Brandon arrived outside the Sanctum of Trials.
The moment he neared the entrance, a familiar figure approached him.
"Brandon."
It was Vanessa Grace.
Evelyn's best–friend.
Brandon paused, and so did the two guards behind him.
He turned around, meeting Vanessa's gaze. Just like him, she too looked exhausted. Her eyes were puffy, and her entire appearance seemed bloated.
Vanessa's voice trembled, but her eyes softened as she spoke.
"I believe you. You're the last person in the world who would kill Evelyn."
"...."
"I know how much she meant to you,"
Vanessa continued, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Whatever happened.... it wasn't your fault. I refuse to believe it."
Brandon stared at her blankly before he turned around, the weight of her words hanging in the air. He didn't want her to see the brief flicker of emotion in his eyes.
"You don't know everything, Vanessa."
"Then tell me."
She pleaded, stepping closer.
"Help me understand."
Brandon remained silent for a brief second before nodding.
"Watch the broadcast."
With that, the guards urged him forward, and he moved without another word, leaving Vanessa standing there.
***
"Explain yourself, Locke."
The Elder urged him. A stunning woman, with silver hair, and striking purple eyes.
Despite the fact that they had lived for a long time, and that they were referred to as Elders, they had all maintained a youthful appearance, thanks to mana.
Brandon felt the eyes of everyone present.
No, not just everyone present.
The entire world.
The entire world was watching his trial. He was well aware of the broadcast system the Sanctum of Trials had.
Under normal circumstances, regular cases would be taken to a regular court.
But this was the murder of a high profile–mage. But still, this had only been qualified as a case worthy of being conducted under the Sanctum of Trials because....
'They've figured everything out.'
Because of the variables known as Wraiths.
But Brandon was unsure if they would keep things under close–wraps or not.
"You were detained because you are the prime suspect. You speak of Wraiths, but you provide no evidence!"
Brandon's lips curled into a bitter smile.
"You want evidence? You've had it the whole time. Evelyn didn't just die—she was turning into a Wraith. I've said it the first time, I don't plan on retracting my words."
Gasps rippled through the room once again, the audience barely able to contain their shock.
"Wraith Seeds."
Just two words.
And those words immediately settled the Twelve Elders, their faces contorting, and their eyes widening.
"A dark force that infects the mana cores, corrupting them from the inside, slowly turning them into Wraiths. And it's already here. Evelyn was just the latest victim. And you, the Twelve Elders, knew this."
He pointed at Twelve Elders. Or rather—Eleven Elders.
Brandon briefly glanced back, then returned his gaze.
"You kept the existence of Wraith Seeds hidden from the world."
Brandon said, stepping closer to the center of the room. His ink-black eyes locked onto the Elders.
"You let innocent people die to maintain control. To avoid panic. You've sacrificed the very people you're supposed to protect. Possession? Sweet whispers in their ear? Even the textbooks have been manipulated."
Brandon turned around, staring at the audience.
"If Wraith encounters are rare, then someone tell me. Why do we have textbook knowledge of them? Why do we know what they look like, knowing how powerful they are? How were the record holders able to survive the encounter?"
Murmurs spread once again.
"You speak in riddles, Locke. There is no proof of such claims—"
"Let me tell you one more thing."
Brandon quickly interrupted the Elder before he finished the sentence.
"It's up to all of you if you choose to believe in my words or not. But a year ago, back when Astrea Academy was still in operation. I've encountered a Wraith myself, bound by mana shackles under Astrea Venue's. The basement."
—What?
—Is that true?
—A Wraith was hiding under Astrea?
"And as you all know, Astrea Academy's Headmaster, the late Rodd Astrea was a member of the Elders."
"You're playing with fire, Locke. All these statements, yet no solid evidence."
"You want evidence? You think my words are hollow?"
Brandon's voice boomed with a sharp edge.
For a third party, it looked as if Brandon had pulled something out of thin air, but peering into his inventory, he lifted it on display for the Twelve Elders to see.
"Familiar?"
The sheer act incited a reaction out of the Elders, a reaction even the audience had noticed.
"You...."
"That's right."
Brandon donned it. The moment he did, his voice distorted.
"The Mirage Mask."