five mages seated at the High Table spoke up.
He was an exorcist.
A tall dark-purple staff rested in his grasp, crowned by an even darker violet gemstone the size of a human hand. Smaller gems decorated the length of the staff. His caramel complexion and broad frame gave him a commanding presence.
His deep bass voice resonated throughout the hall.
"Perhaps not. But that changes nothing."
"We know very little about the Death Stalkers. We do not know their true capabilities, nor do we know their numbers."
His eyes narrowed.
"Tell me, Sai. What exactly does a measly outcast who cannot even use mana do when an entire squadron of them appears before him?"
"Run for dear life?"
"Pray they don't catch you?"
"I'll attack."
Sai's response came without hesitation.
A noticeable shift swept through the chamber.
Surprised gasps and scattered laughter erupted from the audience.
The Magistrate raised his hand once more, restoring silence.
Curious, he gestured for Sai to continue.
"The defendant may proceed."
"I never back down from a fight."
Sai's voice deepened.
"My parents raised me better than that."
"I ain't some coward who's going to run away and cry like a pathetic child."
Strands of hair drifted over his eyes as his demeanor changed completely.
No sarcasm.
No nonchalance.
Only conviction.
Pure, unwavering conviction.
"Oh?"
The Exorcist leaned forward.
"And how exactly do you intend to challenge the Death Stalkers?"
"Magic doesn't work on me."
Sai's answer was immediate.
"And I can confidently say that I'm unrivaled in combat."
"Unrivaled?"
The Exorcist scoffed.
Uriel's image flashed briefly through his mind.
"I sincerely doubt that."
His voice sharpened.
"So what if you can nullify magic?"
"What happens when you face a battle mage whose punches carry the weight of mountains?"
"What happens when a sorcerer tears open the earth beneath your feet and swallows you whole?"
"Then what?"
"Tch."
Sai clicked his tongue.
He already knew arguing with them was pointless.
The Exorcist folded his arms.
"These flimsy claims hold no value before this magical bureau."
"You are a threat to Zorel."
"A danger waiting to be exploited by evil forces."
The Magistrate rose from his seat.
"And therefore..."
His voice boomed throughout the chamber.
"You shall be executed."
Cheers and applause erupted throughout the congregation.
Sai remained unmoved.
Unbothered.
As though none of it concerned him.
Slowly, he closed his eyes and released a long sigh.
The Magistrate raised his gavel.
His voice became heavy with authority.
"I HEREBY FIND SAI TAKKA GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES."
The gavel began descending.
"HE SHALL THEREFORE BE EXECUTED."
Just before it struck—
"Hold your horses right there, Kraven!"
A voice exploded from the crowd.
Every head turned.
It was Miss Bramble.
She stepped forward confidently.
"We ain't killing Sai."
A grin spread across her face.
"Not yet."