Chapter 26

The Melancholic Musings of Adom Sylla

In the quietude of Adom's room, with Sam's departure leaving a lingering sense of normalcy, Adom and Bennu found themselves alone. The atmosphere was serene, yet a thread of tension hummed in the air, a testament to the profound bond they shared. They had grown accustomed to each other's presence, an unspoken understanding bridging the gap between human and phoenix, as if their souls had been intertwined for eons.

Adom's gaze was distant, lost in the maze of his own guilt and the secrets he harbored. "I almost told Sam," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper, entangled with a mix of regret and relief. "About everything... the time travel, my past life."

Bennu tilted his head, his blue eyes reflecting a wisdom that seemed impossible for his tender age. "But you didn't," he stated, not as a question but as an acknowledgment of the heavy choice Adom carried.

Adom's fingers traced the edge of the windowsill, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. "I wanted to... more than anything. Sam's my best friend. But it's not just my secret to share, is it? It's our survival on the line. My family. The less people know, the more security we'll have."

The phoenix's head tilted, understanding the human need for connection and trust. "I can see your mind Adom, I can clearly see you had no intention to tell him form the start. But since you want someone to tell you what you already know, I guess I'll take that role" Bennu began, his voice taking on a serious note. "If you tell Sam, and it's somehow leaked, what tells us that you won't be suspected of forbidden magic? They will hunt us. Worse, what if they use us as weapons, since we know the future? You know they will. They will manipulate you, and we might attract the attention of the Sons of the Light. Weren't you planning on avoiding those bastards?"

Adom raised an eyebrow, a slight smile tugging at his lips despite the gravity of their conversation. "Language, Bennu," he chided softly. "And I know."

Bennu's feathers ruffled in a momentary display of frustration. "I know you know! That's why I'm annoyed! You understand the risks, yet you ponder over what feels right."

Adom leaned back, his gaze drifting to the window where the last rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow into the room. The truth of Bennu's words hung heavily between them. The stakes were high, far beyond personal friendships and confidences. The knowledge they possessed was a double-edged sword, one that could protect or destroy, depending on how it was wielded.

Bennu hopped closer, his movements elegant and precise. "Adom, I understand your desire to be honest with Sam. Your friendship is valuable. But remember, the choices we make now ripple into the future. We must tread with caution."

Adom nodded slowly, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Bennu was right; the knowledge of his time travel was not just a personal burden but a strategic chess piece in a game much larger than himself. Disclosing it could lead to unforeseen consequences, putting not only him but also Sam and others at risk.

"Haha," Adom chuckled quietly. "You were literally born less than an hour ago and you're already giving me advice."

Bennu, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, retorted, "Hey, some of us hatch ready to take on the world. Besides, I've been incubating in wisdom. Think of me as a fine wine — I only get better with age, even if it's just an hour."

Then, leaning closer with a conspiratorial whisper, he added, "Plus, from all your late-night brooding sessions I've overheard from inside the egg, I could probably write a book titled 'The Melancholic Musings of Adom Sylla' and make it a bestseller."

Adom, caught off guard by the bold remark and the unexpected jab, was left momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence for someone usually so composed. Bennu's playful chuckle filled the room, showcasing his ability to bring a lighthearted touch to even the most serious of moments.

*****

The moment Sam burst into the room, his arms laden with an assortment of food, the atmosphere shifted from contemplative to jovial. "I'm back!" he announced cheerfully, setting down a veritable feast - sausages, beef jerky, milk, three slices of cake, and a whole meat pie. The array of food was a testament to his thoughtfulness and understanding of Bennu's newfound presence in their lives.

Bennu's eyes sparkled with delight at the sight of the feast laid out before him. He hopped eagerly towards the spread, his nose twitching as he began to smell each item with great curiosity and excitement.

Adom, observing Bennu's behavior, gently chided him. "Bennu, don't smell the food. It's not polite," he reminded, his tone light yet firm.

Bennu, however, seemed too enthralled by the food to heed Adom's words. He looked at Adom with eager, expectant eyes, clearly itching to dig in.

The trio decided to share the meal, dividing it into three portions. As they began to eat, Sam, ever curious, asked, "So, what did I miss?"

Before Adom could reply, a series of rapid munching and swallowing sounds filled the room. They turned to see Bennu, his small form now sporting a comically round and bulging tummy, with the piece of pie protruding from his beak, halfway swallowed.

Sam's eyes widened in astonishment. "How do you eat like that when you don't even have teeth? You just swallowed it all, didn't you? And how did you do that so fast? We didn't even start with ours!" he exclaimed, a mixture of bewilderment and amusement in his voice.

Bennu, seemingly unfazed by the attention, managed to swallow the last of the meat pie, which was almost as big as him. He then let out a loud, satisfied burp, causing both Adom and Sam to burst into laughter.

The sight of Bennu, so small yet capable of devouring food much larger than himself, was both endearing and astounding. His innocence and childlike delight in simple pleasures like eating added a light-heartedness to the room that hadn't been felt in a while.

As they continued to eat, the conversation flowed naturally. Sam shared anecdotes from the academy, and Adom listened, adding his insights and humor. Bennu, now contentedly full, nestled beside Adom, occasionally chirping in with witty comments or questions, displaying his rapidly developing intelligence and personality.

The meal concluded with a sense of contentment that filled the room, a rare moment of peace and camaraderie amidst the whirlwind of their lives at Xerkes Academy. As they cleared away the remnants of their feast, Adom, with a thoughtful expression, suggested they take a look at the puzzle Professor Mohagan had given him.

Sam's eyes lit up at the mention of the puzzle, his earlier excitement rekindled. "Oh, right! About that invitation to the Olympiads," he began eagerly, "you never did tell me why you refused Mohagan's offer. Why would you do that?"

Adom felt a sudden nudge in his mind, a silent yet poignant reminder from Bennu. He didn't need to hear the words to understand the caution in Bennu's thought. The phoenix's eyes, deep and knowing, were fixed on him, conveying a silent message of discretion.

The room seemed to pause for a moment, the air thick with anticipation. Adom was caught in a whirlpool of thoughts, weighing the implications of revealing his true reasons. His gaze shifted between Sam's expectant eyes and Bennu's knowing stare. The decision was tough; he valued his friendship with Sam deeply, yet he also understood the potential risks of sharing too much.

Finally, with a casual shrug, Adom masked his inner turmoil. "I just wasn't interested," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. It was a half-truth at best, but he felt it was necessary, for Sam's sake.

Sam's surprise was evident, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Not interested? But it's the Olympiads! That's like every sorcerer's dream!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his disbelief.

Adom offered a small smile, an attempt to ease the tension. "I guess I have different dreams," he said, keeping his tone light. "Anyway, let's focus on this puzzle."

Sam's persistent questioning hung in the air, his words echoing the gravity of the decision Adom had made. "Adom, the Olympiads happen only every four years, and even then, the most brilliant sorcerers aren't always selected. It's only the absolute best of the best, with clear potential for Rankers, chosen by the schools. Are you sure you want to just reject an offer that could define your whole future? We always said we would participate in it one day, and now that you're offered the chance, you just say 'no thank you'? That nonchalant attitude of yours is starting to get tiring."

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Sam's words lingering between them. Adom felt the earnestness and concern in his friend's voice, the unspoken fear of seeing a dream slip away. He looked at Sam, his expression softening. The moment called for honesty, at least in the sentiment if not the full truth.

"The me who dreamed of becoming a great sorcerer and doing great things one day... that's not the same me you see before you," Adom confessed gently. "I've changed, Sam. I know it's a lot to take in, but I want you to understand that I won't look back. I'd like you to accept that."

Adom held his breath, waiting for Sam's reaction. He could sense Bennu's quiet support, the phoenix's presence a comforting weight on his shoulder.

Sam fell silent, absorbing Adom's words. Adom braced himself, anticipating anger or disappointment from his friend. However, Sam's response was unexpected and mature. "I see, I understand, Adom. If you don't want to, then there's nothing else to say. You did change; I've been telling you that non-stop. But sometimes, I guess change is good. My grandpa always says that... It's cool, Adom. As long as you're happy with your choice, then I have nothing to say."

Adom's smile at Sam's words was one of relief and gratitude. He had momentarily forgotten how understanding and mature Sam had always been, even in their past. The regret of how he had let such a good friend suffer in his previous life weighed heavily on him. In this life, he was determined to ensure Sam didn't meet the same fate.

"Thank you, Sam," Adom said, his voice laden with sincerity. Although Sam perceived this as a response to their immediate conversation, Adom's gratitude ran deeper. He was thanking Sam for his unwavering friendship and understanding, qualities that had remained steadfast through both of Adom's lives.

The room was filled with a palpable emotion, a testament to the strength of their bond. It was then that Bennu, ever the source of light-heartedness, chimed in. "So, not to break the little thing going on here, guys, but about that puzzle, are we doing it or not?" His tone was comical, breaking the emotional tension with his innocent interjection.

Adom and Sam couldn't help but laugh, the heaviness of the moment lifting. Bennu had a way of bringing a sense of lightness and simplicity to even the most complex situations.

With renewed energy and a light heart, the trio turned their attention back to Professor Mohagan's puzzle. The intricate runes and symbols seemed to dance under their collective gaze. Sam adjusted his glasses and leaned in to get a better look. "Whoa," he marveled, his eyes tracing the complex design. "So these are the famous 'invitations' for the Olympiads, huh? Never thought I'd see one so soon. But if you're not participating, why bother solving it?"

Adom chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "It's worth a million cauris if solved," he said casually, as if mentioning the weather.

Sam's reaction was immediate and profound. He fell silent, staring blankly as if processing the enormity of what he'd just heard. Bennu, sensing the moment's gravity, poked Sam playfully, trying to bring him back to the present.

"I think you broke him," Bennu remarked to Adom, a tinge of amusement in his voice. "Why do you always shock him like that? Tsk tsk tsk."

Adom's laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls and adding to the light-hearted atmosphere. Sam, still in a daze, turned his gaze back to Adom. "Come again? A million what?" he asked, disbelief etched across his face.

Bennu, ever eager to join the conversation, piped up joyfully, "Cauris! Imagine all the food we could buy with that!"

Sam's demeanor shifted from shock to awe as he slowly approached Adom, his hand gripping Adom's shoulder. His eyes were wide, a mix of emotion and excitement swirling within. "I knew one day, you would make it," he said, his voice cracking as if he were on the verge of tears. "Remember that time we bet a million cauris that you wouldn't ask Mia out? I think I won."

Adom burst into laughter, the memory of their youthful bet bringing a sense of nostalgia. "We never set a due date for that bet, so it's still on," he replied, his tone playful.

Sam, embracing the moment, started addressing Adom with exaggerated respect, calling him 'sir' in a comical fashion. Adom played along, enjoying the banter. He then made a grand gesture, as if bestowing a great honor. "Alright, I'll give you 250,000 cauris," he declared, his voice laced with mock solemnity.

Sam's reaction was a spectacle in itself. His mouth opened and closed several times, words failing him as he tried to comprehend Adom's generosity. Bennu, watching the exchange, commented with a chuckle, "See? You broke him again."