The courtroom of Thornecrest Academy was a grand spectacle of power, tradition, and ruthless ambition.
Towering pillars loomed over the gathered houses, the dim glow of chandeliers casting long shadows across the polished marble floors.Every seat was filled, students from all eight houses lined up in their respective sections, their emblems boldly displayed.At the center of it all, Chancellor Hilliard Warwick stood, his mere presence demanding absolute silence. His gaze swept across the assembled students, lingering a fraction of a second longer on House Six before he finally spoke.“Today, we present the case of The People versus Augustine Blackwood,” his voice echoed through the high ceilings. “The charge—premeditated murder.”A murmur spread through the gallery. Some students leaned forward in anticipation, while others sat stiffly, already dreading the battle to come.At the prosecution table, House Six and House PhantomDinner was a tense affair. The clinking of silverware and the hushed murmurs of students filled the grand dining hall, but all eyes were on the fighters. No one truly enjoyed their meal. Even the victors of the previous trials barely touched their food, their stomachs twisted with anticipation. Because after dinner, the real battle began. When the plates were cleared and the students dismissed, they were ushered into the gymnasium. At first, it seemed like any other night—until the floor beneath them rumbled. Gasps echoed through the crowd as the ground split apart, revealing a massive underground coliseum. The Grand Coliseum was Thornecrest’s most feared arena. Towering stands surrounded the battlefield, filled with students and faculty eager to witness the final event. The Lion’s Arena was the most unpredictable and ruthless of all the trials—a brutal test of combat, endurance, and strateg
The courtroom hummed with restless energy as Chancellor Warwick’s voice echoed through the space.“This concludes today’s proceedings. Congratulations to our top three houses.”The final rankings were set.House Six had claimed first place. House Phantom followed closely behind in second, and House Dominion settled for third.The reactions were immediate.House Phantom had come dangerously close to winning, and it showed in the tight grip Bianca Michigan had on her notes. Oliver Wren sat still, his gaze distant, mentally replaying every mistake they had made. Whispers spread between their members, each exchange laced with frustration.House Dominion, on the other hand, looked like they had swallowed glass. David Huntsman sat with his jaw clenched, fingers drumming against the wooden table. Third place wasn’t a loss—but it wasn’t a win either. The members behind him wore polite smiles, but the tension in their shoulders betrayed t
The air inside the High Courtroom grew heavier as Chancellor Warwick’s words settled.Excitement crackled through the audience. Even those who had already lost leaned forward, eager to witness this final clash. House Phantom, the cunning scholarship students who thrived on uncovering hidden truths. House Six, the untouchable and rising rulers of Thornecrest, whose dominance was unquestioned.For the first time that afternoon, the match felt personal.Xavier Peterson exhaled, lazily stretching his arms. “Ah, this should be fun.”Professor Rhys Calloway, House Phantom’s House Master, shot him a sharp look. “We don’t play games, Xavier. We win with intelligence.”Xavier grinned. “That’s cute.”Calloway ignored him, adjusting his glasses as his students took their seats at the defense’s table.The Case: The People vs. Lord Benjamin Aldric (Treason Case)“The charge,” Chancellor Warwick continued, “is treason against
The courtroom of Thornecrest Academy was a grand spectacle of power, tradition, and ruthless ambition. Towering pillars loomed over the gathered houses, the dim glow of chandeliers casting long shadows across the polished marble floors. Every seat was filled, students from all eight houses lined up in their respective sections, their emblems boldly displayed. At the center of it all, Chancellor Hilliard Warwick stood, his mere presence demanding absolute silence. His gaze swept across the assembled students, lingering a fraction of a second longer on House Six before he finally spoke.“Today, we present the case of The People versus Augustine Blackwood,” his voice echoed through the high ceilings. “The charge—premeditated murder.”A murmur spread through the gallery. Some students leaned forward in anticipation, while others sat stiffly, already dreading the battle to come.At the prosecution table, House Six and House Phantom
The dining hall buzzed with tension, filled with the murmurs of students discussing the upcoming Grand Tribunal. Long banquet tables stretched across the room, separating the houses. House Masters sat amongst their students, offering last-minute advice—or, in some cases, threats.At the center, House Six occupied their usual spot. Unlike the others, who were poring over legal theories and pre-trial strategies, they weren’t even pretending to be concerned.Joy sipped her juice, completely at ease. Mika was demolishing a plate of fries. Samuel was sharpening a knife, the rhythmic scraping of metal on stone setting some students on edge.Miriam, seated across from him, adjusted her glasses, already deep in thought. Fiero was leaning back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table in an absentminded rhythm.And Moses? Headphones on. Eyes closed. Arms crossed. Classic.At the head of the table, Xavier Peterson exhaled dramatically, lo
Every house scrambled to buy last-minute advantages, form alliances, and sabotage their competitors. The atmosphere grew frantic as the auction phase began, with houses trying to make final trades to secure their positions. When the dust finally settled at noon, it was clear that House Dominion had emerged victorious. Their careful planning and strategic moves throughout the game had paid off. House Six came in a close second, their aggressive tactics just shy of winning. House Royal took third place, a respectable showing for their long-term investment strategy. The remaining houses—House Valiant, House Phantom, House Titan, and House Elect—were left to reflect on their performance. While their standings weren’t as high, they knew that the battle was far from over. There were always other opportunities to claim victory. The room was dead silent as the final bell rang, signaling the end of the Inheritance T