Chapter 2186: First Charge

"I shall begin with the most minor of violations before proceeding on to the most severe," she remarked, turning her gaze. "The investigative department asserts that you, Master Rui, employed a forbidden technique. The evidence submitted includes testimonies from all five of the randomly assigned Masters who conducted your evaluation. Each of them has confirmed the allegation that you employed a heat-oriented domain technique that grew extraordinarily more powerful later in your sparring battle with the late Master Uma."

She paused for a moment, going through another document. "I have a statement from your assigned doctor that also confirms that your lethal injuries were caused by heat as well, which merely confirms that the technique would have caused your death if not for the timely and highly effective medical treatment the Federation has graciously subjected you to, free of cost."

Rui wanted to scoff at the last part.

The only reason it was free of cost was that he would be of no use to them, dead or crippled.

However, he quickly suppressed that thought.

He didn't want to convey any contempt.

"In other words, you did use the technique according to all available witnesses, and it was enough to constitute a forbidden technique based on highly reliable medical and witness testimonies," she continued. "In addition, the Masters also confirmed that your activation of this technique was intentional and deliberate, including measured preparations to do so. Tell me, Master Quarrier..."

She steepled her quaking hands. "...Do you object to my evaluation of the provided evidence or the pieces of evidence?"

Her deep eyes laid immense pressure upon him, pinning him in place.

Rui's eyes grew more grave.

The words that he chose to say would make an irrevocable impact on her evaluation and impression of him.

"I object to the accusation of intentional activation of a forbidden technique, Your Sagehood." Rui's tone was solemn. "The truth is what I did employ was not a single technique but a fusion of two grade techniques that I developed myself. I got the idea to employ them together synergistically against my opponent in an attempt to adaptively evolve to her powerful and tricky defense. That is why the heat domain was initially well within the acceptable degrees but surged beyond even my control when the fusion of the two techniques proved to be far beyond even my greatest expectations and my ability to manage."

Her piercing gaze was deeply unnerving as it continued to bore into him without her so much as blinking.

"...You mean to say that it truly was all just an accident?" Her eyes remained fixed on him. "That you only meant to activate a powerful fusion of techniques?"

"Yes, Your Sagehood."

"Hm." She stirred. "That is consistent with the testimony that Sage Larra gave. One that I cannot reveal because it contains knowledge pertaining to the Sage Realm that Masters are not authorized to know. Although..."

She flashed him a glance of curiosity and intrigue. "Considering some of her testimony, I cannot help but conclude that you are qualified to know. Unfortunately, I am not able to share it at my own discretion."

Rui wasn't sure what to make of it.

"I shall formulate my judgment after I hear about this alleged fusion of techniques," Sage Kole declared. "Do not lie to me. You may have a niche and potent Art and Path riddled with high principles, but I'm a Martial Sage. Remember that I have reached the second-highest echelon of Martial Arts."

Rui knew that he most likely couldn't get away with fooling her. Considering that he couldn't detect her mind like with other Martial Sages, it probably meant that she could detect his with her Sage-level senses.

"One technique is known as the Muspelheim domain, a domain that generates heat by compression of air within my body and within the domain as well as through friction and vibrations, while the other..." Rui continued, bracing himself. "The other is the Yin-Yang Spear technique..."

He continued explaining the technique even as the name alone sent visible shocks amongst the Martial Master guardians, although they couldn't show it on their faces. He could detect the shock in their minds through his mind sense.

Yet, Sage Kole maintained her composure the entire time, not so much as changing a shade.

"...And so the combination of the two techniques would result in an extraordinarily powerful outcome," Rui concluded. It was painful to reveal that he had managed to crack the Yin-Yang Shield technique. However, preventing her from catching him lying made his openness worth it. In addition, he could establish that he was operating in good faith, which would set the stage for his offer to her.

It was painful to reveal that he had managed to crack the Yin-Yang Shield technique. However, preventing her from catching him lying made his openness worth it. In addition, he could establish that he was operating in good faith, which would set the stage for his offer to her.

"Your explanations make sense," she remarked after giving it some thought. "Furthermore, my senses tell me that you aren't lying. Rest assured that the sensitive information that you have revealed here will remain hidden. This is part of the Martial Information Protection Act that the Panamic Martial Federation ratified in order to ensure that defendants and witnesses can offer testimonies without needing to fear the widespread leaks of sensitive information about their Martial Art."

Rui was aware of that. However, he had no faith that it wouldn't eventually get leaked. In fact, he was certain that it would eventually get leaked.

This was another reason to grow stronger by the time it happened so that he could handle the consequences of pissing off the Gen Temple in the future.

"Based on all available evidence, including your own testimony, on the charge of unauthorized use of a forbidden technique, I hereby judge you guilty of reckless endangerment," she concluded with a tone of finality. "Even if you were truly unaware of the outcomes of fusing two techniques, you still ultimately did it without any certainty of the outcome. Furthermore, considering that you were engaging in an evaluation sparring battle, there was simply no justifiable cause for your reckless endangerment in these benign circumstances."

Her gaze didn't sway away from Rui for a second.