Angoulome de Francois then took out a sack filled with money.
He placed it on the table and gestured for Adam to take it.
Here this will be your first payment, there's a total of 100vel d'or and this is half payment for the internship period following your accessment. Once you've passed you will become a full time employee and will receive a monthly salary of 320vel d'or there is a confidentiality agreement in place for compensation.
After hearing this Adrian then asked but sir that arrangement is meant to be the intian improvement course this is just a basic commission for Beyonders.
The Deacon smiled and said I have my reason and I have the feeling Adam will be of great help to the church, that's why I'm offering this preposition.
He then looked back to Adam and said are you willing? We don't wish to force such proposal on you.
320veld'or per month? I could be able to buy material with the 100veld'or in this sack I just received. These words echoed in Adam's mind. He was sure no one would turn down such an opportunity.
He was satisfied with just the 100veld'or and he thought that his family the kairon were a respectable member of the church of storms he felt that he would not be short of money in the near future.
But he had second thought on using any money he received from his parents due to the views he currently had about them . This opportunity was a good one.
Regardless he needed to get some books on mysticism and protection charms . Adam responded with surprise and delight absolutely no problem.
Okay since that is settled you two may go and explore the streets of Trier. But be careful not to see or know what you were never meant to Angoulome said to the duo as he was about to focus his attention on something else that seemed more important.
As they were about to leave angoulome said the duo in a calm but weary tone don't get into trouble with any of the mobs in the market district.
Adam and Adrian both turned to him and nodded gently.
Angoulome directed this towards Adrian in particular as he was Adam guide and protector for the time being and didn't want him to draw attention from the mobs that have been in a constant conflict with each other.
As Adrian closed the door behind him he looked at Adam said in a certain tone.
It looks like you will be the one paying for the food today.
Adam looked at Adrian with an unreadable expression until he then smiled and said alright.
they began walking towards the open streets of Trier.
Adrian and Adam decided to walk across the streets of Trier visiting books stores and interesting mechanical materials that Adam would like ,they moved through busy markets, vendors and food hawkers all over the street.
"Wow… this place is quite underdeveloped, don't you think?"
Adam raised the question toward Adrian with a complacent expression as his gaze swept across the bustling streets. Despite the liveliness of the city, the roads were unclean, littered with mud, refuse, and the lingering scent of overcrowded poverty.
Adrian glanced at him before releasing a quiet sigh.
"It's merely the aftermath of the war from years ago. The Intis Republic still hasn't fully recovered from it."
"A war?" Adam asked with visible interest as they continued walking through the streets.
"Yes. It began in the year 1350 and lasted until 1352. The Feysac Empire launched an attack against the Loen Kingdom. During the initial stages of the conflict, the Intis Republic remained neutral and chose not to interfere."
As Adrian spoke, the noise of the streets seemed to fade slightly beneath the weight of the history he recounted.
"However, after the sudden assassination of King George Augustus III, the Loen Kingdom accused either Feysac or Intis of being responsible for the act."
Adam listened attentively.
"Using the border conflicts around the Hornacis Mountain Range as justification, Intis amassed troops and eventually invaded the Loen Kingdom as well. But despite their efforts…" Adrian paused briefly. "…Intis ultimately lost the world war."
Adam remained silent, allowing Adrian to continue.
"To compensate for their actions, Intis was forced to pay reparations to Loen, mainly through large shipments of food supplies. Ironically, the sudden exportation of food caused prices within Trier to skyrocket. Riots and protests soon followed, forcing the government to abolish tariffs on food entirely."
Adam quietly absorbed the explanation with keen interest. Although he lacked knowledge regarding the finer details of the war, the consequences were obvious enough merely from observing the streets around him.
For a brief moment, his gaze drifted toward several homeless individuals gathered near an alleyway.
A strange feeling surfaced within him.
Empathy.
Yet alongside it came helplessness.
At most, he was merely a Spectator.
I'll have to get more information about this war and its participants. None of this aligns with my memories at all.
Could there be something more than simply losing my memories?
Adam pondered silently as he continued walking toward a nearby store.
Unable to offer any meaningful assistance, Adam chose not to dwell on the matter further. There were still several things he intended to purchase before finding a place to eat.
Eventually, the two stopped before a small bookstore called Librairie pour Historien.
The wooden sign hanging above the entrance had long since faded, its once-golden lettering chipped and weathered by time.
Adam failed to conceal the faint smile that surfaced across his face.
"Finally… I might actually find some useful historical books here," he muttered softly.
A small bell chimed gently as he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
A wave of dry, dusty air greeted them immediately. The scent of aged parchment and ink lingered heavily throughout the cramped interior.
Rows of tightly packed shelves stretched across the narrow store, filled with books of varying sizes. Some were neatly arranged, while others were stacked carelessly, as though abandoned halfway through sorting. Near the counter, a dim lantern flickered weakly beside an elderly man hunched over a ledger.
Adam's eyes lit up almost instantly.
"This…" he muttered quietly while stepping deeper into the store. "This is exactly what I needed."
Adam and Adrian approached the counter.
The elderly man wore a worn-out robe, with a pair of reading glasses resting low on his nose. He slowly closed the book he had been reading before turning toward the two of them.
"Adrian… what brings you here? Are you still searching for more books to read?" the old man asked with a polite smile.
"Actually no. My friend Adam here wanted to buy some books this time, not me," Adrian replied calmly.
"Hello, sir," Adam said politely. "I'm looking for books on languages and history."
"Oh?"
The old man briefly glanced toward Adrian with a trace of suspicion before looking back at Adam.
"You can search the third bookshelf. You should find what you need there."
Adrian leaned against the doorway with crossed arms, observing Adam with mild amusement.
"Try not to spend everything in one place," he remarked. "You still owe me food."
Adam ignored him entirely and immediately began searching through the shelves for interesting books.
As Adam walked farther away from the counter, the old man slowly removed his glasses and placed them down beside the ledger. His expression gradually turned cold as he looked toward Adrian.
"I never expected you to bring someone else here besides Osta," he said quietly. "Is this related to the Church… or are you returning to your old ways again?"
Adrian met the old man's gaze calmly.
"This is actually connected to the Church," he replied. "There's no need for you to be suspicious of me anymore."
Adrian's expression remained unusually sincere, causing the old man's furrowed brows to slowly relax.
"It's simply been a long time since I've seen you bring someone here who wasn't a Beyonder," the old man admitted quietly. "Very well. As long as it's connected to the Church, there shouldn't be any problems."
The old man was just about to reopen his book when Adrian suddenly spoke again.
"He is a Beyonder."
The old man paused.
His gaze immediately shifted back toward Adam, confusion clearly visible across his aged face.
"Really?" he asked while studying Adam once more. "Which pathway?"
The question carried obvious curiosity.
The old man found it difficult to believe. Adam did not appear older than twenty, yet he had already become a Beyonder. Even with sufficient money, gathering the ingredients and potion formulas required for advancement was neither simple nor quick.
Adrian lowered his voice slightly as he stared toward Adam's figure among the bookshelves.
"I don't know," he admitted quietly. "He could be a Spectator… a Bard… or a Reader."
The old man was unable to conceal his shock.
His wrinkled face visibly stiffened, transforming into an expression of surprise mixed with faint terror.
He turned toward Adrian, clearly trying to determine whether the younger man was joking or lying. However, Adrian's serious expression left little room for doubt.
Meanwhile, Adam appeared entirely unconcerned with their conversation.
He continued wandering through the shelves with quiet focus, occasionally pulling books free to inspect their titles before returning them to their places.
His attention had already shifted toward subjects related to spirit summoning rituals, mysticism, and the occult.
Unfortunately, from what he observed, the bookstore specialized primarily in history and language. Anything related to mysticism or supernatural studies appeared scarce and likely lacked any real value.
As Adam moved past stacks of dusty books, searching for something worthwhile, he occasionally noticed Adrian and the old man glancing toward him from afar.
After some time, Adrian eventually left the counter and began browsing through books himself.
That observation only reinforced Adam's growing theory.
The Sequence 9 of every pathway appeared to possess an innate instinct—an unconscious behavioral tendency that demanded fulfillment.
He had already suspected as much after naturally acting like both a Spectator and a Reader.
What surprised him, however, was how he only displayed the tendencies of a Bard while within the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun.