Angoulome de Francois then took out a sack filled with money.
He placed it on the table and gestured for Adam to take it.
Here this will be your first payment, there's a total of 100vel d'or and this is half payment for the internship period following your accessment. Once you've passed you will become a full time employee and will receive a monthly salary of 320vel d'or there is a confidentiality agreement in place for compensation.
After hearing this Adrian then asked but sir that arrangement is meant to be the intian improvement course this is just a basic commission for Beyonders.
The Deacon smiled and said I have my reason and I have the feeling Adam will be of great help to the church, that's why I'm offering this preposition.
He then looked back to Adam and said are you willing? We don't wish to force such proposal on you.
320veld'or per month? I could be able to buy material with the 100veld'or in this sack I just received. These words echoed in Adam's mind. He was sure no one would turn down such an opportunity.
He was satisfied with just the 100veld'or and he thought that his family the kairon were a respectable member of the church of storms he felt that he would not be short of money in the near future.
But he had second thought on using any money he received from his parents due to the views he currently had about them . This opportunity was a good one.
Regardless he needed to get some books on mysticism and protection charms . Adam responded with surprise and delight absolutely no problem.
Okay since that is settled you two may go and explore the streets of Trier. But be careful not to see or know what you were never meant to Angoulome said to the duo as he was about to focus his attention on something else that seemed more important.
As they were about to leave angoulome said the duo in a calm but weary tone don't get into trouble with any of the mobs in the market district.
Adam and Adrian both turned to him and nodded gently.
Angoulome directed this towards Adrian in particular as he was Adam guide and protector for the time being and didn't want him to draw attention from the mobs that have been in a constant conflict with each other.
As Adrian closed the door behind him he looked at Adam said in a certain tone.
It looks like you will be the one paying for the food today.
Adam looked at Adrian with an unreadable expression until he then smiled and said alright.
they began walking towards the open streets of Trier.
Adrian and Adam decided to walk across the streets of Trier visiting books stores and interesting mechanical materials that Adam would like ,they moved through busy markets, vendors and food hawkers all over the street.
Wow this place is quite underdeveloped don't you think? Adam raises this question towards Adrian with a complacent look as he looked around the bustling streets that was rather unclean
Adrian looked at Adam and sighed quietly and said it's just an aftermath of the war that happened years ago that the intis Republic hasn't fully recovered from.
Wait a war occured years ago? Adam asked with interest as they continued to walk through the streets.
Yes specifically in the Year of 1350 and lasted till the year 1352, the feysac empire attacked the loem Kingdom, during the first initial conflict the intis Republic remained quiet and did not interfere.
However due to the sudden assassination of king George Augustus lll, the loem Kingdom accused the assassin of being from either feysac or intis.
Subsequently, intis used the excuse of conflict in the borders of the Hornacis Mountain Range to amass a large number of troops and attack the Loen Kingdom. Despite their efforts, Intis eventually lost in the world war.
To compensate for their actions, Intis paid reparations to Loen, providing them with plenty of food. However, this influx of food caused the price in Trier to skyrocket, leading to riots and protests. In response, the government decided to abolish tariffs on all food.
Adam quickly listened to Adrian recount of the great war with a key interest although Adam didn't know the specifics of the war.
After taking a moment to grasp the information given by Adrian.
This made Adam feel a certain way and empathetic to the homeless individuals, but he couldn't find any way to help them he was at most just a spectator.
He decided to not focus on this matter for now as he wanted to buy a few things before heading to a place to eat.
They stopped at a store called librairie pour historien
The wooden sign above the entrance was faded, its gold lettering chipped by time and neglect.
Adam couldn't conceal his excitement as he lost out a slight smile at Adrian.
A small bell chimed as Adam pushed the door open and smiled slightly and entered as well.
A wave of dry, dusty air greeted them. The scent of old parchment and ink lingered heavily inside.
Rows of tightly packed shelves stretched across the narrow space, filled with books of varying sizes—some neatly arranged, others stacked carelessly as though abandoned mid-sorting. A dim lantern flickered near the counter, where an elderly man sat hunched over a ledger.
Adam's eyes lit up almost immediately.
"This…" he muttered under his breath, stepping further in, "this is exactly what I needed."
Adrian leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with mild amusement. "Try not to spend everything in one place," he said. "You still owe me food."
Adam didn't respond. He was already scanning the titles of the books in the shelves, he was keenly looking for spirit summoning rituals and other things related to mysticism.
But from what he had observed this store focused mainly on the history and language any thing related to occult and the supernatural were few and not likely to be of any significant value.
As Adam moved passed the stacks of books searching for something that caught his eye, he noticed that Adrian was also searching for some books to buy as well.
Adam was more convinced that the sequence 9 of each pathway is like an innate instinct that must be satisfied.
He had thought as much when he naturally acted as a spectator and a reader but what surprised him was that he only acted as a bard when he was in the church of the eternal blazing sun.
Adam glimmed passed layers of Dusty books and picked a book with the title cover His hand paused.
"…Protection charms."
He pulled the book out slowly, flipping through its yellowed pages. Symbols, inscriptions, and short incantations filled each section, some annotated in messy handwriting.
"This will do," Adam said quietly.
From behind the counter, the old shopkeeper spoke without looking up. "Careful with that one. Knowledge like that tends to invite more trouble than it prevents."
Adam glanced toward him. "Then I suppose it's better to understand it than remain ignorant."
The man finally looked up, studying Adam for a moment before giving a faint, knowing smile. "Hm. A reasonable answer."
Meanwhile, Adrian had wandered inside, picking up a smaller booklet and skimming through it lazily. "Don't forget—you're new to all this. Don't go experimenting and blow yourself up before lunch."
Adam smirked faintly. "I'll try to survive."
He gathered a few more items—basic mysticism texts, a booklet on spiritual awareness, and a small guide on ritual safety—before heading to the counter.
As the coins clinked softly onto the wooden surface, Adam felt a subtle shift within himself.
This wasn't just spending money.
It was an investment.
A step forward.