Isekai'd Into The Wrong World-Chapter 88: Ch - Lots of Love.

"We need six fighters?" Eleanor asked, "Well we already have me, Ryan, Jared, James and possibly that Jeremy guy? Just need one more."

"You can’t fight, you are a tier two, aren’t you? And you also have a second element, which will be noticed when the person overseeing the trial, checks your tier." Ryan pointed out.

"That’s true..." Eleanor took a long moment, before continuing, "maybe we should just give up the accusation, is it really worth throwing our lives away on this."

"Are you crazy? No way will I ever give up my ’accusation.’"James’ body went tense, "He had a part in that attack, it’s obvious, even more so now that we know he is desperate for a trial of twelve."

"He knows an investigation will expose him." Jared added on.

James nodded.

"Okay, so we have... three, possibly four fighters. Who will be the fifth and sixth?" James said.

Ryan opened his mouth to speak, but Eleanor was quicker. "Are we sure that Ryan should fight in this?" Eleanor turned to Ryan, "It’s just that you’ve never fought a proper battle in your life, you can barely fight with a sword as of yet, while your enemies will have been practicing for over a decade. Plus is there even a chance that Field Marshal Gregory will let you take part in this, let you die on something so small?"

Ryan sat down, dejected. "Probably not."

There’s no way that Gregory would let me risk my life in something so trivial. But I can’t just sit this out. And although I’m a weak swordsman, I am a tier one knight and mid tier one light mage... I’ll just have to get even stronger, quicker.

"So we’re just two confirmed fighters?"

"Three confirmed." Ryan pointed out. "Marcus wants to be a part of it."

Ryan read Jared’s expression in an instant. "And don’t worry, he said he’s a good fighter... or something along those lines."

"So we’re three... possibly four."

"Where will we get volunteers? No good fighter would want to side with us. Nearly every skilled fighter is a Noble. There is not a single noble that would want to risk sparking a political battle with a Great House, like House Rellick." Jared said, heavily sighing.

"THUD"

Everyone’s heads swiveled to the door.

"THUD"

"What is that?" Eleanor asked.

"THUD"

The loud thuds came to a stop outside their dorm door.

Then there were two little thuds, "Thud, Thud." They two little thuds were on the door, as if this heavy creature, was knocking on their door.

Ryan had a sudden realisation, and went over to open the door.

"Ryan, what are you doing! That sounds like a massive damned monster!" James hissed.

Ryan opened the door.

The two glowing blue eyes of a over 6ft stone demon stood outside.

"Hello again, golem."

The stocky rock giant handed Ryan a piece of paper:

Dear Inhabitants of Dormitory Six, Room Twenty Seven.

Hey. I need you in my tower, ASAP!

Lots of love, Helena.

Ryan looked up from the note. "Helena wants us. Now."

"All of us?" James asked, eyeing the golem warily.

Ryan scanned the note again. "It says ’inhabitants of Dormitory Six, Room Thirty-Seven.’ So... yes. All of us."

Eleanor pulled her curtain fully open and stepped out. "This is about the Trial. Has to be."

"Probably," Jared said, carefully standing. His bandaged arm hung at his side.

The golem stood motionless in the doorway. Waiting.

"Well," Ryan said. "Let’s not keep her waiting."

They filed out of the room. The golem turned with surprising grace for something made of stone and led them down the hallway.

Students pressed themselves against the walls as the group passed.

The golem descended the stairs with heavy, careful steps. Each footfall echoed through the building.

They crossed the courtyard. The morning sun was a bit higher now.

Students stared at them as they passed..

The golem led them to the main building, then into the tower. Past the guards, who stepped aside without question and up the winding stairs.

The heavy wooden door to Helena’s office loomed ahead.

The golem knocked once. Then stepped aside.

"Enter," Helena’s voice called from within.

Ryan pushed open the door.

The office was as crowded as last time.

Helena sat behind her desk, her fingers tapping against the wood.

Navius stood to the right, arms crossed. His face was smug.

Beside him stood Arcturus Rellick. He had a long grin.

A fourth person stood near the window. A woman in a soldier’s outfit. Scarred face. One eye milky white. She watched them enter.

"Come in," Helena said. "Close the door."

Ryan did. The others filed in behind him.

Arcturus’s grin widened. "Ah. The accusers. How... pathetic."

"Arcturus," Helena said sharply. "You should be civil in such an important case."

"Of course." Arcturus’s tone suggested he found this amusing. "My apologies, Principal. I meant no offense."

Helena gestured to the empty space before her desk. "Ryan Ray. Eleanor Grey. James Kris. Jared Kris. You’re here because Navius Rellick has invoked his right to a Trial of Twelve."

"I have," Navius said.

That prophet didn’t lie after all.

"Principal Helena has already agreed to oversee the Trial," Arcturus said smoothly. "As is tradition. A member of the military, Captain Vera here, will serve as adjudicator." He gestured to the scarred woman. "She’s witnessed many Trials."

Captain Vera nodded once. "Let’s see the rules.. Six combatants per side. All must be Tier 1."

"Tier 1 only?" Eleanor asked.

"The accused is Tier 1," Vera said. "Therefore all combatants must be Tier 1. Anyone higher will be barred from combat."

Eleanor grumbled.

"Combat will take place this Friday," Vera continued. "In the first arena of the academy. Where the Twelve can bear witness."

"Friday?" James’s voice cracked. "That’s four days!"

"Four days to prepare," Arcturus said pleasantly. "More than fair, I’d say."

"Four days to find fighters," Jared muttered.

"Indeed." Arcturus’s eyes gleamed. "Best get started."

Helena’s expression was as lively as the one of her golem. "Are there any questions about the rules?"

"What happens if we can’t find six fighters?" Ryan asked.

Vera answered. "If either side cannot field six combatants by Friday morning, they forfeit. The accusations are retracted. The matter is settled."

"So if we show up with five fighters—" James started.

"You lose," Vera said flatly. "Divine judgment requires fairness. Six against six."

Arcturus smiled. "I trust that won’t be a problem. There are so many skilled students at this academy. Surely a couple of them will volunteer to stand with you."

"And if we win?" Ryan asked, side eyeing Arcturus.

Vera spoke. "If the accusers prevail, Navius Rellick will be found guilty by divine judgment. He will face a board of twelve who will decide on his punishment. But with the severity of the crime, it would probably be execution."

Helena said quietly. "At minimum."

Navius’s expression didn’t change.

"Then we’re agreed to the terms," Arcturus said. He turned to Ryan. "Friday. Dawn. The old arena. Don’t be late."

He swept from the room, Navius following.

The door closed behind them.

Silence.

Captain Vera studied the four students. "You have four days. Use them wisely." She left without another word.

Now it was just them and Helena.

The Principal stood. Moved to the window. Stared out at the academy grounds.

"Ryan, stay. The rest of you may go," she said quietly.

James, Jared, and Eleanor looked at Ryan.

Ryan nodded to them as they left.

The door closed.

Helena didn’t turn around.

"You can’t fight in this," she said.

Ryan’s chest tightened. "Principal—"

"You’ll die." Helena’s voice was hard. "Arcturus will have the best tier 1 fighters there are. Nobles who’ve spent their entire lives learning how to fight."

"I can—"

"You can’t." Helena turned. Her eyes were fierce. "You’re not ready. And I won’t let you throw your life away on this."

"It’s my right," Ryan said. "If I want to, I can fight. I won’t die."

"You will!" Helena’s hand slammed on the desk. The sound echoed through the office. "I’m telling you to retract the accusation. Before you get yourself, and your friends killed."

Ryan stared at her.

"Don’t do this," Helena said. Her voice dropped. "Don’t let your friends do this. Even if Navius had a part in the attack—even if House Rellick is involved—it’s not worth dying over."

"People already died over this," Ryan took a breath. "Hundreds of them."

"And you dying won’t bring them back."

"But proving the truth might stop it from happening again."

Helena shook her head side to side.

"There is no divine judgment," she said coldly. "The gods don’t intervene. It’s just combat. Skill against skill. And Navius’s side will have more of it."

"Then we’ll train," Ryan said. "We’ll get better. We’ll—"

"In four days?" Helena’s laugh was bitter. "You think you can become warriors in four days?"

"We have to try."

"Why?" Helena stepped closer. "Why are you so determined to die for this?"

Ryan met her eyes. "Because every day it becomes clearer. House Rellick had something to do with the attack. The way they’re acting. The way they’re so desperate for this Trial. They know an investigation will expose them."

"So let the investigation—"

"There won’t be one," Ryan interrupted. "Not if we retract our claims. Then they’ll bury what remains of the truth. And everyone who died will have suffered without justice."

Helena was silent.

"This Trial is our only chance," Ryan said. "And I’m certain—we’re all certain—that Navius had a part in this. Divine judgment will prove it."

"There. Is. No. Divine. Judgment." Helena’s voice shook. "It’s just—"

"Then we’ll prove it ourselves," Ryan said firmly.

Helena stared at him. Then sank into her chair.

"You’re going to die," she whispered.

"Maybe," Ryan said. "But I’m still fighting."

Silence filled the office.

Then a voice came from the shadows.

"Let them fight."

Ryan spun.

Gregory stepped into the light.

How long has he been there?

Helena shot to her feet. "Field Marshal—when did you—"

"I’ve been here the entire time," Gregory said calmly. "Listening."

He moved to stand beside Helena’s desk. His eyes were on Ryan.

"Let them fight," Gregory repeated. "It’s the right move."

"The right—" Helena’s voice rose. "They’ll be slaughtered!"

"Perhaps," Gregory said. "But Ryan is right. This Trial is their only chance to prove the truth. And more than that..." He paused. "When Ryan eventually reveals himself as a Hero, the world will need to believe in him. To rally behind him. And heroes are forged in moments like these."

Ryan’s breath caught. He wants me to fight. Because it’ll make a better story later.

"Accolades," Gregory continued. "Victory against impossible odds. Standing against corruption even when it means risking everything." His eyes gleamed. "That’s the kind of thing people remember. The kind of thing that inspires loyalty."

Helena stared at him. "You want to use this. For propaganda."

"I want to use this to build the foundation Ryan and Eleanor will need when the war reaches this city," Gregory said. "And yes. When they survive—when they WIN—it will cement their legitimacy in ways nothing else could."

"And if they die?" Helena asked coldly.

Gregory’s expression didn’t change. "A hero, one that makes a difference. Will need to risk their life multiple times in order to meet the strength needed to protect our race."

The words hung in the air.

But Gregory turned to him. "But regardless, I don’t intend to let you die. You’ll train. Every waking moment between now and Friday."