The Supreme Courtroom of Daxia's Southern Territory stood solemn and imposing.
Beneath the towering, majestic dome,
Awakened guards stood armed on both sides, their gazes cold and stern.
At the judges' bench, seven red-robed magistrates sat upright with solemn expressions.
The Chief Justice, face grave, held a thick dossier in his hands.
Doberman was escorted by two Aberrant Purge Division special agents, standing in the defendant's dock.
His hands were shackled with special restraints, his face deathly pale, yet a twisted sneer still lingered at the corners of his mouth.
At the plaintiff's seating area,
Su Zhan sat quietly, gently spinning a pocket watch between his fingers.
The Chief Justice slowly rose, his voice authoritative:
"Doberman, former leader of the Aberrant Purge Division's Seventh Unit, this court confirms you are guilty of the following crimes..."
He opened the dossier and read word by word:
"First, dereliction of duty.
You abused your authority to falsely accuse innocent citizen Su Zhan of being an Aberrant, attempting to conceal your brother Du Feng's true identity.
Second, murder.
Knowing Du Feng had mutated, you failed to report it and instead assisted in hiding him, ultimately causing the deaths of forty-seven civilians.
Third, treason.
During arrest, you attempted to kill SSS-grade Life Soul Awakener Su Zhan and Vermilion Bird Academy instructor Wang Mingyuan—evidence is irrefutable."
The Chief Justice closed the dossier: "For these combined crimes, you are sentenced to death."
The courtroom fell into complete silence.
Doberman's pupils swept across each person at the judges' bench before finally settling on Su Zhan.
"Death? I served in the Aberrant Purge Division for twelve years, hunted down one hundred thirty-seven Aberrants, saved thousands of civilians!
And now, because I framed an SSS-grade Life Soul Awakener, you want me dead?"
Only Doberman's voice echoed through the silent courtroom:
"Aberrants disguise themselves as humans, lurking among us, ready to kill at any moment! Su Zhan!"
He suddenly pointed at the plaintiff's seating: "He's a ticking time bomb!"
"Outrageous!"
The Chief Justice sternly interrupted: "Doberman, these claims cannot mitigate your crimes. The evidence against you is indisputable—no excuses!"
Madness and hatred filled Doberman's eyes: "Su Zhan! Truth can't be faked, lies can't become truth! You can't hide forever, hahahaha..."
The Chief Justice slammed his gavel: "Order!"
Two guards immediately stepped forward to restrain the struggling Doberman.
Su Zhan ignored his ranting, speaking calmly: "The court has given you a fair verdict."
Doberman's curses gradually faded, finally cut off by the courtroom's heavy doors.
No one would believe Doberman's words.
Even fewer would believe an SSS-grade Life Soul Awakener could be an Aberrant.
People would only think Doberman tried dragging Su Zhan down with him in death.
Nothing more.
This farce had finally concluded.
Online,
The courtroom proceedings were live-streamed.
Comments flooded the screen:
"Doberman still dares make excuses!?"
"Killed so many yet plays innocent? Death is too merciful!"
"He's disgraced the entire Aberrant Purge Division!"
"Disgusting! How dare he mention achievements?"
"Hunter of Aberrants? Wasn't your brother one? Hypocrite!"
"Su Zhan nearly died because of him—now playing victim?"
"Insane! Calling an SSS-grade Life Soul a monster? Then what are you?"
"Poor Su Zhan—lost parents then got framed by this scum."
"Su Zhan suffered so much..."
"Su Zhan stays humble despite being so strong—love him!"
"Justice served!"
"Better late than never!"
[SSS-Grade Genius Cleared of False Charges! Aberrant Purge Division Scum Finally Punished!]
Topped the trending charts.
Countless celebrated the justice served as Su Zhan's reputation completely reversed.
Three days later, execution ground.
Under gloomy skies, a towering execution platform stood at the center of the Aberrant Purge Division's special prison.
Heavily armed guards surrounded it, every eye fixed on the figure atop the platform.
Doberman knelt at the platform's center, hands bound behind his back, wearing blue-and-white striped prison garb.
Below stood sparse witnesses—
Aberrant Purge Division executives, court representatives...
No journalists were permitted at such events.
The executioner stepped forward, voice icy: "Doberman, former deputy leader of Jiang City Aberrant Purge Division's Second Unit, by decree of Daxia's Supreme Court, found guilty with irrefutable evidence, sentenced to death—to be carried out immediately."
Doberman raised his head, gaze piercing past the executioner to Su Zhan, but no words came forth now.
One minute later.
The executioner raised his hand. Guards on both sides activated the mechanism simultaneously.
"Execute!"
With a thunderous crash, the massive blade descended from above!
"THUD!"
Blood sprayed as the head rolled.
Su Zhan watched the head roll to the platform's edge, then slowly closed his eyes.
Over.
The person who hated him most was dead.
An indescribable relief washed over him.
"Let's go."
Wang Mingyuan's voice came from behind: "The plane to Vermilion Bird Academy is waiting."
Su Zhan turned to leave.
Morning light pierced the clouds, illuminating the execution platform.
Making the pool of blood glow crimson.
The crisis had ended.
A new journey had just begun.
...
Jiang City Airport.
To describe the scene in one phrase:
Deafening drums, firecrackers roaring, red flags waving, a sea of people.
A red carpet stretched from the terminal to the tarmac, flanked by honor guards. Students from Jiangcheng No.3 High School stood in neat rows holding flowers.
Su Zhan: What's happening?
He cast a questioning look at Wang Mingyuan beside him.
Wang Mingyuan shrugged: "You're quite famous. Seems they've been tracking you since you left the execution ground."
A balding middle-aged man came trotting over enthusiastically, grabbing Su Zhan's hands with warm familiarity:
"Student Su, you're the pride of Jiangcheng No.3 High School!"
Only then did Su Zhan recognize this man—
The principal of Jiangcheng No.3 High School.
Never seen during ordinary times, now appearing faster than anyone since his fame rose.
Media crews had already set up, camera flashes erupting nonstop.
The principal stood stiffly in his suit, the school emblem pinned to his chest, addressing dozens of media outlets with impassioned voice:
"Friends from the press, today we gather not just to bid farewell to an outstanding student, but to witness the triumph of Jiangcheng No.3 High School's educational philosophy!
Our school has always adhered to the principle of teaching all without discrimination, educating according to aptitude!"
He thumped his chest, voice resolute: "We believe every student holds limitless potential! Regardless of background or past misunderstandings suffered."
He paused deliberately, scanning the reporters to ensure all caught this crucial transition.
"Given equal opportunity, all can shine brilliantly!"
Camera flashes instantly became a continuous strobe.
The principal nodded in satisfaction.
Su Zhan slightly frowned.
He disliked this feeling.
The school had given him nothing, yet now freely used him as promotional material.
Being exploited without benefit.
Just as Su Zhan prepared to leave,
The principal grabbed his hand, solemnly producing an envelope from his suit, slowly unfolding it before the cameras:
"By unanimous school board vote, we hereby award Su Zhan the title of Distinguished Alumnus, along with a 500,000 yuan scholarship!"
He handed the envelope to Su Zhan, whispering closely: "The check's already deposited."
Then immediately stepped back, resuming his passionate public persona:
"This is the school's investment in your future! We expect you to become a pillar of our nation!"
Su Zhan accepted the envelope, his lifted foot returning to the ground.
He nodded calmly: "Thank you, Principal."
Now this made sense.
He wasn't running a charity.
Making money—nothing shameful in that.