After drinking the potion, all four fell into the initial awakening state of consuming the potion.
However, the state was not particularly bad.
Compared to ordinary people who truly step into the world of Beyonders for the first time, the situation of Sakuya and the other three was much better. They had, after all, awakened their spirituality through grace, and with Ren watching over them, they naturally would not experience the step of corruption.
"It feels different from grace."
For Hinagiku, returning to the Sequence 9 of Lawyer was a downgrade for her.
However, after returning to this stage, Hinagiku still gained a deeper understanding of the Lawyer.
That is, the rules as a Lawyer, or rather, the summary of acting.
A weak Lawyer needs to see through rules, abide by rules, and utilize rules to put themselves in a more advantageous position, thereby striking the target in a rule-based manner.
This cognition, stemming from the digestion of the potion, was not something grace could provide.
"The Lawyer potion has been digested."
Hinagiku could perceive that her understanding of rules had become more complete.
What a Lawyer does is utilize rules under certain rules to create better conditions for themselves.
She also gained a clearer understanding of Barbarians.
For those who adhere to rules, a Lawyer will use rules to confront them, but for those who do not adhere to rules, then a Lawyer needs to take off their suit, roll up their sleeves, and let the target see the strength of the muscles under the suit.
Since they do not follow ordinary rules, then they will follow the Lawyer's rules.
Ren could see Hinagiku's mental body growing, and through her spirituality, he could judge the increase in her abilities.
"Indeed, Miss Katsura also has high talent in this regard."
Even though she gave up grace for the potion, she still displayed extraordinary talent.
The potion taken orally could be digested in an instant.
Such a person could be called a genius no matter where they were.
It was just that Hinagiku felt a little regretful.
"It's just that my body has weakened. I can't use my physical abilities to fight Nagi now."
"Isn't that obvious?"
Nagi still remembered how her fight with Hinagiku using Element Power yesterday ended in a draw.
"So, next time we train, Nagi, remember not to use Element Power."
"Eh? Not use Element Power?"
"Wouldn't that just be pure physical confrontation?"
Nagi was still a bit hesitant about physical confrontation, after all, her pure physical fitness might not even be as good as Hinagiku's.
"No? Nagi is really competitive in this regard."
"Huh?"
Nagi turned her head and saw the helpless smile on Hinagiku's face. In an instant, her blood rushed to her head. How did it seem like she could not take a joke?
"Fine! If you don't use it, then don't. But if you lose then, you can't make excuses."
Looking at the excited Nagi, Hinagiku only nodded slightly.
"Of course."
Then the emotions on her face converged, like a face-changing trick, which left Nagi stunned.
"Wait! Did you use extraordinary abilities?"
Nagi reacted.
"Just according to the rules you set, utilizing your emotions and personality, I twisted some of your regulations to create some more suitable situations."
"…Didn't that mean you used it?"
"Of course, if you want to put it that way, I also used the Lawyer's extraordinary ability. I'm sorry, Nagi."
Nagi, who had just been angry due to her rising temper, heard this apology, and her anger instantly subsided a bit.
But after a moment's pause, she reacted again.
"…This is also an extraordinary ability, isn't it?!"
But this time, Nagi no longer had the same anger as before.
"Hinagiku, why are you still using me as a target for testing your abilities?"
Hinagiku had a brilliant and sincere smile on her face.
"Because Nagi will forgive me."
This brilliant smile caused Nagi's consciousness to briefly pause. That inexplicable feeling of heart-pounding came rushing with the smile, and at this point, even the last bit of anger was completely worn away.
"Ugh… this, this time it's fine. But you'd better remember, there can't be a next time."
Nagi, who met that pair of yellow-green eyes, even flinched a little, her gaze constantly darting away, and her words were soft and unassertive, making one want to bully her a few more times.
Of course, Hinagiku smiled and agreed, but she also understood in her heart that this was how the Lawyer's extraordinary ability was used.
The power of words is a sharp blade. As long as the topic is brought into one's own rhythm, then one can create an environment more favorable to oneself based on existing rules.
The Lawyer's inherent eloquence, affinity, and ability to twist and mislead are all means of using rules to one's advantage.
Of course, there was one thing Hinagiku said seriously.
"I'm sorry, Nagi."
The slow-witted Nagi only reacted from her previous dodging.
"…Damn it!"
This time, looking at Hinagiku, there was no longer that radiant smile that made it hard to look at her directly.
But the anger that had been used as a target had also dissipated.
"Don't use extraordinary abilities on me again, or I'll really get angry."
After complaining, she glared fiercely at Hinagiku.
Then her gaze, filled with complaint, looked at Ren.
Ren naturally noticed Nagi's gaze, then he raised his hand, and Nagi sat directly on his lap.
"I didn't warn you, are you angry?"
"What do you think?"
Nagi was not surprised by the change in her position, she just glanced back with a dead fish eye.
"Don't be angry, don't be angry."
Ren smiled, carefully holding Nagi who was sitting on his lap.
"I admit I had a bit of a 'watching the show' mentality just now, but I also knew that Miss Katsura definitely wouldn't cause too much of an impact on you. She was controlling it."
"And compared to others, isn't your relationship with Miss Katsura always pretty good? Miss Katsura chose you because she knew you were the only one she could test."
At these words, Nagi pouted, her eyes darting toward Hinagiku, only to see Hinagiku with her hands clasped together, looking at her apologetically.
"Hmph!"
With a soft snort, Nagi suddenly felt that her anger was not so great anymore.
However, she looked down at Ren's leg, and with clenched fists, she still knocked hard.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)