Logan looked at Cloud. He was still having apprehensions about trusting him. But on the other hand, he trusted Locus's instincts.
When Logan observed determinedly at Cloud, he was surprised. Cloud's eyes shone dimly.
The overbearingness and attitude that he showed to the other children were nowhere to be seen. All he could see was a man. A simple and plain man.
That's when Logan realised that he knew nothing about him. Before today, the thought had never crossed his head for he classified every living human around him as enemies. That's how much of an effect the St. Gaia treatment had in Logan's consciousness.
- " I think I should start with that to discover his true intentions. Locus will know if he's lying and if he is, well.... then he's like everyone else around me"
- The coast is clear Logan. No one other than you, Cloud and me in the room. No mics or any of the sort in Cloud's possession either - said Locus in the mental connection she had with Logan - So if you want to, you can act sincerely.
- Wait....mics? What are those?
Having come to a realisation, Locus's eyes opened widely. Her golden gems, shone like true ores and with Logan's surprise, she suddenly facepalmed.
- My last world was so advanced that children of Log's age already knew the ins and outs of a phone which is why I expected him to know - she mumbled- Wait..... how then is that they have light bulbs in this world? Although scarce around Duskae, they are present in the St. Gaia chapel. How advanced is this world's technology? I'll need to do some research before the 2 of us set out into the world. Depending on the answers, I'll need to change Log's training.
Seeing that Locus had entered her own little world, Logan sighed defeatedly and gave up trying to get her attention.
This was one of the 2 peculiar traits Logan knew about Locus from spending a long amount of time with her.
Apart from her 360 degrees sudden personality change from a lively and cheeky girl to a quiet and reserved, doesn't stop staring at Logan, girl when she is hungry, Logan had seen another thing about Locus that surprised her.
- "She turns like this when something or someone gets her attention. I wonder what is it about this time?"
- "Well, even though she might be in that state, I can still trust her in protecting my back. Now, I should drop the act"
- Ahemmm!!!!
Cloud looked at Logan's direction.
- A apologise for everything you've seen just now. For the childish act and how I've treated you. I know it was unfair of me to judge you as a villainous creature. For that I apologise..... - Logan bowed down.
It was Cloud's turn to be baffled. He did not imagine this sudden turn of events. This manner of speaking....Was the one in front of him still a child? It was common for children contracted with spirits to be mentally mature but the child in front of him just took it to another level.
- It's...It's alri..... - Cloud awkwardly forced some words out of his mouth
- However - just to be interrupted by the strange creature in front of him - Lie and I will never speak to you truthfully again. Try something odd and you'll never see me again. Tell someone about our conversation here and..... well, let's just say that you'll know that there is worse destinies than death. Understand?
- ... - Cloud didn't know what to say. Out of all the strange things he had come across, this topped them all. This was a first for him.
- I will take your silence as an affirmation. Let's start. - Logan had taken the lead. In case Cloud was an enemy, Logan couldn't get swept out in his rhythm - What is your purpose on coming here?
Despite being taken aback by Logan's assertiveness, Cloud still thought hard about the situation. Perhaps it was the attitude taken by Logan, but Cloud couldn't stop himself from treating him like someone with the same stance as him. With that in mind, he didn't keep anything from Logan. He didn't have much to hide anyway.
- I'm looking for answers - After a moment of silence, Cloud spoke.
- Answers? Answers for what? What could an orphan like me give you knowledge about?
Hearing the word orphan made Cloud remember something he did not want to and a knot formed in his heart. He was having trouble breathing. He did not allow that to show in his face though.
- The first question, I know you have the answer to. I'm not forcing you to answer as this question is only for my own amusement. Logan..... have you formed a contract with a spirit?
Logan was shocked. He had expected a question about how he defeated the first guy this morning or the base for plan B, but this, this, he did not expect.
What had exposed him? He did not use or cast any spells.
Could Cloud feel the presence of Locus? Sister Maria or any of the other adults in the chapel couldn't but what if there was a technique to do so?
Was it anything he had said?
With all this questions popping in his mind, Logan decided to probe Cloud. He needed this information for the future.
- ...Why do you think so?
- Your attitude. Your demeanour, your tone, your abilities.
- ....What about them? - asked Logan puzzled.
- ....They haven't taught you something this essential? What are the folks at St. Gaia doing!?
- Please, elaborate.
Cloud nodded.
- When you form a contract with a spirit, you 2 form a kind of symbiotic bond that depends on the quality of your soul which in turn depends in the depth of your soul pool.
- Soul pool? What is a soul pool? What benefits does the symbiotic bond bring?
- I'll get to that in a second. A soul pool is something that all humans in Riarath have. It's something that represents the potential of a person. In the Gand region, the soul pool is something that allows us to form a contract with the subordinates of Gaia. In other words, what we call spirits. As you grow older, your soul pool absorbs more and more of the blessing of the region you were born into. As such, the soul pool grows as you grow older. For some, this growth stops at 15.
Logan listened attentively to everything Cloud was teaching him. The information presented in front of him could prove to be useful.
- Anyways, the depth of our soul pool dictates with which tier of spirit we can form a contract with. Unless you are some kind of prodigy or a blessed by Gaia, kids at your age can only form a contract with a low tier spirit.
- How so? - asked Logan - How are we only able to form a contract with low tier spirits?
- When a spirit forms a contract with a human, it absorbs some of your soul pool. The amount that it absorbs depends on its tier. With only that, you should know where I am coming from.
- ....That's terrifying!!!!!. Correct me if I am wrong. Forming a contract with a higher tier spirit would result in death. Your soul pool would be completely sucked out of your body and your body would remain lifeless.
- Exactly so. The ritual that you guys do also serve as a way to protect you from this.
- "Wait. Then in human standards, what tier is Loc then? She is different from the other spirits I've seen so far. I mean she does resemble a human and she can talk. Wait, how do you even begin to measure your soul pool?"
- I know what you're thinking Logan. But as of now, we do not have a way to gauge the depth of our soul pools. Spirits can but as only high tier spirits have enough intelligence to communicate with us, that method can only be used by the powerful.
- "Wait a second....." - when Logan heard the words uttered by Cloud, he was shocked - " No way. Locus is a high tier spirit? But then, I'm still alive. That would mean that I'm a prodigy or a blessed one. No, that can't be, if that was so, the moment the ritual was conducted, many different spirits would have wanted to form a contract with me. This raises many questions. I'll have to ask Loc later. I also cannot ask Cloud for information on this. He might get information I don't want him to get. I still do not fully trust him"
- Returning to what you've asked me. The reason which I think that you've formed a contract is because when a spirit absorbs some of your soul pool, said spirit influences that part of your soul. This influences the human that it has contracted in ways that we are still discovering. Intellectual coefficient, flexibility, agility, perception, affinity with elements and more. In turn, the spirit gains more power thanks to the soul pool that it continually absorbs and returns to the contractor.
- " That was why the other children were acting like that. But then, Cloud is not entirely right. My intelligence comes from 2 sources. The influence Loc brings to my soul pool and the memories from another life that continually surfaces in my mind"
It was now that Logan realised that he'd just avoided death. Acting in front of Sister Maria was the right call. He was internally relieved.
- So, have you contracted a spirit? - asked Cloud.
- ..... - Logan remained silent. He knew that Cloud already had the answer. He did not expect to get surprised anymore.
That was until...
- I will take your silence as an affirmation.....and...You ought to keep your secrets tight. Showing your abilities like that in the tournament was also rash. If it wasn't because the others prejudiced you, you would have been discovered long ago. You concealed your true self whilst talking with the others in St Gaia Chapel, which is good. But if I can already infer so much with your attitude alone, imagine how much other people would be able to if you show your abilities like that.
Logan was surprised.
- "Am I being scolded? Really?" - Logan felt something boiling inside him. But it wasn't anger, for he saw the glint of concern in Cloud's eyes - "Loc, can you hear me? Does he have any bad intent?"
- Yes, I can hear you and no, his concern is......genuine. - Locus smiled.
Logan trembled after hearing those last words.
He felt warm inside. It was different from the warmth Locus gave him. He didn't know hot to put it into words.
But, he knew that he still couldn't trust him. He needed more information.
- What can you infer with my abilities then? - asked Logan.
- ... - Cloud remained silent. He himself couldn't believe what he was about to say. - Your contracted spirit is humanoid right? And not only that, it's a spirit that has remained a humanoid for a long time right?
Logan could not feel surprised anymore. He had enough this evening. Whatever came out of Cloud's mouth now couldn't baffle him anymore. How many secrets can this man infer with what he's shown so far? But unexpectedly, the feeling welling inside him wasn't wariness, but trust.
If it was someone else, they could have used the information to control him but as Locus described, Cloud was not oozing a malicious odour. He was even pointing out his wrongdoings so that he would not commit them in the future.
- Genuine concern..... Haaaaa. I give up - Logan mumbled. - Yes. It's a humanoid spirit.
Cloud looked at the ceiling after hearing those words. He'd come to a conclusion. As someone who'd lived for long, he found it terribly absurd to treat someone like cattle only because they haven't contracted a spirit. And with the confirmation that his contracted spirit was indeed a humanoid spirit... Cloud knew that Logan was someone that had to be protected at all costs.
Logan was an irregularity, Cloud knew that. Once someone knew that a sinner contracted a spirit, a high tier one at that, there would be a disturbance in the community. It would shake the foundations of the Gaia church.
Assassins would be sent after Logan. But Cloud knew better. In front of him was a prodigy and he needed to be protected. The son of his best friend or not, Logan was a great asset for humanity in this times where the dark frontier was pushing them at all sides.
- " And.... shaking the foundations of the Gaia Church ehh?" - Cloud thought, a grin forming on his face - " After all these years, finally some solid proof that the Gods of this world cannot be trusted. The cursed children couldn't be used as proof as no one but our own lineage knew of their origins."
Cloud looked back into Logan's eyes.
- "I have decided. I'm going to adopt Logan as one of my own. My best friend's kid or not, this child is necessary for unravelling the truth of this world"
- Logan - said Cloud with a grave and serious voice - Do not show your abilities to anyone anymore unless you are wearing a disguise. Your existence shakes the foundations of the Gaia church. You are a danger to them. If you are known, you'll be eliminated. Understand?
- Yes - answered Logan without thinking about it twice
Then Cloud looked at an empty space behind Logan.
- I know you are listening. I do not feel your presence but I know you are there. You understand the meaning of my words right? Protect the child you have made a contract with.
Locus did not manifest but Cloud could still clearly hear her voice beside Logan. It was a cheeky and smug feminine voice that told much about the person who spoke it.
- You do not have to tell me that child of man. Of course I'm gonna protect my best friend!!
Cloud smiled. Now that the serious talk was out of the way, it was time to talk about his true purpose for coming to visit Logan in the middle of the night.
- Now that all of this is done with, It's time to talk about my second question. The one that you do not have the answer to.
- How are you so sure about that? - Logan asked.
Cloud remained silent. As if he was carefully picking his next words.
- This is something of an assumption only. This is my another reason for picking you up really - said Cloud as he awkwardly stared at Logan.
- I am looking for my best friend's child. Based on my investigation, you are one of the candidates. Bucky is the other one. More investigation is needed before I can make a conclusion of who of the 2 of you is my nephew. The problem is that information on you kids is highly confidential it seems. I almost got caught last time I went inside the archives. The sisters don't seem to know much either.
I plan on using the festival post-tournament to enter the archives as security will be less strict then.
Logan listened intently at Cloud's words. When he thought he couldn't be surprised by anything anymore, this bombshell appeared out of nowhere. He couldn't stop his face from showing his emotions. Somewhere inside him, he was hoping that he could meet his parents.
Did they abandon him or did something else happen? He needed to know.
But he couldn't expect anything as he could not be the child Cloud was looking for. Even though he thought that, the excitement deep in his pupils couldn't be hidden.
- There's a way for me to know truthfully who of the 2 of you is my friend's child. But its something that occurs randomly and I cannot wait for it to happen. These set of abilities just manifest when the time is needed. I just do not have time.
- But considering everything you've told me so far, I have a proposition for you.
- Would you like to come with me to the outside world?