The Tepac's Power
With Felix pointing at Adam with one hand and holding his tepac in the other, he left an awkward silence in the room.
"...Can I refuse?" [Adam]
Felix lowered his arm, leaving an unhappy expression on his face.
"Why?" [Felix]
"Because we have homework." [Adam]
"..." [Felix]
He squatted down, allowing his tepac to slither away.
"Calmed down?" [Adam]
"Yeah, let's get to work…" [Felix]
Once Felix regained his composure, they decided to do their homework together in the living room.
"Hey Felix, I need some help here." [Adam]
Scooting over, Felix looked at Adam's paper.
"Which one?" [Felix]
"This one." [Adam]
"Ahh… that one." [Felix]
("An example of a construct and the definition…") [Adam]
He fiddled with his pencil as he thought about it.
"What's a construct?" [Adam]
"Something made by a human." [Felix]
"Are you a construct?" [Adam]
"...Technically? Yeah, I think so." [Felix]
"Great, now I have my answers." [Adam]
He scribbled down on his paper as Felix returned to his seat.
"...Wait, did you just use me as your example?" [Felix]
"Yeah, why?" [Adam]
"Don't do that, it's embarrassing. I also don't think Mr. Frank will even count that." [Felix]
Adam just stared back at Felix. He was somewhat confused, but also conflicted at the same time.
"First of all, THAT makes you embarrassed?" [Adam]
"Yes…?" [Felix]
"Second of all, Mr. Frank would probably just take it and say, 'Eh, screw it.' instead of giving me a bad grade." [Adam]
"...If not for Mr. Frank's personality, that reasoning would not be viable here." [Felix]
"Whatever, help me with the next one." [Adam]
"There's more?" [Felix]
"How many countries are there?" [Adam]
"...You should know this one." [Felix]
"I think it was… 35?" [Adam]
"It's 25." [Felix]
"Close enough." [Adam]
"I'm actually concerned for your grades. How about we review real quick?" [Felix]
"I'll pass." [Adam]
"Nope, we're doing this right now. What is the name of our country?" [Felix]
"It's Stradori right?" [Adam]
"At least you actually know where we live. Then what about the surrounding hostile countries?" [Felix]
"I… don't really remember…" [Adam]
"Haa… It's Barcount, Tryina, and Gorderlant." [Felix]
"Cool, I don't care." [Adam]
"Do you even know why they're hostile to our county?" [Felix]
"Because our country has a lot of resources?" [Adam]
"...I can't believe you got that right. Then how about why they don't attack us?" [Felix]
("Rude…") [Adam]
"Because our technology is several years ahead of theirs." [Adam]
"Then you know what happened before we had 25 countries?" [Felix]
"You mean during the Great Collapse?" [Adam]
"Yeah, when voids started appearing." [Felix]
"Uhm… Most of the countries got destroyed so they eventually merged?" [Adam]
"...Looks like we don't need to review anymore. I'm proud of you." [Felix]
He wiped away a single tear from the edge of his eye.
"...Thats gross. Don't say that ever again." [Adam]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Haah… Finally done…" [Adam]
"It wasn't that bad." [Felix]
"I know, I know. I don't think you get this, but it's mentally exhausting just knowing I'm doing homework." [Adam]
"What's with that?" [Felix]
"...So, what are you naming your tepac?" [Adam]
With Felix's question, Adam decided to completely change the subject.
"Oh! You're right! I completely forgot to name him!" [Felix]
("He forgot it?") [Adam]
"I think I'll name him… Echo." [Felix]
"Why Echo?" [Adam]
"Let me call him. Echo!" [Felix]
There was no reply.
"...I'll go get him real quick." [Felix]
He left the living room and came back with Echo in tow.
"Your name is Echo." [Felix]
He spoke to the snake while he cradled it in his arms.
"Do you think it's going to understand you?" [Adam]
"It's supposed to be really intelligent right?" [Felix]
"Try testing it." [Adam]
Felix placed Echo onto the ground and called out to it.
"Echo." [Felix]
Reacting to his words, it coiled around itself and looked at him with its beady eyes.
"Did… Did it actually understand you?" [Adam]
"I think so. Now you wanna see why I named him Echo?" [Felix]
"There was an actual reason behind it?" [Adam]
"Yeah, unlike your tepac's name. Echo, sing." [Felix]
The snake began to wiggle in a wavelike motion and began to whistle.
"Twee~ Twee~" [Echo]
"Dude! That's so cool!" [Adam]
"Wanna see some more?" [Felix]
"Hell yeah!" [Adam]
They headed out back to check out Echo's abilities.
"Hey, Adam." [Felix]
"Yes?" [Adam]
"Do you want to bring Kilo out here as well?" [Felix]
"I do, but… He's probably with Vivian right now." [Adam]
"Is she out shopping again?" [Felix]
"Probably." [Adam]
"Try calling for him." [Felix]
Adam took a deep breath and opened his mouth. After pausing for a moment, he came to a complete stop.
"What are you doing?" [Felix]
"Do you mean like, screaming his name out?" [Adam]
"That's what I intended." [Felix]
"Wouldn't that be really embarrassing if it didn't work?" [Adam]
"...Just do it." [Felix]
Once again, Adam took a deep breath before continuing.
"KILO!!!" [Adam]
His voice resounded with his surroundings until it faded away.
"..." [Adam] [Felix]
There was no reply.
"See! I told you I didn't want to do it!" [Adam]
Just then, he heard scratching on the backyard door. Upon locating the sound, he saw Kilo clawing at the glass panes while whimpering.
("Was he in the house the entire time?") [Adam]
"...Was he always that big?" [Felix]
They finally noticed that Kilo had grown to a little over half of Adam's height.
"I'll get him." [Adam]
He unlocked the door, allowing Kilo outside with them.
"Croak!" [Kilo]
Small flaming embers exited its mouth as it barked at Adam happily.
"...HUH?!" [Adam] [Felix]
It appeared his size wasn't the only thing that changed about Kilo.
("...Is this the evolution Sebastian was talking about?") [Adam]
"Since he's here now, how about we get down to business." [Felix]
He bent down and took some time to pet Echo.
"Show me what you got." [Felix]
Felix backed away, creating space for Echo to work with.
"Twee!" [Echo]
It's scales rattled. Suddenly, long barbs stuck out from underneath.
"That's… surprising?" [Adam]
"You don't sound surprised." [Felix]
"Because I'm at a loss for words. It looks like a porcupine, except that it's a snake." [Adam]
Echo's spikes were laced with a black liquid. Little droplets hit the floor, sizzling as it connected with the ground.
"...What the hell is that?" [Adam]
"Acid? Poison? I have no clue." [Felix]
Echo's scales rustled, retracting all the spikes under its scales. It looked at Felix, awaiting praise.
"Uh… Good job!" [Felix]
Whistling happily, Echo rubbed its head against Felix's hand.
"Your turn." [Felix]
"Yeah, yeah" [Adam]
He bent down and spoke to Kilo.
"Show me some tricks." [Adam]
"Croak!" [Kilo]
Adam backed away, letting Kilo skip around.
"Grrr… Groar!" [Kilo]
It roared towards the sky, flame spewing out of its mouth.
"Ah, hot!" [Adam]
He could feel the heat even though he was standing several feet away. Kilo stretched out its wings, wind blowing around it.
"W-wait! That's enough!" [Adam]
Kilo immediately shut its mouth and furled its wings at his command. Treading up to Adam, it asked for praise as well.
"...Good boy." [Adam]
"Pfft!" [Felix]
For some unknown reason, He was laughing to himself.
"What?" [Adam]
Felix raised a hand, pointing above Adam.
("What is he…?") [Adam]
"Oh." [Adam]
His hair was blown back, adjusted into a strange position.
"I'm going back inside." [Adam]
Sliding the door open, he walked inside the house.
"Where do you think you're going?" [???]
He heard a high voice below him, but he didn't see anything.
("...Judging from how I don't see anyone, it's probably who I think it is.") [Adam]
Looking down, he identified the short girl as Aurora.
"What do you want?" [Adam]
Their eyes met and Aurora smiled at him.
"Zone." [Aurora]