Chapter 16
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The cafeteria of Xerkes Academy, usually bustling with the chatter and laughter of students, held a different atmosphere this day. Adom and Sam sat at a table in the corner, their plates untouched, mirroring the silence that hung between them. They had been sitting like this for five minutes, a quiet that was both reflective and heavy with unspoken questions.
Sam, deep in thought, seemed lost in his own world, trying to reconcile the Adom he knew with the one who had just stood up against their bullies. Adom waited patiently, understanding the turmoil his friend was going through. Finally, breaking the silence, Sam's voice, tinged with confusion and disbelief, cut through the air. "Adom... are you really... Adom?"
Adom's smile was knowing, a mixture of acknowledgment and secrecy. He didn't want to deceive Sam, yet he felt the truth about his situation – about the system, the quests, his encounter with 'Death,' and his miraculous recovery – was too much to share, even with his closest friend. He simply nodded, affirming his identity. "Yes, I'm still me, Sam. And before you ask, yes, I've changed. And I'll probably continue to change."
Sam's expression shifted to one of concern. "But how? With your condition, you could be putting yourself in more danger, you know?"
Adom scratched the back of his head awkwardly, realizing he had yet to explain his recovery to Sam. "Aah, about that, I'm no longer sick," he said, his smile slightly awkward but sincere.
Sam looked at him, his eyes searching for answers. The very notion of recovering from Shadowfade Syndrome, a disease known for its absolute lethality, was unthinkable. Yet, here was Adom, claiming the impossible, and his physical transformation was evident. As the realization began to sink in, Sam's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "What?!"
His sudden outburst drew the attention of the entire cafeteria. Heads turned, eyes fixed on them, the students eager to glean any scrap of information about the recent events. Sam, realizing his slip, quickly covered his mouth, mumbling an embarrassed apology.
Amidst the awkward silence that followed, Adom chuckled, a light-hearted sound that eased the tension. He playfully teased Sam, "You sure know how to make a scene, don't you?"
Sam's joy was palpable as he gripped Adom's shoulders, shaking him lightly while a wide grin spread across his face. "You're not sick anymore, Adom! This is... it's incredible!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of happiness and disbelief.
Adom, slightly jostled by Sam's enthusiastic display, chuckled and gently steadied his friend. "Yeah, it's quite a turn of events," he replied, his own smile mirroring Sam's. The warmth of the moment, a stark contrast to the cold isolation of his illness, filled him with a profound sense of gratitude.
Their private celebration was soon interrupted as a group of curious students approached them, their expressions a mix of awe and intrigue. Rumors about Adom's confrontation with Antor had spread quickly through the academy, igniting a buzz of speculation and admiration.
A tall boy with an inquisitive look stepped forward. "Hey, Adom, we heard about what happened in class. Is it true you took down Antor?" he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Sam, still buoyed by the news of Adom's recovery, answered before Adom could. "Not just Antor, he knocked out his whole gang! You should have seen it. Adom was like a different person!"
The group murmured amongst themselves, impressed by the feat. A girl with a ponytail piped up, "But how did you do it, Adom? Antor is one of the strongest fighters in our year. With your illness..."
The casual revelation from Adom, "Oh, right, I am no longer sick. I was cured," rippled through the cafeteria like a shockwave. A collective "Huh?!" erupted from at least half the students present, their expressions a blend of astonishment and disbelief.
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The cafeteria, typically buzzing with the sounds of chatter and laughter, fell into an unusual hush as everyone's attention focused on Adom. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, a flurry of questions and speculations passing among the students.
A girl sitting nearby leaned closer, her curiosity overcoming her. "Wait, you mean you're completely cured of Shadowfade Syndrome?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism and awe.
Adom, realizing the impact of his statement, nodded with a small smile. "Yes, completely cured. It's a long story, and quite honestly, hard to believe. But I'm healthier than I've ever been," he said, his tone calm yet earnest.
The revelation seemed to ignite a fire of excitement and confusion among the students. Shadowfade Syndrome was known to be incurable, a tragic condition that had claimed many lives. The idea that Adom had somehow recovered from it was nothing short of miraculous.
A boy from the back of the cafeteria stood up, his eyes reflecting a mix of hope and curiosity. "This is incredible, Adom! If you're cured, does that mean there's a cure for Shadowfade now? Could this help others?"
Adom felt a weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He knew his recovery was not something that could be replicated – it was a miracle granted by a mysterious system beyond the understanding of the magical community. Yet, he couldn't dash the hopes that his news had ignited.
"I wish I could say yes," Adom replied, his voice tinged with regret. "But my case was unique. I don't fully understand it myself. I wouldn't want to give false hope."
The room fell silent, processing his words. The initial excitement gave way to a sobering realization that Adom's recovery was an isolated incident, a stroke of luck or fate that couldn't be duplicated.
Sam, still standing by Adom's side, felt a surge of protectiveness towards his friend. He knew Adom well enough to see the burden this attention placed on him. "Hey, everyone," Sam interjected, "let's give Adom some space, okay? He's been through a lot."
The students, respecting Sam's request, began to disperse, their conversations still revolving around Adom and the astonishing news. Some approached to offer congratulations and well-wishes, while others discussed the implications of his recovery in hushed tones.
As the cafeteria slowly returned to its usual hum of activity, Sam turned to Adom, a genuine smile on his face. "You never cease to amaze me, Adom. But seriously, how did you do it? How did you get cured?"
Adom, looking into the eyes of his friend, felt a pang of guilt for not being able to share the full truth. "It's complicated, Sam. I'll tell you everything one day, I promise. For now, just know that I'm here, and I'm okay."
Sam nodded, accepting Adom's words. "That's good enough for me. I'm just glad you're back, man. We've got a lot of catching up to do."
As the two friends were talking, the unexpected arrival of Chakka, a member of the student council, momentarily shifted the dynamic at the table. Chakka, with his commanding presence and reputation as a top student, rivaled only by Damus in their year, had a way of drawing attention. His approach to Adom and Sam was met with a mix of curiosity and respect from the surrounding students.
"Hey there," Chakka greeted them with a nod, his tone friendly yet formal. "Excuse the interruption, Sylla, your presence is required by the headmistress. She's waiting in her office." His words carried an underlying sense of urgency, though his expression remained calm and composed.
Adom, slightly taken aback by the sudden summons, quickly regained his composure. "Thank you, Chakka. I'll head over right away," he replied, offering a nod of appreciation.
As Chakka turned to leave, Adom's thoughts drifted to the future that he knew awaited this influential figure. Chakka, in the timeline Adom remembered, would rise to become the Chancellor of the King and the General of the Allied Armies in the war against Tygris. His strategic acumen and leadership skills were legendary, earning him a place among the revered heroes of their time alongside Damus, Leon, and Mia.
Adom's respect for Chakka was rooted not just in his future achievements but also in the way he had always treated Adom. Even in their younger years, Chakka had shown Adom a level of respect and dignity that was rare among their peers. He was one of the few who had never looked down on Adom for his illness or perceived weakness.
Turning back to Sam, Adom's expression was thoughtful. "I need to go, Sam."
Sam nodded, understanding the gravity of a summons from the headmaster. "Sure, Adom. I'll see you later. Yeah?"
With a reassuring smile, Adom stood up, his mind abuzz with possibilities. The headmaster's summon could be related to a number of things - his miraculous recovery, the incident with Antor and his gang, or perhaps something entirely different.
Adom arrived at Headmistress Athena Ravenshadow's office, the door swinging open as if anticipating his arrival. The middle-aged sorceress, known for her wisdom and powerful magical prowess, sat behind her ornate desk, a cup of steaming tea in her hand. Her eyes, sharp and perceptive, softened as they landed on Adom.
"Ah, Adom, please come in," she said, her voice carrying a blend of authority and warmth.
As Adom was preparing to enter, the familiar blue box suddenly appeared again, displaying, [Quest Rewards. You have received a new skill! [Level Knowledge], Endurance: +1, Strength:+1, XP: +1, Level Up! New Level: 13].