The Copy Mage

The word that there was a trial for an Outer Academy student spread throughout the academy like wildfire. Trials were not something special in the academy and there were many trials over disputes that would be judged by an elder that had a high position, who was expected to be fair.

However, this particular trial caused such a large commotion and disturbance because Damian was quite well known in the academy, especially the Outer Academy, and the feat he was able to accomplish against his 3 challengers, that were of the 3rd rank, was incredible.

Damian's friends were all extremely worried about what would happen to Damian next, and the only person they could think of going to, to help him, was their class representative Ivan.

He was weird, and they weren't sure of who he really was, but what they did know was that he was very powerful and capable and was fond of Damian.

Milo considered telling Damian's mother about what was occurring, but he knew that Damian wouldn't have wanted him to do so and he decided against it. He also didn't want to worry Damian's mother for no reason, and knew that Damian didn't want to be a burden on her. 

To Milo, Damian was the most capable person he had met and if there was anybody that could overcome any hurdle that came in their way, it was Damian.

Meanwhile, in the library, the old man that had heard what Damian was experiencing was debating with himself whether to intervene or not.

Damian was a great talent that could push the academy to greatness, but was he worth a great elder going against an elder for.

After asking what had happened, the rumours stated that Damian went too far in a battle and attacked a fallen opponent, but knowing Damian, the librarian knew they were very unlikely to be true, and Damian wouldn't do that for no reason even if it were true.

'I will observe the trial and if at any point I see any prejudice or bias displayed by the elder acting as the judge, I may intervene' thought the librarian to himself as he observed the trial from a distance where he couldn't be noticed.

Ivan who was alerted by Damain's friends rushed towards where the public trial was being held with Damian's friends as he also prepared to intervene if he needed to. Ivan definitely didn't have the influence or status of an elder, but his power was that of a high-level elder and he was willing to intervene for Damian who he saw had the potential that he needed for his aims in the future.

"Your trial shall begin immediately" announced Elder Ray.

"You have been charged with the heinous crime of severely injuring a fellow student and disabling them from being able to cultivate in the future. This crime can be punished with imprisonment, banishment and even crippling the perpetrator's cultivation, depending on the circumstance and severity of the situation" stated Elder Ray, who put an emphasis on crippling his cultivation.

"It is stated here that your battle was over and you had already won, but you still attacked your unprepared opponent from behind, aiming to deal him irreversible damage" summarised Elder Ray.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" asked Elder Ray.

Damian was surprisingly calm and would have expected himself to be scared, nervous or angry in the situation he was in, but for some reason, he didn't feel overwhelmed by the large crowds of people and the powerful elder that was prosecuting him.

"I didn't attack anybody after the battle was over and it was the other way round. I was attacked when the battle was paused, but we continued the battle afterwards and he was aiming to harm me, so I only did the same thing back" answered Damian with confidence in his voice and stance.

"So are you admitting to intentionally harming another student," asked Elder Ray.

"Don't try to twist my words. You are meant to be an elder in a high position, so why do you seem to want to take me down with minimal reasoning. Why don't you bring the academy helper that was acting as a referee to be a witness?" stated Damian directly.

Everybody watching gasped in shock at Damian's direct and confrontational tone when speaking to an elder and no other Outer Academy Student would have dared to speak to an elder in such a way.

"Such blatant disrespect. Do you know who I am" stated Elder Ray furious at the disrespectful attitude that Damian was displaying.

"I don't care who you are and respect needs to be earnt or given to those that are superior and special. There is nothing special about you" answered Damian disrespectfully.

Everybody who was watching thought that Damian had signed his death warrant after seeing him disrespect the elder that was in charge of his trial and was also the head of a large family, but Ivan and the great elder that were watching were shocked by Damian's display of bravery and confidence.

"This trial is over and you are being charged with betrayal of the academy and attempted murder of a fellow student" announced Elder Ray who in fury and bias overcharged Damian.

"Your punishment will be for your cultivation to be crippled and for you to be removed from the academy" declared Elder Ray, who had the perfect chance to get rid of Damian forever.

As long as he got rid of Damian, he was willing to deal with the consequences afterwards and he knew that they wouldn't be hard to deal with as an elder.

[This bastard is trying to kill me before I can grow and it seems that he is from the same family as Trevor] thought Damian to himself as he remembered where he had seen the surname before.

He wasn't scared of Elder Ray, but in the current situation, there was nothing he could do, as he stood on the stage before the angry elder that wanted to get rid of him.