1 Prologue: The awakening

Zhao Hetian had been a legend in the legal world. With a track record of victories that stretched back decades, he was known as the "Emotionless Defense Machine" among his colleagues and the media. Many aspired to be as skilled and composed as he was. To work under his tutelage at Themis Law Firm was a coveted opportunity, but it came with the knowledge that the standards set by Hetian were unforgiving.

In the cutthroat world of modern law, where victory meant fortune and defeat spelled ruination, Zhao Hetian was the embodiment of success. His expertise spanned a wide range of legal fields, and his ability to dissect and counter any argument, no matter how formidable, was unrivaled. But behind the facade of a stoic, relentless attorney lay a deeply suppressed past, a burden he had carried throughout his career.

Little did anyone know that beneath his icy exterior, Hetian had been waging a lifelong battle against his own emotions and impulses. It was a war that had cost him dearly, leaving him isolated and emotionally scarred. The victories in court had come at the expense of his own humanity, and the world remained oblivious to the turmoil that raged within him.

However, fate had a different path in store for Zhao Hetian. One day, as he was preparing for a crucial case, the world around him seemed to blur and distort. The grand law office of Themis vanished, replaced by an ornate chamber filled with archaic scrolls and the scent of aged parchment. The polished mahogany desk that had once been his instrument of precision was gone, replaced by a weathered oak writing table.

Hetian's first instinct was to believe he had lost his mind, that the stress of his career had finally taken its toll. But then he heard a voice, calm and commanding, in his mind. It was not a deity, not an entity, but a System. It possessed him and had guided him into this new world.

"Zhao Hetian, you have been reborn," the System declared.

Feeling a sense of confusion and disbelief, Hetian finally spoke, "Reborn? What is this place? Who are you?"

The System responded, "This is a new world, a new beginning for you. I am the System, and I am here to guide you. You have been reborn as Ezekiel Everhart, and with my guidance, you have the potential to achieve greatness in this world."

Hetian, now Ezekiel Everhart, was initially overwhelmed with a sense of despair. He mumbled, "But I was a legend in my old world, and now I'm just... average."

The System assured him, "Your past accomplishments matter, but this is an opportunity for you to reach new heights. With my assistance, you can become a top attorney and amass great wealth. The possibilities are boundless."

Ezekiel's determination began to rekindle. He realized that he could use this second chance not only to excel in the legal world but also to explore the facets of his own humanity that he had long suppressed.