After Soren's tactical display and clapback, the court took another recess.

.....

"That, my friend, was impressive." Devon complimented.

He took a drag of his cigarette, smiling. "I did not even need to bring out my secret weapon. Are you sure you won't consider becoming a lawyer?"

Soren shook his head. "That's flattering, but I..." He looked away. "I don't think bending the law is exactly the kind of thing I'm made for."

"Are you sure?" Devon puffed out smoke. "You could have fooled me, you know." He looked at Soren with a peculiar gaze.

"You know what? How about this. I'll just leave you with my card instead." He dug a hand into his jacket and brought out a card.

"Even if you don't want to be a lawyer, I have a feeling you might make me a lot of money in the future."

Soren collected the card. He understood what Devon was implying. "You think I'll get into more trouble?"

Devon chuckled, "Yes. Yes, I do. But trust me. It's a good thing. Trouble only follows those willing to pursue their dreams."

Done with the cigarette, Devon stepped on it. "I just remembered. You haven't had anything all day. Aren't you hungry?"

Soren shrugged, "Always."

The two made their way to the cafeteria. The renovations had been completed. However, it was mostly empty today.

The prisoners were in the Glass. Only those exceptions that were either wounded or for any other special reason.

Regardless, Soren's eyes darted around.

"Looking for someone?" Devon asked, a particular knowing gaze in his eyes, as he took his tray to the serving point.

"Eh... not exactly." Soren looked away.

"Ahhh, I know that look. A lady friend. Oh, the joys of youth." Devon teased. "Is she perhaps the reason you don't want to be a lawyer?"

Soren shook his head. Intentionally dodging the question.

Devon looked at the boy a bit more, as if trying to figure him out. Soren took his meal, paid the appropriate points, and went to a table.

Soon, Devon joined him on the table. "You know, if she is the reason, I don't mind. While I don't have romantic entanglements I do envy people that do.

Especially those as young as yourself. Most importantly, I envy the lengths one goes in the pursuit of that love.

How do they say it? Protect that which is sacred."

Soren paused.

"You've read 'Discipline of Sorrow'?"

Devon raised a questioning brow as he stuffed his face with his food. He spoke in between bites. "I... chew... don't know what that is. But this is a quote from my old man.

And it emphasizes... chew chew...the protection of what is important even at the cost of your well-being or sanity." He looked up at Soren.

"Unfortunately, not all of us have such a heart. Some of us are plagued by the fear of our existence and the fear of the reliance on others."

He wiped his mouth with a napkin. His eyes turned serious. "But trust me, we do envy those of you that do.

Except, of course, we don't envy the lives you live..." Devon shook his head in thought, "If you live." He paused a bit, choosing his words carefully.

"People who love like that my friend, don't usually live long."

Soren nodded. However, he looked at Devon weirdly.

Devon noticed Soren's gaze. He took a look at himself. His plate was messy.

Not that Soren minded. But he never thought he would see a man with a last name, a noble, eat like a commoner.

"What is that?" Soren asked, looking at the weird-looking food Devon had on his plate.

Soren recognized the bread on top and underneath, but nearly nothing in the middle.

"This, my friend." Devon pointed to his plate. "It's called a hamburger. Rumors have it that it was the most sought-after cuisine of the old world before the first glass broke.

Many would fight wars for recipes to produce the best hamburgers.

The dish is even named after a king of old. What was his name again... em... The Burger King."

"Oh...incredible," Soren nodded. But could not help but wonder how a king's dish ended up in a prisoner's cafeteria. And then he looked ahead at the food display on the counter.

He saw the price of one.

Eighty thousand points.

Soren swallowed. That was just twenty thousand short of the amount to buy a prisoner's freedom.

Many men had died for just ten thousand points.

It's really a king's meal.

He thought to himself.

"Now, to other matters." Devon wiped his mouth with the napkin properly.

His gaze focused. "We can say that the score is 1 on both sides. Meaning that whoever scores next wins."

Soren understood that Devon was referring to the courtroom.

"The prosecutor knows that she can't play the religion card or the assault card again. Those have been nullified by the proof of your Shade's ability.

However, the Ivory family are a real sick bunch. They will not be satisfied until they end your life.

An eye for an eye."

Soren's gaze focused. "So what else can she use?" He asked inquisitively. "There is already video evidence that Ivory tried to kill us. It also has her unwilling confession."

Devon sighed. "She can use the law of the land. Murder, even for justifiable reasons, is still murder."

"But we can claim self-defense." Soren stated the obvious.

"Self-defense can only be claimed if she attacked first.

"But she did. She released her soul energy and..." Soren paused.

For him, it was a long time ago. Also, that day had happened too many times.

He tried hard to remember the details of the last day.

"Instructor Ivory released her soul energy, true." Devon explained. "But it could be argued that she only intimidated you so she could run away with the Eldritch soul.

After all, she did say that she would let you and your friends live."

Soren frowned. "So what should we have done? Let her do as she pleased? And what if she went back on her word and killed us?"

Devon waved a hand dismissively. "That's not what's important right now. What is important is that the prosecutor will argue that Instructor Ivory was provoked.

Secondly, your party attacked first. I mean the... Flame boy."

"Vass," Soren corrected.

"Yes. Him. His soul energy caused the flames that blew up the ceiling and all that. And then you and the Polystar kid attacked from the flanks.

Only then did Instructor Ivory throw the first attack at... what did you call his name—Vass?"

Soren came to a realization. "Are you saying that she can claim self-defense?"

"Bingo. Now you're really thinking like a lawyer."

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