Son of Edelia: A Rising Dawn

Chapter 36

The early dawn flashed by in an instant, Adam's body moving in a daze, his mind fumbling about how to approach Bridgette. By breakfast, Adam was seated alone, attempting to write out a script as he sat, laboring over how to reveal his visions without sounding completely insane. Adam crumpled up the paper, stuffing it in his pocket and leaning back with an exaggerated groan.

No matter how I think about it, this seems like the ravings of a madman! Adam groaned, resting his head on the table dejectedly.

"What has you so upset Adam?" Noah asked, stuffing a waffle into his mouth.

How can a person eat so much while still being so small? Adam thought, smiling slightly as he sat back up. "Well I have something important to tell Master Bridgette, but I'm worried she'll think I'm cray." Adam explained, massaging his temple with his good arm.

"Hmm, well, if it's any help, I already think you're insane!" Noah replied smiling as he crammed a few eggs into his mouth.

"What! Talking like this because you think I can't beat you with one arm?" Adam joked, punching Noah lightly on the arm.

"Well, think about it, a Baron's son picking a fight with a Duke's heir and then winning! You have to be crazy to do such a thing!" Noah laughed, punching Adam back.

"Well, I guess you aren't wrong there." Adam chuckled, his chest feeling slightly lighter as he joked with Noah.

"Anyway, when will you teach me those moves you made on Lucas?" Noah asked, jumping up, his brown eyes sparkling.

"Ha, I'll teach you those when you can master the moves I've given you thus far." Adam replied, shaking his head dismissively.

"What? Come on. I already have those mastered. See?" Noah groaned, miming the techniques with his syrup-covered fork.

Adam watched with a wry smile, shaking his head the entire time. "You still have a long way to go kiddo." Adam chuckled. I say that now, but considering how awful you were a few days ago, this is incredible growth. Adam mused.

"You know you always talk to me like I'm some kind of kid. I'm sixteen, you know." Noah asserted, his head dropping as Adam criticized him.

"You know most of the people here, myself included, are twenty, right?" Adam smiled. I never realized how out of the ordinary he seemed. Adam mused. How did you even get in at your age?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My older sister pulled some strings and enrolled me here after Father died," Noah explained, his face dropping.

"Your sister must be quite the politician," Adam said, nudging Noah with his elbow, feeling a twinge in his heart.

"Yeah...She's pretty great." Noah said, a shy smile on his face.

That poor girl must've used every trick in the book to get him out before the power-hungry vultures could dig their talons into him, Adam mused, his heart aching as he recalled Noah's tragic story. "Well, thanks for trying to help. I guess I should just get on with it," Adam grumbled, suddenly standing.

Adam trudged through the academy, wending his way through the maze-like corridors. Then he found himself before Bridgette's closed office. He lifted his hand to knock on the heavy wooden door, pausing as a cold hand wrapped around his heart.

You got this. The worst that can happen is she calls you crazy, Adam thought, swallowing hard and rapping his knuckles against the door.

With a crackling of static, the white arcan light enshrouded the door. Then, with a flourish, the door swung wide, revealing a messy office covered with books and old cups of coffee and tea. Stepping into the office, Adam was faced with an earthy scent of paper and ink, a mix of fresh sheets and worn pages from countless documents, notes, and books. Undercutting the smell of the paper was the sharp, invigorating scent of coffee, the subtle, soothing aroma of tea, and an overwhelming perfume.