Sorcerer’s Handbook

"Get me some toast, a glass of milk...what's that? Braised Lalapork? I'll have some of that too."

Ashe picked up his tray and sat down, observing the people eating in the cafeteria.

In addition to the prisoners wearing classic skins, there were also many guards eating here. This prison didn't seem to have a hierarchical system - the guards and prisoners looked equal, or rather, the guards didn't care about the prisoners at all, and the prisoners wouldn't deliberately provoke the guards either, creating a harmonious prison.

Ashe could understand the guards not caring about the prisoners - slackers will be slackers, it's human nature. But why were the prisoners also avoiding the guards?

After all, smart people wouldn't commit crimes, so the people locked up here must be foolish idiots, like a certain cult leader arrested by some cops (hunters).

By that logic, the prisoners must also be dumb, but why didn't they taunt and mock the guards?

"Because they're locked up, obviously," said the Swordswoman, poking at the braised lalapork as she sat down next to him. "Your necks all have restraining chips that forbid you from attacking or insulting others, or harming yourselves. That's why this Shattered Lake Prison is so free - your every bone and nerve is in shackles and chains."

"Look, there are even propaganda posters on the wall about 'building a civilized prison,' with photos of death row inmates posing with students. Seems they've had great success with prison education here, even having school field trips."

Ashe instinctively touched the back of his neck, eyes wide. "This - this is like having a bomb implanted in my neck -"

"Do you really have to talk so loudly?" The Swordswoman pointed at the prisoners looking over curiously at the noise.

Ashe immediately stuffed his mouth with toast: "So as long as I have this chip, I can't even escape? There must be a tracking function too!"

"Not just that. If they want, they can even make the chip emit a strong electric current to stop your heart directly," said the Swordswoman with a shrug. "So you're right, theoretically you can't escape from this prison. Forget escaping, even if you try to dig a tunnel with a spoon, the chip will stop you from damaging public property."

"Theoretically it's impossible, so what about actually?" Ashe drank some of the surprisingly sweet milk.

"Actually...also impossible," said the Swordswoman, rolling her eyes. "How would I know so much when I'm not from here? I don't even exist."

"Then where did you get that information from earlier?"

"Your AR folder had a Shattered Lake Prison Encyclopedia that I browsed when I was bored. But I'm just an AI from a game, how would I know anything about this world?" said the Swordswoman.

Ashe was taken aback. Troublesome - she could access other files in his augmented reality. And here he'd wanted to check if this world had any mysterious yellow-black websites...

The Swordswoman flicked his forehead sharply. Her virtual attacks sure hurt a lot!

Ashe looked around and saw the bald muscular man had also taken some milk. He went over and sat across from the man - emboldened now that he knew the others couldn't attack him.

"Hey, I'm Ashe. What's your name?"

"Hey Ashe, I have a boyfriend," the bald man replied genially.

Ashe was stunned. He felt the nearby guards and prisoners look over at the words too, and quickly explained, "No no, not like that! I just have some questions to ask you!"

"I understand, really I do," the bald man nodded understandingly. "It's always awkward when you try to hit on someone who proactively discloses they're in a relationship upfront. But my love for my boyfriend is pure and true - there's no room for doubt or jealousy. So I make my stance clear from the start, which is better for everyone. You seem like a good guy too Ashe, I'm sure you'll find love someday."

"I...didn't...I just..."

"Go ahead and ask," said the bald man with an encouraging look. "No need to feel awkward over a failed come-on, it happens. If you can't think of questions to brush me off for now, take your time. But honestly Ashe, your approach was so cliché - even deliberately knocking over my milk like a grade schooler..."

Well, the evidence was damning and Ashe couldn't deny it.

He suddenly felt the stares around him grow strange. Ashe opened and closed his mouth before finally giving up on explaining himself. "I wanted to ask, is there a way I can fight around here?"

The bald man looked surprised. "You're new? Oh right, you're that cult leader who's been all over the news recently..."

"Well, I am quite interested in your Four Pillars cult. Too bad I have a boyfriend, or else I could've given you a chance..."

Ashe couldn't take it anymore and wanted to just leave, but the man's next words made him stay: "If you're looking to get some exercise, then you've found the right person. Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Langna, a member of the Deathmatch Society."

"Deathmatch Society?"

"Because of the chips, we can't harm each other. But the Deathmatch Society has permission from the warden to temporarily unlock our chip limits and fight during deathmatches - it's an exclusive privilege for society members."

Ashe was quite surprised. "The prison even allows this? How humane."

Langna shook his head. "But there's a price for doing this, the biggest being where our group's name comes from."

"Deathmatch?"

"That's right," said Langna, drinking up the last of his milk and licking his lips clean. "If you join a deathmatch, it has to end with one side dying. No rest until death in the deathmatch."

Ashe blinked. "But...the prison uses so many methods to restrain us. Would they allow us to commit murder?"

"If someone dies, it doesn't mean you killed them," Langna laughed. "The medical room is right next to the deathmatch stage. As long as the corpse is intact and died within five minutes, they can be saved there. Of course, no guarantees on side effects."

"And even if a prisoner really dies, the prison won't care. Because here, every single prisoner is condemned to die."

This line had an 'if you kill them, they die' feeling. Ashe nodded along, "Right, people do die eventually."

"Hm? You seem to have misunderstood me," Langna looked surprised. "Haven't you heard of Shattered Lake's reputation outside? And the Blood Moon Tribunals on the 1st and 15th every month?"

"Ah?"

"Every single prisoner in Shattered Lake is a condemned criminal. No appeals, no escapes, deprived of political rights for life," said Langna calmly.

"After being jailed here, we can eat well, sleep well, exercise, watch movies, play games. The only thing not allowed is depriving anyone of life - even your own. Because what awaits us is always just one ending—"

"To participate in the Blood Moon Tribunal, and die in the cruelest way imaginable in front of all eyes."