Subjugation

The next night, Adam still didn't seek out Adel. He needed Adel to stew in his anxiety a bit longer, ensuring he was thoroughly tormented. But he couldn't drag it out too long, or Adel might completely break down and cause trouble, making subjugating him a hassle.

Adam decided to visit Adel the following night. He had left limited information in the cellar, hinting that he had a way to conceal abnormalities and that he would visit Adel when he had time. This was to create a sense of mystery and to manipulate Adel's fear, ultimately converting him into a useful asset.

After fiddling with his already cracked artwork on the table, Adam said goodbye to Maggie and Alys, glanced at the still-sleeping Lena, and then left. Entering through the side door, he greeted the passing friars with a smile.

Adam remembered every friar's name, their positions, and even their subtle preferences. This allowed him to engage in small talk, strengthening his rapport.

Although some friars disliked Adam, such as Rob in the defense department and some nobles who valued their lineage, many began to appreciate him. Adam's diligence, friendly demeanor, conversational skills, and handsome appearance won him favorable impressions.

Even Jim, the procurement friar who always haggled with Adam, began to chat with him more. As Adam was Alva's student, a commoner but with potential for a respectable social position, maintaining good relations was beneficial. After all, friars, though devout, had their own needs and desires.

For example, Fra refused the nobles' advances and was somewhat inflexible, yet no one troubled him because it was widely known that the elder friar favored Fra.

Speaking of Fra, Adam realized it had been a while since he'd seen him. After Fra brought him to the church, the young friar seemed to have vanished. Adam made a mental note of this and resumed his studies and tasks.

It was another day of menial work, but today Alva began explaining the functions of various materials while instructing Adam on their mixture. Occasionally, he would share a tip or two during the process.

Adam glanced at the senior friar's room, pondering. Alva still couldn't remember his name, indicating he still looked down on him. Alva's character suggested he rarely did things against his will.

"Unless someone said something to him. Fra hasn't been to the church recently, so it must have been the senior friar," Adam mused. "Have my recent actions earned his approval?"

Adam had a strong sense of self-awareness. His innate charm made animals instinctively friendly towards him, and even humans who initially had biases would find him likable upon interaction. However, this charm had its limits. For people like the senior friar or Alva, who could see through one's actions, Adam's aura of friendliness wouldn't conceal his true nature.

Some individuals could see beyond appearances to the essence. The senior friar was one such person. Adam was sure the elder hadn't discovered his werewolf identity but understood his motives for approaching Fra.

"Is he trying to redeem me?" Adam smiled, not giving it much thought.

Time flew by. Watching Alva stagger away with a wine bottle, Adam cleaned up the mess and collected the tools.

"It's been three days since I took Adel's things. During this time, his anxiety would have caused him to slip up. If he hasn't been caught yet, it means the church isn't watching him closely. It's safe to make contact."

Adam was eager to subdue Adel and expand his influence but wouldn't ignore the risks. Exposing himself for the sake of one person would be a significant loss.

"Four days until the full moon," Adam thought, looking at the sky. Transformed into a werewolf, he felt his blood surging, as if something was about to erupt.

He leaped out of the attic, quickly vanishing into the streets. This time, he didn't head straight to the slums but removed his transformation and put on a friar's robe.

As Jim's frequent interlocutor for procurement matters, Adam had no trouble acquiring a new robe without raising suspicion. After all, Jim had likely siphoned off numerous items for himself, so one missing robe wouldn't be noticed.

Adam then donned a gray mask, crafted from mural materials without added pigments, giving it an eerie and mysterious look. He disguised the mask to avoid detection, confident that unless it was brought before Alva, no one would discern its true nature.

"Subduing Adel doesn't rely on brute force but on his fear. Fear is a blade that can pierce all of Adel's defenses."

"Besides, I'm not entirely defenseless now," Adam thought. In full sensory mode, he was highly attuned to his surroundings. While prolonged combat might expose his lack of strength, brief skirmishes could maintain his facade of mystery.

Adam coughed, adjusting his voice to a different pitch. Wearing thick-soled shoes to alter his height, he followed a pre-planned route to Adel's home.

Adel, with bloodshot eyes, was in a state of disarray and anxiety. He had continued working despite his fears, resulting in a self-inflicted injury that left him maimed.

With more idle time, his anxiety only grew. Biting his fingers until they bled, he was consumed by questions about the mysterious figure who had taken his notes and knew of his church visits. Why hadn't he come yet?

When the knock on the door finally came, it felt like a jolt to his system, leaving him in a daze. Opening the door, he vaguely remembered falling outside and the sight of the masked figure sitting in a chair, looking down at him.

Adam, with a slight smile under his mask, let his natural charisma shift into an oppressive presence. Adel's injury was quickly assessed, and Adam's preparations ensured he evaded Adel's clumsy attack, stepping on his wound for added effect.

"Looks like the psychological tactics worked," Adam thought, seeing Adel's state of disarray. With his defenses shattered, Adel was now at Adam's mercy. Looking down at Adel, Adam knew he had successfully subdued the blood thrall.