Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 79: Alex Kerber - Ace Attorney!

[October 1, 9:47 AM
Fantasy Realm
Tutorial Section 4 - Central Square]

The strange figure moves instantly next to Alex, and Alex feels something being pulled out from within him. In that moment, he feels 1337's presence vanish.

A glowing orb of light, pulsing with strange symbols and flickering energies, appears floating beside Alex. Then, with a single gesture from the mysterious figure, Alex, the light orb, and the figure are transported to another place.

Suddenly, Alex finds himself standing in a massive hall, one that unmistakably resembles a...
"A courtroom!" he says, still reeling from the series of events.

Then he hears a voice, a cold, clear tone that seems to fill every corner of the room.

"Court is now in session for the trial of player Alex Kerber."

Alex stands on one side, with 1337 now floating beside him. 1337 appears as a colorful, golden wisp, much like the spirits from Warcraft, though without a face. Opposite them, a scowling goblin is seated, looking furious.

The goblin sneers, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Honored Administrator, I am Klatch Ingot, a board member of the Goblin Union of the Fantasy Realm. I demand immediate execution for this murderous criminal! He struck down our merchant in cold blood!"

The administrator, a being composed entirely of swirling black, gray, and white particles, turns to Alex. Though the administrator's lips do not move, a powerful voice echoes throughout the hall.

"Accused, your system was granted the right to invoke arbitration, allowing for a proceeding much like the courtroom trials in your world. However, you must plead your case yourself—no system may speak on your behalf. Your system may communicate with you directly to provide assistance but cannot speak aloud in this court."

"1337, sorry for dragging you into this. What do I do?" Alex asks 1337, his face a mask of anxiety.

[Host has really outdone himself. Not only did you get caught in the merchant's scheme, but you overreacted and killed him. I can't give you the right answers here. You'll need to convince the administrator that this wasn't your fault. Use your guts and logic—your intentions matter most, not the result.]

"Honored Administrator, it was never my intention to kill this goblin! I swear!" Alex declares, holding up the [285th Hunter Exam Application] with conviction. "Take that!" he exclaims, trying to make his point.

"I'm sure you're aware of the risk this item imposes on players. Everyone views it as a death sentence! Please understand, I was only trying to freeze the goblin merchant to defend myself. But he was both so incompetent and so weak that he died instantly! How could a mere tutorial player like me kill a merchant with one strike? I was only using a blizzard sword technique to immobilize him and get away, so he couldn't force this death trap item on me with his shady tactics. Administrator, is it possible to review the actions of the merchant? I've heard he even tricked other players by forcing the item on them with just a nod. Is there a way for you to verify this?"