"Mr. Nobell," Zig said carefully, "don't you think you expressed yourself too harshly?"

  "Too harshly?" Angelo repeated. "I simply called things by their proper names."

  A pause.

  "If anyone is offended, I'll buy him a lollipop after the interview."

  He looked directly at Kael.

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  A few quiet laughs.

  Angelo continued.

  "I started playing at seven. I spent five years in that game. I became number one."

  He paused.

  "But what did it give me?"

  Silence.

  "Fame. Power. Respect. Money. Yes."

  His gaze hardened.

  "But did you ever think about the price?"

  No one interrupted.

  "To maintain control over Pelegon, I spent up to seventeen hours a day in the game."

  A slight shift in the audience.

  "It damaged my mental and physical condition. Headaches. Exhaustion. Constant pressure."

  His tone remained steady.

  "When I was twelve, my brain was already at its limit."

  A pause.

  "I nearly died."

  The words settled.

  Maria lowered her head.

  Even Kael's expression changed.