The director observed Adam's joy upon receiving the file and continued speaking:
—However, I have to tell you the truth, Adam. I don't understand how you managed to be reborn without knowing how to read. I have been the director of this school for a long time, but unfortunately, during the time you attended, I hadn't been born yet. So, I don't know the whole truth, and all I can share with you are my conclusions after reading the file.
—What's your conclusion, Director?— Adam asked. The director had a lot of experience working with students, and if anyone could uncover the truth from these documents, it would probably be him.
—Before I tell you, I must warn you that my conclusions are absurd, Adam— Cesar replied with many doubts —They don't make sense, and knowing my ideas might only distance you from what really happened.
—I don't care! Anything is better than nothing, even if it's a lie — Adam responded without hesitation. He was desperate to gather every little piece of information that could help him understand his past better.
—Well...— Cesar replied, massaging his forehead with one hand —You could have discovered the language on your own, although there are many other ways you could have done it that are more plausible.
—What are the other ways?— Adam asked impatiently. After reading 100 pages, he understood that rediscovering this language without anyone's help would take more than his lifetime, even more than 500 years. So, there must be something else.
—Forcing others to read for you— Cesar replied, also trying to figure out how someone like Adam could have managed to be reborn. The information in the file wasn't much, but it was significant.
—Can you force others to read for you?— Adam asked with concern.
—Yes, you can...— Cesar replied calmly —Many people experience the effects of magical books that way, but it condemns their karma. People who reveal the secrets of the books often suffer terrible consequences, even if they were forced to do it.
Adam thought about his father and his madness. 'Could it all be his fault?' It would make perfect sense that his father hated him to death if he had forced him to read for him for 500 years to achieve rebirth. But did his father even live for 500 years? Or was he just another of his countless victims?
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The only thing Adam knew was that a little book in the shape of a bear had told him he achieved everything by exchanging favors. Therefore, the redhead shouldn't have forced his father to read for him, and it wouldn't be strange if his father's hatred came from a favor exchange gone wrong.
—Anyway, you could have done countless things to come back to life — Cesar added, massaging his forehead. He seemed to have pondered the matter extensively —The truth is, what you achieved as a child is something I've never seen another kid replicate in all my years as director. It's not easy to understand the hidden secrets of a bookshelf, and yet, you managed to do it as a child. You arrived at rebirth for a reason, while I struggle not to die. I'm not the right person to explain how you did it. In fact, I wanted to ask you for some advice, but I can see you don't remember the topic yet.
With much disappointment, Cesar sat in his director's chair, looked at Adam seriously, and with many doubts on his face, said calmly:
—Anyway, you should read what the file says and see if you remember anything else. Returning to the reason that brought you to this office, let me inform you that the celebration of 100 pages involves reading aloud the 100 pages with your parents. But your parents passed away decades ago, so formalities don't matter.
For Adam, his father was still alive, even if he wasn't the real one, he was still his father in his heart. But the truth was he couldn't read. Adam thought about it for a few minutes and said:
—Could I read the 100 pages with Professor Aquiles? He's the closest thing I have to a father right now.
—Aquiles? You'll probably regret it when you read the file...— Muttered the director, looking at Adam suspiciously and massaging his forehead even harder —However, this is your celebration, and I'll be glad to help you, young man. I'll inform Aquiles about your decision. It will take some time to prepare the ceremony room, but it should be ready by tomorrow. The room will be a bit empty, but you can still honor the ancient traditions.
Adam nodded and hurried out of the director's office. He wanted to get to the cave to examine the file calmly and see if any memories surfaced in his mind.
Adam ran through the halls and then down the steps, there were 400 steps, which left him quite tired by the time he reached the first middle floor. Luckily, his 17-year-old body could endure the tough journey, and with the remaining energy, he ran to the cave.
When he arrived at the cave, Adam found the eyeless old man looking at him with concern.
—Did someone try to rob you, boy?— the eyeless old man asked, glancing around.
—No, can I go in?— Adam replied, breathing heavily from the run.
The eyeless old man didn't respond but opened the entrance to the cave.
Adam descended the steps and sat at his desk. With a glass of cold water from the cave's lake, he took out the old file and prepared to read what was inside. However, to Adam's disappointment, there were only three pages in the file.