Chapter 167 - The Trial (2) (2/2)
The Academy Dean smiled and the twinkle in his now healed eyes told Zero that there was some ulterior motive. After looking at it from another angle, Zero finally understood.
”I didn't lose the bet. If you want me to attend your school you'll have to agree to help pass this new judgement.”
”Deal.”
”Not so fast,” Zero added, much to Lucifer's dismay. ”I won't stay in your school for long. I need to return for my training, I'm far behind as it is. I will only attend your school after I've taken care of some administrative matters.”
”How long would that take?” the Demon Lord asked.
”A few days... It's not a regular exchange program, is it? I heard that Baal is attending as a guest lecturer. Surely, this isn't for the sake of enriching your students' knowledge. I demand to know the details of whatever you have in mind and if I detect a lie or any information left out, I have the right to attend school and decline to assist you.”
Lucifer scowled. For a youngling, Zero had a lot of guts. Then again, birds of the same feathers tend to flock together. The school dean didn't have doubts about it. For Baal to be so close to Zero, the young doctor must be a real piece of work too. If it weren't for Zero's unique abilities, he wouldn't have been so forgiving for the disrespect shown.
”Deal,” he forced the words out and Zero beamed before turning around to show Baal and thumbs-up. Ruth watched uneasily at the relaxed exchange before his very eyes. Everyone knew about Lucifer's pet peeve and he had to wonder how Zero survived this long being this ignorant and stepping on the toes of so many powerful figures.
Enma was enjoying the show. There was hardly anything Lucifer could do to Zero even if he did. Lucifer was no fool. Zero was infinitely powerful despite his attitude and ignorance. He glanced at the watch and noticed how it was almost time for the proceedings.
”Ladies and gentlemen, we should ready ourselves. The session starts in about half an hour from now. I believe the defendants are waiting. Zero, Hua Tuo will be representing you so if you have anything to tell any of us, use the party call. Understood?”
Zero nodded at King Yama and gave him a hug before the judge left Baal, Lucifer and Buddha who will act as a neutral party to witness the special trial. Ruth and Coux couldn't accompany them and Zero was escorted by his teacher who seemed slightly jittery.
”Are you nervous?”
Hua Tuo sighed. Truth be told, it wasn't the trial that he was nervous about. It was the news about the village. Zenobia and Grandma Moppo had discussed it over with everyone in the village. They've come up with an ultimatum. The physician didn't know how Zero would react to it but it wasn't his decision to make. Seeing how much Zero has matured, it might be a good thing it happened to. If done right, Zero would not only gain powerful and loyal allies, he would gain his very first base of operations. Not to mention, with a powerful guardian like Kerberos on Endow Hill, Half Moon village would be the safest place to be in the country.
”No, I'm not nervous. Let's get going. Remember to carry yourself with dignity, the public will be watching. Also, wear this bracelet. It's from Merlin.”
Zero stared at the trinket. It looked fragile in the light. For one, the bracelet was made of a glass-like material and the apprentice feared it might be destroyed due to his carelessness. Hua Tuo noticed the distress and smiled.
”It's made to be durable. That bracelet suppresses your magical aura. You should be able to blend in easily. I'm assuming Lord Lucifer has some rather troublesome matters at the Academy which might require you to keep a low profile.”
Zero made a face. He didn't really like Lucifer. He was a difficult patient and a cranky old demon who didn't know how to have fun. Zero knew what manners were but there had to be a limit to it! Lucifer was too full of 'social standards' that Zero didn't care for. After listening to Baal's stories with some of Mammon and Lilith's input, he can now confirm them to be true. Still, it wasn't as if Lucifer was a terrible person. Disagreeable, yes. Not terrible. That was a Count Carrabas thing.
As they approached the auditorium, Zero could hear the chants of the crowd outside it. The building might be huge but the crowd was bigger. Not everybody who attended could enter the building so light magic stones were used to provide real-time feedback about the proceedings in the building. Zero felt strangely nervous. He looked really big on the light reflection and that made him feel more self-conscious.
Oh, how he wished he spent more time combing his hair before he came!