Learning And Relearning

Over the last couple of months, Clemence had gotten many opportunities to meet with Anthony since he wanted to help and because of a professional curiosity regarding Anthony's case. He was one of the first to hear Anthony speak, and while it had come as a shock, Anthony's intelligence was more of a surprise.

Anthony didn't just regurgitate what he had heard without understanding what he was saying. He spoke complete sentences and meant every word he said. He could hold conversations if he wanted, which wasn't often. But it was clear that it wasn't the intelligence of a toddler.

At first, Clemence had hoped that it would be the decisive clue regarding what physique Anthony had. Alas, he hadn't found anything. If anything, it only made it all the more impossible to figure out.

So, when Anthony asked about the various herbs and medicines in his clinic, Clemence happily offered to teach Anthony in exchange for learning more about Anthony. It was an equal trade that both parties thought they won out on.

Anthony didn't have to reveal any of the knowledge from his past life since he just had to talk with Clemence and tell him about his days or what was going on with him. On the side, Clemence just had to teach Anthony about things he had devoted his life to studying, which he would have loved to do anyway since he had sometimes longed for a disciple.

Clemence looked at Vira after she let Anthony down onto the floor so that he could stand on his own.

"Will you be staying? I can brew a pot of coffee if you wish?"

Vira shook her head.

"No, that's alright. I should take this opportunity and get rid of some trees that have started getting a little close to Gunt's farm."

"Right. Gunt did mention that he needed some pesticides for that."

"Shit. Did you give him any? He always uses too much and makes it impossible to get any work done. It also never lasts."

"Don't worry."

Clemence smiled as he looked at Vira, already halfway out the door.

"I said I was out and that he should just ask you."

"Tch. That old man's never going to ask anyone for help, and you know it."

"It's worth a try."

"If you think so."

Vira stopped right outside the still-open door and turned around. She gave Anthony a quick hug despite his futile protests.

"Be good. I'll be back in a couple of hours. If you get tired or want to go home, just ask Clemence."

"...Ok."

"Bye-bye, my boy."

"See you later, Vira."

Vira was a little disappointed by Anthony using his name, but she couldn't do anything about it. Defeated, she left to get to work.

"Your mother would really like it if you called her that, you know."

Clemence spoke while leading Anthony to the basement stairs.

"..."

Anthony knew that, of course, but it didn't change the fact that it didn't feel right.

Anthony hopped down the stairs as he followed Clemence. He was grateful Clemence didn't try to baby him or look back, ready to catch. Unlike with Thomas and Vira, Anthony could at least get a sense of independence when he was with Clemence.

The two went to a corner of the basement with three sections. They chose the section with books after walking past a workstation with benches, various ingredients, and glass containers.

The last section was hidden behind a brick wall, and the only way through was a thick wooden door that always remained locked. As usual, Anthony's craving for knowledge made him want to see what was on the other side. But any attempt had been thwarted by Clemence. So, he put it off for now.

"First of all, how have you been, Anthony?"

Clemence spoke as he sat down in his armchair while Anthony climbed up to his.

"Good, I guess. Haven't felt anything strange."

"Mhm. I've prepared these two books for today. Do your parents know you can read, by the way?"

"Nope."

Anthony grabbed the topmost of the two books that Clemence slid across the tiny, round wooden table. It was full of both common and exotic herbs, grasses, and plants. As usual, Anthony felt that he could recognize most of them.

But without reading the book, he wouldn't have recognized them. The knowledge still hid deep within the folds of his soul, so he had to dig it out by refreshing it. He relearned what he already knew.

However, he didn't know everything, and every so often, new items he didn't know about popped up. Anthony memorized the names, details, and uses of everything as he learned and relearned everything Clemence had to offer.

Clemence was a little disappointed that this disciple of his didn't ask him for help or guidance. But seeing Anthony be so studious was gratifying in its own way. The only problem was the fact that Anthony wasn't even a year of age, yet he somehow knew how to walk, speak, read, and calculate like a professional.

Clemence doubted Thomas and Vira had put much thought into it, but he could tell that Anthony hadn't learned his talking habits from listening to the adults around him. He could also tell that the slight variation in the way Anthony said some things sounded more like a dialect or accent and not undeveloped vocal chords.

He couldn't place the accent, but it sounded slightly archaic.

"Innate Sage Physique?"

After staring intently at Anthony for a while, Clemence made a guess. It was something he had discovered after digging through a few obscure documents.

Anthony shook his head.

"Nope. I can tell you if you want."

Clemence slowly shook his head.

"No. This is a matter of pride. I don't want to give up that easily."

Anthony scoffed slightly.

"I wouldn't call it 'easily'. You've made, what, five hundred and twenty-four guesses on why I am the way I am, right?"

"I still want to figure it out on my own."

"Aren't doctors supposed to listen to their patients when making a diagnosis?"

"I'm not even sure you're a patient."

Anthony sighed.