System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Ethan reviewed the list one last time. He had opted for an approach of immediate, practical utility, saving the rest of his points.

Ethan thought: The touch, the vision, the awareness, and the Qi control are essential for surviving in prison. Lightning is a lethal short-range tool, and the Fist technique is the only thing I can use without being discovered.

"System, I've made up my mind," Ethan said. "I want to buy the following six, and I'll save the rest, since I don't want to explode mixing elements."

Ethan mentally selected:

[Erovision - 1,000 Lux points]

[Erotouch - 1,000 Lux points]

[Celestial Qi Resonance Scan - 1,000 Lux points]

[Basic Qi Breathing - 1,000 Lux points]

[Basic Elemental Control (Lightning) - 1,000 Lux points]

[Dao Martial Technique of the Fist - 1,000 Lux points]

"Alright! 6,000 Lux transferred!" the System said enthusiastically. "I will deliver them. Have fun! I like how you're thinking, hehe."

A wave of cold, refreshing, and delicious energy instantly coursed through Ethan's body. It was like being submerged in a freezing spring; the cold penetrated through his skin and bones, reorganizing his internal structure. After a few moments, the sensation subsided, and Ethan felt completely light and ready, as if he hadn't been injured hours ago.

"System, how do I activate my new abilities?" Ethan asked.

[Everything is in your mind, Champion,] the System replied. [You should already know what to do. It's an extension of your will.]

Ethan closed his eyes and focused on the most fundamental ability he had acquired: Basic Qi Breathing. He saw the ability information etched directly into his consciousness and began to activate it.

He felt a fresh breeze, something he had never experienced, that didn't just enter through his lungs, but penetrated through his skin. This energy, this Qi, passed through his entire body, refreshing and purifying it. His open wounds on his back began to itch and visibly close, his bruised bones and internal organs settled into place with an intoxicating sensation of perfection and balance. It was as if every cell in his body was drinking the elixir of life.

The sensation was so profound and so absorbing that Ethan sank into it, completely forgetting where he was and the handcuffs that bound him. The outside world faded away.

Only a few seconds had passed for Ethan when he was abruptly woken up by hysterical shouts.

"PRISONER! Wake up! Wake up right now!"

Ethan opened his eyes, confused and stunned by the interruption. The two watch officers were shouting and banging on the cot. A tall, somber man with a leather briefcase was standing in front of the bed: the Prosecutor.

"What the hell is going on?" Ethan mumbled. "I thought they said the prosecutor would arrive in three or four hours. Why is he here so fast?"

[Hehe, Champion,] the System mocked, its voice full of amusement. [For you, it was just a few seconds. For the outside world, five full hours have passed.]

Ethan was genuinely bewildered. "Five hours! How is that possible? Did I fall asleep?"

[You didn't fall asleep,] the System said. [That, my dear fellow, is called deep meditation. It is the most advanced state of meditation, where consciousness completely immerses itself in the body's energy flow, ignoring time and space. It seems you have a natural and explosive talent for this, boosted by the newly acquired Qi infusion. Congratulations, Rookie! You just went from coma to enlightenment, and the Prosecutor is very impatient.]

The tall man in the suit cleared his throat, ignoring the sweat and panic of the two officers trying to feign professionalism.

"I am Assistant Prosecutor Carter. And you," Carter said, looking at Ethan with judicial coldness, "are Mr. Ethan Blake. They tell me you have woken up. Fortunately. Superintendent Howard has informed me of your involvement in the terrorist attack on Congressman Vance's property. Given the severity of your wounds, this will be an informal hearing to determine whether your hospital condition is sustainable or if you must be immediately transferred to a county jail cell to await processing. The officers are here to ensure the law is respected."

The two watch officers tensed up, looking at Ethan with a silent warning.

"Mr. Blake, do you acknowledge that you were the mastermind and executor of the attack on Congressman Vance's private property on the morning of the past—?"

"Congressman Vance is a terrorist, and what I did was a rescue operation," Ethan said in a firm voice, interrupting him. The Basic Qi Breathing had left him perfectly serene and lucid, without a trace of the previous pain or confusion.

Prosecutor Carter stopped speaking. His lips curled into a sneer of disbelief.

"Silence, prisoner!" one of the officers snapped, stepping forward. "Answer the Prosecutor's question. Don't lie!"

"I'm healed, officer. You have no right to yell at me," Ethan said, keeping his voice low and even. He looked at Prosecutor Carter. "We didn't attack. We went there to free a police officer who was being tortured by Congressman Vance, the real criminal."

"Lies!" the second officer shouted.

Prosecutor Carter raised a hand, silencing the officer, but his gaze remained fixed on Ethan, evaluating his firmness.

"Mr. Blake, I understand that Officer Sparks has provided a statement, a statement that is currently under investigation by the Internal Affairs department. However, at the scene, dozens of bodies were found, illegal military weaponry was used, and a high-powered bomb was detonated, presumably by you. Can you explain to this informal court why the 'terrorist' Vance, who is an elected official, would try to 'torture' one of his own?"

"Because she was a witness," Ethan retorted. "Officer Sparks discovered that Vance and his thugs were trafficking weapons, drugs, and people through his political network. She tried to expose him, and he tried to silence her by kidnapping and torturing her in the basement."

Prosecutor Carter jotted something down in his notebook. "And you, a civilian with no authority, decided that the use of military force was appropriate.