Adam immediately recalled that Adrian's pathway was the Reader pathway—most likely Sequence 9.
At first, he didn't dwell on Adrian's intense reading habits. After all, anyone could read books. It was a natural, mundane activity. On the surface, it meant nothing.
But in his current situation… nothing could be dismissed so easily.
Adam's gaze unconsciously shifted, sweeping across his surroundings. He observed people the way a Spectator would—subtle movements, fleeting expressions, unconscious habits. Every twitch carried meaning. Every hesitation hinted at something deeper.
Yet that wasn't all.
When the congregation sang praises to the Eternal Blazing Sun, Adam had found himself humming along instinctively. The rhythm soothed him. It calmed the storm in his mind, just as reading did. Knowledge, melody—both grounded him, as though they were anchors stabilizing something dangerously unstable within him.
At the time, he hadn't questioned it.
Now… he couldn't ignore it.
Should I be checking whether my behavior corresponds to specific pathways…? Adam muttered under his breath, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
A disturbing thought surfaced.
What if… this isn't my natural personality?
What if everything I am right now… is the result of multiple Beyonder characteristics merging within me?
The idea sent a faint chill down his spine.
Adrian, noticing Adam's unease, spoke in a measured tone, attempting to reassure him.
"I can't be certain," he said, "but the remaining neighboring pathways you haven't shown signs of would be the Secrets Supplicant and the Sailor pathways."
He paused briefly before continuing, more thoughtfully,
"Perhaps my earlier analogy was flawed. Maybe you simply enjoy reading. Not everything has to be explained by pathways. This could just be… you."
Adam considered that.
From what he had gleaned from Aurore's grimoires, neighboring pathways could only be switched at higher sequences. At Sequence 9, possessing even two Beyonder characteristics was already dangerous.
Three?
That wasn't just rare—it was practically a death sentence.
Loss of control would be inevitable…
The thought lingered for a moment before he forcefully suppressed it, exhaling slowly as he steadied himself.
"If there are excess characteristics," Adrian added, "they can be expelled through purification."
"Yes… that's true," Adam murmured.
But even as he said it, his mind refused to quiet.
Could my parents have done this to me?
Was I… an experiment?
Were they trying to create something… powerful?
Each question led to another, forming an endless chain of doubt and suspicion. His past, his family, even his own identity—all of it felt uncertain, as though built on unstable foundations.
Before his thoughts could spiral further—
A loud growl broke the silence.
Adam froze.
His stomach.
Adrian clearly heard it.
After a brief pause, he asked casually, as if giving Adam an escape from his thoughts,
"Do you want to explore Trier? There are a few bars we could visit. We could get something to eat."
Adam didn't hesitate long.
He had been confined to the church since yesterday. The atmosphere, the constant tension—it was not too interesting.
Trier, on the other hand, was alive.
Unlike Cordu Village, it wasn't in ruins. It was a functioning city, filled with people, noise, and distractions.
Exactly what he needed.
"Yeah," Adam replied, a faint smile forming. "That sounds good. I could use the distraction."
Adrian nodded, satisfied.
The two of them rose from their beds and headed toward the door.
But just as they were about to leave—
Adrian stopped.
"First," he said, glancing back slightly, "we should meet the Deacon."
Adam looked at the books that were in the room and was silent for a few seconds before he replied "alright" as he followed Adrian out the room.