As far as making an impression went, Nero felt like he did alright, though that was most certainly not the strategy he would have gone with if he were to try and prove his innocence. On the off chance that June was trying to trick him, he was in trouble. He had already guessed as much.
But if things were at the level where even his own counsel was against him, Nero had lost this case anyway, which is why he went along with her suggestions.
"You may return to your seat, Nero Grant," said the same judge who had been speaking throughout. While the soldiers looked more amenable to Nero, the judges maintained the same, stern expression throughout. "Court will reconvene after judicial deliberation."
With that, the judge slammed his gavel one last time before standing up and exiting through the path meant specially for judges, followed by his two peers, leaving the courtroom hanging in heavy silence.
"What now?" Nero whispered to June.
"This is more of a formality than anything else. Now you're going to be taken back to your holding cell while the judges deliberate for a few hours. In truth, they have no choice but to declare this case a mistrial due to external interference.
"Considering that the details of this case have been leaked continuously, and the political pressure mounting up over the compromised judge, it's impossible that there is no external pressure on the judges. It's impossible for them to make an unbiased judgement. If they're quick, the decision will come in a couple of hours. If they take their time, then by tomorrow morning, you'll hear an answer.
All you'll need to do is survive the night."
"In that case, it was nice meeting you June," Nero said with a smile.
"Likewise. Say hello to your dad for me. Let me know if you ever drop by Lorilem. I'll have you know, although my own son is not the best Neophyte alive, he's pretty good as well."
Nero smirked. That name was going to follow him for a while.
As the team of soldiers came to escort Nero back, he felt like he should have been a lot more nervous about his future than he really was. Having a criminal record would kill his chances of getting into KMA. Yet instead of nervous about the final decision, Nero was feeling excited thinking about what kind of service he would end up doing.
He wondered what kind of military department he would be put into. He could already imagine that a few people, such as major Liam, might want to pull him into their own command, but he was certain it would not be as simple as that.
Nero was letting his thoughts run wild, even considering being recruited by some secret agencies, such as the vaunted Whisper Guard, when he noticed something odd.
Nero looked around and saw that none of the soldiers who were escorting him noticed anything amiss. That man... was terrifyingly powerful! From start to finish, Nero did not feel his aura at all. He could have been an Initiate or Arcanist for all he showed. He could also very well be a Mystic or Ascendant.
But while a lot of things still astounded him, a few things finally made sense. The reason the prosecutor was asking such silly questions, which so easily worked in Nero's favour, was because even the prosecutor was on his side from the beginning.
Compared to his mother, who was always hailed as an elite soldier with an exceptional battle record, and even had the ability to assail the Mystic realm years ago, his father seemed quite ordinary - even as a member of Whisper Guard.
But Nero was beginning to realise that maybe his father was not as simple as he appeared.
Obviously he was never simple - anyone could see that much. After all, his mother had the highest standards, so she would hardly settle for a mediocre man.
Nero never really knew the extent of what he did as a member of Whisper Guard, and always imagined that his dad was a secret badass. Now though, he was beginning to realise that his childish daydream... might not be so far off from reality.
As he was escorted back, Nero did not notice that he once again forgot to ask his guards about the prosecutor's name. It was as if he was still under the influence of whatever was affecting his mind.
Yet the farther he went from the courtroom, the lesser the effect became. Right before he reached his cell, Nero suddenly realised that June's farewell statement did not exactly fit her oblivious, jolly mood. She had told him all he needed to do was survive the night. It sounded harmless enough but...
As he approached his cell, Nero suddenly noticed that it was darker than when he left it. It was not unusual, since a few hours had passed and the light coming in from the single window had reduced. But why had the light in the room not been turned on?
Nero looked at his guards, and noticed that none of them were making eye contact with him. For a split second he considered running, but with his aether restrained, he would not get far. His only option was to wait for the cuffs to be removed, then face whatever obstacle lay before him.
The guards reached his cell, took off his cuffs and then pushed him in the door, before quickly shutting it and disappearing as fast as they could.
Nero didn't look towards them. Instead, he looked towards the darkest corner of his cell. He could see nothing there, yet...
A blue fire appeared on his fingertips, shedding its faint light into the corner, revealing the outline of a man sitting with one leg folded atop another.
"Nero Grant, the man of the hour. We finally meet."