021

Achilles returned home with a box full of study materials. No one crossed the path and luckily the shelf with mushrooms and mosses was not very visited by librarians.

Adam approached and took the book, his head came out with emotion, but then he looked with some disappointment that it was only the boy and not an unsuspecting librarian, it seemed that he wanted to say something to Adam, but the corridor was not the right place to talk; so he got it.

Adam went downstairs and changed his robes for older ones, with decisive steps he headed to the exit, but the door did not open, instead, the same face of the eyeless old man came out of the stone and said with his hoarse voice always:

—How was your adventure, young hero?

—Fine—Adam said roughly; something in a hurry to do the task that he could do this time.

—Librarians, always in such a hurry— The eyeless old man complained— They think that life is slipping out of their hands, but what slips out of their hands is the desire to live it; for being so obsessed with time... Even at such a young age.

Sensing that the old man wanted to talk, Adam put down the box of school supplies and sat down on a rock to talk. The eyeless old man worriedly asked:

—How was the school? A booklet told me that Baron Muglok came out again on the middle floor 4 of 5, hex 8 of 18, you should tread carefully young hero.

Adam just nodded; he was still somewhat traumatized from the scene a week ago.

The old man noticed that the boy was in a somewhat abnormal state and with great concern he asked:

—Don't tell me you're running into them... But... You came out alive! Did you manage to fool the baron? Awesome, Adam, it never ceases to amaze me how far you can go to change your destiny. But don't push your luck. The baron probably likes heroes; That's why I hesitate to turn you into a book.

—Deceive him?—Adam asked with anger and fear—I just followed Sofia, I didn't do anything wrong. It's a bad bookstore, it doesn't follow the rules, but dad is forcing me to go to school... I don't want to go, I don't want to be a book!

—Do you really not remember who you are, Adam? — Asked the old man, somewhat stunned — Or rather: the person you live with; The one you call father, did he tell you who you are and who he is? The rules of the baron are well known, exclusively children study.

—But I'm a 10-year-old boy!—Adam complained with a tantrum.

—No— The eyeless old man answered roughly —Your body is 10 years old, your mind is 10 years old, but your soul is not. I don't know if it's time, and I'm not the one to tell you, but if you get the black robe and your father doesn't tell you, I promise to tell you the truth, Adam. Beware of the baron! And don't be afraid; because heroes don't fall so easily!

After saying those words, the bookcase began to sink into the wall of the cave, showing the exit.