A few hours after Headmaster Hanzuo received the news that the three kings would accept the position as judges for the upcoming trial, he was very pleased.
From a dungeon right beside the courtroom, Emrys was brought out, escorted by guards while the magical restraints on his hands remained.
As they walked, Desmond led the group, showing his usual indifference to whatever might happen to the boy.
"Do you have water? Or even just a little food? I haven't eaten since yesterday when the competition began."
The truth was, Emrys wasn't hungry.
Inside his cell, he had stayed for more than three to four hours, giving him plenty of time to cultivate. That alone was enough for him not to feel hunger or thirst.
He simply wanted to see if these people had even the slightest concern for him—yet none of them replied.
"We're here."
They stopped in front of a large door. Desmond opened it, and as Emrys stepped inside, he saw a hall that wasn't very wide.
There were a few chairs on the sides, but no one else was there—
Except for the elevated area at the front of the room, where four men were seated, all wearing expressions of mixed mockery and contempt as they stared at the boy.
Four meters away, Emrys was ordered to stop—facing the three kings and Headmaster Hanzuo.
Two guards stayed beside him to keep watch, while Desmond moved to the side with his hands behind his back, also facing the boy.
There were many guards around the hall, ensuring that no outsider could interfere.
The room fell silent.
Until Emrys gave the judges a bright smile. "Good morning! What do you need from me? Why did you call me here?"
The kings glanced at each other. Hanzuo cleared his throat and spoke first.
"Emrys Valestron. Fourteen years old, from the Death Lotus Clan, and currently a 1st Grade Cat Cultivator, is that correct?"
Emrys nodded. "You're not mistaken."
King Xien let out a deep sigh.
Hanzuo narrowed his eyes and continued, "If we have you touch the Book of Knowledge again, can you guarantee that it will show the exact level you just claimed?"
Emrys nodded once more—still smiling.
Hanzuo signaled Desmond to retrieve the book from the side. Soon, Desmond approached Emrys and made him hold it.
Everyone waited for the result.
When Desmond checked the text, he immediately looked at Hanzuo.
"1st Grade Cat, Headmaster Hanzuo."
King Xien gritted his teeth. Kings Sauro and Walder were intrigued by how the boy could still hide his true level, especially when the book came from one of the Institution's High Elders—far more accurate and powerful than other books.
If even this book couldn't reveal Emrys' hidden cultivation, then he was far more dangerous than they imagined.
Their worry and anger toward him only grew.
King Walder clasped his hands together and asked, "Do you know why you won the first competition, Emrys Valestron?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"That means you are strong—very strong. But according to the Book of Knowledge, you're nothing more than a 1st Grade Cat student. So tell me, how do you explain that logically? How could someone as weak as you defeat four powerful Guilds all by yourself?"
Emrys thought for a moment, then smiled.
"I was just lucky!"
Walder shook his head with a laugh. "No. That is not the answer I want to hear. I want you to explain why, despite your low rank, you managed to win alone against four Guilds for an entire day." He repeated his question.
"But I really have no other explanation besides being very lucky. And why are you even questioning that? Can't you accept that a weak student like me won against all the students in this institution? Is it truly that impossible?"
"Just answer the question, Emrys Valestron. You are not allowed to give your opinion here." Hanzuo cut in, glaring at him.
But Emrys only smiled.
"With all due respect, Headmaster Hanzuo, you asked me a question, so I answered it."
"The answer to King Walder's question does not require your opinion."
"The answer is my opinion." Emrys replied with a smile. "I understand why I'm here. So if you want to judge me, just get straight to it. But at least tell me the reason why I should accept whatever punishment you're planning. There's no rule saying the winner of the Guilds Event must be punished as if committing a crime."
Because of that, King Xien could no longer contain himself. He stood up and spoke.