#Fact 7: Travis has a fear of eagles, but he is also sometimes afraid of heights.

~Travis's POV~

It's been a while since I woke up, at least half an hour at least. But now, it's been about 20 long minutes that I was speaking to the professor...

20 long minutes since I was telling him all the truth.

I told him where I really lived before I met him. I told him that I lived in a different world which was so different from his, with huge buildings and commercial centers instead of castles and old houses.

I told him how I lived in the cold streets from my world and explained to him my hard daily life when I had to steal food to survive, to build a small hut as a "house", and to look for small coins to get money.

He was shocked when I also told him that bad guys destroyed my house, that I was forced to escape, and how I found that weird building with a lit of computers inside and also that famous "duplicate key".

But he was curious when I told him when I found that room with the big hole from outside, the one where I've found that sole computer and also that famous game console which was red and blue.

Despite I believed he wouldn't think everything which came from my mouth was true, the professor kept listening and writing important words. So, I continued to tell him about that Nintendo Switch I found, when I turned it one and played that game called...

Octopath Traveler

I also told him how much I was amazed when the screen turned on, with those cute characters made of pixels who were walking through the game's areas while listening to the beautiful music which was played.

I explained to him that there was a storm meanwhile I was about to play and suddenly, I was like electrocuted by the thunder. Then, I've found myself in that weird blue space, until I reached a white vortex and landed in that desert.

I also revealed to him, to his surprise, that all the world of Orsterra where he and everyone in that Kingdom lived, where they spent their entire life there, was just a videogame.

A videogame from a game console that has been built in the real world, which was mine.

I knew that it would be shocking to tell him that as well, but I had to say the entire truth.

Then, I told him all the adventures I have known during my whole Travel: when I arrived in that village and met Therion, when I defended him from the big guy, when we've infiltrated the Ravus manor, when I helped Therion when he fought that old butler, when he put a bracelet on his wrist and the lady Ravus asked us to steal some magic balls in exchange of his freedom, when I fell in the cliff and found myself in that snowy hill, when Ophilia rescued me and showed me the Cathedral, when I followed her at that Cavern to help her Sister lianna, when we fought together that giant guardian and discovered my superpowers, when I fell on Alfyn's head before he cured me, when we went in that caves of snakes to save his best's friend sister, when I was lost in the woods, when H'aanit saved me from a pack of wolves with the help of Linde, when we hunted together, when that giant cameleon attacked the village, when I found myself in Sir Olberic's chimney, when he trained me at swordfighting, when me and Philip were captured by brigands but Olberic saved us, when I met Tressa when she accidentally pushed me in the fountain, when we faced a band of pirates to take back what they stole, when I had to left her just to make sure nothing bad would happen to her, when I crossed the very hot desert, when I found myself on a stage with dancing girls, when I helped Primrose to get that famous Crystal, when Yusufa has sadly been... When Primrose found that bad mustached man, and when I landed in that big city and got caught in jail before meeting Cyrus.

Really, I told him everything, without missing any single details. I narrated to him all the adventures I've been through, presented him with all my friends, and explained how I befriended with each of them while helping them when they had problems. I told him everything I could tell: from the moments which made me smile to the ones which made me sad, by passing through the ones which made me mad.

The professor kept listening to me with attention, and it was really incredible that I could tell him so many things without stopping ! I believed I would have trouble telling him some secrets, but it became so natural to me.

Also, I didn't forget to tell him about him.

I explained to him the first time I've seen the man with the yellow helmet, each time when he stalked me and when he was aware of my superpowers.

I told him when I witnessed 2 of the pillar of light and found out that the yellow helmet man was responsible for these famous events... Cyrus even seemed to be deeply intrigued by him and his actions.

Anyway, I told him EVERYTHING.

Now, everything which I always wanted to hide from anyone since I entered that game wasn't a secret anymore. From now on, I wasn't the only one in the world to know all these things.

I finally stopped to talk, as my mouth started to dry, so Cyrus was nice enough to give me a glass of water to make me feel better.

When I drank the water, I also watched Cyrus: he looked very concerned and serious.

Indeed, during the long story I told, he didn't feel bored or tired to listen. On the contrary, he was interested, curious, sometimes surprised, and he also chuckled at some moments a few times, like when I and Tressa tried to make the pirates having a mutiny by deciding how will be the only captain.

And this is what surprised me the most: it's like he was having fun to hear my story, but he was also saddened when I told him that I lived in the streets in the real world for so long, and also for what I endured in the desert...

"How do you feel ?", he asked me quietly.

"..."

The professor watched me with concern, aware that it has been very hard for me to tell him everything, but he was still so patient.

I answered him frankly, telling him my true feelings.

"I feel like... exhausted. But the truth... is that I feel less scared and worried since... Indeed, it seems much more reassuring than I believed..."

That's right: I was feeling much less ashamed than I expected. It was like I finally managed to get rid of a heavyweight that I kept in my heart for so long...

"This is understandable for you to have more optimistic emotions.", replied Cyrus with a smile when he continued. "Anyway, I would like to take stock of everything you told me..."

As he gathered back all the paperwork he used to write, I waited patiently at his verdict.

Has he really believed my story ? Or only partially ?

The suspense was killing me as he finally announced.

"I have only one word to say: fascinating.", he smiled.

"!!...", I was very astonished by his answer which made me flustered. "You... you really believe me, professor ?! Although most of everything I know would sound crazy ?!"

"You know, Travis... I've already witnessed a lot of "crazy things" since I wore that coat, so I am quite used to... Indeed, you convinced me of the existence of a living being with blue electricity from a magic close to the Sacred Flame !", he replied me by referencing me before he explained. "Indeed, in the manner you explicitly narrated me everything which you have been through, detailed me every place you have been, every person you have crossed and every mysteries you have discovered by yourself... It would be too hard, for me, to believe all of that to be instead such a big lie."

I couldn't believe it !! Someone was trusting me and all the incredible adventures I got !!!

"I... I would have never believed you would answer me so nicely... but you're truly right !", I exclaimed a little, as I was very touched by his words when I added calmly with a frown. "However, I think it could be easier for someone as smart as you to believe me, as normal people would make fun of me..."

"That is true. After all, people who had a more cultivated brain would have a great chance to have a different opinion on things and be more used to make discoveries, no matter how unbelievable they could be.", explained to me Cyrus, as he also looked curious about my story. "But there, I must admit that your story was the most surprising discovery I ever made, especially at some points... To begin with, if I have well understood, you weren't born in the continent of Orsterra, right ?"

"Y-yeah... Though, it's not like I was born in another continent, but from a..."

"A parallel world ?", he interrupted me calmly.

He already guessed the right word ?! Is he reading in my mind or what ?!

I felt quite nervous.

"Y-yes ! But let's say... your world should be much smaller than yours.", I tried to explain to him with my own words.

"Ah, because you told me you entered inside a... Video game ?"

I nodded at him.

I could see the professor was very curious about video games, perhaps as much as I was the first time when I heard about them...

"That kind of device sound quite particular: a sort of red and blue support with many buttons, and it is called a "Nintendo Switch", right ? What a strange appellation...", he asked me, remembering the details I told him earlier.

Now, I was the one who tried to explain something unknown to Cyrus.

"Well, "Nintendo" are just the guys who built that thing, and "Switch" means... Wait, I don't know why they added the "Switch" part...", I was thinking for a while, unsure about the meaning of that word, but I finally gave up and improvised. "In clear, the screen is like a magic picture, but instead of paper and drawings, there are glass and anything electronic !"

"Hmm... That sounds like an interesting machine with such a concept of "game" and "watch". Indeed, I had still no idea how would work such a thing, but I believe that your original world is much more advanced in terms of technology compared to mine, right ?"

"Yes ! For exemple, instead of riding a horse, people are riding cars. But not riding them, in reality, they are just sitting inside and they use a wheel to turn at the left of the right like that ! Vroom ! Vroom !", I explained to him while mimicking someone driving a car by turning the wheel.

Honestly, I felt quite pathetic at trying to explain to Cyrus all these things. At least, he wasn't the first person in this game to learn about cars !

Though, he looked still interested as he smiled.

"I'm sure these means of transport made of iron which didn't need to be harnessed by horses must be quite interesting !", he told me before he became slightly concerned. "And so, after you tried to play that game, if I have well understood, you have been electrocuted, and then you landed in an area around the village of Bolderfall, right ?"

I nodded to him and added.

"But right after I've been electrocuted, I've found myself flying in a sort of... I don't know... a blue space where my body was sucked like I was inside a..."

"A tornado ?"

He guessed it again !!!

"Y-yeah ! Then, it sucked me inside a white vortex, and this is where I landed in that desert.", I finished to explain when I became quite pensive. "Indeed... now that I think about it... it was where everything started..."

Yeah. All the adventures I've known in that video game world... it all started when I fell in that rocky desert, where I had nothing at all, not even my clothes.

There was only myself... and then I got so many things in that world, but the most important thing I ever got was... friends.

I became nostalgic when I heard the professor speaking.

"From a geographical point of view, I would call it the starting point.", he told me as I started to listen to him curiously. "But that wasn't the only moment where you've found yourself in that strange dimension, right ?"

I nodded at him.

He then took something among his paperwork which he kept an eye on when he listened to my story and told me.

"Well, I managed to map the places where you have landed in the order of appearance. Have a look."

He showed me a map of Orsterra which was much smaller than Ophilia's map, and it was small enough to carry it inside a pocket. Some places were encircled by a quill that was familiar to me, and there were even arrows between them.

The professor explained to me.

"When you appeared in our world, you first landed in the Cliftlands, next to Bolderfall. Then, your powers were unconsciously activated and you must have found yourself in that blue dimension, before landing at the city of Flamegraces, in the Frostlands. And so, the processus happened again each time your magic was in that state of self-activation, teleporting you in the Riverlands, in the Woodlands, in the Highlands, in the Coastlands, in the Sunlands and, lastly, in the Flatlands. We could really say that you have come such a long way in only 10 days !"

"You're right, Professor ! I'm definitely the fastest traveler of all time !", I exclaimed as I felt a little happy while he chuckled a little.

As I was also curious about my powers' "self-activation", I must admit they were really useful to make me move from place to a far one in only a few seconds !

"Though, I don't believe this is a question of speed.", corrected me Cyrus.

"Uh ?... Why ?"

"If you say that at each of your teleportations you found yourself in that other dimension, well we could conclude that it the go-between of your starting points and your endpoints, just like it was a bridge. Indeed, by traveling through that mysterious void, you were able to reach faraway places in only around 30 seconds. This observation led me to an interesting theory where the alternative dimension you have been through could have different notions of time and space. For example, walking a few steps inside this dimension is equal to walking to the next village in our dimension. Do you get it ?"

"Yeah, kinda !"

"So, I believe such magic would be very useful to move from a place or another at such a speed.", added the professor when he looked pretty concerned. "But there is something I still need to inquire about that blue void you told me about, especially about the fact your powers are activated by themselves before each time you were about to move from a place to another... Were they activated under specific conditions ?"

Under specific conditions ?

I tried to remind each moment when my powers teleported me and banged my head.

"Well... It happened a few times when I was in danger... but not every time, I guess...", I was thinking about these particular moments but I sighed. "No, sorry. I don't have any idea at all, professor..."

"I see. There might still be a minor possibility that they just occurred at random.", he told me while he was also thinking, his fist against his chin before he felt quite reassured for me. "In any case, I am happy that despite your living conditions, there were still all these remarkable people whom you can count on and that you met at each place you have been."

"That's true. I miss them all so much..."

I frowned slightly.

It was always hurting me to be separated from all my friends, especially since it has been so long I haven't seen any single of them.

I felt a reassuring on my shoulder.

"I am pretty sure they must all be fine.", told me the nice professor.

"Thank you...", I answered him with a grateful smile when I reminded him of a moment when he listened to my story and asked him happily. "Is that true that you know Ophilia ?!"

"Of course ! I remember to have traveled to the Frostlands 10 years ago for doing some research for my work. I went to Flamegraces cathedral and talked with Archbishop Josef. I also got acquainted with his 2 daughters, and both of them were adorable and kind-hearted...", he told me while he felt quite nostalgic when he became upset. "Though I'm very shocked that the poor Josef went down into sickness, and I feel sorry for these 2 girls to see him in such an awful state..."

"Me too, I regret...", I answered him with a frown, as I remembered when I saw that poor old man in his bed.

"And so, it won't be Sister Lianna anymore who will perform the Kindling ceremony ?"

"N-no, she preferred to stay with her Father. Now, it's Ophilia who will carry the Sacred Flame through the country...", I told him with a smile, feeling quite proud of her.

"I see... I guess she will have to follow a certain itinerary to practice her ritual. But due to the awakening of the second First Flame from yesterday, there might be a chance her path will lead her to Atlasdam soon..."

"!!!...", my eyes widened as I became excited. "Is that true ?! Ophilia will come in that city soon ?!"

I smiled and my cheeks started to blush as long as I was thinking about her.

I'm gonna see Ophilia again ! I'm gonna see her again soon !

I heard the professor answering me.

"Perhaps... I just told you there might be a chance that her itinerary is changed and that she will make a detour to inspect the Flame's strange behaving... With the limited knowledge of the Archbishop of Atlasdam, and due to the Archbishop Josef's state, it is only up to Sister Ophilia, after the pilgrimage's training she may have practiced, to shed some light about that mystery..."

"I believe she could be capable of that ! Indeed, she is also very good to produce some light for real !", I told him about her proudly, remembering all the adventures she had inside that cave.

"I would like to see that !", replied happily the professor when he questioned me. "Also, about that man we call "Therion" that you have met first... you said that he was some kind of... thief, right ?"

"...Yes...", I replied in a low tone.

While I explained my story to the professor, I also told him about Therion. I didn't like that but I had to tell him that he was a thief, and I felt so bad because he was a criminal. It just like I betrayed him...

After everything I've been through, I just wanted to let out everything to Cyrus so he could help me better, but I didn't want him to denounce Therion so he could end up in jail as I did.

The professor was curious about him, but I wanted to let him know something.

"I... I know that he's a thief and that stealing is bad... but he is such a good and nice guy... Unlike all the people I met before him, he never neglected me, even if he didn't know who I was... He helped me when I was in trouble without I asked any help, he never let me down each time I had problems, and also... most importantly... he watched me as no one else did. He understood at first what I would feel and he would listen to me like no one else would try to do... He is such a brave guy !...", I told to the professor with a frown and continued. "But now, because I was too weak back then to protect myself, he fell in such an awful trap, and so he is forced to steal 3 magic balls because if he doesn't... people will always watch him so badly as they watched me so badly in the real world..."

I felt really sad for my friend.

From all the friends I ever got, I haven't seen him for a longer time than the others, and he was missing me a lot.

"Now, I see... He is forced to make a theft just to regain his freedom... What an unlucky fate.", I saw Cyrus who felt bad as well, pretty concerned for Therion when he smiled at me quietly. "Anyway, I find that remarkable that at your age you have experienced so many adventures: you played a game which teleported you in our world, got acquainted with a skilled thief from the Cliftlands, helped a cleric of the Sacred Flame to begin her pilgrimage, befriended with a remarkable apothecary and helped him saving a person's life, fought a large creature alongside one of the best hunters in the woodlands, being instructed at sword-fighting skills by a former renowned knight of the lost kingdom of Hornburg, done some commercial trading with a family of merchants... Their family name was the Colzione, right ?"

"Yes ! They are even huge fans of you, professor !", I answered him proudly.

"Ha ha ha ! I see ! Then, you crossed all alone the southern desert on foot, met the last alive member of the fallen House Azelhart, found yourself into the midst of a dangerous plot that threatens a mysterious project, and here you are !", he declared happily as he was looked impressed. "Believe me, this is truly unique to have experienced so many events in less than 2 weeks."

"You're right. Everything went so fast, but I was really happy to have met all of them !"

"I'm glad for you too: indeed, each time you spoke to me about one of them, it was like you were telling me the story of a unique person and all their passions and ambitions. Everyone has a story to tell, you know, and I'm sure you will have your own story one day in the future.", explained wisely the professor.

Like having my own tale to tell ?...

That was true that each time I met someone, I've always known some fun adventures with them, and I was mostly happy to have done all these things !

Indeed, I've done so many things in that game that we could write an entire book about my adventures, a bit like the small carnet Tressa has found !

I watched again at Cyrus who seemed amused by my excitement when he became curious and watched his notes.

"Also, I'm pretty intrigued by the fact some of these persons appeared inside the screen of your... gameswitch ?"

That's true I remembered to have seen Therion, Alfyn, and also Primrose appearing on the screen's console, and they were walking through the places where I met them. Though, I have still no idea to explain that...

Cyrus looked slightly confused by the word "gameswitch" but I understood him, as I just called it because it was a mix between gameboy and switch.

"You can just call it switch if you want."

"Of course !... And you also told me that you had a theory in mind related to the game's title."

"Er... Ah yes ! The thing with the letters !", I replied as I remembered the theory I made at the beach before explaining it to Cyrus. "In fact, I think the 8 characters who appeared on the screen have their name which all started by one of the letters of the word "Octopath" ! Like Ophilia and Olberic because of the 2 "O", Therion and Tressa for the 2 "T", H'aanit for the "H", Alfyn for the "A", and Primrose for the "P" ! I've found that idea by myself !"

I felt well proud as Cyrus was quite impressed.

"You can be proud ! I can even admit your hypothesis is pretty sticky !", he declared to me before he became serious again. "Though, I'm wondering a lot how there could be so many coincidences about all these person names and the game Title... Indeed, "Octo" means "eight" in an old language, and with the syllable "path", this could be referencing to 8 paths that were taken by 8 persons, and their 8 stories narrating their feats and their origins..."

"!!!... You're right ! When I was with them, I learned more or less everything about who they were and what were their dreams...", I answered to him, as I was surprised by how true was this observation as it was really obvious but there was still something bothering me. "Though, there is still one last person missing whose name starts by the letter "C". That must be the last video game hero I should meet, and so, we would be finally done at finding all the letters ! But I don't know someone cool and nice whom the name starts with a "C"... I would like it to be you, in fact, the last traveler, Professor. The problem is that your name "Albright" starts by a "A" instead.""

"..."

The professor was intrigued by my remark.

Indeed, I was just thinking if he could be the last traveler, as he was smart, nice, and also lived in the last region. However, "Albright" didn't fit with my theory at all and perhaps I will need his help to find him...

Strangely, Cyrus had something to tell me, as he looked well concerned for an unknown reason.

"I think you might have mixed up things, Travis..."

"Mmh ? What do you mean, professor ?"

"I believe you must be referencing my family name "Albright". However, my first name, Cyrus, is starting by the 3rd letter of the alphabet."

Cyrus ?...

I was just thinking for a while, trying to understand... when I finally did.

"...!!!...YOUR FIRST NAME STARTS BY A "C" ?! BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STARTING BY A "S" LIKE "SAIRUS" ?!!", I exclaimed loudly, as I was surprised and confused.

Seriously when I heard his first name for the first time, I didn't know how it was spelled and thought it started with a "S" !

"No, no. I believe you might have some confusion at spelling my name while you have never seen it in writing !"

"B-b-but wait !!!... That's means..."

"I could be this famous last character of that "video game" you must be looking for.", guessed Cyrus with a small smile, as he looked a little surprised too.

I found him... I FINALLY FOUND THE LAST ONE !

"This... THIS IS SO COOL !", I exclaimed happily when I stood up from my chair. "THAT MEAN THAT I FINALLY FOUND ALL THE GAME'S HEROES BY MYSELF !! AND ALSO, YOU PROFESSOR MUST HAVE SOME KIND OF DREAM AND STORY, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, RIGHT ?!"

I felt very happy right now, proudly watching at Cyrus who just looked quite embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head.

"Well... My dream is just to gather as much unknown knowledge as I could and to share it with the future generations, like would do any scholar... But I guess that must count."

Of course, that counted to dream of discovering the truth of everything !

"YES ! YES ! YES !", I shouted happily when I asked him curiously, knowing that he could feel weird about that. "And you ? What it's like for you to be a video game character ?"

"Well... I must confess that I'm pretty surprised, in the first place, to be part of such a parallel world located in a strange game with a screen, alongside millions of inhabitants... Indeed, I'm very confident that it would greatly surprise all the country of Orsterra. You know, when Man first appeared in our world, we were always wondering what could be up there, in the sky..."

"In my world, there is a huge black space above the sky, with many stars and planets !", I told him proudly, remembering some books that were talking about space and stars.

The professor was quite surprised.

"Oh !... Is there really all these strange entities above the sky where no man can go ? That's fascinating ! Actually, we are generally persuaded that the 12 gods must be watching all the mortals living on Earth, and this is why we have created our own religion to pay tribute to them.", he explained to me by sharing with me his view of things.

"You know, Professor, I believe we are still praying for some kind of god, in the real world."

"Ah, I see now...", he replied before he went back in his thoughts and continued. "Though, I must say that it's hard to believe that MY world is considered like the virtual one in your opinion. However, I'm well aware that you are in a better position than I am to say this, and there should be a lot of discoveries you have made that are totally new to me..."

"So, that's mean I'm smarter than you ?"

"No, not really. I just wanted to explain that you have some knowledge that I haven't acquired yet. You see, no matter how smart we are and the amount of information we learn in our long life, there will be always some knowledge unknown to us. This is why it's useful for many researchers to work in a team for gathering all their information."

I felt quite confused.

"I-I-I... see. That's indeed better to work together, right ?!"

" Ha ha ha !... I'm sorry if my arguments seem quite complex for you, Travis.", apologized Cyrus before he spoke again while he looked deeply impressed and curious. "Well, anyway... Your version of things is well different from our interpretation of the creation of the world. A parallel world, a sort of game with a screen called "Octopath Traveler", and our own world residing inside such a small object... all of these discoveries truly exceeded my expectations about my view of the universe. Indeed, if ever our world turned out to have been created from the other world... that could truly upset all the world's secrets."

"!!!..."

"Furthermore, we are all experiencing now a complicated period where everyone is trying to figure out the origins of the light pillars phenomenons, and the Aisenma plague as well. As I still believe they share the same source of magic, if you say there is a dimension that serves as a bridge between your world and mine, there might be a possibility that Magic itself came from that dimension."

"A-are you sure about that ?! But why is there no magic in the real world as well ?!", I asked him curiously as I was really concerned.

"I still have no idea for the moment. However, you told me that when you found yourself in that blue dimension, you would sometimes hear a voice talking to you, right ?"

"Y-yes ! At the beginning, I thought it was only talking to me just to scare me but... it also helped me, I believe...", I was thinking again about all these moments, as I started to be quite serious when I informed Cyrus. "Also, I think this voice belongs to... the man with the yellow helmet. I'm pretty sure about that."

"..."

Cyrus was thinking again like he was used to, and I was aware he too was very concerned about the story with the yellow helmet man.

Me too, I was very curious about him: he was always there since the beginning, after all...

I sighted annoyingly by remembering what he has done when I heard Cyrus deducing.

"I must say this famous man with the helmet is very intriguing, with his faculties to control creatures with the technology of his helmet, his power to go at any location, and also his ability to speak to you while you were in a blue dimension... I also suspect him to have a certain control about the magic residing in the blue dimension, and that he was able to see you there..."

"Perhaps, but how ?! I don't remember to have seen him here as well !"

"That is the question. We don't know a lot about that mysterious man who tracked you down for your powers. However, we still know he is working for a hidden organization..."

"!!!... You mean those who..."

Suddenly, I never saw Cyrus being so serious as he answered me.

"Exactly. This famous group living in the shadow you told me about, which is composed of these strange individuals with fire masks, could be responsible for these astonishing events. It could be a terrorist organization whose goal is to destroy our world and create a new universe supposed to be perfect...", he finished when he strangely flinched and remembered something. "!!!... It is possible... it could be those who are hiding in the darkness for years ?..."

"Who are you talking about ?"

"...I'll explain to you later. What we know about that organization, is that the man with the yellow helmet is more or less linked to them."

"Yes, he could even work for them...", I deduced.

"Perhaps... His work within the organization must plant those famous crystal balls at certain places for a certain purpose related to their objective. That sounds like a great responsibility to put in place those things..."

"Ah, yeah. These bombs that explode..."

"Oh, I do not think they literally "explode", I would rather say these bombs release all the amount of magic they were containing and freeing it in a beam of light which comes from the earth.", corrected me the professor like he was giving me a lesson.

If he says they do not explode, why does he still call them bombs ?!

He continued to explain.

"Indeed, the purpose of the crystal balls is to fill the earth of magic to prepare the most powerful light beam possible. The proof is, according to the research of my friend the professor Felix, some particles of magic has been found on the site of the explosion. My theory is that the magic filling the crystal ball came from the blue dimension, and the pillars of light's goal are to connect it to our world and draw all the energy necessary for the ritual."

"!!!..."

I was well shocked by his discovery while I continued to listen.

"As we know today, there is 2 sort of bomb: the bombs of First class, which are filled with the magic originating of the blue dimension, and the bombs of Second class, which are created by assembling 2 strange crystals containing strange magic and able to create a powerful red explosion. I have to say those second class bombs are particularly drawing my attention, and that the House Azelhart is linked to these crystals..."

Ah yes ! I remembered that Primrose's dad had even some of these magic crystal that he gave to the old guardian so no one else could find it ! Indeed, I believed that the people with the crow's mark wanted to find that crystal but they never found it on him, so they became mad and killed the poor man.

By the way, I discovered so many things thanks to Cyrus. He was smart enough to guess what these bad guys from that secret organization really wanted... Indeed, the more I keep listening to him, the more I learn a little more about that world's many secrets.

As we were both concerned by these mysterious bombs, Cyrus announced to me.

"Currently, we might have finally found out the long-sought truth about these natural phenomenons, but I don't think this will stop now."

"Yes, that's true ! The guy with the crow's mark even said there will be one more bomb to plant before they make that Expansion thing ! But I was able to prevent it with Primrose, even though... I don't remember clearly what really happened...", I replied annoyingly.

When Primrose and I have faced Helgesomething and his men, and after what he did to Yusufa...

We were both very saddened by her loss, but Primrose was the only one who still faced these mysterious masked people while I... I still didn't remember what happened, honestly...

No. I think I could still remember one thing back there: at a moment, I felt like... I wasn't myself.

Primrose didn't even explain to me what happened before the yellow helmet man saved us from the red explosion.

Cyrus spoke to me again.

"You know, Travis... I don't believe they won't give up their goal now, and that all you did was just slowing them down in their progression. Indeed, I'm afraid that they have already chosen the next location where they will attempt to put the last bomb again."

"Wait... Are you sure ?!", I exclaimed seriously.

The professor nodded.

"As I already said before, the Sacred Flame of Atlasdam which was supposed to have been extinguished thousands of years ago just got reignited, and I believe it shares the same source of magic as the pillar of lights. Indeed, its behavior is completely unstable, just like the flame itself wasn't completely well ignited, and that something or someone has forced its ignition."

"Someone... !!!... COULD HE BE... !"

I just got a very bad feeling about this, and Cyrus even nodded to me when he told me seriously.

"You're right, Travis... The man with the yellow helmet could be responsible for that ignition and he must be hiding in Atlasdam as we speak."

"!!!..."

I was very surprised by his deduction, giving me goosebumps.

I couldn't believe that !!! So, the man with the yellow helmet could be at Atlasdam right now and prepare himself to plant the last bomb ?!

"B-but how is that possible ?!... Why does he need to rekindle the Sacred Flame just for putting a bomb ?!", I told Cyrus nervously.

"Just think about it... To provoke the release of such a light beam full of that blue magic, it is necessary to have a powerful source of energy, especially if it's supposed to be the release of the last pillar of light, and the most powerful one as well. And what could be better than using the energy of the sacred flame ?"

"!!!..."

"That's right. I must admit that the person responsible has so diligently prepared his action, to have access to the flame pit despite it was well guarded, so he could manipulate the blue dimension and reigniting back the flame.", he explained to me as I continued to listen. "To make it short, there is a possibility that Atlasdam will be the next and last location of where should occur the last luminous explosion. And if the sacred flame was supposed to enhance its power, if it does connect with the other light beams, the ritual would stimulate them and shoot them at their maximum potential. They will become so powerful that they will destroy everything within the earth, the sky and the oceans and..."

He took his time before saying in a sinister tone.

"It could provoke the end of Orsterra..."

"!!!...", I shivered in fear when I became very concerned. "Y-you mean... It could destroy the entire world if he manages to provoke the fourth explosion ?!"

"I fear so... Even if I'm not sure about the ritual's success, there is still a high chance it does and I don't want such a possibility to happen.", answered me the professor with a frown.

I was frightened about that scary thought, that the end of the world, where everything disappears because of that damn explosion this bomb could make, and how many people would die as a consequence...

However, if we did nothing to prevent that, as we just have the chance to be the only ones who knew the yellow helmet's plan and who could stop him for good, it could happen for real...

I felt very serious right now as I shouted.

"Me neither !", I stood up from my chair again and exclaimed to Cyrus. "There's no way we could let him finish that ritual ! And I'm pretty sure all that "expansion" thing is total nonsense ! Please, professor ! Including you, all my friends, and yours, there are a lot of people who are gonna disappear if they shoot the last light beam in the sky ! If you know a solution to prevent that, I'll help you with everything I could and we will stop that helmethead !"

Right now, I was more determined than ever. After everything bad this yellow helmet man has done, I just couldn't stand idly while he was about to provoke the same thing that killed all the dinosaurs millions of years ago in the real world !

I was ready at anything, and not only to stop that bad guy but also to save thousands of innocents, including my friends...

Cyrus watched at me, quite surprised by my determination.

"I see. But you don't have to everything alone.", he replied to me when he added. "I promised that I will help you to deal with your problems, so it's now my responsibility to put that man in jail, to prevent that ritual, and to make sure he won't harm you anymore. I swear in my honor as a scholar to use all my knowledge and to work hard to help you."

I watched the professor who also looked as determined as I was.

He spoke to me again.

"Another thing, Travis..."

"Hmm ?"

"Once all of this will be over when we will prevent the explosion and arrest the yellow helmet man, I would like to take the time to study more your powers. If they share the same source of magic as the Aisenma plague as well, we could still use carefully your powers and discover a potential cure for the disease. There might be a little chance that they could have healing powers..."

"..."

I was thinking for a while about that famous disease.

It seems that in addition to saving the world from the disaster which the yellow helmet man would like to provoke, Cyrus also wanted my help to cure all these people with blue eyes.

Indeed, even if he wanted to help me, he was still very curious about my power as he was someone whose job has to search for knowledge. Though I understood him because one of his friends caught that damn disease, and me too I wanted all these sick persons to be cured.

Of course, Cyrus was very nice to me and I wanted to help him as well... but I wanted to have something in exchange.

So, I took my decision and told him seriously.

"That's fine, professor... I would like to help you, but I have one condition..."

"Hmm ?... What is it ?", he asked as he was visually concerned.

"I don't want you to tell anyone that Therion is a thief and neither do anything to arrest him."

Cyrus was slightly surprised by my proposition.

I might have told him the truth about Therion, but I wasn't too dumb to give at my friends more problems.

If Cyrus told anyone in the capital about him, that they make wanted posters and let knights capturing him like how policemen would catch robbers in the real world, Therion might end up in jail just like I did.

Even though I trusted Cyrus, I didn't want to betray Therion as he wasn't like the other thieves whom people would call bad.

Cyrus thought for a while and make a decision.

"I have no problem with that. In any case, everything you told me about your friends must stay secret from the public in such circumstances, for their own sake.", he answered me before he smiled. "Also, if you say this Therion has really helped you so many times... Why would I denounce such a brave man like him ?"

"!!!..."

I was surprised by his words, but I felt really grateful towards Cyrus. He too, believed that Therion was a nice thief !

"Thank you, professor...", I happily shook his hand with my both hands.

"Just call me Cyrus."

"Ok, Professor Cyrus !", I shouted happily, ready to be helpful and motivated to find out the mystery between that "Second First Flame" before I asked him. "So... What are we going to do first ?"

"Well... the first thing to do is obviously to track and to stop the one who is responsible to plant the bomb at these strategic places... I also look forward to finding a way to undo the ritual, and if ever, according to my theory, your powers and the energy released by the flame came from the same magic source... there is a chance that it could be a key to reverse the ritual."

"Wait, do you mean that I could stop the explosion with my magic ?!", I exclaimed as I left my chair. "But what are we waiting for ?! Let's go see the sacred flame..."

I headed towards the door.

"Travis, wait !", Cyrus grabbed my shoulder, making me stop when he warned me. "We still have no idea how works the magic filling the Flame ! If we dare taking risks at charging ahead without we have a plan ahead of time, there could be negative consequences: you could get yourself burnt as an exemple !"

"!!!..."

Professor Cyrus was right, actually.

If I use my powers on the blue flame without really knowing what to do, I might create more problems and also harm myself. Indeed, even if I managed to control them and use them whenever I wanted, I have still no idea how I could do what Cyrus requested me to fix the flame.

By the way, I also wondered if we could really say "fixing the flame", but we couldn't fix a flame like how we repair a broken machine in the real world...

I felt quite upset to not be able to try fixing the flame when Cyrus proposed to me.

"However, if we want to do so, I need to study more your powers and for that, we will go to the magical training room."

"The magical training room ?"

I was pretty curious about the place's name when Cyrus answered me.

"It's a cave which was arranged for the scholar apprentice could start learning to create magic spells, and for the most experienced ones to try creating new ones."

"Oh, this is where people start learning magic powers ?! I would like to see that !", I declared happily.

"I expected you will enjoy it, but we will also go there to make some observations for your powers. And first, I just need to pick up the key at the Academy."

The professor stood up and took his famous coat while I was slightly confused.

"But !... I thought there was no school today !"

"There is no class today, but the Royal Academy is still opened to scholars for their research.", he answered with a smile.

Honestly, I thought it was a little weird for people to work again during the weekend, unlike kids who have to go to school.

However, after everything Cyrus told me last night about scholar and that famous Academy, I was really curious about how it looked like and started to have a liking to visiting that place even if there was no school today.

So, I asked Cyrus.

"Please, professor Cyrus. Can I go to the Academy with you ? I would like to visit."

The professor smiled proudly at me as he responded.

"Of course, Travis, it's would be a pleasure to show you where I work ! However, we just need to borrow the key from the Headmaster before we go to the training room. Remember that we have an investigation to pursue."

"Yeah, you're right !", I exclaimed before I have something else to tell him. "Also, professor..."

"Mmh ?"

"...I would like to thank you. To believe in my story, to help me find the yellow helmet man... Really, I would have never believed to tell everything I was keeping as a secret, but it feel so good since I told everything, just like I was freer than I've ever been...", I watched at him gratefully and smiled quietly. "Thank you again, professor..."

He watched at me as well, smiling me back as he ruffled my hair.

"You're welcome. But, you know, I would like to thank you too: you provided me such a very useful help with your testimony and all these discoveries you made. When I said that scholars have to be curious, it's also about what kind of knowledge would please the most at people and makes them happy to learn.", he revealed to me, as he looked surprised as grateful as I was when he asked me. "Let's work together, okay ?"

"Okay !", I shouted happily.

I was impatient to go in that place, but also determined to find out what was wrong with the sacred flame Cyrus told me about and stop the yellow helmet man to play up.

Cyrus told me as it was a little cold outside in the morning, so he gave me a piece of clothing that belonged to him when he was younger to warm me up.

It looked like a black wool cape, which looked like Cyrus's beautiful coat but it was at my size instead. Indeed, it wasn't only fitting me so well, I even looked like a scholar like Cyrus with this !

So, we left Cyrus's home and went outside, as I was deeply impressed by how big was this city.

Wooooaaaaah !!!

In reality, that wasn't the first time I was in that city, but because I never left the area I was hiding before I got arrested, I never had the time to discover Atlasdam for real.

A front of us, there was a very large alley which was going up a little, and which was so long that I couldn't spot the end. There were houses around which looked like Cyrus's home, and I also noticed there was a tavern at the right. The ground was also rocky and gathered a lot of squared rock instead of grey roads in the real world.

Also, there were a lot of people roaming through the alley in every sense, a few horses were pulling a carriage driven by a coachman, and there were a couple of guards who were doing their watch. So many people !

I also watched at the right which was another alley, but it was slightly going down a little instead in this way, and there were a lot of people as well. But what amazed me the most is that there was such a beautiful view from here, as we could see a part of the city with a lot of buildings.

I was especially astonished by the large wall which was surrounding that part of the city, with his 2 towers where guards were watching, and mostly by the big iron gate which was opened at the entrance. Indeed, the wall was so high that I couldn't see what was behind. A forest ? Plains ? The sea, maybe ?

I noticed as well some red banners with the picture of a lion spread either on the fortress or on some houses.

So... this is Atlasdam ?!

When Tressa's mom told me about that city, I could say she wasn't telling stories !

Everywhere, everything was beautiful, with some trees standing next to the most beautiful houses, a fountain which was twice bigger than Rippletide's fountain, and also... the city looked so wide !

In reality, it was truly the most impressive and biggest city I've ever seen in my life. It wasn't like the city from the present where I lived in the real world, with the streets being not well cleaned and the atmosphere sober. Here, instead, it was full of life and the alleys were well cleaned !

I was very excited in my mind, and surprised that so many people lived here !

However, I also believed it will be harder to find the yellow helmet man with all these people...

I followed Cyrus closely as we walked through the alley, and noticed a smile on his lips.

When I saw him walking, I just have a weird feeling... He just looked so majestic, just like a prince !

"!!!..."

Indeed, it looked like the atmosphere feel so different when we were walking: most of the people around us were just watching us, and particularly at Cyrus.

They were all observing him as they seemed quite amazed to see him, but they just shushed between themselves and didn't say anything.

However, there were still a few persons who told him "good morning, professor", as he was saluting them back like they knew each other.

Me, I was quite impressed and curious.

Oh yeah !... That's right he's a very famous person !

So, that must be how it's like to be a celebrity ?

With that cape surrounding my torso and my forearms, I really believed I could stay discreet in people's eyes...

"Hey ! Have you seen, girls ?!...", shushed someone from the crowd.

It was a young woman who was speaking to a group of other girls, either farmers or milkwoman, and I could hear them giggling happily on the professor's back.

It looks like they were gushing over him !

"It's the famous Cyrus Albright !..."

"Wow ! He is so charming !..."

"Kyaah !... My heart can't take it more !..."

It looks like they have all fallen love with Cyrus ! They were like the fangirls of a famous person !

Though, with Cyrus being a man with a beautiful face, I understood why they have a liking for him, which made me slightly surprised.

He's totally the opposite of Primrose !

Strangely, Cyrus wasn't paying attention to them... or was he just ignoring them ?!

I watched him as he looked slightly nervous.

"Are you alright, Professor ?", I asked him nicely.

"Err... No, yes. I'm alright.", he answered me, quite embarrassed before he replied. "I've almost forgotten the streets were slightly more crowded at the weekend, especially at Atlasdam."

"Yes, you're right ! I never noticed how big was that city, seriously...", I told him as I was still amazed.

We reached a square with another fountain in the middle that I contemplated during our walk when Cyrus responded proudly.

"You say so ! Atlasdam is actually one of the most crowded cities in Orsterra alongside Victors Hollow and Grandport. Its status of city-state regularly draws hundreds of visitors each year, and they come to either start a new life or starting their studies."

"Oh yeah, I remember Tressa's mom told me that too.", I replied to him as I watched at my surroundings and felt so astonished. "There are a lot of houses too ! Much more than in all cities I've ever been !"

"You know Travis, it is also one of the oldest cities which have ever been built, and there is also so much history about its foundation. I even remember a lesson about that, would you like me to tell you an excerpt..."

"Er... No thanks ! I just think discovering by myself is enough !", I interrupted him calmly, feeling slightly embarrassed.

It's not like I ain't liked the lessons he was telling me, I just didn't feel ready to hear an entire lesson during the whole and being too focused to listen to it while walking. Indeed, I already had one last night and it was the weekend !

We then turned at the right as I continued to follow Cyrus and asked him curiously.

"Tell me, an Academy, it's like a school, right ?"

"Well, it's an education institution much more prestigious than a school. That place is conferred for the quest of higher knowledge and exclusive learning, and a lot of students and scholars from around the world come here to pursue their studies even further and also to have a chance to become a talented scholar.", he explained to me with pleasure.

"It is really hard to become one ?"

"Very hard. The level of education is very high, and there is each year an exam where hundreds of students are participating. I remember that only 23 persons have succeeded in last year's exam..."

"Gees... That must be so hard.", I said in a shocking tone.

I would feel so bad for all those who haven't succeeded even if they have worked so hard !

Cyrus spoke again.

"It is. However, it is still possible for those who have failed to continue their studies and have the chance to take the exam next year. As we say, "at each shortage, a new chance" !", he declared me before he added. "Thankfully when I took my exam in my younger years, I got a better chance and managed to succeed in my first attempt."

As he looked proud, I felt happy for him.

"Wow... congrats Professor ! How did you do that ?"

"Well, I simply worked very hard. I must admit that wasn't easy at all, but I managed to do so.", he answered me while scratching the back of his head.

Even though I admitted the exam he did when he was younger was supposed to be very hard, I was still impressed by how motivated he was when he worked so hard, but I hoped he enjoyed a lot to study as he loved to seek for knowledge.

Currently, I was having a good time talking with him, and I was wrong to think that it was a bad idea, finally, to have accepted to go with the professor when he got me out of prison. I might not be used to all that school stuff, but it was kinda interesting to know more about his work.

After a few minutes of walking, we climbed some stairs and arrived in front of a huge building.

"Here we are.", said Cyrus.

"!!!..."

I became totally speechless by the splendor of the building, and I immediately regretted not have seen it before.

If I've never seen the Cathedral of Flamegraces, I would say that it was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The building was built with probably the most beautiful stones of the city, and it was so high that it reminded me of a small castle. I noticed there were 2 other red banners on the sides, but also a garden with a few bushes which fitted so well with the beauty of the place. There were also metallic fences surrounding the place to prevent people to fall and there were 2 winged statues of weird animals above the door alongside the face of a crowned old man, who must be obviously the King.

I couldn't believe Cyrus was working in such a place !

"It's... it's so huge... It looks like a castle, really !", I exclaimed.

I heard Cyrus chuckling as he replied.

"I don't believe your reaction will be the same as when you will see the interior... Let's go in."

We headed towards the large door which Cyrus opened where we entered, walked through a red carpet, and then... I was truly amazed.

"!!!..."

That place from the inside was fantastically big ! It was astonishing !

It was much more impressing and prettier than the inside of a school according to what I reminded in my memories. Indeed, it looked like a lot the inside of the castle, and reminded me a lot of the inside of the Ravus manor, as I had the feeling this place looked bigger than how it looked on the outside.

I was standing on a beautiful red carpet which was going up the 2 stairs on each side. The tile and the walls were made with stone much cleaner than the roads from outside, and there was another floor which was separated by a fence made of marble.

Also, I didn't expect to see many people here at this hour, especially on Saturday. There were a lot of people who were walking through the first floor, checking some papers hanging up on boards, or reading book alongside other persons on a table on the right or the left. Some of them were wearing black coats like Cyrus, but there were also a few men and women wearing elegant clothes and discussing quietly between each other.

I also spotted again the same red banner from outside with the lion on it at the center of the room, and there was a big candlestick on the ceiling.

I was very astonished: I couldn't believe Cyrus and a bunch of other professors would work in such a place !

I saw the professor taking the stairs as I joined him closely, and we reached the first floor.

There were a lot of doors throughout the corridor. One of them was opened and the inside particularly caught my eye: it looked like the inside of a school class with a chalkboard and a few wooden tables.

I couldn't see any students, but only a scholar like Cyrus who was checking some papers on the desk.

Really, I didn't know if it was the same thing in the real world, but I never knew teachers would still work in class during the weekend !

Anyway, I followed Cyrus while some people would often salute him and watch me curiously when we arrived a front of a big door.

He then told me.

"I just have to ask the Headmaster to give me the key to the training room. Just be patient and wait here, okay ?"

He showed me a bench at a corner where I could sit.

"Okay.", I told him as he knocked at the door.

I was pretty curious about what there was behind that door... Another classroom, maybe ?

Though, this door looked more impressive than the other on the second floor. Perhaps that must be someone's important...

I walked towards the bench while watching back at Cyrus who entered inside the room...

BUMP !

I bumped into someone.

I turned back to see a woman with long dark hair who was wearing a black coat like Cyrus. She had a purple dress and high heels but she didn't have anything to cover her legs.

I looked up to her and felt guilty because I wasn't watching when I walked.

"Sorry, miss !..."

The lady quietly observed me for a while when she replied.

"Oh, it's fine, little one. Just try to be more careful, next time."

She then went down the stairs and left me alone.

"..."

It is me... or this lady just gives me a weird feeling ?...

I might have no idea who was this strange lady, but as she was a scholar like Cyrus, something tells me that she must be quite important...

~5 minutes later~

Why it is taking him so long ?...

I was still waiting annoyingly on the bench, still staring at the door in the hope to see Cyrus coming out with the key to that famous training room.

Meanwhile, I kept observing people going back and forth through the place. Some of them would notice me without really paying attention, as they might not be used to see kids in that place.

Indeed, with that cape I was wearing, I felt so small in that place. I would only see adults roaming through the stairs and either entering or leaving classrooms. Though, the place was still quiet, especially because it was Saturday.

Among the people I saw, I watched a girl going up the stairs who was carrying a few books in her slim arms.

Her hair was silver and looked nice, she was wearing a beautiful white dress with a blue cape, and she looked young, as she was probably around Tressa's age.

She looked rather pretty and different from the random people of the Academy I observed.

I watched her curiously as she looked to look for someone. I also wondered why she was carrying all of these books by herself...

"!!!..."

I suddenly got a bad feeling and noticed one of her books was slowly slipping from the others.

"Watch out !"

By reflex, I dashed towards her as she noticed in shock her book started to fall and didn't have time to catch it back.

Me, I had the time to catch it, even that it was so heavy that it made me fall on the ground.

I still held the book with both arms, lying on the ground as the girl looked worryingly at me.

"Oh my... Are you alright ?!"

"I'm okay... I just hope I haven't damaged the book while catching it.", I answered her with a smile.

The girl looked slightly surprised by how I was able to save her book. If I just stayed on the bench, it would have probably been slightly damaged.

Indeed, by watching how they were carefully written, whether it comes from that video game world or the real one, I managed to understand how precious they were.

The girl babbled nervously, as she looked grateful.

"Oh, th-thank you !... It was kind of you, little one."

"Wait, let me help you.", I said as she tried to recover the book but I managed to get back on my feet.

I could still carry the quite heavy book with both arms as the girl apologized.

"I'm sorry to let you carrying such a heavy thing..."

"No, no... it's alright !", I insisted with a smile, without being annoyed at all as I asked her curiously. "But tell me: why are you carrying so many books in your arms ? Isn't that too heavy for you ?"

"I know... but it's because... I love to read a lot.", she answered me hesitantly before she continued. "When I have free time, I'm used to go to the Royal Library and to borrow one or several volumes. Though, I might have taken too much today... But it was stronger than me: I enjoy to study and I couldn't manage to resist when I see their covers and a part of their content."

We walked together in direction of the bench where I was sitting while listening to her and replying cheerfully.

"That's not a problem to like reading books, you know. Me too, sometimes, I would spend some time to read, you know."

"Really ? What kind of book is your preference ?", she smiled at me as we both sit next to each other.

"Well... I like books which shows everything in the world... Like the places to go, the animals we meet, the plant which grown there, and...", I answered nervously at the girl who looked rather curious, taking my time when I replied honestly. "In fact, I prefer a book that made me want to travel."

I felt dreamy as the girl looked interested.

"I see, that. Honestly, I have never heard about a book which literally shows what's the word looks like, just only volumes which are exclusively about either biology, zoology or geography..."

Woops !... I forgot I was in a medieval game... And that books from that world aren't the same...

I felt pretty stupid, as I remembered again that everything I told to Cyrus has to stay secret.

Though, I continued to speak to the girl.

"So, you haven't heard about a book showing the 3 at once in only 30 pages, for exemple ?"

"Not at all. As it's already difficult to draw the illustrations and detail them, it would be even harder to resume everything in such a low number of pages..."

"And you, what kind of books you like the most ?"

The calm girl smiled at my question and took her time a little before answering while watching at her book.

"I love those which tell the History of the world. Each time that I lay my eyes on those notes which explain carefully each important events of the Kingdom, it just like I'm in another world, just like I was on the place during a certain period of history, and this is so passionating.", she looked very passionate and dreamy when she looked at me. "You will see, when you will reach my age, you will enjoy reading them."

"Well, that could be nice !", I replied cheerfully, as I enjoyed to talk with that girl whom I wanted to know more about her when I asked her. "Excuse me, miss ?... Are you Princess Mary ?"

The girl flinched a little when she answered me nervously.

"Err... No. I'm not a princess, but I do know the Princess..."

"So, are you the Princess's sister ?"

"No, not at all ! But I was her sister, I would be a princess too !", she replied as she was a little embarrassed when she replied. "Actually, I'm just a Lady of the court, and my name is Therese. Therese Moonheart."

"Nice to meet you, Therese. I'm Travis !", we shook our hands happily when I told her. "You know, with the beautiful dress you wear and the way your hair is beautifully capped, I just believed you were someone important, like the princess."

"Oh, thank you... You know well how to talk with girls.", she nicely ruffled my hair, making me smile, as she replied. "By curiosity, what are you doing here in such a place ? Are you waiting for someone, like your parents ?"

"Err... I'm just waiting for..."

"P-professor Albright !...", she suddenly cut me while standing up.

"Oh, good morning, Therese."

Cyrus was just standing a front of us, as he looked still positive as usual.

"Ah, there you are, Professor !", I smiled back at him.

"Sorry if it took so long. I had to negotiate with the Headmaster to get the key."

I noticed he got an iron key with a particular form, as it must be the one to open that famous "magical training room" he told me about.

As I stood up and put the book I was carrying on the bench, I was ready to go when I noticed Therese was acting weird.

"H-hello professor...", she looked at the professor nervously.

Strangely, I noticed Therese became quite shy towards Cyrus, as she looked pretty nervous at his presence.

I also repeated surprisingly.

"P-professor ?!"

"Ah, Travis. This is Therese, she's one of my students and often follows my class alongside Princess Mary.", he presented Therese to me as he declared happily. "I'm happy that you two have gotten along already !"

So, that girl was one of Cyrus's students alongside the Princess ?

Well, now I understood why she loved so much to read, as Cyrus must be an awesome teacher for his students !

I watched curiously at Therese who was slightly concerned about me and asked hesitantly at Cyrus.

"Professor... forgive me for my curiousness... But can you tell me who is exactly that young boy ? I don't remember to have seen him among the other kids from the School...", she explained to him as she added. "Could he be one of your distant relatives ?"

"!!!..."

I was very surprised by her remark.

When she talked about distant relatives, I kinda understood that she meant to say someone who belongs to the same family, like a child, a nephew, or a cousin !

I... I know we look like each other while wearing a cape, but though !!!...

As I felt embarrassed, Cyrus just calmly laughed.

"Ha ha ha ! No ! He's just a kid whom I'm proceeding his reeducation.", he said while lying a hand on my shoulder.

"His reeducation ?"

"To be honest, he is a smart boy who is already full of potential, but I don't think we should really call that a reeducation, ha ha ! Indeed, I would mostly call that "personalized assistance", because... I'm gonna... assist him in a personalized class !", he tried to explain positively.

"Ah, yeah !... That sounds obvious !", I added cheerfully.

"And so, I will bring him to a training room and show him my magical arts.", replied Cyrus at his young student.

Yes, we could say that it wasn't really what he called a "reeducation", as Cyrus just wanted to show me his superpowers and help me to stop the yellow helmet man.

The girl spoke again in a calm tone while still looking a little shy.

"I see... I just think it's not common to see you giving a particular class during the weekend."

"You're quite right, Therese, but you know me well ! I would often get bored if I do not have any lesson to teach or any research to do for the day !", responded Cyrus happily when he also has a question in mind for her. "Anyway, it is not common for you too neither to wander here at the Academy..."

She flinched a little.

"Ah !... yes ! I just came from the Library, and... I wanted to pass by the Academy as well because..."

"You were looking for me ?", he calmly cut her when he added. "Indeed, I do believe that, like her Highness yesterday, you might have an interesting question in mind to ask me about our last class. Am I wrong ?"

Therese looked quite hesitant as Cyrus was watching at her attentively.

"Well..."

~Therese's POV~

He's right a front of me...

Both the professor Albright and Travis were watching me attentively, waiting for my answer.

"..."

Honestly, I wasn't expecting to see Professor Albright here because he wasn't used to going to the Academy on Saturday ! Indeed, I didn't prepare myself for any question and I had other reasons to be here !

Say something, Therese ! Do not remain silent !...

Though, I do wanted to ask him for a question about the lesson, about something that I might not have fully understood about the foundation of Atlasdam, or else some other details he hasn't explained like the question which Mary asked him yesterday...

However, I just feel completely nervous, and maybe he has something else planned...

"So, Therese ?"

The professor's voice made me flinch, but I finally got back the courage to speak.

"N-no. Actually, I don't think I have any questions for you... Forgive me to have bothered you..."

I felt quite ashamed when the professor reassured me.

"It's fine, Therese. But don't forget that if you have a question in mind, I'll be always free to answer it.", he told me, a smile adorning his lips when he added. "However, I have to go, now. Come, Travis."

"Yes, Professor Cyrus...", responded Travis.

I watched both of them going down the stairs, with Travis walking closely to the professor Albright.

I felt shocked and surprised by how close they were bonding although I didn't remember to have seen this boy with Cyrus before.

He even called him "Cyrus"...

Though, I believed it would be easier for a child like him to get along with him, even if I was finding odd that a child would be so close with a scholar like him.

They're gone, now...

Once again, I felt really ashamed to not have been able to speak properly with the professor. Perhaps I should try to speak more often to him and to participate more in class...

And maybe, one day, I will be able to speak normally with him like with the other scholars, around one or 2 cups of teas...

However, I have one specific reason to go to the Royal Academy, as there might be a chance it could help me to make sure the professor would notice me even more in class, and I will need to be ready with questions.

I picked up the book Travis carried for me, as I managed to find another way to carry all these books more easily, as I was also thinking about him.

He was such an adorable and cheerful kid ! And he even has a liking for reading books despite his young age, even though I didn't clearly understand his preferences. But his love of books was real, and maybe in the future, he would become a scholar on his own !

Who is that boy, actually ?...

Indeed, I believed he might be different from any other kids, as I remembered how he was able to catch one heavy book before it fell. I haven't heard about him until today, and even the professor Albright seemed to pay great occasion to him...

Perhaps he might know more about him...

Anyway, me too I wanted the professor to pay more attention to me in class, but I didn't want to disturb that young boy.

I walked in direction of the Headmaster's door, as I could hear him talking on the other side.

"Tss... It's not that often the Professor wanted to use the magical training room..."

I decided to knock on the door before I waited for his permission.

"Enter.", spoke coldly the voice.

I opened the door and saw the Headmaster Yvon, sitting behind his desk, who looked quite busy as he was checking some paperwork.

"Excuse me, Headmaster.", I said while closing the door behind me.

"Yes ? What is it, Therese ?", he asked patiently.

"..."

I was still hesitating from what I was used to doing.

I've heard some people in the court would sometimes do that, but I was aware that was a very bad idea at all. Indeed, I might cause trouble to Professor Albright...

Should I really dare such a thing ?!

Come on, Therese !... All you want is that he speaks more often with you, right ?!

I believed I have no choice and hoped everything will be alright after that...

The Headmaster started to be quite impatient as I finally managed to talk.

"It's... it's about Professor Albright, Sir..."

~Meanwhile, at the Royal Palace chambers~

~3rd POV~

An elderly woman was walking through the hallways while carrying a pile of dresses. She was dressed like all servant from the Court and was none other than the Princess Mary's governess.

She reached a door and knocked on it calmly.

"Princess Mary. It's me, Germaine..."

No answer.

Strangely, she turned the door's knob and noticed the door was opened.

She pushed the door and called again.

"Princess ?..."

She observed carefully Princess Mary's bedroom, which was so clean, so tidy, but also so quiet. There was a pile of books on the desk, and the bed was well made...

But there was no trace of the Princess.

"!!!..."

As the old woman continued to look for her through the room in vain, she started to panic and ran through the hallways.

"W-where is she ?! Princess !!"

~

A/N: *play the pokemon wild battle music*

A wild cliffhanger appears !

What will reader do ?

(1) Be shocked

(2) Make some crazy theories

(3) Just say "Meh, I don't care about this character."        

(4) Get hyped for the next chapter !!! 8D

No matter what will be your action, I hope you enjoyed that part as I believed most of my readers must be a pokemon fan although they're reading an Octopath Traveler fanfic !

Anyway, as you may have noticed, Therese's family name was just invented by me, so it's not canon at all. However, let me tell you that to make sure that the details I write to be faithful to the game's universe, I have to invent names for characters like for Alfyn's mother during his arc, and because it's a fanfiction, I'm free to do anything to the story !

Talking about the story, I make sure it's not too similar to the game's original story, so this time, I decided to spice up things ! So, I will hype you with that announcement: soon, in the next chapters...

I will kill off a main character !

With that, you won't get too surprised when you will read that scene ! And WHO will kick the bucket ?!

SUSPENSE !

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that chapter, and see you next time !