The Law of Equal Valiant Exchange? . . . Huh?

“What would you sacrifice for love?”

“Hmmm. . . that’s an interesting question. I think, with love, if you give into it completely, without any doubt or reservations, you are just bound to or inevitable to self-sacrifice willingly . . . and sometimes, maybe unknowingly . . . Maybe . . . I’m not sure. I have to think about that one.”

“Are you familiar with the Law of Equivalent Exchange?”

“The Law of Equal Valiant Exchange? Yes, yes . . . I believe that was practiced by the medieval knights."

“Uhh? . . .”

“Alright, fine, explain your stupid friggin law to me.”

“The law of equivalent exchange is a universal principle that states something can't come from nothing. To gain something, something of equal value must be given up or lost. It's a concept that originated in alchemy and applies to the transmutation of non-living matter. Here's how it works: 

“Firstly, and in no particular order, ‘to receive something, something of greater value must be given’.

“Second of Lee!” he declared proudly, holding up four fingers, “‘to receive or expect something, something of equal or greater value must be sacrificed’.”

“—DId you just say, ‘Second of Lee?”

“—Thirdly! ‘Whatever is earned in life must be paid for in some way—like time, energy, or effort’.

“Thats the gist of it.”

“Eh, I don’t buy it.”