The Results

In twenty seconds, the carriage with the veterans should catch up to us. I just have to keep low; Keldric understands that too.

"We're nearly safe, but we must report everything we have and what happened. The east, if that's what even attacked us. Considering the unlikely case of a monster, it's just too confusing for now, Keldric, but let's make it home."

That's the best scenario… Otherwise, the war is lost. Everyone who wants the hero to save them from the east. Everyone I care about. Mira, I can only hope in this situation…

"Don't despair too, Sorin.” Keldric shook Sorin out of his thoughts; he leaned in and handed him his staff. “If anything, just make yourself live even if I don't make it. I'm just an above-average mage, if anything."

Sorin took a deep breath. "I'm not planning to leave you, man. Just relax." The carriage finally arrived as they heard the ground rumble slightly. The perimeter around Sorin was currently being surrounded as the veterans made quick work.

"Anyone left?" A grumpy voice spoke up before they turned the corner into the carriage’s back. “Just the two of you, what the hell happened?”

From inside, they heard another. “Get those two out already!” Sorin then overheard him say a final line: “Raise your staff.”

Is he going to kill us?

The two of them stepped out, seeing the men with their staffs raised towards them; it was around seven dark green-robed figures. “We didn’t do anything!" Keldric quickly retorted. Sorin, on the other hand. Sorin got his staff ready to attack back or escape if needed.

The seniors' glare made Sorin get even more alert as Keldric continued to retort. Sorin knew the seniors' power experience outweighed theirs tenfold. But his raw power was that much bigger.

Why is he aiming at us still? There is no reason to do this; if it's the worst case, I should get ready to cast an earth Wall and then dash as far as I can. They will chase, of course. But only the ones with fire and earth would be able to do that. I can counterattack knowing that.

The two of them looked at the floor where they saw piled bodies before averting their gaze from disgust. The veterans were obviously going to take them back; it would serve as a symbol like every other death has.

A bearded old mage clad in the dark green robes took a grim look at both Keldic and Sorin and then back at the bodies. "I'm accusing you both of betrayal of West. You may now explain yourself or remain silent during trial." As he finished those words. The tension rose even more.

“We have nothing to do with this; All of this isn't us. Our defenses were bypassed!” Sorin quickly pointed out.

The old bearded man near the bodies stepped up. “And conveniently they killed everyone but the hero, who conveniently is the main target, and his best friend.”

"That's a coincidence; just check their bodies. Clearly projectiles!” Sorin pointed his staff towards Zuko, a hole at the side of his head no longer having blood coming out. "That's a projectile hole from the east."

The old bearded man lowered his gaze and then smirked. “What a joke! Their bodies are full of magic! They are overloaded with magic all around each magic point within their bodies, and you claim that the East did this. Even the akojos are corrupted with strong magic around their bodies.”

Impossible... Magic projectiles outside the west. But if they are really filled with magic. I can't rebuke anything now. It's over.

“Maybe they developed a new weapon since they bypassed our senses, and they also bypassed my shield when the instructor died. Sorin saw the veteran's magic signal rise. He could sense they were preparing a spell; he in turn prepared for the worst.

The old man laughed louder. “If the east were to make a weapon like this powerful, they would need a mage. Yet that's impossible. Something that can bypass a projectile barrier and magic sense. You're a hilarious 'great hero. ''A traitor from the very start."

This damned idiot, there's no way that would be possible, considering if I used a spell, it would be enough to shatter this person dead instead of creating a tiny scar.

“Explain how I have the spell to start with that could even make such a small hole. Sorin's face zoned in on the man, who just smiled further.

He waved his staff, picking up a couple of pebbles. “Even with just a pebble, we can make things dangerous. That's basic mage skills.” he poured magic into the pebble, causing it to fling itself forward with lightning-fast speed towards the carriage. The impact made it spew out dust.

I'm out of ideas. I have to decide; either I go with them and get a trial, or I make an escape… But where? I never even left the west before; with Keldric also here, he's a water mage, so if I cast an earth wall. He would be left behind to suffer from my actions.

"Fine, we will come with you on the condition we get to keep our staff." He planted his staff firmly next to him, with a glare almost challenging him to reject the idea.

Keldric’s eyes widened in defense. "Sorin, we're innocent! Maybe we should listen to their demands; we will win in the trial.”

We're innocent, Keldric, but I don't trust these people whatsoever, so full of themselves that they can't imagine the East would develop something new, maybe? Is that their whole thing to adapt while having no innate power!

“Sure, knock yourselves out. Even if you have all four elements, you're nothing compared to a couple of veterans like us. Spoiled child."

The old bearded man led them back to the carriage they arrived in. They got on first, getting onto the deeper parts as seven green-robed mages went to block all the exit routes, making sure that even if Sorin or Keldric tried to do anything, they would instantly overwhelm them, even physically.

I'm going to trial as a traitor; I don't deserve this. The judge will surely understand. There isn't a way this gets through.