The Grey Spirited

A Trial of Misbelief

An old man who is apparently named the Councillor said "You've earned your place. Congratulations Miss Shiro."

Shiro smiled with no regret of her decision.

"This badge is now yours."

With blinding light, the badge flashed an aura of different colors until it faded into a dull yet alluring grey.

"Feel free to come to this place every time you need information."

Shiro nodded as she walked out of the office. There are the two familiar figures waiting at the hallway.

"Congratulations Shiro." Jamie said.

"What color have you chosen?" Mayumi asked.

"I'm in Grey..."

Mayumi implied "Grey. Huh?"

"You probably think I'm crazy."

Jamie said "Nah its fine. It's just that it's not going to guarantee you a good reputation. But I'm actually kind of curious. I wonder if they could revive the dead."

"That's probably why I chose it."

The pair smiled.

"How about we show you around town?" Mayumi said.

"Sure."

...

All of the sudden, two guards took Shiro by her arms.

Mayumi exclaimed "Hey! What's going on?"

One of the guards reply "This resident has been reported to have interrupted a royal test for the duchess's heir."

"A test?"

Shiro remembered the chess player from before.

"She was the duchess?"

"We shall escort you to courthouse." the guards proclaimed.

"Wait!" Mayumi and Jamie exasperated.

However Shiro was ready to face her judgement.

...

At the court, the judge read the persecution "We are gathered today to discuss a person accused of interfering a trial for the duchess."

Shiro inquired "Who is the accuser?"

"That I'm afraid, is unknown."

"Unknown?"

"It has just been reported. Nothing more. May we have your name please?"

Shiro glared nervously before answering "Shiro."

"To continue, Miss Shiro. Every resident of this town should know that interacting a royal trial in any way is strictly prohibited."

"A royal trial?"

"It is a test between a royal heir and a random opponent. During the 'trial phase', anyone can challenge the heir to any game. If the heir succeeds, they can keep their future throne. If they were to lose to the opponent, they will become the next heir and the cycle will continue until the end of the year, when the final winner is crowned. Considering that the heir should be proficient in any skill, it is deemed fair."

Shiro stayed silent.

He continued "In fact we have the duchess herself, present in this trial."

Shiro searched through the masses of people to find her. But not on the witnesses' stand...

"Miss Shiro. Would you say that this statement is true?"

She admitted "Yes. But I am not a resident of this town. I am just a recent traveler."

"I see. Do you any proof of that? You are wearing a spirited badge. It shows that you are a student."

"I suppose I am." Shiro replied.

"I'm afraid that because of no clear evidence against this crime, you shall be sentenced."

Shiro nervously asked "To what?"

"Usually, it is eight months in jail. But since you're a minor and additionally a spirited, you will be instead degraded to the lower class. The lowest spirited class as you know is Grey. You shall be transferred there tomorrow."

"A problem sir...have already chosen it."

"I see..."

The audience snickered.

"She's already in that scum class?"

"She basically punished herself already!"

The snickering turned into a loud bellow of nasty comments.

"I suppose that I will just ask your superiors to degrade your skill points. Will that be fair, Miss Shiro?"

Shiro bit her lip in embarrassment as she searched through the laughing crowd to see that her only witness is still keeping quiet.

She answered hesitantly "Yes, sir."

...

The judge later went up to the young duchess.

"Miss Kimiko. Why didn't you give any statements during the trial? You were the most plausible witness there."

She answered narcissistically "Because she committed a crime. I have nothing to add to that."

The judge replied "Well that's all I need to know. I shall take my leave, your Highness."

However as he left, he frowned in doubt.

Shiro sees a familiar figure while walking through a corridor and paused.

Kimiko conceitedly said "If you want to complain about the sentence, go see the judge. I have nothing to do with it."

Shiro asked "Why didn't you say anything?"

Kimiko replied "Because it wouldn't have changed your sentence."

"But you were there."

"Of course I was there. But I like said, it doesn't change anything. You still interrupted the trial and that is strictly-"

Shiro interrupted "I know that. But you should have known one thing, I am not a resident. I didn't have my spirited uniform back then."

Kimiko kept silent.

"Let me ask you again, why didn't you say anything?"

"Because you committed a crime!!!" Kimiko yelled.

After she calmed down indefinitely, she coldly said "I will not discuss this insignificant matter anymore."

She walks away but not before thinking back to when Shiro helped her during the trial. She drops onto the ground and bursts into tears of frustration and sadness.

"No more. No more..."