"Exactly," Dina said with an approving smile. "The system doesn't enforce morality through restriction, but through consequence."
Annie shook her head, her expression troubled. "But how does that even differ from where we came from? It's the same thing. You've just given it a fancy name—karmic points instead of moral laws. The end result is identical."
Julian chuckled, a sound of genuine amusement at her observation. "No, it's not the same at all. The fact that it's not bound by laws means that the 'heinous acts' aren't entirely heinous here. If you know how to balance good and bad karmic points, you're free to do whatever you wish to do without being labeled a criminal or sinner."
Dina's eyes sparkled as she nodded toward Julian. "You have a very bright son. He's absolutely spot on about how the system functions."
Annie felt a complicated flutter in her chest at hearing Dina refer to Julian as her son so casually, especially after everything that had been revealed.
