It was court day.

Both factions were expected to appear before the Wise Men.

The Circle of Merlin were eager to see their opposition, except it wasn’t just one.

It wasn’t two factions that would be present.

It was three.

The Circle of Merlin just didn’t know that yet.

The Circle of Vlad and the Council of Mages would be presenting a united front.

Lot readied his students.

They all set out via the van.

The others were not needed.

He got them on anyway.

He didn’t want things to seem weird.

He understood why Roe and Zach could be targeted, but he still hadn’t pieced together why Ursula would be needed as well.

The scholar they hired joined up with them too.

It’s a modern world, but for some reason the Wise Men live in the equivalent of centuries-old castles.

’It definitely has to be for more than just the aesthetics, right?’

Lot informed them to wait a while.

He was going in first to confirm a few things.

He would only summon them if needed.

Lot met up with the scholar.

He was a rookie upstart who went by Ruben.

They had communicated over the phone just yesterday.

Ruben was anxious.

He didn’t think he was qualified to handle a case like this.

He thanked Lot for the opportunity and promised to make him proud somehow.

He also said he wouldn’t accept pay until the case was over.

He would leave the amount up to Lot’s discretion as well.

Lot and Ruben stepped into the castle.

A spell activated that immediately presented them before the court.

The court consisted of the Three Wise Men, the prosecutor, and the defendant.

This was not Lot’s first case in court.

He turned in the direction of the prosecutor.

That’s when he noticed who was really behind all this.

It wasn’t his father.

At least, he wasn’t alone.

The prosecutor’s camp had another familiar figure.

He noticed his sister.

’This can only mean...’

His thoughts broke off midway.

By the prosecutor’s seat, everyone from the Council was present.

’That scholar... who is he?’ Elijah thought.

"Doesn’t he look too young to be handling a case like this?" Elsa asked.

"Isn’t this risky? He looks like a noob," Perzeus added.

"And where are the concerned parties?" the Wise Men spoke.

All three simultaneously.

This was how they had always spoken until a verdict was reached.

They would continue to talk in one singular voice, giving one singular response until there no longer existed a need for homogeneity.

Lot wanted to go back and retrieve them.

There was no need.

All three were summoned before the court.

Some kind of space talent was probably in play, Lot thought.

He was shocked to see both his sister and father present.

He was determined not to let that affect his judgment.

He knew what he had to do.

He knew he had to commit.

’I know Lot said it was a big day, but I never would have expected we’d be presented before the Wise Men,’ Roe thought.

"On account," the Wise Men started.

"Pursued by the Council of Mages. Seconded by the Circle of Vlad."

"The Circle of Merlin has been put under trial on the grounds of possessing an SSS-rank mage, the God Tier System wielder, and another S-rank mage all within a barely tight period."

They ended.

"The prosecutor will now state their case."

Valentine smiled.

"Showtime."

Ruben looked scared.

He knew of Val.

Everyone in their line of work knew the guy.

He was getting even more anxious.

He paused and corrected himself.

He was attempting to cover his true emotions.

It was working for him.

Barely.

For the others.

Everyone noticed he was anxious.

"What’s up with that?" Bill noted.

"That scholar over there. Strange fellow."

Valentine started.

"Oh."

"Our case."

"Council Case 1040, brought up due to similarities to Vlad Case 104, where the Circle of Merlin actively pursued the Circle of Vlad and circumvented the circle’s attempt at obtaining a myriad of S-rank mages at one point."

"This case is being built upon the precedent of previously cited Case 104 of Vlad’s circle."

"We hope to do what the Circle of Merlin once did: circumvent a possible abuse of power."

"This time, it’s not just S-rank mages involved."

"The case also presents rarer specimens in the SSS-rank mage and the God Tier System wielder present before us all."

Valentine ended.

The council didn’t speak.

They only turned to the defendant.

"Wow. He’s on fire. No wonder Morgana takes an interest," Elsa thought.

Ruben stammered.

He began to speak.

"Wow. That was really nice."

"A strong opener."

The others were all shocked.

"Okay? Continue," Lot said.

"What do you mean, continue?" Ruben asked.

"I don’t have much to add or use for a counterargument."

"What?" Lot said.

"Are you serious?"

"You’re not right."

Ruben simply nodded.

He was serious.

’Val’s good. He’s really good, alright,’ Elsa thought.

The entire court was shocked.

’There’s no way those folks would hire a chump like that,’ Vlad thought.

’Pathetic.’

’We’re so screwed,’ Lot thought.

’If only he were here...’

The Wise Men turned in the direction of the prosecutors, essentially telling them to proceed.

Valentine knew what he was doing. He knew just the right cards to play. He knew the inputs that would give him he’s required output.

He just smiled. He was going to continue laying it on.

-

The particular session gained permission for broadcast from the wisemen.

The outcome needed to be made known to the public, at least this was what the council thought.

The leader of other circke were especially interested. They had all tuned in.

None of them dared to challenge a titan like the Circle of Merlin. They had all just conceited to watch it all unfold.

An uproar, this was the final bet the Council was holding out on.

Should they get their ideologies out to the public, maybe it might resonate with the masses and just maybe.....