The presence of Javohir compelled Bruno to tread cautiously with his plan. The risk of him being a spy loomed large, demanding that he first ascertain the trustworthiness of both the slave and Mamadou. The young alchemist used the excuse of being engrossed in research, part of the task assigned by Mamun, as the perfect backdrop for his assessment.
Deliberately, he withheld updates on his progress from the archmage, intentionally starving the old man of information. However, during their training sessions, he would complain about his work, occasionally attempting to explain his goals through carefully chosen words and processes. Bruno strategically dropped specific keywords, like breadcrumbs, waiting to see if they would resurface during his conversation with the archmage when he eventually caught him up to speed days later.
It was a meticulous game, leaving no room for Mamun to suspect the true intention behind Bruno's actions. Moreover, the morsels of information shared were carefully selected, ensuring they could easily be relayed by the old man during their conversations.
After a few weeks of this deliberate approach, Bruno grew increasingly confident that both his past and present sparring partner had been unwittingly pulled into the situation by Mamadou and was not actively spying on him. While he couldn't be entirely certain, the odds appeared to be largely in his favor.
With this newfound assurance, the young alchemist decided it was time to embark on the second phase of his plan. The following day, as they engaged in their daily morning training session, he made his decision.
Breathing heavily, they halted their run through the sprawling garden, beads of sweat glistening on their foreheads. Mamadou, no longer needing to provide instructions since the routine had become ingrained in their minds, allowed them to keep walking, their chests heavy as they fought to catch their breath.
"I... huff... I... puff... I think," Bruno finally managed to gasp out, his voice strained, "that the tempo is a little bit too high."
He was drenched in perspiration, his body weary, and felt utterly drained at that moment. Yet, he knew that after a refreshing wash and a brief respite, he would feel invigorated, his mind as sharp as the finest blade.
"The tempo is good," argued Mamadou, faring the run much better than his students. "You need to push yourselves to become better. Stagnation is not what we seek; progress is our goal."
Javohir remained silent, grappling with the pain in his chest in solitude.
Eventually, they all sat on the ground to stretch and take a momentary rest. Bruno seized this opportune moment as soon as it presented itself.
"I don't know about you guys, but for me, coming out from underground feels great," Bruno pointed out, his eyes scanning the vast expanse before him.
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"Yeah, it does. It's much better than running on the sand in The Pit," Javohir immediately agreed, his eyes fixed on the surrounding landscape.
Mamadou remained silent, his gaze distant, lost in his own thoughts.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Bruno turned to the seasoned warrior. "How about you, teacher? You've been down there the longest. How do the wind and the grass under your feet feel after not being able to feel it for so long?"
A pained expression crossed Mamadou's face before he finally spoke. "It brings me pain," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"Pain?" both boys asked in unison, their surprise mirrored on their faces.
"Yes. Memories of a life I no longer have," Mamadou replied, his gaze fixed on some distant point.
"We've heard rumors," Javohir interjected, but immediately regretted it when Mamadou's piercing gaze met his own. Fear gripped the young boy, fueled by the legends that circulated in The Pit and his vivid imagination.
"Do you miss it?" Bruno interjected, diverting the conversation with a simple question.
"Some of it, yes. But not all of it," Mamadou confessed. "I don't miss the killing. But I miss the sky above my head and the air without the stench of smoke and sweat. I miss the clear purpose and the pride of serving the well-being of my kingdom. I miss being different people," his eyes clouded with distant memories.
Bruno sensed the weight of the man's emotions as he navigated the vast ocean of his past. Trying to lighten the mood, he offered a mischievous suggestion, accompanied by a sly smirk. "You could always join the performers in The Pit and play in their performances. I always thought you had the soul of a comedian."
Javohir struggled to stifle his laughter, biting his lips to keep himself from bursting into a giggle. Meanwhile, Mamadou fixed the young alchemist with a long, searching look.
"It was just a joke," the young alchemist quickly interjected, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Relax a bit. You don't need your iron hand here to hold us by our throats. This is a moment of rest for both you and me, where we can enjoy a break."
Stretching out on the ground, Bruno placed his hands behind his head and gazed up at the sky, watching the plumb, white clouds drift lazily overhead.
"You are right," Mamadou eventually agreed after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "But I've been unable to relax for so long that I'm not sure if I know how to do it anymore."
"Just lie down like me and close your eyes. Feel the sun and the wind on your skin," the boy instructed, his voice soothing. "Stop thinking about everything else, and just feel. It may only be a fleeting moment before we have to return underground to our daily lives, but for now, we can relish this little glimpse of freedom."
To his surprise, both Mamadou and Javohir followed his lead, settling down beside him. Bruno had anticipated needing to push them harder, but their willingness to embrace the moment brought a smile to his face. ‘Maybe they wanted it more than I thought,’ he thought to himself. ‘That's even better. The seed is planted; now I need to let it grow.’
The trio continued basking in the weather, savoring the sensation of the wind against their skin and the warmth of the sun above. However, their respite was short-lived as the time came to return to their duties. After washing up in a bucket of cold water, Bruno made his way back to the library, eager to delve deeper into his search for answers and ideas.
Not only was he gradually gaining a firmer grasp on the formula created by Mamun, but his understanding of the entire process that enabled people to wield magic was steadily growing stronger.