287 Into The Jungle
Everything went by so fast. Va'al had prepared rooms for Adam and Felix to stay at and locked them in with an exorbitant amount of textbooks. For the first week, it was simply studying history.
"That is incorrect. The spear may be better in terms of learning, but the sword was seen as the peak of weapons during this era." [Va'al]
Smacking Adam's hand with a stick, Adam winced. It was a small stick, but somehow produced more stinging pain than a voidling's bite.
"What?! The book says the spear was better though?!" [Adam]
"That was a general comparison." [Va'al]
He then gave Adam another stack of books.
"After you've finished learning of the martial revolution era, you will proceed on to the magic revolution era." [Va'al]
Just the sight of another stack of books almost brought Adam to the brink of tears.
"Why me…?" [Adam]
"Do not weep. You do not have time for it. His eminence, Felix, has already gone through five times your amount of studies." [Va'al]
"Okay?! He has photographic memory!" [Adam]
"You must learn this regardless." [Va'al]
It was then that there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." [Va'al]
The door swung open to reveal Fortis at the entrance.
"Greetings! I've come to see how the boy's doing!" [Fortis]
His booming voice shook the walls.
"..." [Va'al]
Letting out a short sigh, Va'al was glad that he used magic to protect his ears.
"As you can see, we're in the middle of a lesson." [Va'al]
Fortis' eyes wandered to Adam, who currently had an expression of exhaustion.
"...You mean torture? I remember you tried making me read those too." [Fortis]
"Yes. You have an impressive inability to learn, so we gave up on that." [Va'al]
"Was that… What is it called? Convenient?" [Fortis]
"You're thinking of "Compliment". And no, it was an insult." [Va'al]
Fortis let out his unusual laughter in response.
"Same thing! Tiny men truly worry about tiny problems!" [Fortis]
("He's provoking him…") [Adam]
It wasn't hard to see the height difference between Va'al and Fortis.
"...Why are you still here? You've seen the boy. Leave." [Va'al]
"That's not very nice. I've come here for good reason!" [Fortis]
"And that is?" [Va'al]
"Let me have the boy." [Fortis]
Va'al paused for a moment.
"Oh? Fortis, you're not thinking of taking a disciple?" [Va'al]
"Of course not." [Fortis]
"Hm. I thought so. No one is capable of matching up to the standards of the invincible Fortis-" [Va'al]
"I'm thinking of getting an heir." [Fortis]
That's when Va'al was truly shocked.
"...Truly?" [Va'al]
"The boy has potential. I can feel it. He will grow stronger under my care. The lord's brother will grow more under you." [Fortis]
("Uh… What's going on?") [Adam]
Va'al took a look at Adam and went silent.
"...Alright. You can have him." [Va'al]
"Splendid!" [Fortis]
Without missing a beat, Fortis approached Adam and pulled him out the room.
"Wa-wait! What's going on!" [Adam]
Adam tried to test his strength against Fortis' grip, only to find that he was greatly lacking.
"Be sure not to kill him, Fortis!" [Va'al]
"Fuhahaha! The boy would wish he could!" [Fortis]
"Huh?!" [Adam]
Dragged out into the castle's hallway, the servants nearby immediately moved aside. It was as if they were used to such things.
"Ho-hold on! Where are you taking me?!" [Adam]
"Outside." [Fortis]
True to his word, they went outside.
"Great. Can you let go of me now?" [Adam]
By now, Adam had been pulled by the collar across most of the castle. The soles of his shoes had been run across the floor, but it was surprisingly still clean.
"This isn't our destination." [Fortis]
"Eh?" [Adam]
"Be sure to keep your mouth closed." [Fortis]
Squatting down, Fortis leapt with great force.
"EH?!" [Adam]
Within an instant, Adam found himself high in the sky. They traversed the land faster than he had ever gone before.
("Did we just pass the crystal plains?!") [Adam]
He saw the unmistakably clear land for only a mere moment before it turned into green grass. Soon, more lush plant life began to surface.
("A jungle?") [Adam]
It was larger than any natural vegetation he'd ever seen. As a matter of fact, Fortis and Adam had been soaring for a while. However, the jungle was still below them.
"We're landing!" [Fortis]
As abruptly as he jumped, Fortis struck the ground with amazing force. It appeared they had entered the jungle seen earlier.
"...Are we finally done moving?" [Adam]
Fortis replied by releasing his grip on Adam.
"Welcome to your new home. I hope you enjoy your stay!" [Fortis]
"What do you mean by that?" [Adam]
"From now on, you must survive a week here! Have fun!" [Fortis]
With that, Fortis took another great leap and vanished.
"...You're kidding." [Adam]
