Chapter Fifteen: Adam's Resolve
The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the wooden walls as Adam sat on his bed, his thoughts racing.
The nightmare he had just endured still clung to him, vivid and suffocating. He stared out of the window, noting the inky blackness of the night outside.
The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the faint rustle of the wind.
The scenes from his future sight spell flashed in his mind, each memory more horrifying than the last.
His heart raced as he recalled the chaos, the blood, and the devastating losses. But as he turned his gaze back into the room, his fear momentarily subsided.
His family surrounded him—his mother Rachel sat close by, her worried eyes never leaving him.
His father Ricky leaned against the wall, his face lined with concern. Sophia sat beside him, holding his hand tightly, her presence a comforting anchor.
"Adam, are you okay?" Sophia asks worriedly. She doesn't understand why Adam has been behaving strangely since morning and now he has fainted and was unconscious since afternoon and has just opened his eyes.
His siblings, Eric and Yami, stood nearby, their expressions filled with anxiety. Even George, Sophia's brother, hovered protectively in the corner.
Adam took a deep breath, his chest tightening. Why am I so afraid? he thought, his mind racing. I have a cheat code. I can become the greatest person in this world. And here I am, cowering because of one vision.
He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly to steady himself. When he opened them again, a faint smile appeared on his face. "It was just a meaningless nightmare," he said, forcing a lightness into his voice.
Rachel leaned closer, her hand brushing against his forehead. "I'm right here, Adam," she said softly. "You have nothing to fear."
Adam turned to her, his smile growing more genuine. "Thanks, Mom," he replied. But then, with a sheepish grin, he added, "My head hurts a lot. Can you all… leave me alone for a bit?"
His request brought a wave of confusion. Rachel hesitated, glancing at Ricky for guidance. But Adam's father, ever perceptive, stepped in to defuse the tension.
"Come on, everyone," Ricky said, his tone light. "Let's give Adam some space. He needs to rest."
He turned to Sophia and George with a mischievous grin. "Hey, do you two want to see my best trick? It's the one I used to beat your father—more than once!"
George's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? Show me!" he exclaimed, his curiosity overtaking his worry.
Eric chimed in, his enthusiasm matching George's. "You have to show us, Dad!"
Sophia, though reluctant, followed the group as they filed out of the room. She glanced back at Adam, her grip tightening on his hand before she let go.
Rachel lingered by the door, her gaze fixed on Adam. "If you need anything, call me," she said firmly.
Adam nodded, watching as she stepped out and closed the wooden door behind her. The click of the latch echoed in the silence, and for the first time that night, Adam was alone.
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Adam sat motionless for a moment, the stillness of the room wrapping around him like a cocoon. Slowly, he opened his eyes and exhaled, his expression hardening with resolve.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath. "If I've accepted this world as my new home… if I've accepted these people as my family… I won't let anything happen to them."
He pushed himself off the bed, standing tall despite the faint ache in his head. "Let's see just how far my mana can take me."
Closing his eyes, Adam began to focus. A thought crossed his mind—how much mana did he actually have? Was his reserve large enough to sustain prolonged spells?
He decided to test it. "Check my mana reserves," he said clearly, his voice steady.
A faint blue glow appeared in the air before him, forming into a translucent number: 1008/1008.
Adam's eyes widened in surprise. "So that's my limit," he muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad."
He knelt on the wooden floor, placing his palms flat against the cool surface. "Alright, let's begin," he whispered. Closing his eyes, he focused his energy.
"Survey."
From his hands, a wave of white light pulsed outward, invisible to anyone but Adam.
The light spread quickly, surging through the house, out into the garden, and beyond. It moved like ripples on a pond, crossing the village and reaching the surrounding borders.
The pulse continued to spread, touching the edges of the forest before returning to Adam.
He opened his eyes, watching the energy flow back into him. His body tensed as images began to form in his mind—a detailed map of the village and its surroundings. He could see every structure, every path, and even the faint outlines of the forest beyond.
But something caught his attention.
At the eastern edge of the village, a cluster of figures was gathering in the forest. Their shapes were faint, but their movements were deliberate. Adam's heart quickened as he focused on them, willing the spell to reveal more.
The outlines of their bodies grew sharper, and he noticed their attire—dark, sinister clothing that matched the ones he had seen in his vision. His breath hitched as his focus deepened.
Each figure had a faint blue glow emanating from their chest. Most of the glows were small, barely noticeable, but one stood out. The figure at the back of the group had a fire in his chest—a bright blue flame that was almost the size of Adam's hand.
"That's him," Adam whispered, his fists clenching. "The one from my vision. The one who killed my father and brother."
His jaw tightened, his resolve hardening into something unshakable. He stood, his eyes blazing with determination.
"So, the time has come," he muttered. "I won't let this happen. Not now. Not ever."
And with that, Adam turned toward the door, his heart pounding with the weight of what lay ahead.
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End of Chapter Fifteen