True Purpose

Rui had already expected this. After all, there was no way he was going to get away with the unauthorized use of a forbidden technique. However, he was glad that she believed his testimony. That established the premise of trust that Rui could exploit at the right time.

That time was yet to come, however.

Sage Kole moved on to the other charges immediately after.

"Now that I have established that you are criminally liable for the unauthorized use of a forbidden technique, judging you on the basis of other crimes becomes a lot simpler," she continued. "The second charge is that of destruction of property."

She paused for a moment, glancing back at Rui. "I don't think a deliberation is even required. The fact of the matter is that your dangerous fusion of two techniques was the cause of the destruction of the sparring battlefield that you were assigned to. The evidence is, of course, overwhelming. Do you deny this?"