Free Web NovelChapter 56: Chapter 56: Outside the court
’He couldn’t have possibly committed it to memory. I just called him up yesterday,’ Lot thought.
’Are all scholars like this?’
The thirty seconds passed.
Most of them didn’t pay attention to the information on display. They were more astonished by the young scholar’s move.
Ruben continued.
"Notice what my predecessor mentioned."
He was referring to the scholar who represented the Circle of Merlin during the previous case.
"The dissolution of the circle to result in a power balance."
"Those were recorded words, not mine."
Ruben continued.
He handed over documents to the prosecutor.
"I’m sure you’ll want to see this."
Ruben walked over and handed it to him.
The document detailed explicitly what happened and the cause of a partial dissolution of the Circle of Merlin.
The dissolution documents revealed that a faction of the circle had to be cut off, as the Circle of Merlin was viewed as too powerful.
They split some of their power, creating a new independent circle known as the Circle of Gadmoda.
"You used the term targeted before, I believe," Ruben said.
"Well, the Circle of Gadmoda was also presented to the Court by the Circle of Merlin."
"Where are the biases if they were targeted?"
"Why target those who were previously one of your own?"
"Before this Court, I’ll reveal the very simple answer to that question."
"The Circle of Merlin opposed the Circle of Vlad. An agreement was reached that prevented the Circle of Vlad from obtaining all of its ideal candidates."
He said this while looking at Lot. Everyone knew what he meant.
"The Circle of Merlin and a couple of other competent circles suffered as a result of this policy. However, none were required to directly relinquish as much of their power as Merlin’s circle had to."
"Years later, the circle faced a similar issue with those of Gadmoda. They were expanding in all the right ways and the wrong ones too. They were assimilating too much might."
"In their case, it was the vast majority of A-ranks."
"History repeated itself, and the rightful winners emerged."
"Those of Merlin’s."
Ruben took his seat.
It was time for Val’s counter.
He stood.
"Well, we’ve been able to rule out bias."
"I noticed you didn’t cite a consequence suffered by the Circle of Merlin when they reenacted the law after winning the case against those from Gadmoda."
"Was the power still maintained?"
Valentine wanted to sit. Ruben told him not to.
"Oh, please remain standing. I won’t take long."
"The policy explicitly wasn’t against cultivated power. It opposed natural disposition."
"This is the reason I’ve been citing only ranked mages."
Ruben sat. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"So you’re saying..."
Ruben cut him off.
"No, the policy says," Ruben corrected.
Val maintained his smile.
"So it’s fine when a circle cultivates strength in its mages?" Valentine asked.
"Correct," Ruben responded.
"I believe that’s similar to the cases of Solomon and, to some degree, Lot."
"I mean, they’re both S-ranks but are capable of much more than ten S-ranks, right?"
"Correct," Ruben replied again.
"So, just like how Vlad is also an S-rank anomaly?" he added.
"Correct," Ruben answered again.
"So let’s talk ranks. Let’s talk about the pressing issue."
"The ruling was against Vlad here, and for valid reason, I might add, because he was not only an abnormality among S-ranks but also because of the sheer amount he wanted to obtain."
"Does this mean quantity was factored into the balance of power?" Valentine continued.
"Of course it was."
The question was rhetorical, and he answered it immediately.
"The Circle of Merlin has the... sorry, I mean had the only SSS-rank mage."
"Now they possess another."
"Does this or does this not conflict with the balance of power structure laid out previously?"
Valentine asked.
"Wait, don’t answer that."
"Answer this instead."
"Is Merlin’s power fathomable?"
"Okay, don’t answer that as well."
"Should... no, no."
"Do you think one circle should possess twice the abilities of Merlin?"
"I’m not asking if it’s right. I’m asking if you think."
Ruben stood.
He brought out a book.
"I’m sure you’ve read this."
"It’s the first biography detailing the story of Merlin by the author ’FAN’."
"Notice how Merlin wasn’t instantly noted to be godlike."
"Well, what’s to say this fellow over here would become like Merlin?"
Roe felt hurt and offended, but he didn’t say anything. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"He only has as much potential as Merlin."
"Oh, you’re not satisfied with that."
"Well then, Vlad over here seems to be a good example."
"He’s an S-rank with the Energy-Type Talent."
"He’s literally the only S-rank who’s made something of that talent despite all users effectively having the same S-rank potential."
"Why is that?"
Ruben sat.
Valentine smiled.
They all knew the reason Vlad could use his talent the way he did and why he was an anomaly among S-ranks.
They just didn’t know why, and Vlad wasn’t keen on sharing.
"This is interesting."
"I love the upstart," he said.
"I noticed you haven’t made a case for the S-rank," Valentine stated.
"Should I?" Ruben asked.
"We have heard you," the Wise Men spoke simultaneously, as expected.
"You may step out."
"Catch your breath."
"We’ll receive you in ten minutes."
The tension was dismissed, though only momentarily.
They were all teleported out of the castle.
They were now still within the walls, just not inside.
Lot told Roe, Zach, and Ursula to stay put.
He was going to make some calls.
He wanted to know who this Ruben fellow was and how he knew so much.
"Where’s Vee?" Morgana asked.
"I haven’t seen him," Arthur responded.
"Me neither," Elsa added.
’Vee? Who’s that?’ Elijah thought.
-
"You’re good."
"You’re really good."
"Well, about your arguments. Let’s talk. I’m sure we can figure something out."
Valentine said, handing a book over to Ruben.
The book was marked.
"Just read that part," Val said.
He was clearly trying to do something, but what exactly? Ruben didn’t know. He would just have to follow along.
Follow along, he did.
