On the way home, Adam's mind played the whole event of that fight through his mind. He had many questions, most of which Dane was not knowledgeable enough to know. Dane only had some basic information on demonic beasts. Adam couldn't wait to get home so he could go ask Cathryn a bunch of questions.
The journey home was uneventful, just full of anticipation from Adam's part. After they hit the gates to Hessler, Adam parted ways with the regiment. Dane offered to walk Adam home, but Adam declined as he ran home on his own. This was the part of town Adam was familiar with, after all.
After Adam made it to Madame's, he first sought out his mother to say he was back. Vivienne was surprised but happy to see Adam had returned home so quick. Adam gave her a brief recount of what happened and asked to go see Cathryn. Vivienne did not have enough time to get a carriage out to SILU in time for Adam to receive a lesson, so they decided to head out tomorrow.
After that, Adam went off to find Helen and Silber. Adam found Helen in the cafeteria of the dorm, playing with Silber on one of the tables. She wore a heartfelt smile as she played with the pup that made Adam's heart clench for a moment. It seemed that after Adam wondered if he liked her, he subconsciously accepted the fact that he liked her after all and couldn't keep his heart from palpitating.
Adam quickly calmed his heart down. He also noticed that Alfred seemed to be taking a break here, and wasn't too far from Helen. “I really need to figure this situation out.” Adam thought.
Well, he had no ideas for now, so he tried to ignore all those awkward feelings and tried to interact with the others like normal. When Adam came over to the table Helen was at, Silber happily barked little sounds towards Adam. Looking up, Helen and Alfred were surprised to see Adam. They were expecting him to be gone for a couple days as planned, but it had only been a single day since he left.
A few others familiar with Adam noticed he was there as well and went over to ask what had happened. Rumors had been flying about when the military took Adam for the extermination and everyone wanted the details on what happened. As Adam recounted his story, many girls lost interest in his action packed adventure while many boys blood began to boil with excitement.
After finishing his story, Adam was preparing to relax and play with Silber when Janette came in. Giving what Adam saw as an evil smile, she said: “Oh, Adam. I had heard you were back already. Why don't you pop over to the kitchen at Madame's and help them out.”
“But I just got back!”
“No ifs ands or buts. If you want to go to see Cathryn tomorrow afternoon, you will have to work today instead. Punishment is punishment and you will have to endure. Now, off with you!”
Adam gave a very dejected 'kay' as he slowly walked out to go to the kitchen. Adam worked the rest of the afternoon before he was finally let off. Adam excitedly went back to play with Silber for the rest of the day. The next morning went as usual with morning exercises before Adam left for SILU to go see Cathryn.
Cathryn had known there was something up, since some military folks had come asking about Adam and whether or not he was a spiritualist. When she asked Adam after he came to her office, she finally heard all about the demonic bear and Adam's experiences with it.
Cathryn was frankly surprised by it all. “You are lucky to have survived Adam. A thought has occurred to me though, you did not feel that ominous sensation during the time you were with the regiment?”
Adam was a little surprised by this question. He thought back to that time. “No, I did not feel that sensation at all!”
“That is very interesting. From the wall garden, you were at least two kilometers from it and you detected it's presence. Yet later, you couldn't detect it from a hundred meters away....”
In the end, they could only add it to the list of oddities they couldn't figure out about Adam's path. Cathryn was hoping that if they made the list long enough with specific examples of Adam's path, she could send it off to some colleagues who might know something about it. This was better then wantonly sending Adam around to places that most likely would have no idea what his path was.
“Well, since you have had such an experience with a demonic creatures and the possibility of even seeing a spirit, today's lesson will be all about them. Before that, though, I want to speak to you about your relationship with the military.”
Cathryn told him pretty much the same things Dane did; how someone closely affiliated with a kingdom's interests can't be a member of SILU. She did give him an additional warning, though: “Also, be careful of anyone who is especially amicable to you. It is a recruiting tactic that the military uses. This Dane may truly be a good guy, but the military will use this. This is why he was probably set up as the head of the regiment to take down the demonic bear. They wanted to give you, a budding spiritualist, a good impression of the military and try to entice you to join.”
Adam was startled by this statement. Thinking back on it, it fit though. Like when Dane had asked him about his path, saying that his different perspective from SILU might help him with his path. Adam thought Dane was a good person, he did not want to think he was trying to underhandedly get him to join the military.
Cathryn said: “Don't think too deeply on it. As I said, Dane could truly be a good person, and that is why the military would use him. Just be careful with you future involvement with them. This recent expedition with the regiment could still be considered as mercenary work, as you were not directly employed by the kingdom. If you get too close to the military though, your SILU membership will be revoked and I will no longer be able to give you lessons!”
Adam appeared quite frightened by Cathryn's words. Seeing this, she hurriedly added: “I don't mean to scare you. It's just the rules we have to follow. I like teaching you and don't want to have to stop, either. Just be careful is all I am saying.”
After this, they started to get into the day's lesson. Cathryn went more in depth into guardian and demonic beasts. They had extended life spans, much like spiritualists, so some spiritualists tried to tame them! Demonic beasts were next to impossible to tame, but a few spiritualists have managed to tame guardian beasts. There were even an elite few spiritualists who had somehow managed to tame dragons!
Dragons were very unique, they always existed as a guardian or demonic beast. You could not find a dragon that was not endowed with spiritual abilities. They were also extremely hard to tame, most who try die from the experience. The few spiritualists who have tamed dragons could only say that you would know how to tame a dragon if the opportunity presented itself. You could not go out with the intention of taming a dragon, it was more something of a destiny that you and that dragon would come together.
There is a group of spiritualists who even believe that dragons are an existence that is close to spirits, at least they are closer to spirits than humans are. The most common dragon seen, is a demonic one, since it rampages around instead of lying low like a guardian dragon. There are rumors that demonic dragons appear as a calamity after an important spiritualist disappears, either from dying or going on a secluded journey. In fact, an old and powerful spiritualist had recently gone on a secluded journey so many other spiritualists have been keeping an eye out for dragon sightings that might follow this rumor.
Adam became very enamored when he thought about taming guardian beasts. The thought of having a personal dragon to ride on made his heart beat fast with excitement. Even if he wouldn't ever get the chance of taming a dragon, he couldn't help his imagination running wild. When Adam asked how he could tame a guardian beast, Cathryn tried to dissuade him from such thoughts.
Guardian beasts would require more attention to care for than a normal animal, even wild animals were easier to care for. Guardian beasts required an environment that suited the type of spirit essence that filled their bodies. Otherwise, they might deteriorate. Spiritualist could supplement them with additional spirit essence to hold their bodies together, but that required that one could control spirit essence. Most spiritualists will only tame a guardian beast at the later parts of their path to learn more about their path or how spirit essence interacts with a living body. It wasn't quite something as alluring as Adam was thinking.
Cathryn also talked more about spirits themselves. Only a select few spiritualists have actually seen the form of spirits. Most spirits do not interact directly with humans and even if they do, the human typically cannot see them. The only group that claims to be able to see spirits and communicate with them, are the highest priests of the Church of Spirits. These priests are spiritualists themselves, so there may be credence to their words, but it cannot be definitively proven.
There are even well known methods one can use to connect directly to certain spiritual planes. These methods open up a portal to that plane. However, this portal can only freely let things from that plane move to and from this world. If a human tries to go through the portal to the spiritual plane, the extreme concentration of spiritual essence will drive them mad! Most people who go through will simply die from the pressure of the spiritual essence! Some will be driven mad and become demonic beasts! A select few were able to come back out of the portal while not becoming a demonic beasts, but their minds were permanently destroyed!
To date, there is no one known in history to be able to traverse the planes to actually meet and interact with spirits. If a spiritualist wants to meet and talk with a spirit, they can only hope for good fortune that a spirit will seek them out on it's own. Otherwise, they will go their whole lives without seeing or talking to them.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Adam left Cathryn, satisfied by the lesson. It answered most of his questions and then some. It only lacked some information where spirits were concerned, but almost no one would be able to fully answer those questions. At this point, the only thing disturbing Adam's heart was the question of what to do about the situation between him, Alfred, and Helen.
Adam spent the rest of the day fantasizing about taming a guardian beast, playing with Silber and trying to figure out just what to do about that situation. The next afternoon, Adam decided to grit his teeth and just do something. He was getting nowhere trying to think about it. After both him and Alfred had finished their duty in the kitchen, Adam asked to speak to Alfred privately. Alfred was rather caught of guard by this, but agreed. With Adam's elemental sight, he was able to easily find a place where no one would eavesdrop on them.
In the secluded spot, Adam went a little red in the face from embarrassment. He really felt uncomfortable talking about this love and liking stuff. Alfred was curious just as to what Adam wanted. Adam finally took a deep breath and very quickly spat out: “I know you love Helen and I kinda liker her too!But my elemental sight says she has a crush on me and I don't want to hurt your feelings or hers or mine and I don't know what to do!”
Alfred was frightened when Adam revealed that he liked Helen, he thought he had kept that quiet. He barely caught any of the rest that Adam said so quickly. Alfred could only answer: “....What?”
Adam went over it one more time, just slightly slower this time. Alfred was finally able to barely catch what Adam was saying. Alfred could only blink at Adam while comprehending what he was saying. He asked with a quivering voice: “Y-you say that Helen has a crush on you?”
Adam could see that this was clearly affecting he quickly said: “It's just a light crush that she doesn't even know she has. It's nothing quite like the feelings you have for her. I also feel my heart clenching around her at times and I just don't know what to do!”
Alfred then asked: “Did you figure all this out with your elemental sight?”
Adam nodded his head with embarrassment. Alfred then said: “Helen is right, you are a peeper.”
“Hey!”
“Well it's true isn't it?”
“I can't help it! It's just the way I see the world, I can't not see your soul if I see you!”
Alfred started to enjoy teasing Adam. It slightly alleviated those shocked feelings from when Adam revealed that it was Helen who he loved and that she had a slight crush on Adam. It felt rather refreshing. “So... you are saying you are a born peeper then?”
Adam was at a loss of words. He had wanted to talk to Alfred to resolve this issue, but it had turned into a debate on whether or not he was a peeper instead. Looking at Adam like this, Alfred couldn't help from laughing. “Sorry, Adam. That just helped me clear my head a bit. Still, you should know that people don't like it when you reveal their hidden emotions. Sometimes they want to keep them hidden.”
Adam could only answer with a depressed: “I know.”
Alfred then started to seriously think about the matter. Adam expectantly waited off to the side, hoping that Alfred could come up with a good answer. Alfred remembered what Hansen had said before and he also really didn't feel like stepping off to the side to let Adam have Helen. A part inside of Alfred wanted to come up with some excuse or way to make it so that Adam would back off, but he was too close of a friend for him to actually do that. Eventually a very radical and probably bad idea came to mind. It was the only thing he could think of, though.
He then talked to Adam. “Well, as Hansen said, if we keep these emotions too bottled up, they may eventually explode in the worst ways possible. So I have an idea. We will have a duel and whoever wins gets to confess to Helen first! The loser can confess directly after the winner!”
Adam was flabbergasted at this. This was a horrible idea! But, he had nothing better. At least everything would come out into the open and Adam would no longer have to worry about it in secret. Adam also thought about just giving Helen to Alfred, but a part of him did not want to give her up. Adam finally gave a nod: “Fine, let's do it.”
Adam and Alfred then set to making plans about their duel. It was decided to happen at the wall garden, two nights from now. They would get Helen to follow and watch the duel, but wouldn't tell her that they were having the duel or why. Afterwords, they would finally confess!
The next two days, Adam was happy for that punishment that Janette gave him. It kept him from thinking about the approaching duel. Whenever he though of it, his heart beat faster with apprehension. He didn't want things to drastically change between him, Alfred, and Helen, but it just might after the duel.
It had been a while since Adam last came to the wall garden. He did not really have the time since he was looking after Silber now and couldn't just let Helen or the others look after it all the time. It had also been a long time since the three of them had gone there together, so Helen did not reject the idea of going to the wall garden with Adam and Alfred. She was adamant on carrying Silber and showing him the lovely park, though.
When they were heading out, Helen wondered why Adam and Alfred were bringing their wooden swords with them, it was rather odd. She had the cute Silber to distract her, though, so she didn't think of it much. After they finally reached the wall garden, Adam and Alfred suddenly asked her to watch them duel.
“What? Why?”
Alfred answered her: “You will find out afterwords, please this is important to us.”
Helen was simply left confused. She simply answered: “...Okay” as she sat down on a bench and placed Silber next to herself.
Adam and Alfred stood a distance away from each other before bearing their wooden swords. They did not want to take the life of the other so they were not using their sharp metal swords. Looking each other in the eye, the duel started!
Alfred was older and more robust than Adam. Adam had an advantage with his elemental sight to tell when Alfred would attack. This was what allowed Adam to barely fight that demonic bear. However, Alfred was very familiar with Adam's tactics so Adam found Alfred harder to deal with than the bear, even though his life wasn't on the line this time.
Every time Alfred attacked, Adam would try to use small movements to block against Alfred's faster speed. When Adam tried to attack between Alfred's strikes, Alfred could quickly step away with his longer strides. The duel was fairly even, neither side having a true advantage over the other.
A few minutes into the duel, the age gap between the two started to show itself. Adam started to tire out while Alfred still had a small amount of stamina to spare. Alfred finally decided to put the last of his strength into a single attack on Adam's sword. Alfred heavily attacked Adam's sword where the blade met the cross-guard, jarring the sword out of Adam's exhausted hands. Alfred then slowly brought the tip of his wooden sword to Adam's chest. Adam simply sighed in defeat.
During the duel, Helen had been worried about the reason for the duel while Silber seemed rather enthralled by the whole ordeal. After Adam picked up his wooden sword, both he and Alfred stood in front of Helen. Just as she was about to ask why they dueled Alfred suddenly said: “Helen I love you!”
That was quickly followed by a red faced Adam saying: “I-I like you too Helen!”
Helen was speechless, though her ears had started to turn a slight crimson. Eventually she asked: “I-is this what the whole duel was about?”
Alfred answered: “Yes, the winner got to confess first! Adam noticed my love for you and that you had a slight crush for him and that he liked you too. This seemed the only way to sort out our feelings.”
Alfred was trying to look quite manly while he was saying this, but it was lost on Helen. Her entire face started to turn red. “You think I have a crush on Adam!?”
Adam very quietly said: “It is a very slight crush that my elemental sight picked up.”
Helen started to turn from embarrassment to slight anger. She then said in a gruff tone:“And what, you expect me to choose one of you right now?”
Adam and Alfred were surprised by her tone. Clearly this was not going to go the way they thought it would. Helen then said: “I would rather choose Silber over the two of you!”
She then carefully picked Silber up. She looked at Adam and said: “Peeper.”
She then looked at Alfred and said: “Idiot.”
Then she promptly walked away from the two stunned boys. They had never even dared to expect this kind of outcome. A part of their hearts felt slightly crushed from this ordeal. Silber also learned something from this: Helen was clearly the pack leader here!
[AN: My work schedule is becoming a little erratic, I can no longer guarantee a release on Monday/Tuesday but I will endeavor to release at least once a week. Also, thank you to Simon662 and everyone else for their comments ^-^]