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Chapter 44 Scienta Cupidus

"BROOOOOTHEEEEEEER!!!!!!!!!!!" he roared, his voice echoing through the room, a testament to the turmoil within his soul.

Julia stood transfixed, her heart heavy with concern as she witnessed her son's unexpected display of raw emotion. Elian, her usually reserved and stoic child, had never been one to openly express his feelings. Since gaining self-awareness at the age of one, he had kept his emotions tightly guarded, rarely succumbing to tears or outbursts. Even when faced with challenges like hunger or illness, he would quietly resolve the issues on his own, seeking help from his parents only when absolutely necessary. Even upon receiving the devastating news of his father's passing, Elian had managed to maintain his composure, only allowing his tears to flow freely in the solitude of his room.

This sudden outpouring of grief from her usually restrained son took Julia by surprise. She had never seen Elian so vulnerable, his cries echoing through the room, raw and unrestrained.

Lacking any experience in comforting a child in such distress, Julia was completely at a loss. Unsure whether to remain by Elian's side or give him space, she hesitated, her mind wrestling with the conflicting emotions. As she stood there, grappling with her indecision, she heard a brusque voice beside her, "Let's go." Before she could voice her objection, a firm grip seized her arm, pulling her away from the room. "You're completely useless here. Might as well give him some space," the voice echoed in her ears, amplifying her own self-doubt.

Julia was swiftly dragged out by Sylv, her eyes never leaving her son's form. Once outside the room, she activated her detection skills, attuned to Elian's every move. The fear of him doing something rash was a constant gnawing at her heart. After all, within a single week, Elian had endured the devastating loss of his father and his 'brother'. Such a double blow was unimaginable, let alone for a child who had always enjoyed a peaceful life.

"You're overthinking it," Sylv stated, her keen observation skills allowing her to decipher Julia's unspoken thoughts. Her words weren't merely meant as consolation; they stemmed from a deep understanding of Elian's nature. While she hadn't known him for long, the information she had gathered painted a clear picture of a kindred spirit. Elian, like Sylv, was a "scienta cupidus," an individual with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Such individuals were not only driven by an endless pursuit of understanding but also possessed a remarkable capacity for logical decision-making. Based on this understanding, Sylv was confident that Elian, as a fellow 'sc', would never deliberately end his own life, knowing there was still an abundance of knowledge to be unearthed.

"You're overlooking a crucial aspect, Sylv," Julia interjected, her 'gaze' remaining fixed on her son. Despite her worry, she could easily discern Sylv's train of thought and vehemently disagreed with her assessment.

Yes, Elian was a true seeker of knowledge, perpetually driven by an insatiable thirst for understanding. His relentless pursuit of information was evident in the months he dedicated to uncovering vulnerabilities in various governmental websites. This endeavor, fueled by his frustration with the Kingdom's hoarding of valuable knowledge, led him to delve into the world of hacking. For months long, Elian meticulously searched for weaknesses, spending countless hours poring over lines of code. After months of tireless effort, he successfully bypassed security measures, gaining access to a vast collection of books. Despite the potential for financial gain, Elian displayed remarkable restraint, refraining from exploiting his newfound treasure for personal gain.

However, Elian is a far cry from the composed and rational Sylv. Firstly, Elian is human, while Sylv is a spirit. As a spirit, Sylv often overlooks the complexities of human emotions, failing to grasp the profound impact emotions can have on human actions. Logical reasoning, while undoubtedly valuable, often proves insufficient in the face of overwhelming human emotions. While humans can learn to manage their emotions over time, Elian, as a child, is still far from reaching emotional maturity. His ability to make sound judgments can easily be swayed by the intensity of his emotions, leading him to make impulsive decisions that may contradict his rational mind.

None understood the impact of El's death on Elian better than Julia (perhaps Lys). Their unique bond, forged from their condition, transcended mere brotherhood. For Elian, losing El was akin to losing an inseparable part of himself. Such a profound loss could easily drive anyone to impulsive actions, which is why Julia would maintain a watchful eye on Elian for a good while.

"Care to wager on it?" Sylv posed the question, convinced that Elian would never resort to such a drastic measure.

Julia's eyes twitched involuntarily. Her friend, driven by sheer curiosity, was proposing a bet on whether her only son would succumb to the depths of despair and take his own life. It was clear that Sylv's fascination with El's eyes was driving her to make such insensitive remarks. Julia couldn't help but wonder if Sylv's lack of empathy was a trait shared by all 'sc'. The thought of her precious Elian becoming like Sylv filled her with dread. She would never allow such a thing to happen. As she grappled with these unsettling thoughts, a memory surfaced from the depths of her mind.

"That's enough about that. You owe me an explanation first." Julia's tone hardened abruptly, her voice laced with a newfound resolve. Her son's recent ordeal had left an indelible mark on her, and she was determined to seek answers.

Julia's words sent shivers down her spine, and she responded curtly, "I had to do it. Didn't you see the drastic transformation he underwent? It was just too illogical to be true. I still can't fathom it even now."

Sylv was genuinely bewildered. Despite her extensive experience, what had transpired with Elian today was something beyond the realm of possibility. Yet, it had unfolded right before her eyes. Lys' case had surprised Sylv, but she could at least rationalize it. However, Elian's case was simply otherworldly. His soul had not only been revamped but utterly demolished and reconstructed. Sylv could sense it; Elian was no longer entirely human.

When Elian awoke, Julia and Sylv were present in the room, but Sylv insisted on maintaining distance until she could confirm that this was indeed Elian and not an entity occupying his body. It was the only plausible explanation Sylv could conjure to account for the metamorphosis.

"So, are you now certain it's him?" Julia inquired, her voice laced with coldness. She couldn't believe that due to Sylv's counsel, she had refrained from comforting her son the moment he regained consciousness. A wave of self-recrimination washed over her for allowing her son to endure such excruciating pain that he screamed in agony.

"Yes, I'm certain," Sylv affirmed, her tone unwavering. "But surely you must have sensed the change yourself. It's unmistakable." She was convinced that even Julia, with her heightened senses, would have detected the transformation in Elian's soul.

"I don't care," Julia declared, her voice laced with determination. "He's my son, no matter what has happened to him." Her eyes locked with Sylv's, and she added with a stern edge, "Don't you dare mention it to him."

Julia was aware that it was only a matter of time before Sylv's curiosity would get the better of her, leading her to directly question Elian about the change. However, Julia was adamant about preventing that from happening. Given the high likelihood that this change was connected to El's death, she reiterated her warning with a clear killing intent, "Am I clear, Sylvanara?"

"Y-Yes, Sir," Sylv stuttered, nodding in agreement. She could sense the seriousness in Julia's tone, realizing that this time, Julia was not joking. She was ready to fight to protect her son's secrets.

Under Julia's stern glare, Sylv was forced to give up her thoughts and questions on the subject. However, she remained convinced that Elian's soul held a profound secret.

Undoubtedly, Sylv's intuition was correct. Had she remained in the room, she would have observed the subtle tremor that rippled through Elian's soul as a mysterious black book materialized before him, accompanied by a notification.

[Twin Contract]

[New terms]

[...]

---------------Edited by Moonsterdark