Step … step … step … step…

  Firion made his way up the forever-ascending staircase, his consciousness drifting aimlessly as he continued to climb in a zombie-like state.

  There was no denying it: his vital mistake was eating away at him.

  Flashbacks of the trial were looping through his mind, reminding him constantly of the moment that Onion Knight called him out on his mistake.

  "How … could I … be so careless?" Firion voicelessly murmured, the self-confidence he once had completely diminished in one fell swoop.

  He was adamant to prove his worth, hence why he voluntarily took on the role as Detective of the court case. He felt as though he was born to take on such a task, believing he was efficient and versatile enough to overcome such a formidable challenge.

  So, to not only find out he had made such damning mistake in his investigation – but also to have the mistake called out in front of the entire Academy – was nothing short of crippling humiliation for Firion.

  And yet, the only person he blamed was himself.

  He respected Onion Knight immensely, seeing his classmate's tough approach during the Testimony a marvellous sight to behold. Although he was only fulfilling his designated role, Onion Knight's dedication to his performance was compelling to watch throughout the duration of the trial – whether one was sitting amongst the audience or standing on stage as a core member of the cast.

  Comparing that to the quality of his own involvement, Firion felt he had slacked.

  "I need … to do better." He then muttered to himself, focus gradually returning to his gaze.

  It was at this moment that Firion snapped back to reality, a slight realisation striking him like a jackhammer.

  This was his chance to improve on himself, to ensure that such a reckless mistake would not be made again. If he was found to be a weak link to this court case, it could spell the end of the case with the wrongly accused receiving punishment.

  In his mind, the thought of such a consequence weighing down on his conscience would be suffocating.

  Firion controlled his pace as he leapt up the flight of stairs, determined to correct his mistake. With the Academy Building unusually vacant, there was no worry of being delayed in reaching his destination.

  He had one target in mind: The Academy's Security Room.

  Based on the Top Floor of the building opposite the Headmitress' Office, the Security Room was the grand hubthat ensured the safety and wellbeing of the Academy's occupants – although not without its critics. Some students – and even a small number of staff – consider the Security Room operation as a breach of privacy, citing the levels of security used as obsessive and unnecessary outside of recording everyday student life.

  However, for this very occasion … all criticisms became mute.

  "Huff … huff…!"

  Only a few minutes passed – along with most of his energy – and Firion finally reached the Top Floor.

  He took a small moment to regain his breath, leaning against the wall to his right as he purposely calmed his gasps for oxygen. Then, feeling ready to move forward, his eyes targeted the door at the end of the corridor.

  He then froze.

  "Oh no…"

  The Security Room was not secured.

  Firion spotted the door slightly open with a small key neglected in its lock, indicating that someone had recently entered the room in a careless rush – or was still roaming in there at this current time.

  Considering the options, Firion expected the latter to be true – considering the carelessness od the door's security. However, deep down, he prayed the former option was the true scenario for concern of his own safety … as much as the possibility of permanently losing the evidence pained him further.

  Taking a deep breath, he cautiously stepped over and peeked through the gap of the door. From his restricted point-of-view, Firion could only see the Security Camera System's control centre – consisting of a variety of desktop monitors, connecting wires, and a control panel filled with a keyboard and a plethora of extra buttons.

  However, the crucial aspect was that there was no sign of trespassing.

  Shudder!

  A sudden chill erupted through Firion's body, feeling as though he was being watched. Hesitant to enter, he first checked his surroundings, expecting a pair of menacing eyes to appearing directly staring back at him.

  And yet, he came to the inevitable conclusion that he was completely alone on this entire floor.

  Finally, he gradually entered the room, taking the key from the lock in the process and slowly closing the door behind him until he felt the click. He then took a brief glance at the key in his hand, wondering as to who this key belonged to.

  Examining it, this key seemed identical to the one he had borrowed from Headmistress Cosmos before leaving the Theatre Hall – from the shape of the teeth all the way down to the near-perfect shaped rounded base. There was no attached keyring or any marks to hint at the owner's identity.

  Firion then switched his sights to the Security Control System – pocketing the extra key in the process – and stepping forward to closely observe its contents. He placed his hand on the attached mouse and began to click away, opening all required folders on the system's data and carefully browsed on.

  With an improved visual of the Security Room, its appearance was what one would expect: Aside from the system setup itself, there were numerous shelves scattered across the walls of the room, all housing numerous videotapes and DVDs detailing camera recordings over the past several years.

  However, none of them were dated recent, only categorized up to the middle of last calendar-year.

  Continuing through the server, Firion began to subconsciously mutter key words almost – barely a sound escaping his mouth as he searched through the data.

  Narrowing his search down to the time and area of the incident, he peered closer to the screen.

  "Today ... 1:00pm – 2:00pm ... 4th Floor ... Math Room 3." Firion carefully murmured underneath his breath, his body tensing up as he prayed for a gasp of success.

  His search came up empty.

  He gazed as the screen in confusion, "Wait ... did I make a mistake?"

  In instant retaliation, Firion scanned and double-checked through several of the surrounding security cameras.

  The more he searched, the more he began to realise the problem.

  He straightened up, his shoulders drooped, and eyes widened in despair.

  "The footage … it's all gone." He muttered in realisation, the sense of failure looming close over his head.

  Without hesitation, Firion threw himself back onto the system. He clicked away at immense speeds, desperate to find any scrap of for footage or evidence.

  And then, after a few minutes of ferocious clicking and typing, he eventually came to terms with the situation – much to his despair.

  The missing footage was manually stolen and wiped from every camera on the 4th Floor, specifically around the time of 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Even the possibility of backups were made impossible as FIrion's frantic searching left him with the dreaded 'Not Available' notice on the monitor.

  Using every ounce of hope he had left in him, Firion diverted and dissected the security-related programs in desperation for a hint or spec of evidence essential for the court case.

  However, it was pointless.

  He was left with nothing.

  SLAM!

  "ARGH! Dammit!"

  In a brief burst of anger, Firion slammed his fist against the system desk in defeat.

  He then sighed out, wiping away the beads of sweat from his forehead as he decided on his next course of action.

  At first, he was considering cutting his losses and returning to the Theatre Hall, seeing no point in delaying the inevitable any longer. However, a brief sense of curiosity emerged from the back of his mind, wondering on whether he had overlooked a crucial detail during his frantic search.

  It was a long shot at this point, but Firion decided to take the chance.

  Using various known methods – some previously attempted in his search and others not done before – Firion continued to search through many vaguely connecting files and folders. He scanned every name and timeframe, feeling his teeth clenched and body tense as he prayed for any spec of evidence for the case.

  And then … his heart skipped a beat.

  Within the deep depths of the system's memory, a 7-second video file – titled 'September 14th – Unknown' – sat alone in a folder full of random numbers and useless temporary files. Firion anxiously anticipated the video, knowing that he had to take this with a grain of salt after being burned too many times before.

  Clicking on the file, Firion analysed the 7-second video on loop – mentally noting the time in the bottom corner of the screen as 13:05:56.

  He immediately recognised the Hall of the 4th Floor, seemingly set within the farthest corner from the room of the incident. This made it difficult to determine the details of the events that transpire within those 7-seconds.

  This is it.

  He thought to himself in determination, knowing there was nothing else he could find.

  Surely, this must be it!

  As the video continued and looped, Firion caught on to various moments of interest.

  The video showed Zidane rushing out from Math Room 4 – directly beside the room of the incident. He then hastily barged into the room of the incident, acting desperate to see what was occurring during this time.

  Although the camera was considerably far away from the action, Firion could easily identify Zidane from his iconic long tail and swift pace in his movement. With that said, he was unable to determine the purpose of his actions – given the lack of sound and context of the scene.

  And, even if he were to assume the context of the scene, there was no way the court would accept it without definitive supporting evidence to back him up.

  And to further Firion's disappointment: just as Zidane enters the room where the incident occurred, the video cuts out and resets the loop.

  Eventually, Firion paused the video.

  Will this really be enough?

  Unfortunately, he could only speculate, believing it to be better than nothing … but not definitive enough to sway the court's decision.

  With time against him, he took out a blank USB Stick from a draw below the system's desk, sticking it in an available USB port and swiftly copied the data over. Once complete, Firion slipped the USB Stick into his inner-blazer pocket and finally exited the room.

  Click!

  With him now standing outside the Security Room, he closed the door and had his eyes set on the staircase – ready to return to the court trial.

  However, before his considering proceeding, he hesitantly clanked back to the Security Room. He felt the spare key in his trouser pocket, staring at the door's lock in deep consideration.

  He wondered whether he should place the key back where he initially found it, conflicted on whether the key would be useful to the case. He ultimately decided to keep the key, feeling it was at least linked to the missing footage.

  …step … step.

  It was then that he felt a shadowy presence standing close behind him, causing his body to freeze up in abrupt terror.

  The Court Trial...

  Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum…!

  Bartz Klauser was fidgeting on the spot, his mind completely blank.

  Ba-doom! Ba-doom! Ba-doom!

  His eyes were shifting from back-and-forth in a frantic motion, feeling his heart leaping from his chest with every beat. His breath was stuttering, sweat dripped from his brow and body quivering in his shoes.

  On the witness stand, Bartz was terrified.

  From his perspective, the entire courtroom had their eyes set directly on him.

  Zidane – who was watching silently on the defendant stand – felt sorrowful for his best friend, feeling a deep sense of guilt that Bartz was thrown deep into the chaos of the court trial.

  Throughout the many occasions of their mischievous escapades, this was the one-time where Zidane wished his friend was not involved. He felt ashamed of himself to see Bartz in such turmoil, believing he failed as a friend.

  Shifting focus, Onion Knight stood in silence upon the Defence Stand, his arms firmly crossed and deep in thought. His eyes were locked on his irritable opponent's direction, cautiously questioning what other moves his rival had up his sleeve.

  He assumed that Bartz would be involved in this mess at some point during the trial, knowing mischievous pair were usually near each other when a prank was conducted. However, Onion Knight had never expected him to appear this soon, feeling suddenly blindsided by the unexpected turn of events.

  He had to permanently be on his guard from this point onwards, as the smallest of slip-ups could cost him the trial.

  On the other hand, Warrior of Light had a confident yet calculative smirk, bathing in confidence that he would win the case with ease. He watched Bartz cower on the Witness Stand, expecting the boy to stumble on himself in defending his close friend.

  …It was only a matter of time and opportunity.

  Onion Knight believed this 'confirmed witness' to be a mere bluff, seeing this was just a cheap way for his rival to find loopholes and waste the court's time. However, he was unable to deny the curiosity of Bartz's potential involvement to the case, wondering where he was and what he was doing during the time of the incident.

  "Now then … shall we begin?" High Judge Gabranth queried in a low murmur, his deep formal voice echoing throughout the hall. "We cannot waste time."

  "I agree, Your Honour." Warrior of Light answered with a single nod, keeping up his presentable, formal tone – even with his menacing smirk still morphed across his face. " Witness, please state your name and Academy status to the court!"

  Bartz suddenly drew back in hesitation, started by Warrior of Light's demanding voice as he was unable to adjust to the situation.

  "Er... the Name's Bartz. Bartz Klauser." He finally began, breathing heavily as he carefully answered. "And I'm … a Student in Class 13A."

  Onion Knight watched both the Prosecutor and the Witness carefully, analysing the conversation and their reactive expression.

  Warrior of Light immediately followed up on the next question without so much as a hint of pause.

  "It is to my understanding that you're close friends with the Defendant?" Warrior of Light queried, eyes locked firmly onto Bartz.

  "Defendant...?" Bartz then obliviously echoed in question, acting genuinely clueless.

  "He means Zidane."

  Bartz switched to Onion Knight in surprise, who had instantly answered the clueless Witness before Warrior of Light – or anyone in the court room, for that matter – could attempt to tease and mock him for the simple blunder.

  Bartz mouthed 'thanks' back to him in awkward gratitude.

  "Right! Yeah … we're great friends." Bartz then answered with a sense of pride.

  "Is that so?" Warrior of Light responded in acted intrigue, pressuring further on his interrogation. "Then, I must be right in assuming you two have enacted in many mischievous acts during your time in Dissidia Academy?"

  "Ah-hah-haa … you know us all too well, Light!" Bartz playfully responded. "In fact, there was this one time when we-!"

  "HOLD IT!"

  Before the 'oblivious' Bartz could damage their reputation any further, Onion Knight was swift to interrupt.

  "That's enough, Bartz." He hastily called out, feeling a migraine emerging. "Please keep to the subject at hand."

  "Oh? I don't see the problem, Onion Knight." Warrior of Light chuckled away, although hiding the annoyance of hearing the unwelcomed nickname once again. "I'm sure you're as curious as I am to hear about their tales of mischief. And, you never know … it could be important."

  "What matters in the court of law is the relevance of the witness to the case at hand." Gabranth added in a low, agitated mutter, scowling directly at the Prosecution as his patience was thinning. "From what I can tell, I do not see such relevance."

  "Your Honour, I can guarantee you that Bartz is crucial to this case." Warrior of Light explained in announcement, holding control in the matter. "It is my belief that the Witness was closely involved with the crime."

  ""Wha-!?""

  "No way…"

  A few gasps and comments could be heard from the seated students, echoing through the hall as eyes bore down on Bartz.

  "Where's your proof, Warrior of Light?" Onion Knight called out, slamming his palms against the surface of the Defence Stand. "On their own, baseless accusations mean nothing to the court. You know this as much as I do."

  "Hmph ... I am aware." Warrior of Light carelessly shrugged yet refused to shake off his grin. "However, all I can say for now is … there is no proof."

  There was a moment of silence.

  The entire Hall froze up as if time stopped momentarily.

  "What...?" Onion Knight breathlessly gasped, taken aback completely.

  Small discussions began to emerge amongst the observing students, wondering why Warrior of Light would stoop to this level. Some wondered if he was doing this to stall for time, whilst others speculated the possibility that he had a long-term plan in mind.

  On the Defence Stand, Onion Knight and Terra glanced to one another in confusion, wondering what was on the opposition's mind.

  It was then where Onion Knight noticed Zidane's reaction to the statement.

  He was suddenly anxious.

  "Let's be honest here. We threw ourselves into the deep end of this court case without adequate preparation." Warrior of Light casually continued, his eyes switching between his rival, the Judge, and the audience as he explained his reasoning. "Our evidence is lacking, we have barely any leads, the initial investigation was rushed, and we have yet to find any credible Witnesses. A normal 'case investigation' would take days, weeks, even months before heading to trial. And yet, here we are – only a few hours after the incident occurred."

  Onion Knight was silent, listening to his rival with the utmost focus.

  As much as he hated the thought: Warrior of Light was correct. They were thrown into the court trial far too hastily and underprepared, lacking in the simple fundamentals that would justify the case.

  Even so, Warrior of Light proceeded, directing his attention to the audience.

  "However, I am certain all members of the court here are aware of the companionship between our Defendant and Witness. The Partners in Crime and their various antics inside – and outside – the Academy campus, terrorising their fellow classmates for their own amusement."

  Just then, numerous heads in the audience nodded – including staff members, unable to deny the assumption.

  "So, is it not fair to assume that when one is caught in the act, the other wouldn't be far behind?" Warrior of Light then asked the audience, the corner of his lips curling once more. "Or – to word it differently – would it not be wise to pursue our Witness when his partner had potentially conducted a serious misdemeanour?"

  Onion Knight tensed up.

  The audience glanced upon each other with uncertainty and consideration, many understanding the Prosecution's point of view.

  Even the Judge was silent, observing where this would lead.

  And then…

  "Whatever game we're playing here ... I'll play along."

  Bartz calmly broke the silence, his prior anxiety now completely dissipated.

  All eyes had now shifted onto Bartz in a snap.

  Not one person had expected him to speak out on the matter – let alone accept his position so abruptly.

  Onion Knight and Terra stared in bafflement, cautious on what Bartz had on his mind. Furthermore, Zidane stared at his best friend in bewilderment, unable to what was going through that head.

  Gabranth gave out a small, intrigued nod, "Well then, if the Witness wishes to testify, then by all means ... let him testify."

  Witness Testimony 1: Bartz Klauser.

  "Zidane and I were in the Math Room 4 when it happened." Bartz described to the court, reflecting on the events. "There were two screams. We both heard the first one and Zidane immediately rushed out the room to inspect the situation. The moment he left, I heard another – second – scream and the sound of smashed glass.

  "I didn't know what happened, so I panicked ... and ran out of the room."

  Witness Testimony ... Complete.

  The Court was completely silent.

  During this time, Onion Knight had hastily jotted down notes and skimmed over the evidence.

  In his current possession, he had:

  The Accident Report.

  Photos of the Cracked Glass and the Victim's Bloodstain on the wall.

  Three separate plastic pouches containing Zidane's hair-strands, Rydia's hair-strands, and strands of mysterious brown hair.

  Pieces of Fabric found on the Smashed Window.

  And finally, the Small Red Jewel.

  In Onion Knight's mind, nothing seemed out of the ordinary with Bartz's testimony.

  The key points of the testimony matched his evidence so far, leaving little room to pursue a potential contradiction. This was not helped by the vagueness of his testimony, feeling as though he needed to delve deeper to achieve something substantial out of Bartz.

  However, he then noticed a single contradiction, yet he was unsure if he could force it out of Zidane with the lack of supporting evidence.

  "What do you have in mind, Onion Knight?" Terra quietly wondered to him.

  "Well, his testimony is strikingly vague … but I can see a potential lead." Onion Knight answered back in a whisper, indicating to the 'two screams'. "I'll need more out of him if I'm going to be able to land a contradiction, though."

  Terra nodded in acceptance.

  "So, Onion Knight, do you have a 'game-plan'?" Warrior of Light curiously teased, purposely pressuring his opponent.

  "Patience is a virtue, Warrior of Light." Onion Knight snarky responded, sneering at his rival before switching to the Judge. "I'm ready to Cross-Examine the Witness, Your Honour."

  "If that is the case, Defence … then you may proceed." Gabranth firmly stated with a single nod.

  Cross-Examination 1: Bartz Klauser.

  "From what you've stated in your testimony, you were with Zidane before the incident occurred." Onion Knight immediately began his questioning, switching between the Witness and his notes as he spoke. "So that the court is aware: why were you two in Math Room 4 during this time?"

  Bartz was hesitant to answer, glancing over to the fidgeting Zidane as he struggled to find his words.

  Onion Knight noticed this reaction, subtly jotted down another note for possible future use.

  Although silent, Zidane nodded back to his friend as though giving permission for Bartz to reveal their intended plans.

  "We ... we were setting up a prank against a certain Math tutor." Bartz admitted in cautious honesty, knowing their reputation would take a further hit upon this reveal.

  Onion Knight briefly veered his gaze towards Warrior of Light in curiosity, expecting a reaction from him. From what he could see, his opponent was biting the inside of his lip – as though holding himself back from causing a sudden outburst.

  "I-it was going to be harmless, though!" Bartz hastily added in a stutter, expressing innocent intentions behind their mischief.

  Taking a deep breath, Warrior of Light spoke up, "Out of curiosity, Bartz: Who was the poor staff-member who would've been your intended victim?"

  "Professor Gabbaini." Bartz answered in a low tone, acting as though he had a guilty conscience. "He had a lesson in that classroom after Lunch Break."

  Setzer Gabbaini ... the infamous 'gambling' Math Tutor.

  Similar thoughts echoed across the audience, many rolling their eyes or snickering in appropriate reaction.

  Even Onion Knight was unable to hide his reaction, letting out a small chuckle underneath his breath.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  That … makes sense. He placed the two in constant detention throughout last year over negatively rigging his casino-based lessons.

  Warrior of Light simply nodded in response to the Witness' answer, holding his intimidating silence.

  Both he and Onion Knight knew the man in question was watching with the rest of the Academy staff … so decided not to go into further detail.

  Onion Knight easily transitioned to the next question; his mind set on the highlighted topic. However, he decided to use his words carefully, prioritising information over contradiction for now.

  "You stated that there were two screams in the room of the incident." Onion Knight then asked, watching Bartz's body language in the process. "Are you certain there were 'two'?"

  "I'm positive." Bartz nodded with confidence, although proceeded to waver. "...I think."

  "You … 'think'?" Onion Knight echoed with risen curiosity, pressing ahead with the opening to further interrogate. "Are you suggesting that you're not certain?"

  "The Witness answered the question, Onion Knight." Warrior of Light calmly interrupted, his eyes shut, and arms firmly crossed. "There's no point in beating the dead horse."

  Onion Knight was quick to strike back.

  "The Witness expressed uncertainty in his own statement." He argued, ensuring his reasoning was clear and concise. "It would be a mistake to not question him further."

  "Witness, please state the reason for your uncertainty." The High-Judge formally requested, his deep voice booming and commanding.

  Suddenly feeling cornered, Bartz had no choice but to speak his mind, "I mean … there could've been a third scream after I left the room. But … I wasn't there to hear it, so…"

  Onion Knight – and the rest of the court – stared down on him in utter disappointment.

  He did that on purpose…

  With a groan escaping his frustrated breath, Onion Knight swiftly moved on.

  "Near the end of your testimony, you stated that you panicked and ran when you heard the second scream." Onion Knight expressed, giving context to his upcoming question. "Why did you run away from the crime scene?"

  Bartz's entire body tensed up. He expected this question to emerge eventually, but he was unsure how he should respond.

  However, Warrior of Light was quick to answer in his stead.

  "It makes sense. Hearing a scream of pain would cause anyone to run away. I'm sure it was a simple case of instincts kicking in."

  Slam!

  "OBJECTION!"

  Onion Knight bellowed as he slammed his hand against the stand.

  "Do you not know your own classmates!?" He yelled out at his rival in bafflement, "Bartz is Zidane's best-friend! Why would he just run away and leave Zidane in the centre of this entire mess? Surely, there's a valid reason behind his decision!"

  "OBJECTION!"

  Warrior of Light shot back, pointing firmly towards his rival.

  "It obvious that Bartz ran away to save his own neck!" He spat out, amused by his opponent's attempt to defend the Witness and Defendant. "If he had stayed, he would've been exposed as an accomplice."

  "NO! That WASN'T the reason why I ran from the scene!" Bartz interrupted the debate in a desperate yell, feeling he was being psychologically beaten down by the assumptions and accusations. "I would never leave Zidane behind!"

  Normally, it would be the other way around...

  A part of Onion Knight felt a desire to make the snarky comment, and yet knew the ramifications would become dire very quickly if he followed through.

  Instead, he pressed forward with another question.

  "If that's the case: then why run off, Bartz?"

  "I ran to get help." Bartz finally admitted, lowering his head in guilt. "When I saw what happened, I didn't care about being caught red-handed for the prank … I just knew I had to find help."

  "Hold on." Onion Knight blurted as he was taken by abrupt surprise, "So you SAW the incident!?"

  There was a sudden burst of gasps from the surprise audience, falling into heavy discussions.

  In that moment, Onion Knight swiftly gathered his thoughts.

  If Bartz witnessed the incident before he and Terra arrived at the scene, what was he able to see? Additionally, where was he when they arrived on the 4th Floor?

  Throughout all of this, Warrior of Light seemed oddly calm, keeping his somewhat eery silence.

  BANG! BANG! BANG!

  The High Judge Gabranth instantly slammed his gavel against his desk, hushing the audience's sudden outburst.

  "Order! Order in the Court!" He roared out, causing all to immediately freeze up in silence. "Master Klauser, in your testimony, you stated very clearly that you 'did not know what happened' before you ran from the scene. Does this mean that you lied to the court?"

  "N-no, that's not true at all!" Bartz objected to the Judge in a sudden panic, realising his mistake. "I saw the incident, but I didn't know what to make of it! The room was so dark and all I could see was Zidane entering the room."

  "So, why was this not included in the testimony?" Gabranth pressed the Witness directly, seemingly taking over Onion Knight's role. "You DO realise this is a very important inclusion to the case?"

  Bartz shook his head in denial, unable to speak.

  Gabranth sighed in response, finding Bartz's obliviousness to the situation rather frustrating.

  "Due to this revelation, I must ask the Witness to testify what he witnessed of the crime scene before leaving the area." He concluded, holding up his gavel.

  However, before he could slam his gavel, there was an unexpected interruption.

  "WAIT, YOUR HONOUR!"

  Onion Knight yelled out in haste, knowing he would lose his chance if he had not spoken up.

  Both Gabranth and Warrior of Light switched over to Onion Knight with intimidating glares, wondering as to why the trial was now held up. This was followed by the rest of the court, causing both Onion Knight and Terra to feel forced against a corner.

  "There are crucial points I MUST clarify before we continue." Onion Knight gritted his teeth as he explained his reasoning, his fiery eyes glaring back at the Judge. "This may turn the case on its head."

  "Fine, do as you must." Gabranth growled in bitter acceptance, disgusted by the sudden interruption.

  Warrior of Light watched on in curious silence, an eyebrow raised with intrigue.

  "Bartz, I would like you to recite the second line in your testimony." Onion Knight demanded, oblivious to the desperation in his voice.

  "Erm ... Ok." Bartz stammered in response, wondering why Onion Knight was taking such an odd approach. "There were … two screams-"

  "I OBJECT THIS STATEMENT!"

  Onion Knight interrupted Bartz completely before he could even finish the request, throwing every member of the courtroom completely off-guard.

  "Why are you objecting?" Warrior of Light questioned his rival in confusion. "Bartz clearly stated that there were two screams. End of story."

  Onion Knight began to chuckle away, finding this all rather amusing. "That is very true, and I can respect that ... until I realised that it's a fatal contradiction!"

  "H-HUH!?"

  Warrior of Light blurted out in shock, his eyes widening at the baffling statement.

  The crowd of students – and even teachers – began discussing amongst themselves with excitement. Onion Knight gave off a cocky grin, feeling as though he was playing his cards right.

  "You see, there was clearly one scream during the incident!" Onion Knight revealed to the court, pursuing his attack in full force. "Either the witness is confused, or he's lying to the court!"

  "OBJECTION!" Warrior of Light roared back in retaliation, pointing out in sudden anger. "Where's your proof!?"

  "You ask a valid question, Warrior of Light." Onion Knight commented cheekily, eager to continue. "The answer I must give you is ... We are the proof!"

  There was sudden silence in the hall, every person froze up in confusion, and their mind's unable to process Onion Knight's statement.

  "W-what are you talking about?" Warrior of Light gasped in confusion, almost speechless. "How is THAT proof!?"

  "How is that NOT proof!? Don't forget, Terra and I are also valid Witnesses to the case. We heard one scream before we reached the scene of the crime." Onion Knight argued with a confident expression, backing up his claim. "Answer me, Bartz! The 'two screams' statement was false, and you know it!"

  "W-wait, Onion Knight!" A worried Terra called out in haste, noticing Onion Knight had made a misstep.

  "What the matter, Terra?" Onion Knight asked back obliviously, noticing Terra concern.

  BANG!

  "The initial objection has been overruled!" Gabranth suddenly announced as he slammed his gavel, a stern glare shot directly at Onion Knight. "A penalty will be placed against the Defence unless valid proof is shown to the court."

  "WHAT!? But that WAS solid proof!" Onion Knight yelled back in sudden anger.

  "No evidence was shown to back up the claim. Instead, you chose to use your own accusations for the purpose of gaining a false lead." Gabranth explained with a low sigh, showing disappointment in the Defence.

  Onion Knight instantly felt his burst of excitement drain out of his body, falling pale in the process. Instead, he was now filled with the weight of despair for losing his ideal lead, sending him back to square one.

  Terra felt somewhat sympathetic for him, saddened that he was unable to continue with what they knew was the truth. However, she expected this outcome the moment he brought up the topic, wishing she had intervened sooner.

  "Give it up, Onion Knight." Warrior of Light suggested as he shrugged, showing off a teasing grin as he tried to hide his laughter. "Giving such baseless assumptions only leads to downfall. You know that all too well."

  Onion Knight snarled in bitter response, struggling to comprehend his mistake. His mind was racing, hastily considering his next form of approach.

  Seeing such turmoil from the opposition, Warrior of Light gave of a satisfied posture as his expressed further amusement in watching his rival fall over his own mistake.

  "F-fine." Onion Knight murmured, a heavy breath escaping him as he returned to form. "However, I must ask one more question before we press on."

  He then switched to the Witness directly.

  "Bartz, why didn't we see you when we arrived at the crime scene?"

  "Wha-!? I, err..." Bartz suddenly blurted out, abruptly fidgeting on the Witness Stand.

  Got him.

  Onion Knight's mind clicked as his confidence returned, knowing exactly where to go from here.

  "You're persistent, Onion Knight." Warrior of Light infuriatingly growled, believing this to be a waste of time. "You know this will get you nowhere! Is a penalty not good enough for you!?"

  "You may wish to rethink your approach, Warrior of Light." Onion Knight warned with a cunning grin. "When we reached the 4th Floor, Terra and I should've seen Bartz whilst we approached the crime scene. We both heard one scream before we reached the 4th Floor, so – through his own testimony – Bartz would've still been on the 4th Floor by the time we arrived."

  "But, that's-!"

  Warrior of Light attempted to counter him, only to halt himself as Onion Knight's continued to interrupt.

  "And don't forget, you also reached the crime scene mere seconds after we arrived." Onion Knight revealed as he struck the definitive blow, pointing directly at his opponent. "Meaning … YOU also heard the scream!"

  "ACK-!? NO!"

  Warrior of Light roared out in anger, reflecting on the moment he arrived at the crime scene.

  "Finally, Bartz was nowhere to be seen during the entirety of Lunch Break. The next time any of us had seen him was during Class 13A's next lesson – which was Food Tech." Onion Knight also pointed out, his focus verging on the audience as he spoke. "If he had tried to seek for help, a teacher or fellow student would've reported the incident."

  In that moment, he caught an eye of Class 13A perched on the front row of seats, all nodding and agreeing to his statement.

  "Do you deny this, Master Klauser?" Gabranth questioned in response to the new claim, his piercing gaze set directly on the Witness.

  "N-no..." Bartz answered in a barely audible mumble, showing his defeat.

  However, it was then that the court heard the most unexpected response from the Witness, causing even the Judge to fall speechless.

  "Heh-heh ... So you caught me, Onion Knight."

  Bartz's entire expressing switched to his usual cheery self, grinning from ear-to-ear as he acted playful to the situation.

  "You're absolutely right. I was lying about the screams." He then revealed, "There was only one scream after all! AH-HA-HA-HAA!"

  Cross-Examination 1 ... Complete!

  Onion Knight's and Warrior of Light stared at the Witness in utter disbelief, their minds completely blank. The rest od the court was silent, baffled by this unexpected turn of events.

  It was then that the two sides slammed down against their stands and roared in unison.

  ""IS THIS A JOKE TO YOU!?""

  The crowd of students and teachers soon followed their outburst, expressing confusion from the entire scenario they just witnessed.

  Onion Knight placed his hands against the sides of his head as he leant on the Defence Stand's surface, frustration overwhelming him. Beside him, Terra was consoling him, soothing his shoulder in growing worry.

  BANG! BANG! BANG!

  Gabranth was the first to snap back into reality, slamming his gavel down in response to the rising commotion.

  "ORDER! I WILL HAVE ORDER!" The Judge furiously bellowed, veins popping out from his forehead. "Master Klauser! Have you been toying with us this whole time!?"

  "Yep!" Bartz admitted in truth, beaming away.

  Watching from where he sat, Zidane face-palmed in embarrassment as he realised Bartz had not taken this seriously from the get-go.

  And then, a towering shadow loomed over Bartz, causing him to freeze.

  Slowly, he gazed up towards the direction of the shadow's owner, beads of sweat forming from his forehead as he met a furious figure standing before him.

  Warrior of Light stood towering over the terrified Bartz, his shoulders hunched and deathly gaze bearing down on the Witness.

  "Er, L-Light...?" Bartz squeaked in a cowardly tone, stepping back cautiously from the Witness Stand. "I-Is something wrong?"

  "How dare you..."

  Warrior of Light's echoed hauntingly throughout the Hall, doom set upon the inevitable victim.

  Suddenly, six ghostly long blades appeared, surrounding Bartz in a circular motion as they all aimed in his direction.

  "HOW DARE YOU TAKE THIS SO LIGHTLY!" Warrior of Light then bellowed out in fury.

  "Light! Wait! I can-!"

  Ignoring Bartz's desperate plea, Warrior of Light commanded the blades.

  "RADIENT SWORD!"

  SWOOSH!

  "GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHH!?"

  The entire Theatre Hall was filled with Bartz's blood-curdling scream, causing all who witnessed the event to both cower and watch on in intrigue at the sight.

  Terra had no choice but to look away, knowing there was nothing she could do at this point to save the poor Witness from his fate. On the other hand, Onion Knight watched on is morbid satisfaction, feeling he got what he deserved for wasting everyone's time.

  Even both the Headmistress and Cid of the Lufaine watched in intrigue.

  As the blinding light dissipated, Warrior of Light returned to his stand without another word. What remained of Bartz was a crumpled body with various phantom-like blades stabbed into him.

  "...Worth ... it...!"

  A small, dying whisper could be heard echoing from the body.

  Warrior of Light cleared his throat, his eyes closed as he reverted to his usual calm composure.

  "I'm sorry, Your Honour." He openly apologised, bowing to the High-Judge somewhat sorrowfully. "It seems that our Witness has ... passed on to the next life."

  "I see..." Gabranth nodded in an understanding manner, his expression equally calm and motionless. "Condolences shall be passed on to the family and friends of this 'poor' soul."

  Various members of the court nodded and saluted, accepting the unfortunate demise of Bartz Klauser.

  Err … I don't think he's actually dead, people.

  Onion Knight considered correcting the court … yet chose to keep his thoughts to himself for this occasion.

  "I-I'm … f-fine!" Bartz weakily called out as he gradually emerged before the Witness Stand once more. "I c-can … keep going."

  "Is that so, Master Klauser?" Gabranth wondered with his expressionless face, a hint of disappointment escaping his tone. "We shall then summarise your previous testimony."

  Gabranth took a moment of silence to prepare his speech, allowing the court to return to form.

  "From the results of your testimony, you revealed to the court that there was only one scream during the incident. Additionally, you had at least seen a glimpse of the crime scene before fleeing the scene." The High-Judge reflected, his voice clear and to the point. "For your next testimony, you must explain to the court whether the scream had occurred before or after the defendant left Math Room 4 to inspect the situation. Also, you will need to elaborate on what you witnessed at the scene of the crime and the location of where you escaped to. Is this understood?"

  Bartz nodded in mild pain, "Y-yes, Your Honour."

  "And, for your sake … the court requests you stick to the truth this time." The High-Judge then emphasised, ensuring caution and warning was clear in his tone.

  "I've learned my lesson." Bartz agreed to the request in a formal bow, mostly out of fear for his safety.

  Onion Knight clenched his fists as he set his mind with determination, knowing his battle was far from over.

  "Onion Knight, try not to get carried away this time." Terra then reminded her Defence partner, warning him of his previous mistake. "Don't forget why we're here."

  "No problem."

  Understanding the situation, Onion Knight responded with a nod to his partner.

  During this time, Warrior of Light looked on with a stubborn scowl, attempting to read his opponent like an open book.

  "Come, Onion Knight. What's your next move?" He murmured almost inaudibly.

  Witness Testimony 2: Bartz Klauser.

  "The scream occurred after Zidane had left the room." Bartz informed the court. "We both heard noises within the room next door prior to the scream, but we thought nothing of it at the time.

  "After the scream, I rushed out of Math Room 4 in a panic. I mostly saw darkness in Math Room 3 – aside from Zidane's back.

  "I heard him shout: 'Hide!'. So, I ran and hid inside Math Room 2 and waited until the end of Lunch Break."

  Witness Testimony ... Complete.

  There was a moment of silence throughout the Theatre Hall, the High-Judge Gabranth staying silent whilst the two sides jotted down the key points of the testimony.

  Finally, Gabranth spoke his mind.

  "I believe this testimony was stronger than the previous – which is surprising given the lack of time to prepare." He expressed in honesty. "Prosecution, do you have anything to add before we proceed?"

  All eyes shifted to the Prosecution's direction, where Warrior of Light stood in silence. With his arms crossed and eyes closed, he acted as though he had no intention of speaking his mind … for now.

  Seeing this, the High-Judge swiftly switched to the Defence.

  BANG!

  "Defence, you may now Cross-Examine the Witness." Gabranth formally granted, banging his gavel.

  "Thank you, Your Honour." Onion Knight accepted in confidence, keeping a strong stance.

  "I can't see anything out of place with the testimony." Terra cautiously whispered, skimming over Onion Knight's recent notes. "How should we approach this?"

  "We'll be fine." Onion Knight assured his partner, his mind focused almost entirely on analysing the testimony. "As long as we continue to question his testimony, we'll eventually have our opening."

  Cross-Examination 2: Bartz Klauser.

  "Bartz Klauser, you admitted that there was one scream in this new testimony."

  Onion Knight began his interrogation, his eyes locked onto the Witness.

  "Are you certain that this occurred after Zidane had left the room?"

  "I'm sure of it, this time." Bartz spoke out in confident response, no pause in his answer whatsoever.

  "In that case, you also stated that you both 'heard noises' before the scream." Onion Knight then followed through, desiring to find out more. "Could you describe the loud noises?"

  "Hmm … from what I can remember, we could hear a lot of general movement. They were small at first – nothing that would draw any concern." Bartz answered in reflection, thinking back as hard as he could. "But … then we heard a few 'bangs' against the wall and tables toppling over. That was also when I heard the window shatter."

  He then shrugged.

  "With what we were doing at the time, it made sense for Zidane to check the situation."

  "OBJECTION!"

  Onion Knight suddenly shot out with a pointed finger, instantly noticing the flaw. All eyes were now set on the Defence, eerie silence filling the room in anticipation.

  "That was an interesting description, Bartz." Onion Knight complimented, easing his way into the next bombshell. "However, you clearly made a contradiction."

  He then revealed one of the photos from the verified stock of evidence, showing it to the court.

  "I would like to briefly touch on Bartz's previous testimony." He announced, taking out his notes to quote on. "In this testimony, Bartz stated specifically to the court – and I quote: 'The moment he (Zidane) left, I heard another – second – scream and the sound of smashed glass.'"

  "OBJECTION!"

  Warrior of Light swiftly proceeded to counter his opponent.

  "Bartz may have heard the broken glass both times." He calmly suggested, casually waving off the contradiction. "They could have been from two different objects like a lamp!"

  "OBJECTION!"

  Onion Knight struck back at the counterclaim without hesitation.

  "Do you recall Firion's Testimony?" He asked his opponent.

  "What about it?" Warrior of Light stubbornly snarled in response, taking a cautious stance.

  "Firion clearly stated in his testimony that he found 'the smashed window to the right of the cracked wall'." Onion Knight revealed, somewhat insulted his rival acting oblivious. "There is nothing in his testimony that suggested he found any other items concerning smashed glass. Furthermore, we have no evidence to confirm any other smashed items at the time of the incident."

  "Tsk-!"

  Warrior of Light tutted upon hearing Onion Knight's explanation, unable to counter his opponent.

  Gabranth chuckled deeply, showing amusement in the argument before him. "Well played, Knight of the Onion."

  Wha-…? 'Knight of the Onion'?

  Onion Knight's was taken aback by the High-Judge's odd choice of name for him, unsure whether to be honoured by the acknowledgement or irritated by such a nickname.

  "What do you say, Bartz?" Onion Knight curiously questioned as he returned to the Witness.

  "Ah! That right!" Bartz blurted out in innocent realisation, showing off an apologetic expression as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Sorry, I accidently mixed it up in my new testimony."

  "So … that was an honest mistake?" Onion Knight murmured disappointedly, his shoulders drooped upon hearing the answer.

  "Yeah, sorry man. My bad." Bartz once again apologised, giving off a shrug in admittance to his mistake. "I heard the smash after Zidane left the room."

  "Mistakes can happen." The Judge commented in simple acceptance, nodding away.

  "Aaargh...!" Onion Knight sighed out, his head in his hands as he groaned out irritably.

  He quickly noticed a smirk on Warrior of Light's face, causing further agitation to rise.

  "Fine … I'll let that one slide." Onion Knight bitterly concluded in a grumble, rubbing his forehead as he shifted topics. "You stated in you r testimony that you only caught a 'glimpse' of the room. Are you sure you did not enter the room?"

  "I was in too much of a panic to see what was happening." Bartz assured him, knowing Onion Knight would be disappointed in his answer. "And besides, Zidane told me to hide before I'd even considered looking into the room."

  "I see..." Onion Knight sighed out once again, losing any friction to the discussion.

  At least, that was until a thought emerged in his mind.

  Wait, what if I used … 'that'?

  Onion Knight carefully took out the pouch containing the brown hair-strands, holding it low so that it was hidden from the court's eyes.

  He considered using it against Bartz, wondering if the hair-stands matched the Witness – seeing as the hair colour were similar from initial viewing.

  However, he was left in uncertainty.

  There was a strong possibility that the pouch would lose its worth as 'evidence' if he used it too soon. Considering there were still potential witnesses at this point in the case, using it so soon would only leave the Defence at a clear disadvantage.

  With a certain individual in mind, Onion Knight could not afford to take the risk.

  Glancing over towards the seated students of Class 13A, Onion Knight caught sight of Squall Leonhart – who seemed bored stiff and uninterested in the court trial.

  Ultimately deciding against the idea, he slipped the pouch back in his pocket and began to think of other possibilities.

  However, to his frustration, nothing else came to mind.

  He was completely stuck.

  "Is that all from the Defence?" Gabranth curiously queried, expressing his impatience.

  "I think our genius has run out of bluffs and reasons to waste our time." Warrior of Light spoke out in a teasing response. "Maybe we should end this whilst there's still some daylight left in the day."

  "No! Not yet!" Onion Knight hastily yelled in reactive response, feeling the pressure building upon him. "Just give me some time, please."

  Terra watched him as he continued to stress out from thinking every possible lead. She was also in deep thought, hoping to assist Onion Knight as best as she could.

  She then decided to add in her own thoughts into the mix.

  "Onion Knight, why don't you think outside of the box?" She suggested to him. "There's a possibility that we neglected to mention from the testimonies."

  "How can I 'think outside the box', Terra? I have no other leads." Onion Knight whispered back in stress, his fingers tapping against the Stand's surface.

  "What about the broken window?" Terra then pointed out, refusing to give up.

  "We've been over the window already." Onion Knight dismissed, rubbing his forehead as the stress continued to rise.

  "...Not everything." Terra murmured under her breath as she leaned in, her eyes veering back to Bartz in the process.

  "What do … you…?"

  Onion Knight's head gradually raised, as though Terra's comment snapped life back into his dormant brain.

  "One last thing before we finish." Onion Knight announced, placing all his faith on this new approach. "Bartz. I need you to think back to the moment when Zidane left the room and the glass window shattered."

  "Sure! Although I'm not promising that anything else would come up." Bartz accepted in genuine eagerness, yet equally expressing caution.

  "That's fine." Onion Knight nodded in confirmation, brimming with confidence. "Now then … you didn't leave the room until AFTER the window smashed in the other room. Is that correct?"

  "Yep."

  "Perfect. And now, for the defining question ... from the window in Math Room 4, did you see a person escape from that shattered window?" Onion Knight carefully questioned, his heart beating fast.

  "How ridiculous..."

  The court could hear Warrior of Light's irritable murmur hidden within the conversation, attempting to interrupt as much as possible.

  Everyone ignored him.

  "Not ... that I know of." Bartz carefully admitted, thinking back as hard as he could.

  Onion Knight felt the disappointment beginning to fill his heart, feeling as though the sense of failure was setting in. Everything was banking on this approach, so to see it potentially blow up in his face would be beyond humiliating.

  ...He paused.

  A sudden voice from the back of his mind echoed out to him, causing his body to lurch up in realisation.

  "Wait ... there was something there before I ran." Bartz admitted as he corrected himself, deep in thought. "A shadow … it was hard to make out, but … I'm certain that a shadow had escaped out of the next-door window."

  With his eyes growing wide, Onion Knight almost went insane with renewed anticipation.

  He threw out his pointing finger and took his rival head on.

  "THAT'S IT!" Onion Knight roared out with pride, "I'VE FOUND MY LEAD!"

  Warrior of Light instantly froze up, reacting from the completely unexpected response.

  "Wh-what do you mean 'that's it'?"

  "I present to the court: a photograph of the shattered window!" Onion Knight pressed on, holding out a photo in his hand.

  Prishe – who was fidgeting restlessly throughout the entirety of the trial so far – almost stumbled over herself when she realised it was her time to shine. She hastily snatched the photo from Onion Knight's grasp and passed it over to the High-Judge.

  "What am I looking at here?" Gabranth questioned as he scanned the photo.

  "Please analyse the photo, Your Honour." Onion Knight eagerly requested. "If you examine it carefully: the broken window has small tufts of blue fabric caught in the sharp corners."

  "I see ... what's your point?" Gabranth questioned further, squinting at the photo.

  "A comment Firion had given during his testimony was that the fabric directed itself towards the outside of the room." Onion Knight then elaborated. "This assumes that someone had exited the window."

  "OBJECTION!"

  Warrior of Light bellowed out in immediate backlash, noticing an easy flaw.

  "Onion Knight, you must also remember from Firion's testimony that he specifically stated that the 'window was smashed from the outside'!"

  "Yes … and that's one of the many factors that prove my revelation." Onion Knight pointed out, completely throwing his rival off-guard and ignoring the 'objection' entirely. " Granted, we don't know how the window was smashed from the outside. We now know that the culprit had used the window for his own escape. This also means that we have undeniable proof that Zidane had not even touched the window when he entered the room!"

  SLAM!

  "No ... NO-NO-NOOO!" Warrior of Light yelled in sudden fury as he slammed his fists against the Prosecution Stand's surface.

  "That's right!" Onion Knight pointed out in close triumph, "And the final kicker here ... is that someone else had to be in that room!"

  "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

  Warrior of Light roared out in despair, completely losing his composure he was engulfed in defeat.

  "Bravo. Bravo, Knight of the Onion!" Gabranth clapped joyfully, enjoying every second of this battle. "Such an amazing battle of wit!"

  BANG!

  Cross-Examination 2 ... Complete!

  Onion Knight could hear the crowd of students and teacher clapping away at his victorious battle. He noticed Terra smiling at him joyously, relieved to see him break through his moment of self-doubt.

  And finally, shifting his sights, Onion Knight noticed a glimmer of hope appear on Zidane's face.

  "Don't go celebrating just yet, Onion Knight." An eerie voice then called out, causing the Theatre Hall to fall silent.

  Warrior of Light had calmed from his tantrum after the bitter loss.

  "If Zidane didn't commit the assault ... who did?" He then vaguely wondered, lowkey refusing to accept Zidane's innocence.

  "That ... is what we still need to find out." Onion Knight awkwardly admitted, knowing his battle was far from over.

  "That's all too true." Gabranth agreed, deciding to conclude the current trial. "As such, I must suspend this trial until a further date."

  All eyes were now set on the High-Judge.

  "In that time, I request further investigation of the case, including the gathering of more evidence and witnesses." He then added, emphasising their importance to the trial. "I also request the Prosecution to place Master Klauser and Master Tribal under further questioning, for there are many secrets hidden within a prankster's mind."

  "I accept, Your Honour." Warrior of Light formally nodded.

  "As such, court is adjourned." Gabranth announced loudly, raising his gavel.

  BANG!

  After the Court Trial…

  Drring…! Drring…!

  The Academy Bell rang not long after the court trial concluded, with numerous students feeling overjoyed to have missed the final lesson of the week. Many students merged and grouped up as they wondered to the Entrance Gates, chatting enthusiastically about what they had planned for the weekend.

  However, the big commotion upon leaving the campus was the Court Trail.

  No one expected such a battle, with many anticipating the eventual follow-up. Students began to discuss who they would personally support for the next trial.

  A majority were seemingly rooting for Onion Knight's success, inspired by watching his triumphant performance. Opposingly, many others felt that Warrior of Light could make a comeback, showing faith that he would be fully prepared for the next trial.

  Ultimately though, no one knew what to expect for the future of the court case.

  During this time, Warrior of Light was standing in front of the Academy, his arms crossed as he observed the students leave for home.

  A few fellow students stopped to spoke with him, eagerly expressing their enjoyment of his performance during the trial – some even considering themselves as fans of him. Although he preferred not to be involved, Warrior of Light reluctantly gave in and conversed with his new 'fans'.

  There were a few occasions post-trial where he hastily hid away from the crowd, mainly due to noticing a familiar group of female students looming around the Academy's entrance. He was swiftly reminded of the trauma he endured during his unfortunate previous encounter with the notorious group.

  Back in current time, he continued to watch the Entrance Gates, sighing away at the thought of bitterly losing the trial. Then, he unexpectedly felt a tug on his lower trouser leg, causing him to curiously lower his head.

  He then leapt in abrupt fright.

  "You played a valiant battle during the trial." Cid of the Lufaine highly complimented, gazing up at him.

  "Cid of the Lufaine! I'm so sorry! I didn't notice you there." Warrior of Light hastily apologised, feeling anxious at the Moogle's sudden appearance before responding to the compliment. "Ah, yes. Well ... I have to admit, Iacted rather antagonistically during the trial."

  "I must disagree." Cid expressed in denial, hoping to assure him on his role of the court case. "Personally, I saw a man motivated in finding the truth."

  "I guess you could say that..." Warrior of Light murmured back in uncertainty. "If I was more prepared, maybe I could have fared better against Onion Knight."

  "Granted, you utilised the limited tools to the best of your ability." Cid then expressed, considering the situation in a more positive light. "However, may I speak from my own personal experiences?"

  Warrior of Light gazed at him with a cast of confusion, curious to hear his words.

  "All beings – no matter who or what they are – have a preferred outlook on life. Many will dedicate themselves towards keeping to their viewpoint, regardless of the opinion of others. I like to call this … the Narrow Road." Cid then revealed, acting as though he was speaking from the heart. "If two beings with opposite viewpoints meet upon this 'Narrow Road', there is a likelihood they will clash to ensure their ideals."

  "Sound very reminiscent of Onion Knight and myself." Warrior of Light commented, noticing the relation to their numerous squabbles.

  "If that's how you see it…" Cid nodded in understanding, continuing with his explanation. "These clashing viewpoints may battle on for an eternity, leading to conflicts and bloodshed both great and small. However, if one were to consider 'widening the road' by considering a more open outlook, the two opposing forces could avoid the conflict in its entirety.

  "Whilst they would still have clashing viewpoints, arguments and conflict would likely be replaced by conversation and debate."

  "I call this … the Open Road."

  "And ... how could one widen this 'Narrow Road'?" Warrior of Light openly wondered, picturing the description in his mind.

  "That question can only be answered though your own journey." Cid pointed out, believing the Student Council President was enough to figure it out for himself. "All I can really say is: Those who can widen the road successfully … will likely become great 'leaders' in the future."

  "Leaders...?" Warrior of Light echoed with confusion, "What do you mean?"

  "A 'food for thought'..." Cid wistfully chuckled, giving off a pleasant aura as he spoke.

  With that, Cid of the Lufaine casually waddle off in the direction of the Entrance Gate, disappearing amongst the crowd of students.

  "The 'Open Road'..." Warrior of Light murmured underneath his breath, deep in thought.

  Meanwhile, in the Medical Room ...

  "How are you feeling, Rydia?" Terra wondered with a soothing smile, sitting formally on the chair beside the bed.

  "I'm improving." Rydia meekly replied, carefully lifting herself up into a sitting position on the Medical Bed. "The Medical Staff suggested I should be able to travel back home."

  "I'm glad." Terra expressed in relief, sighing out with tired joy.

  Terra then informed Rydia of the events that occurred during the Court Trial, detailing the numerous clashes of wit between Onion Knight and Warrior of Light. Rydia listened to every detail, intrigued by the events that took place.

  "Speaking of whom: where is Onion Knight?" Rydia curiously wondered, peering towards the door to the Medical Room. "Has he gone home already?"

  "No. He left to find Firion." Terra answered after shaking her head. "After he left for the Security Room, Firion never returned. Onion Knight was worried about him and rushed off to find him."

  "I see … I hope Firion's ok." Rydia murmured back, lowering her eyes as she fell silent.

  A sudden feeling of insecurity emerged from the back of her mind, wondering if Firion's disappearing could be related to the same person who attacked her.

  On the Top Floor of the Academy Building...

  "…Firion? …Firion?"

  Onion Knight's voice echoed throughout the Academy Halls, reaching the Top Floor in the process.

  He had searched every level of the building, checking every potential place as he made his way towards the Security Room. He also checked with various teachers and students along the way to see they had witnessed him.

  So far … there was no luck.

  Growing increasingly anxious, Onion Knight began his search on the Top Floor, checking every room and hidden corner for his whereabouts. He pressed on cautiously along the corridor, wondering if he had even left the Security Room.

  And then, he finally found him … unconscious and slumped against the Security Room's door.

  "Firion!?" Onion Knight yelled out as he rushed over to his location, heart leaping from his chest in worry.

  He carefully knelt beside his classmate and immediately began to check his condition, looking for signs of injuries and abnormalities.

  He first noticed a bloodstain trickling from the side of his head, assuming he was struck by a blunt object. He then noticed Firion's clothing was considerably ruffled and unkept, likely meaning the perpetrator was searching for a specific item on his person.

  "Nn-nngh..!"

  In that moment, he heard a groan weakly escape Firion's breath.

  "Wh-what ... happened…?" Firion murmured out in a groan, wincing as his head wound began to throb.

  "Don't rush yourself, Firion." Onion Knight carefully warned him, wary of the injury's severity.

  "Wait … d-did I ... fall over?" Firion then questioned, feeling a sense of light amnesia cloud his mind.

  "I don't think so. It looks like you were hit on the head relatively hand." Onion Knight then answered in assumption, searching for anymore signs of visible injury.

  Then, Onion Knight gradually assisted Firion back onto his feet, supporting his balance as effectively as possible.

  "Firion, can you recall anything when you reached the Security Room?" Onion Knight then asked him, wondering what caused this new incident.

  "I remember ... exiting the room." Firion answered as best as he could, irritably soothing the injury on his head. "I found … all the video files erased on the system."

  "The video files were ERASED!?" Onion Knight blurted out in abrupt disbelief. "How's that possible!?"

  "I don't know." Firion shook his head, wincing in the process. "I could only find-… Wait."

  Just then, Firion hastily searched his pockets, trying to find the USB Stick with the only video file he could find.

  "No...! No! It's gone!?" Firion anxiously yelled out, his hands continuing to rustle through his pockets in rising panic.

  Onion Knight stared at him in confusion, wondering what was missing.

  However, before Onion Knight could question what his classmate was referring to, Firion had cluelessly taken one hand out of his pocket.

  In his hand … was a lone scrap of paper.

  He passed it over to Onion Knight, showing no recollection on how it appeared in his pocket. Onion Knight then flattened the paper, noticing it was a mysterious note.

  The two observed the note, both growing pale as they read the single line.

  'An Enemy amongst Friends.'

  End of Volume 3.