Within the Deacon's office, Angoulême de François had only just concluded a prior engagement, aided by the terse efficiency of a telegram, when a measured knock sounded upon his door.
"Come in," he replied, his voice steady and composed.
Adam and Adrian entered.
"I trust Adrian has apprised you of the response we received from the Church of Steam," Angoulême began, his tone even, deliberate.
Adam inclined his head in quiet acknowledgment.
"Regrettably, they shall not be arriving tomorrow as initially intended," the Deacon continued, a faint gravity settling into his voice. "After due consideration, it was determined that your condition warrants further understanding before we permit your formal recognition as an official Beyonder."
He paused, exhaling softly, as though weighed down by concerns extending far beyond the confines of the room.
"The disturbances within Trier grow increasingly severe," he added, his voice lowering, edged with quiet concern. "We would prefer not to see you contribute to that instability."
His gaze lingered upon Adam—calm, yet not without a trace of unease.
"Yes, sir," Adam replied, his tone restrained and respectful.
"In fact," Angoulême continued, "we would have you assist in surveying the city. Observe the populace. Report anything… irregular. Unusual behaviour. Subtle deviations."
Silence followed.
Adam stood still, though his thoughts stirred. From time to time, his gaze drifted toward Adrian, who remained composed—attentive, unflinching, almost unnervingly obedient.
At length, Adam spoke.
"Sir… you mentioned earlier that I would be assigned commissions as a means of earning income."
He paused, measuring his words with care.
"I assume… this falls within that scope?"
Angoulême regarded him for a moment before replying.
"Yes. That was the original intention. However…" His voice softened slightly, thoughtful. "I find that I still understand too little about your present condition. Upon reflection, I deemed this approach more suitable—for assessment."
His gaze shifted briefly toward Adrian before returning to Adam.
"Adrian will accompany you. He shall observe—and later report your condition to me."
Adrian, who had thus far remained silent, inclined his head without hesitation.
"Understood, sir. I will keep a close watch on him."
Adam felt a faint stir of unease.
There was something… excessive in that obedience. Adrian's devotion to the Church seemed almost absolute—yet he was not of the Bard pathway.
Adam quietly committed the observation to memory.
A detail to be examined later.
His thoughts shifted.
A dual-pathway Beyonder…
The very notion was both rare and perilous. Yet within that danger lay opportunity. To sing as a Bard… to observe as a Spectator—such duality was not mere adaptability, but deception elevated to precision.
The Deacon's voice drew him back.
"We shall begin by assessing the intensity of the abilities you have acquired," Angoulême stated. "Though both pathways are neighbours at Sequence 9, and classified as support types, their distinctions remain… instructive."
He paused briefly.
"A Bard, for instance, experiences a notable enhancement of the physique. A Spectator does not."
Adam nodded, outwardly composed.
Inwardly—
So that is the design…
Yet another thought, darker, more insidious, crept forward.
What if I am not limited to two pathways?
What if… I carry characteristics from all five neighbouring pathways?
The implication was chilling.
Such an anomaly would not be studied.
It would be feared.
Sealed… or eradicated.
The realization did not strike him all at once. Rather, it unfolded slowly, like a shadow stretching across his mind.
If I present only my Spectator aspect… I could infiltrate pathway-specific organizations. Gain their trust. Extract knowledge…
A dangerous game.
His gaze sharpened, settling upon the Deacon, scrutinizing him with quiet intensity—searching for the faintest fracture, the smallest betrayal of intent.
Was this his design from the very beginning?
The thought unsettled him.
At last, Adam spoke.
"Sir… would that not be exceedingly perilous?" His tone remained respectful, yet firm. "Without sufficient knowledge of a pathway—particularly its higher sequences—how might I convincingly assume such a role? Would I not risk exposure… or worse?"
Silence followed.
Both Angoulême and Adrian betrayed, however briefly, a flicker of surprise.
Adrian's eyes widened—only for a fraction of a second.
He deduced it… this quickly?
Even for a Spectator, such a conclusion required more information.
Unless…
He is not merely a Spectator.
A Reader as well?
The thought formed and settled in an instant, though Adrian's outward composure did not falter.
Angoulême, for his part, regarded Adam with renewed interest.
He had not expected such precision.
Nor such awareness of the inherent dangers.
At length, he spoke, his tone calm, controlled.
"You will be provided with the necessary mysticism knowledge when the time is appropriate," he said. "And you are not to act as a spy."
A slight pause.
"You are to observe. Nothing more. The streets of Trier will serve as your field. Adrian will guide you."
Adam held his gaze for a moment, then inclined his head.
"Understood, sir."
The Deacon leaned back slightly, his expression settling into quiet finality.
"And rest assured," he added, "your efforts will not go unrewarded."