16 Chapter 16 – Coming clean (1/2)
The sun was shining bright and a clear blue sky with a few translucent clouds dotting it could be seen.
It was midmorning when Adam woke up the next day. Eyes squinting, he sat up on his bed. Stretching his hands and legs out simultaneously, a very long yawn escaped his mouth.
Breathing in the fresh spring breeze that wafted in through his open sliding doors he laid back down and squirmed in his bed for a bit longer.
…
The unruled plains of the gordian empire were perpetually in a seasonal rotation of spring, summer and autumn. Spring was the longest season that spanned for almost 8-9 month's of the year, while summer and autumn shared the other 3 or 4 months.
No snow had ever fallen on these lands as a result. The closest thing to snow would be hail that would fall only on extremely stormy days. This was a rare event that would occur once every 6-7 years.
The land was thus a paradise for Farming. This was also the reason why the unruled plains were known as the land of farmers and free adventurers.
…
After the insistent urging of the persistent Fen, Adam had finally woken up.
After freshening up and changing into a fresh set of robes he made his way to the dining area for breakfast.
Adam was dressed in a light brown coloured robe. The robe seemed to be very hanfu inspired and a black belt was around the waist.
He still wasn't used to such loose clothing. If it was in his hands he would definitely still prefer joggers and a t-shirt any day. The mobility and comfort they provided were unmatched. It was the clothing that soothed his soul.
He never thought that he would miss his clothes as much as he did now.
Regretful he let out a sigh and opened the door to the dining hall.
”Adam! Come in quick. I am already very late.” A happy voice echoed through the room. Despite the words that were said, the speaker did not seem rushed at all.
Yuki sat at her usual spot, sipping on tea that was being poured for her by the maidservant girl who was standing by right beside her.
Adam was surprised. Yesterday when he had got back it was just before noon. As soon as he had gotten back, he had gone to his room and fallen asleep only to wake up now.
The fusion of the elements was exacting a higher toll on his body than he had predicted. Only after the long rest had his body adapted to the rapid depletion of energy in his body.
”Good morning, young master. Oh my! Young master how have you lost so much weight!” The girl beside Yuki was just giving her greeting to the newly arrived Adam when she caught a glimpse of him.
Hearing her Yuki who had been leisurely sipping tea also looked up and scanned him. A look of shock and worry instantly appeared on her face.
Until yesterday Adam was a pudgy 5-year-old who still had his baby fat.
Looking at him now… his cheeks had grown hollow and his face had shaped into a more defined look, his hands that were sticking out from his sleeves looked like sticks and his fingers like twigs. His robe was visibly loose and was swaying on his body as he walked.
He had never been a sickly child. In fact, he had not fallen ill a single time since he had come to this world. The body that he had now, though looked pale and frail was deceptively sturdy.
Seeing such a major drop in his weight overnight Yuki was horrified. This was her only son and this was also the first time he had ever had any health-related issue. She had no experience in this department and as such, she did not know how severe the problem could be.
Adam realized something was wrong immediately. He lifted up his arms and saw his thin hands. Pulling his sleeves up his arm's would be most aptly described as 'skin and bones'.
Adam had perfected the skill of sleepwalking. He would be able to go through a whole morning just on muscle memory alone. He prided himself on this.
Thus he had still not realized himself the changes that had occurred to his body.
Taking a look now.
He knew instantly what had caused this. The elemental fusion was a process that was changing the very constitution of his body. The activation of an element was just awakening something dormant in the body. Whereas his fusion of elements required his body to be capable of unleashing an evolution of the two elements. Even if his body was capable of adapting to this change the consequences of the process could be seen.
He knew that the solution was simple. All he had to do was consume enough food to replenish what he had lost. The biggest problem now was explaining the elemental fusion to his mother.
”Mother its nothing really…” lifting his head toward her he was hoping she wouldn't pursue the matter.
Yuki was looking back at him with fury in her eyes as if to say 'are you undermining my intelligence?'
'I'm in for it now.' He knew he had no way to back out at this point. He tightened his resolve then looked toward the girl beside his mother ”Good morning big sis. It may be a bit rude but could you give us a moment of privacy? I truly apologise for the inconvenience.”
The girl was stunned. She had obviously known the personality of their young master but to be spoken to so politely and also hearing the sincerity in his apology at something so trivial, her heart almost stopped.
'Young master will be a catastrophe for many girls in the future.' His personality was soft and sincere regardless of the person he spoke to. With him losing his baby fat a glimpse of what his face would develop into in the future could be seen. Him turning into a peerlessly handsome youth was all but set in stone.
The girls face flushed and she stuttered out ”Y..you…young m..ma..master please don't worry about it. I will take my leave then mistress.” Bowing once her footsteps were like the wind as she rushed out.
Only once she was out of the room and closed the door behind her did she start breathing again.
”Young master is formidable!” She only said this before shaking her head and walking to the side. Waiting to be called back in.
Inside the room.
Yuki could obviously tell from the girl's reaction to what she was thinking. Placing any blame on the girl was impossible too because she knew her son's charm. A son's capabilities were the pride of their mother. It was also harmless so she did not place too much attention to it.