“Tobias Soren acquired the Forbidden Knowledge illegally,” Duke Harrow’s accusation echoed through the High Court. “And worse, he taught it to his students, risking the destruction of the world.”

  Alice had braced herself for this trial, summoned by Harrow. Yet, the sheer gravity of the Duke’s accusation left her reeling. She glanced at Professor Tobias Soren, searching for his reaction, which was… unsettlingly calm.

  “I’m curious,” the King, seated high on the bench among the judges, shared a similar expression of intrigued disbelief. “How can you be certain Tobias Soren possesses knowledge he shouldn’t?”

  Access to the Forbidden Knowledge was strictly controlled, granted only by the King and Queen. Every grant, every topic, every permitted extent of sharing, was meticulously recorded and monitored by the Monarchs.

  “I provided the Oracle with the memories of his classes,” the Duke replied. To enforce the laws surrounding the Forbidden Knowledge, nobles could query the Oracle—the golem guardian of those secrets—to determine if a topic fell within its purview.

  “That does not prove illegal acquisition,” Alice objected. “Professor Soren is a gifted scholar. His research might naturally overlap with topics within the Forbidden Knowledge.”

  “Then you’ll agree with my diligence in reviewing his materials for potential issues before the next academic year?”

  Bullshit. You’re just trying to cover your tracks.

  “The Oracle confirmed a ‘positive’ match, but did not specify which topics were forbidden.”

  What?

  A stunned silence descended upon the courtroom. Everyone understood the implication. To prevent the indiscriminate spread of the Forbidden Knowledge, the Oracle was designed to withhold more than 25% of its archive.

  “Summon the Oracle,” the King commanded. There could be no delay in addressing a potential catastrophe.

  Within seconds, the courtroom ceiling parted, revealing a floating silver orb that descended into the center. Then, with a graceful transformation, the orb became a ten-foot humanoid figure. The golem, a towering woman in a metallic gown, fixed her lifeless ruby eyes on the King, awaiting his command.

  “By the authority of the King, reveal the percentage of materials in the archive that match the memories provided by Duke Harrow!”

  “[Estimated 85% to 100%.]”

  The Oracle’s flat response ignited a wave of shock throughout the courtroom. Even Duke Harrow’s face was drained of color. He had intended to use the trial to discredit Professor Soren, but he had not anticipated such a devastating revelation.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Alice trembled. With that much Forbidden Knowledge, the professor she thought she knew could be a monster capable of unleashing world-ending magic.

  Like everyone else, she looked to the professor, fear gnawing at her. Should they subdue him now? Or risk provoking him? His expression might hold the answer.

  Instead, they found him looking amused, with a hint of curiosity and confusion.

  How do I convince everyone I’m not capable of destroying the world?

  That was his current dilemma.

  The King struggled to maintain his composure. He had to see this through. He took a deep breath.

  “Project the core knowledge, deduced to represent 50% of the archive,” the King ordered, seeking to minimize the exposure of the Forbidden Knowledge within the courtroom.

  The Oracle calculated for five seconds, then directed its eyes toward the open air. Laser beams formed a holographic projection of a classroom scene.

  “The Five Senses stack upon each other, forming the Laws of the World we live in.”

  Alice remembered this. It was the first class she had attended.

  The scene shifted.

  “The Dark Forest Hypothesis should not be used to explain the Absence of Extraterrestrial Civilization. It should be the premise of Pre-Eden Interdimensional Warfare.”

  Another class.

  “It has different names: Pandemonium, Abyss, Limbo… But I prefer the Soul Realm.”

  This time, it was a scene from Midnight Roguelike, the professor’s dream-class. The holographic professor rambled…

  “I had the feeling someone misheard ‘By the Great Filter of God’ as ‘By the Grace of God.’”

  And another.

  “Have you heard of Laplace’s Demon?”

  Then, two fragmented scenes.

  “Let me tell you the story of Moira… And that is how there are Three Sisters.”

  The Oracle ceased its projection.

  Unlike the confused nobles, the King, with full access to the archive, understood the significance of these keywords.

  “Are these memories accurate?”

  “[Calculations confirm the memories are authentic and true.]”

  The Oracle’s response was unwavering, its ruby eyes fixed on the King, as if urging him to maintain composure.

  The King scanned the courtroom, his gaze settling on his daughter, who had spent considerable time with the professor, hoping she might offer insight.

  Alice’s bewildered expression only deepened his disappointment.

  He turned to Professor Soren, managing only a hoarse, “How…?”

  “Your Majesty, if I provide the Oracle with my memories, it can determine the accuracy of my explanation, correct?” Soren’s attention was now focused on the golem. He was fascinated by its ability to analyze, project, and calculate memories.

  “Ye… Yes!” the King stammered, his mind still wrestling with the possibility of ordering the professor’s execution.

  “Like a Laplace’s Demon… Fascinating!” the professor exclaimed. Without hesitation, he raised a finger, conjuring a thread of light. He gestured toward the Oracle, sending the thread of memories into the golem.

  The Oracle’s ruby eyes glowed. It began its analysis, recalling a random fragment: the first class Alice had attended.

  “What is Magic?”