Chapter 4: Lawyer In The Making...

Arden rushed into the lecture hall, panting hard. His chest rose and fell as if he had just escaped a chase. In truth, he had been running from home, after coming back from the market because he knew vuvudly His shirt clung slightly to his back with sweat, and his bag swung at his side.

The large hall fell silent as the heavy wooden door slammed shut behind him. The professor, a tall man in his early fifties with silver-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, turned slowly to look at him. His frown was deep, his gaze sharp.

“Mr. Arden,” the professor said, his voice echoing across the room. “Late. Again.”

A wave of whispers rose from the students. Some snickered, others simply stared. Arden’s ears burned. He bowed his head very low, almost touching his chest.

“I am so sorry, Professor,” Arden said softly, his voice carrying both sincerity and shame.

The professor sighed and adjusted his glasses. He was known to be strict but fair. “I will pardon you today because I know you know what you are doing. But be warned, the law does not forgive repeated offenders so easily.”

A small ripple of laughter moved through the hall. Arden forced himself to smile faintly as he bowed again. “Thank you, Professor.”

He turned his eyes around the lecture hall, searching quickly. Rows of students were already seated with their books and laptops open. He spotted his best friend, Kyle, at the middle row. Relief washed over him. He made his way toward him, weaving between legs and bags, and finally slid into the seat beside him.

“Morning,” Arden whispered with a hopeful smile.

Kyle glanced at him, frowning, his face tight with disapproval. He did not answer. Instead, he turned back to the front and fixed his eyes on the professor.

Arden bit his lip. He felt the sting, but he didn’t push. He simply pulled out his notebook and pen, determined to focus. He had lost too much already. He couldn’t afford to lose law — not when it was what his father always wanted for him.

---

The professor clapped his hands once. “Alright, class. Enough of distractions. Today, we will test how well you understand the foundations of law. Many of you sit here, but do you truly grasp what it means to study law? To live by law? Let us see.”

He scanned the hall. Students avoided his gaze, pretending to be busy writing, typing, or looking at the ceiling.

“You there,” the professor said, pointing directly at Arden.

Arden froze. His chest tightened, but he quickly stood, holding his notebook to his side.

“Yes, Professor?” he asked, his voice steady though his palms sweated.

The professor adjusted his glasses again. “Let us start simple. Mr. Arden, tell us — what is the difference between criminal law and civil law?”

The hall went silent.

Arden swallowed. His father’s voice came back to him, late-night talks at the dining table. “Always know the basics, Arden. If you know your foundation, no one can shake you.”

He lifted his chin. “Criminal law is the body of law that deals with offenses against the state or society. It punishes wrongful acts like theft, murder, and assault. Civil law, on the other hand, deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, often about rights and duties. Instead of punishment, civil law focuses on compensation or remedies.”

The professor raised a brow. “And the standard of proof? Tell me.”

“In criminal law, the standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubt,” Arden answered without hesitation. “In civil law, it is usually on the balance of probabilities.”

A murmur of approval swept across the hall. Some students nodded. Others narrowed their eyes.

The professor smiled faintly. “Good. Very good. Sit down, Mr. Arden.”

Arden obeyed, his cheeks warming. He could feel eyes on him from every corner.

Kyle shifted beside him, his frown easing slightly, but he still said nothing.

---

The professor wasn’t done. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced the front of the hall. “Since Mr. Arden seems awake, let us push further.”

He turned again to Arden. “Mr. Arden, what do we mean by the Rule of Law? A phrase every law student loves to quote. Define it.”

Arden stood again. He cleared his throat. “The Rule of Law means that no one is above the law, and everyone is subject to it, including those in power. It ensures fairness, equality, and accountability. The idea was famously described by A.V. Dicey, who emphasized three principles: supremacy of law, equality before the law, and the constitution as a result of the ordinary law of the land.”

A hush fell over the class. The professor’s eyes twinkled. “And why is the Rule of Law important, Mr. Arden?”

“Because without it,” Arden said, his voice growing firmer, “there would be tyranny. People in power could act as they please. The Rule of Law protects citizens, ensures justice, and maintains order in society.”

The professor nodded slowly. “Impressive. You may sit.”

Arden lowered himself back into his chair. His heart thudded fast, but not from fear anymore. From pride. He wished his father could see him right now.

---

The professor asked other students different questions, but many stumbled, muttered vague answers, or stayed silent. After a few minutes, his eyes returned to Arden.

“Mr. Arden,” he said again, “one last question for you. What is a contract? And when can it be considered valid?”

Arden stood once more. This was his comfort zone. He remembered long nights reading about contracts, his father always urging him to understand the law of agreements.

“A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties that creates obligations which the law will enforce,” Arden began. “For a contract to be valid, it must have certain elements: offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations, and capacity of the parties. Without these, the agreement cannot be enforced by law.”

“And give me an example,” the professor pressed.

“If I agree to sell my laptop to Kyle for one hundred dollars, and he accepts, we both exchange promises. That is offer and acceptance. If he pays and I deliver, consideration exists. Because we both intend it as a serious agreement, not a joke, the law can enforce it. That makes it a valid contract.”

The hall erupted in murmurs again. A few students smiled. Kyle turned to him, finally, and whispered under his breath, “Show-off.” But there was a small grin tugging at his lips.

The professor chuckled. “Very good, Mr. Arden. It seems the fire of law burns strong in you. You remind me of myself many years ago.”

Arden bowed his head slightly. “Thank you, Professor.”

He sat down again, his hand trembling as he gripped his pen. For the first time in days, he felt alive. He was more than the boy who swept floors and slept in a storeroom. Here, in the lecture hall, he was exactly who his father believed he could be: a lawyer in the making.