I stood in the middle of the courtroom.
This time, I was here as the prosecution attorney for what looked like a potential serial killer case.
The photos in front of me showed bodies cut with surgical precision, skin frozen in a way that screamed: 'straight out of a cultivation novel.'
"The trial begins. Defendant Dmitri Raskov, we'll hear what you have to say."
Dmitri was smiling, but one glance and I could tell this guy was guilty as hell.
I'd already partially opened my Domain anyway.
The evidence was in my hands, but it had to match whatever the judge was looking at.
This case mattered.
Devil Net was streaming it live—fifteen devils had died, and the whole underworld wanted answers.
Pain, the defense attorney, cleared his throat. "The defendant wasn't even present during these incidents. There are witness statements confirming he was at home. Even if he had done it, he lacks the power to freeze the bodies like that or make such clean cuts. No magical residue was found at any crime scene."
The judge looked at me: "Prosecution, you may begin, Mr. Cassien."
"First of all, this isn't about what the witnesses said. Witnesses matter, but they're not enough to decide a case on their own. I have one question for Mr. Dmitri. What is your profession?"
Dmitri's smile widened: "I'm a scientist. I take pride in that title."
"Wonderful. My claim is that he used chemistry to commit these murders."
"OBJECTION!" Pain shot up.
"This is baseless speculation! No chemical substances were detected on the bodies! You're throwing around hypotheses!"
"REJECTION!" I fired back.
"It's entirely possible! If you'd like, I can prove it right here. The man created his own formula. I'm certain he's a devil who couldn't hold back the urge to kill. Your Honor, with your permission, I'd like to demonstrate the chemical right now."
The judge studied me for a second, then nodded: "Let's see it."
I glanced toward the side door.
A couple of assistants brought in the equipment.
Nitrogen-based formula.
I dropped a small magical herb into the mixture.
The liquid instantly turned ice-blue.
They brought out a live chicken.
One clean slice to the neck.
I poured the liquid over the body.
The chicken froze solid like a statue—yet it was still clearly flesh, not stone.
I smiled: "Only a truly brilliant scientist could pull this off. And while I believe Mr. Dmitri is intelligent…"
"Thank you…" Dmitri said, still grinning.
But then his eyes widened.
Yeah—I'd just stroked his ego.
"Your Honor, do I really need to say anything more?" I asked, deadpan.
But Pain pointed at me. "Objection! You recreate it in front of us. This can be used to say, " You're the more likely killer here!"
"Rejection! I graduated top of every class, and I'm considered a devil beyond my era. Mr. Dmitri was already suspected from the fingerprints on the first body. He claimed he was in shock, gave a short statement, and walked free. That first victim? His Ex-Girlfriend! And the cuts aren't perfectly clean—your hands were shaking, weren't they, Dmitri? But once you tasted killing, you couldn't stop, could you?"
I leaned against the stand and stared straight into his eyes.
I wanted the last face he ever saw to be mine.
Dmitri's expression twisted from smug to pure disgust and guilt: "FUCK OFF, CASSIEN! I'LL KILL YOU!"
He lunged—only for chains to snap around him instantly, forcing him to his knees.
A mark appeared on his body.
Every ability, every ounce of power he had—transferred straight to me.
"Dmitri Raskov has confessed with his own mouth. Sentence: death. Case closed."
I gathered my things and gave him one last smirk: "Fucking amateur. If you'd used XXX compound, you wouldn't have left any trace."
His eyes bulged.
Then his head dropped.
He looked like he was finally questioning every choice that led him here.
Days like this were just another Tuesday for me.
Kinda fun, honestly.
I teleported home.
Valerie was waiting at the door: "I knew you'd be back soon. I watched it on TV—you looked so cool…"
"Thanks."
She smiled, and we walked inside together.