The next day, Hao Kai went around looking for scraps of information and managed to piece up bits and pieces just before the trial.
On the day of the case. Hao Kai showed up at the courthouse.
The building stood like a crooked tooth at the edge of the village square, its pale stone walls worn smooth by decades of wind and rain. The carved pillars flanking its entrance had once been grand but were chipped now, their faded sigils barely recognizable.
Word of the trial had spread quickly. Guildsmen, merchants, and gawkers crowded the square, whispering behind raised palms.
When they saw him, the noise rippled like a gust of wind through dry leaves.
Hao Kai smiled faintly and walked up the steps, ignoring the mutters and pointed stares.
Inside, the air was cooler. Rows of benches lined either side of the narrow chamber, filled with faces both eager and hostile.
At the front, the raised platform held the magistrate's seat, draped in dark cloth, with the oath stone nestled in a carved pedestal to one side.
The opposing counsel was already there.
Tall, narrow-shouldered, and dressed in dark blue robes trimmed with gold, Westborne radiated the kind of smugness only power and money could buy. His sharp eyes tracked Hao Kai the moment he stepped through the door.
"You actually came. I thought after your little accident, you'd have learned to stay out of things that don't concern you."
Hao Kai tilted his head slightly.
"And disappoint you? That wouldn't be polite."
Westborne's smile thinned. "You should've taken the warning when you had the chance. Today will cost you more than you can afford."
Hao Kai's answering smile was cold.
"Then I suppose I'll send you the bill when it doesn't."
Before Westbourne could retort, the magistrate entered, heavy robes sweeping across the floor. The room rose in silence, then settled again as the trial began.
"Guild of Elmera versus William Slade," the magistrate intoned, his voice carrying easily in the chamber. "Charges of fraudulent trade and distribution of falsified alchemical products."
The truth stone pulsed faintly at his words, its soft white glow steady. It sat between the two counsel tables, ensuring no one could speak falsehoods without consequence.
Westbourne was quick to his feet. "Honorable magistrate, this is a simple case," he began smoothly. "My clients, the Guild of Elmera, purchased restorative potions exclusively from Mr. Slade's shop. Not once, not twice, but consistently for the past five years. Recently, potions failed catastrophically, causing injury to guild members. We will prove that we have bought defective goods and we demand appropriate restitution."
There were murmurs from the benches. Hao Kai remained seated, hands folded neatly in his lap, a faint smile forming on his lips as he took note of Westborne's use of words.
When Westbourne finished, Hao Kai rose.
"Your honor, the defense disagrees."
His tone was calm.
"We intend to prove not only that Mr. Slade's potions are genuine and effective, but that the Guild of Elmera is using this accusation as leverage to extort an innocent merchant."
Westbourne scoffed softly. "Bold words from someone who doesn't understand how fragile his position is."
Hao Kai ignored him and returned to his seat.
The prosecution moved swiftly, calling their first witness. A stocky, red-faced man in a guild badge.
"State your name and occupation," Westbourne prompted.
"Brann Yule," the man said. "Guild of Elmera. I handle procurement."
Westbourne gestured to the oath stone.
"You understand the oath?"
Brann nodded and placed his hand on the smooth surface. A faint hum filled the chamber as the bond took hold.
"I swear to speak only truth."
Westborne's questions were efficient.
"Mr. Yule, from whom does your guild purchase restorative potions?"
"From William Slade," Brann replied without hesitation.
"Exclusively?"
"Yes."
"And were potions recently used by your members, which failed to heal as promised?"
"Yes."
Westbourne spread his hands as though the point had been proven already. "No further questions."
Hao Kai rose leisurely, hands clasped behind his back as he approached the stand. His gaze on Brann was sharp but deceptively casual.
"You've testified," Hao Kai began, "that your guild purchases exclusively from my client. Correct?"
"Yes."
Hao Kai nodded.
"Tell me, Mr. Yule… did you personally use one of these allegedly defective potions?"
Brann hesitated again.
"I—"
Hao Kai interrupted smoothly.
"Different question: did you personally use a potion purchased from my client?"
"Yes." Brann nodded firmly this time.
"Good," Hao Kai said softly. "Now, to clarify, when I asked if you used one of the fake potions, you hesitated. But when I asked if you used my client's potion, you answered immediately. If they are the same, why hesitate?"
Brann opened his mouth, closed it, then flushed red.
"You didn't, in fact, use one of the defective potions," Hao Kai continued. "Therefore, you have no firsthand knowledge that my client's potions were faulty. Under the terms of the truth oath, your testimony is inadmissible."
There was a beat of stunned silence before the magistrate leaned forward. "Is this true, Mr. Yule? You did not use the allegedly defective potion?"
"I—no, I didn't," Brann admitted reluctantly.
"Then the witness is disqualified," the magistrate declared.
A ripple of whispers surged through the benches. Westbourne's jaw tightened, but Hao Kai merely inclined his head politely and returned to his seat.
Westbourne's lips curved faintly. "It won't save you. Call your client, then. Let's see if he lies."
Hao Kai ignored the jab and gestured for William Slade to approach the stand.
Slade laid his hand on the truth stone, the faint glow binding him.
Westbourne stood up.
"Mr. Slade did you sell potions to Elmera guild?"
Slade nodded.
"Yes I did. And I've been selling—"
Westbourne cut him off sharply
"That is all, thank you Mr. Slade."
Hao Kai glanced at Westbourne slightly before walking forward.
"Mr. Slade, does your shop sell restorative potions to the Guild of Elmera?"
"Yes," Slade said clearly.
"And have you ever sold them counterfeit or defective products?"
"Never."
The stone remained steady, its glow unchanging. No sign of mana backlash.
"Then," Hao Kai said, turning sharply to face the magistrate and the crowd, "under oath, my client has confirmed his potions are genuine. The prosecution has yet to produce a single witness with firsthand evidence otherwise."
Westbourne bristled. "That proves nothing! The potions failed! The guild has suffered losses!"
"Losses?" Hao Kai's tone sharpened. "Or debts?"
Westbourne froze.
Hao Kai's gaze locked on the magistrate. "I have obtained records showing the Guild of Elmera's finances." He tapped a rolled parchment on his table. "Despite their outward prosperity, they are deeply in debt. Their reserves are nearly empty. And what better way to refill their coffers than by extorting damages from a reputable merchant?"
The benches erupted into low chatter.
Westbourne shot to his feet with perceptible panic flashing in his eyes. "Objection—"
"Overruled," the magistrate said curtly. "Do you deny the claim?"
Westbourne's silence was answer enough.