The Cursed Extra: Bloodline of Sacrifice
Chapter 175 - 175: Truth in Chains :The Tribunal – Part I

A sharp whistle echoed through the cold courtyard as the front doors of the Administration Tower creaked open.

The protest fell into a hush.

A teacher stepped out, tall and stiff in a navy-blue uniform bearing the golden insignia of the Central Academy. His voice rang across the square — calm.

"You can go back now."

Zareth didn't move.

Neither did anyone else.

The teacher continued, hands behind his back, gaze sweeping over the silent mass of students.

"Caspian has been found at Liveria Train Station earlier this morning. He is alive. And as per initial reports... unharmed."

There was a ripple. Gasps. Murmurs.

"If you require proof…" the teacher said, gesturing toward the assistants behind him.

"...we will show you."

One of them stepped forward, activating a crystal device. A screen floated in the air — grainy but clear.

It showed Caspian.

Disheveled. Pale. But walking.

Head lowered as officers surrounded him.

There was no blood. No injuries.

Zareth stared. Unblinking.

Vynesaa exhaled slowly, chest tightening with mixed relief and dread.

The teacher nodded once.

"Now that you've seen it, there's no reason to continue this gathering. Return to your dorms. Any form of indiscipline going forward will not be tolerated."

He looked directly at Zareth.

"Zareth El'Leather. As Student Council Head, it's your responsibility to tell them. Disperse the crowd. Caspian is safe."

Zareth stood. The weight of a hundred stares settled on his shoulders.

He didn't speak immediately.

He looked at the image again.

Then turned to the students.

"You heard it," he said, voice calm but sharp. "He's alive... that's enough. We'll wait. But we won't forget."

And with that, the crowd began to slowly thin out

...

Chains clinked softly as Caspian shifted in his seat.

Handcuffed.

The room was high-ceilinged, echoing. No windows. A metallic silence hung in the air.

He looked around — wooden benches, iron railing, magical surveillance crystals glowing faintly in the corners.

Two officers stood at the door.

Three more lined the walls.

None of them met his gaze.

A moment later, a fourth officer entered — older, heavier, carrying a folder and a short temper.

"So this is him," the man muttered. "Looks too calm for someone involved in this mess."

Caspian's brow furrowed.

"What is this? What the hell is going on? Why am I even here?"

No answer.

He looked at his cuffed wrists again and let out a breath — part rage, part disbelief.

"I'm the victim here. And you're making me sit like this? Handcuffed? In a courtroom?"

The officer snapped the file shut.

"Keep silent."

"What?"

"You've not been asked anything yet. You speak when spoken to. Until then, sit there and follow procedure like everyone else."

Caspian stared at him.

"What procedure? I was kidnapped in front of a dozen witnesses. What the hell did I do wrong!?"

Another officer stepped forward, scowling.

"Didn't you hear? Keep silent. This isn't a debate. Wait until the judges and investigators arrive."

Caspian leaned back, chains clinking again. His voice was quieter now.

"You think this is how justice works?"

No reply.

Only the heavy tick of the courtroom's old clock.

Outside that door, decisions were already being made.

And for the first time, Caspian realized…

this wasn't just about him anymore.

CLACK!

The doors opened.

Footsteps echoed in pairs—shined black boots on marble floors. Four officers entered in precise unison, followed by the principal, Vice Principal Orien, and two unfamiliar men in military coats, likely from the Special Inquiry Division.

All wore dark expressions.

"So… Caspian Arcwright," one of the officers said, voice flat but cutting. His eyes flicked to the dossier in his hand, then back to Caspian.

Caspian's eyes narrowed for a breath. He used my full name… not just Caspian.

The officer tapped the file once.

"Born to the Arcwright family. Exiled for undisclosed reasons. Traveled north. Later seen residing within both the royal Elven palace and then Reyes Duchy. And now…" the man lifted his head, eyes sharp. " Seemingly unharmed, despite being kidnapped by a world level threat"

He let that last line hang in the air.

"I don't think you come here to retell my entire life," Caspian said quietly.

"Relax. We're not interested in your journey," the officer said, waving a hand.

Then why bring it up? Caspian thought, watching closely.

The officer continued, "We just have a few… irregularities we want to clarify. Starting with a simple question. Have you ever met a man named Kismet before your abduction?"

Caspian didn't flinch. "No."

The officer didn't respond. He simply looked back at someone near the wall.

Soft footsteps followed. A woman emerged from the shadows—long black hair, tied in a loop behind her head, blue crystalline eyes. She wore no uniform, just a white formal shirt, and dark slacks. Her presence immediately made the room feel heavier.

"Melena," the officer introduced without emotion. "She's a contractor with specific sensory abilities. She can detect truth and falsehoods at an empathic level—something akin to emotion-based lie detection. She's here to assist with verification. You understand."

Caspian clenched his jaw. This isn't an inquiry… it's a trap disguised as procedure.

Melena's voice came, soft yet dispassionately sharp: "He's saying truth."

"Ok then What do you speak with kismet while kidnapped,"

'I think they know that i was abduct by kismet speaking a lie would be dangerous here what should I do'

Caspian's eyes widened—just slightly. Not from guilt, but from the knowledge: Kismet had planned for this.

'Oh fuck… That bastard Kismet said I'd handle this by myself .What the hell?'

He took a breath, glancing down as if gathering his thoughts. Then slowly lifted his head.

The room waited.

"I didn't know him personally. Kismet mistook me for someone else… someone he was waiting for. I was a mistake. That's the truth."

Melena, who had remained statuesque, finally spoke. "True."

The officer raised a brow.

One of the older military men frowned but didn't argue.

The officer leaned forward slightly. "So is that all he said? That you were someone else?"

Caspian hesitated. For a split second, he heard Bloodmoon's voice in his mind again.

{Tch. Say something believable, fool. But don't spill too much. You're no martyr}

He exhaled, choosing his next words with care. "He spoke… vaguely. About the world. About people in power who weren't what they seemed. About history being rewritten, and how some truths are too dangerous for the world to know,— i don't clearly remember it,"

That much was true. Technically.

Melena paused… then nodded. "True."

There was a stillness.

The officer narrowed his gaze. "And did he give you anything?"

Caspian's heartbeat slowed. The locket.

He shook his head. "No"

Melena tilted her head, focused intently for a long pause. Then finally—

"…True."

The tension deflated just slightly.

The vice principal, silent until now, finally crossed his arms. "Is that all, or are we building a case based on cryptic conversations and half-magic lie detection?"

The lead officer gave him a glance, as if annoyed by the interruption. But he turned back to Caspian.

"We'll run a few more checks. You're not in trouble…as of now." He stepped back.

Melena's gaze lingered on Caspian before she followed.

The doors closed behind them with a soft click.

For a moment, the room was empty, except for Caspian… and the soft hum of the lights above.

He sat still, the cuffs weighing lightly on his wrists.

That was too close.

But why did Melina lie in the end.

Or was I that clever that she couldn't able to detect my lie.