The tribunal chamber was nothing like a sports hall. High ceilings, stained glass looming overhead, priests in silver robes seated like judges. Ren stood alone in the center circle, sweat cold against his skin.
His holo-profile floated above him:
[Tachibana Ren — Rank 99]
Accusation: Match-Fixing / Bracket Manipulation
Murmurs rippled through the audience.
"Another upstart caught cheating..."
"Knew it was too good to be true."
"Substitute Messiah? More like Substitute Fraud."
Ren's chest tightened. "I didn't do this!"
The priest at the center staff raised his hand. "Evidence is clear. Credits transferred from sponsors to your account before your last match."
Ren's eyes widened. "What account?! I don't even have—"
A flicker in his HUD: an untraceable transaction, glowing like a scar. They planted it...
From the shadows, Daigo barked. "This is garbage! The brat can't even count his own points right, let alone launder money!"
The priest ignored him. "By rule, accused players may cleanse themselves in trial—through a court of glass. Win, and the stain fades. Lose... and your name is struck from the League."
The chamber erupted. Journalists, scouts, agents leaning forward, hungry for blood.
Ren's hands shook as he gripped the Fallen Star. "You're forcing me into this..."
The priest's smile was serene, merciless. "Every fault must be punished. Every soul weighed. That is Aurelia."
Ren's HUD blinked violently:
[Emergency Quest Issued]
Court of Penance Duel — Best of Three Sets
Opponent Rank: 35 (League Disciple)
Condition: 2v1 Handicap (Partner Denied)]
Ren staggered back. Two against one...? They'll bury me alive.
He looked to the gallery. Shizuka stood, fists clenched, fury blazing in her eyes. Maria leaned on the rail, smirk gone, teeth bared. Mio pressed her hands together, whispering his name like a prayer.
Daigo's voice thundered across the hall. "Brat! Don't beg. Don't whine. Make time your weapon. Endure until they break!"
Ren's chest heaved. He lifted the Fallen Star, cracked and glowing faintly.
If I'm going down, it won't be quiet.
Ren alone on the glass court, two opponents across the net grinning, priests chanting from above, while his HUD screams in red:
[Match of Penance — Commencing.]
They want to erase me. Fine. I'll make them remember me instead.