I Went to Another World and Became a Chaos Witch

"Your academic observations are fascinating, Miss Blackthorn," High Councilor Brightstone cut through the scholarly discussion sharply, "but they do not change the gravity of your actions. You accessed sealed magical knowledge without oversight, conducted unauthorized experiments, and awakened powers that have been forbidden for centuries."

The chamber's crystalline walls suddenly felt colder as the mood shifted from academic curiosity to judgment. Sarah felt Ravenna's memories of similar hearings - other mages who had crossed lines, who had pursued forbidden knowledge. None of their stories had ended well.

"The standard sentence for such violations is ten years in the Obsidian Tower," Councilor Frost stated, setting aside her notes about the marks. "And those cases didn't involve chaos magic."

"I followed all proper experimental protocols," Sarah argued, drawing on Ravenna's memories of safety measures and documentation. "The texts weren't officially classified as forbidden-"

"Yet you knew they were sealed," Councilor Chen interjected, his earlier supportive tone replaced with stern authority. "You broke those seals deliberately, Miss Blackthorn. Your thorough documentation proves you understood exactly what you were doing."

Sarah felt a chill. Ravenna's memories showed her the truth of their words - she had known the texts were sealed, and had carefully planned how to access them. The methodical research that had impressed them earlier now served as evidence of premeditation.

"The law exists for a reason," High Councilor Brightstone continued. "Your marks are not the issue here - though they will require monitoring. The issue is that you deliberately circumvented magical restrictions put in place to protect our society. Your age and academic achievements cannot excuse that."

Councilor Moonshadow, who had been fascinated by the marks earlier, now looked troubled. "We must consider the precedent this sets. If we're lenient because of her research potential, what message does that send to other young mages tempted to explore sealed magic?"

The marks on Sarah's skin shifted slightly, responding to her rising anxiety, but the Council barely seemed to notice now. They were focused on legal texts that had appeared before them, consulting precedents and sentencing guidelines.

"Twenty years," Councilor Frost declared. "Given the severity and deliberate nature of the violations."

"That's more than-" Sarah started to protest, but Councilor Chen raised his hand.

"You're right. It's more than standard. But you didn't commit a standard violation, did you? You awakened chaos magic through deliberate, methodical study of sealed texts. The length of the sentence reflects not just punishment, but the need to deter others from following your path."

Sarah closed her eyes, accessing Ravenna's memories of the law. There was something... yes. "I request the Right of Scholarly Redemption," she said clearly, causing several Council members to look up sharply.

It was an ancient provision, rarely invoked. Through Ravenna's legal knowledge, Sarah knew it allowed condemned mages to commute part of their sentence through magical research benefiting the Council. It had fallen out of favor centuries ago, seen as too lenient, but it had never been officially repealed.

High Councilor Brightstone's eyes narrowed. "You would propose to continue magical research? After what you've done?"

"Under full Council supervision," Sarah replied carefully. "With all appropriate restrictions and safeguards. The marks are a fait accompli - wouldn't it be better to study them in controlled conditions rather than let their secrets be lost in the Obsidian Tower?" 

The Council members exchanged glances. Sarah held her breath, feeling the weight of two sets of knowledge - her understanding of how the story should go, and Ravenna's understanding of magical law - balanced on a knife's edge.

Finally, High Councilor Brightstone spoke. "We will recess to consider this request. Guards, return the prisoner to her cell." He fixed Sarah with a stern gaze. "Do not mistake academic interest for leniency, Miss Blackthorn. One way or another, there will be consequences for your actions."

As the guards led her away, Sarah tried to steady her nerves. She had the original story's knowledge of what was supposed to happen next, and Ravenna's understanding of magical law. But now she faced a third factor: the Council's need to balance justice with pragmatism. The marks on her skin were just a symptom - her real crime was daring to reach for forbidden knowledge. Now she had to prove she could be trusted with it, or face decades in magical confinement.