Chapter 4 - The Trial

"Ouch, my head hurts, did I really had to get my ass beat again? It hasn't even been a day since I left, yet here I am back at the hospital. Autumn Garnet and Julius, they are interesting people. Why won't my eyes open, it's time to leave, I'm hungry..."

After getting brutally assaulted by an enraged nobleman's son, Staxius was brought back to the room he previously left. The entire staff within the premise upon hearing that their beloved patient was severely beaten, all rushed at his aid. The moment the stretcher entered the main building, two-line compromised of nurses and other people formed almost subconsciously. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the guy who they deeply cherished.

"Instructor Sophie, care to explain why Staxius Haggard is in this state?" A doctor demanded as soon as the unsuspecting Sophie entered.

Speechless by all the eyes who cautiously observed her, Sophie was petrified. However, she knew that without an answer the entire hospital might turn against her. Staxius's influence was phenomenal, almost god-like, it was surreal to witness how much her apprentice was loved by anyone who came in contact with him.

"I got here myself, apparently a nobleman's son assaulted him out on the street. Their trial is said to happen tomorrow. If Staxius is found guilty, which will probably be the case due to the discrimination, getting exiled from Oxshield would be in their reach." Sophie reluctantly answered as she lowered her head.

"Basically, you think Mr. Haggard is guilty? Well excuse my boldness miss, but Staxius isn't that kind of guy, we will have his back. A guy who personally thanked everyone before leaving is not capable of hurting someone." The doctor fired back, hearing his answer, the staffs who were overhearing the conversation began to rally behind his innocence.

Relieved, Sophie wiped her forehead and replied with, "Thank you for believing in him, tomorrow I shall do everything in my power to prove his integrity."

After that, Staxius was unconscious for two days, normally the trial would have taken place even if he were absent but the strong will the hospital and Sophie showed, the instructor in charge could do naught except waiting.

"Damn it, put into house arrest because I hit a nobody, this is pathetic. AUTUMN COME HERE RIGHT NOW." Julius was getting frustrated, in an attempt to relieve his anger, he decided to lash out at his younger sister.

Scared, Autumn slowly made her way to her beloved brother's room,

*Knock, Knock.* "B-brother can I c-come in." she softly whispered.

"Get in here already or do I have to repeat myself, damn your useless." He shouted.

With tears already beginning to form around her emerald-colored eyes, she halfheartedly opened the door. Julius was inside, sitting in the middle and staring at the ceiling, the room was completely dark, the only light source was the lamp outside.

"My dear sister, the whole reason I'm in this mess is that you sought the help of a commoner, how many times do I have to tell you that these people are vile creatures."

"B-but, Staxius is a good perso.."

"Shut up, don't speak his name in my presence, or do you want me to punish you like father?"

"N-no."

"Good, now for tomorrow's trial, I want you to tell everyone that Staxius was trying to kidnap you."

"B-brother, he wasn't tryin.."

"SHUT THE HELL UP, you will do as I tell you, and starting from tomorrow, you won't leave this

mansion until you get strict permission from both mother and father, do I make myself clear? Also, if you try and tell the truth, I swear that this Staxius guy you love so much will end up in a coffin."

Being threatened by what she thought was her caring brother, Autumn cried her eyes out after she rushed out of his room.

"Staxius Haggard, I'll show you the power of a true nobleman, just you wait."

"Sorry Staxius, I-I will f-find a way to h-help," Autumn spoke to herself as she cried to sleep.

Time passed since the incident was two days, "My head, where am I? This smell, shit I'm back at the hospital. Well, guess it's time I wake up." The moment his eyes opened, seeing people around his bed was scary, it had never happened before. Using the little strength he had, he managed to sit upright and face everyone. It was the hospital staff he became friends with.

"Hello guys, long time no see." He gave a reassuring smile while keeping a stoic face.

"Stop pretending you're alright, we know that you're both physically and mentally drained." The doctor who first took care of him fired back.

"Doctor Jona, thanks for taking care of me once again, I'm relieved to see that you guys all came, it truly made me happy." He replied ignoring the comment about him hiding his emotions.

With a quick pat on his head, Jona gave a quick smile and left. Everyone present followed her lead, they each gave a quick smile and like that, they were all gone.

"What the hell just happen, time to get off the bed."

"Staxius Haggard, I've been selected to accompany you to the trial," Sophie spoke out a little frightened to face her apprentice for the first time after his big injury.

*Inhale, * "Alright, the plan has worked out the way I predicted it to, let's show those noblemen how a conspiracy is truly made. Didn't expect her here though, no matter let's do this." Everything, since he met Autumn, was part of his plan to earn easy money. At last, the final hurdle was here, the trial.

"Hello instructor, can you tell me where the trial is happening? I need to go pick up something very dear to me." He requested with puppy eyes.

"Fine, I'll give you ten minutes, I'll wait for you in the gymnasium." She unwillingly agreed.

"Thank you so much, you're the best."

After that, they both separated, Staxius was headed towards the place where he was assaulted, the main entrance. The road leading into the Central Academy was filled with beautiful trees on each side, it was like a nature park. In the distance, Staxius spotted someone running towards him, it was Autumn Garnet, she looked exhausted, her face was scratched, clothes ripped, covered by little bloodstains.

Seeing her in that state, unconsciously, our hero rushed towards Autumn and hugged her with all his might. She had dried up tears on her rosy cheeks,

"Autumn, what happen to you?" Staxius asked but this time he was truly worried.

"S-Staxius, I'm happy I met you before brother, he told me that if I didn't lie about you kidnapping me, he would kill you. I said that I'd never tell a lie so he beat me for two days until I ran away from home, I was hoping to meet you at the hospital."

"Julius, this has gone too far," With a quick kiss on her forehead, Staxius carried her like a princess into the hospital. He waited despite getting late for his trial, he didn't care, her health was more important.

Back in the gymnasium, Sophie was getting impatient, "What is this fool doing, it's almost time, did he run away? No can't be, I'll attend his trial by myself as the one who he will be studying under."

The moment of truth finally came, the trial was beginning, Julius was brought in from his mansion, the judge to be presiding over this case was the director himself. Getting out of this one was going to be a feat almost impossible, however, trials at Claireville Academy are fought by the parties responsible, this limits the risk of unfair judgment.

"I, Josiah, Director of Claireville academy, swear to judge this case without any prejudice."

"Looks like my plan to capture Staxius before he entered the trial worked. What a fool, falling for such a trap." Julius had a c.o.c.ky look on his face, not seeing his rival present set his heart at ease.

"Your honor, would you please allow the defending party some time, Staxius was caught up in something rather private," Sophie spoke out in hopes of helping.

"Excuse my tardiness, your honor, I was held up by people who mysteriously wanted my death. Coincidence? I dare not fathom such low tactics from a nobleman's son." Staxius spoke out as he entered the room, beside him was Autumn.

Seeing his little sister by his side, Julius was infuriated, "What are you doing by his side sister?" He asked while gritting his teeth. Scared, Autumn just hid behind Staxius.

Seeing someone of noble blood get so agitated was something Josiah never witnessed before, he was laughing internally, the guy Sophie picked was a force to be reckoned with.

"Now that both parties are here, please put forward your case." It finally began.

"Your honor, before we start, I have a request," Staxius asked politely.

"Speak your mind."

"Will you allow me to have this lovely young lady by my side, you see she is my emotional support and I can't think about leaving her alone as some people did." Staxius was triggering Julius before the case even began.

"It's not a problem, you may have her beside you."

"Thank you very much, Autumn, come here." He smiled

"I solely object your honor, why is he allowed such favor? He's only a commoner," Julius spoke out in rage.

"Mind your tongue young sir, you've belittled this wholesome person, don't you have any shame? Or are the disparities between your social standings to heavy a burden to bear?"

"I apologize, I spoke out of turn, sorry." Julius was getting more worked up.

"Now, Julius Garnet, begin, we shall hear your statement."

After half an hour, Julius told lies, invented a new story where Staxius was the antagonist, it was so firm that it seemed to be the truth. Our hero didn't have an opening to exploit, his story was flawless. The audience seemed to believe that he was telling the truth.

"Come on Staxius, you can't let it end like this. Do something, show me your true strength." Sophie thought to herself.

Autumn was holding Staxius even tighter, she was scared, the story his brother told was immaculate. Hoping to calm her nerves, Staxius got onto his knees, patted her head, then kissed her forehead, and told her to not worry. She smiled, and the trial continued.

"Staxius Haggard, your turn to begin."

"Your honor, the story Julius told is completely perfect, I can't see any opening to exploit, he did his

research and showed no fear nor anger during his speech. Truly masterful, I applaud his level of intellect."

"What are you doing, are you admitting defeat? STAXIUS." Sophie was getting worked up as well.

"However, hurting Autumn was a grave mistake, Julius. I intended to let you win this trial so that I'd have a chance to escape this hell. But you forced my hands, your honor, with your permission, I'd like to present you with some items I crafted using my wit."

"If they are related to the case, I shall allow it."

"First, let me ask a question, have you ever wondered where sound comes from? Of course, you wouldn't, it's ever-present, so people miss the fact that it has to originate from somewhere. Thanks to my research, I've developed a device which uses wind magic to record sound. I hereby present this to you, and bear in mind I can prove its authenticity if need be, there isn't an act of foul play."

After receiving Staxius's invention, the court was baffled to hear that Julius had planned for his sister to lie about his innocence. Not only that, he had other recordings when he first met Autumn and from the original fight.

"Your honor, you can't allow such a device to be used as evidence against me, who doesn't say that he falsified these devices to suit his needs," Julius spoke out.

"Staxius, you hold in your hands a device that has only been discovered in the last decade. It's amazing to see that you discovered and even implemented such a complicated system into such a small device. It's truly amazing, sadly, if you can't prove its authenticity, you will be deemed a fraud."

Just like that, Staxius began to show everyone how it worked, he disassembled and proved that the device was indeed truthful.

"With this, I proclaim that Julius Garnet is guilty, his punishment will be banishment."

"Wait, your honor, don't judge this case too severely, it was only an overprotecting brother who thought I was a creep. I'd have done the same in his shoes, please reconsider." Staxius spoke out, he wanted to see Julius suffer, but seeing his regret, he changed his mind. Or is he planning another scheme? Who knows, the mind of Staxius Haggard is an infinite maze.

"Thank you Staxius, I love you." Autumn cheeringly spoke.

"No thank you, Autumn, I love you too." Staxius smiled back.

"Staxius Haggard, what punishment do you deem fair for Julius Garnet?" the Director asked in utter amazement of his wit.

"Hmm, I'd request that he keeps a closer eye on his little sister, she's an angel. Also, I'd like for the Garnet family to provide me with a ticket so I can leave Oxshield, seeing that I failed the examination I need to find a way to earn cash."

"Your judgment seems fair, as the one presiding over this case, Julius Garnet's punishment will be to watch over his little sister and provide an airship ticket to Staxius Haggard. With this, the trial is over, well done to both parties."

Members of the audience and people overlooking this trial began applauding Staxius's valor, a true hero among men.