Chapter 146: Voices and Variables

There were so many of them that he couldn’t identify any individual speaker. Some sounded older, while others were considerably younger. Men and women appeared to be speaking simultaneously, their words overlapping until the entire experience became increasingly difficult to distinguish.

However, none of those voices seemed to be addressing him personally.

They were simply speaking.

Marek tried concentrating on one particular voice, but the others continued blending together until he could no longer distinguish where one ended and another began.

Then, the sensation changed.

The voices gradually disappeared, leaving behind a peculiar familiarity with sounds he had never learned before.

He suddenly understood how certain words were supposed to be pronounced. Their meanings became recognizable, followed by grammatical structures that felt surprisingly natural whenever he attempted to recall them.

It reminded him of remembering something he had studied a long time ago.

Only he had never studied any of those things.

The sensation lasted for several more seconds before the remaining warmth beneath his tongue disappeared.

Marek swallowed instinctively.

There was nothing left of the wafer.

The healer leaned closer and examined his mouth before speaking to him again.

This time, Marek understood her.

"Can you understand what I’m saying?"

He blinked.

For a moment, he simply stared at her.

Then, he answered in Thesarin, "Yes. I can understand you."

His own voice sounded perfectly normal to him. He knew that he was speaking another language, yet he didn’t need to translate the words inside his head before saying them.

The healer smiled and proceeded with several additional questions.

She asked him to state his registered name, identify several objects inside the examination room, and explain where he had arrived from.

Marek answered each question without much difficulty.

Afterward, she presented him with several written sentences.

He could read them. ’Holy shit.’

Marek picked up the document and examined the unfamiliar characters more closely.

Yesterday, those same characters had looked like meaningless symbols scattered across every establishment he visited. Now, he could recognize their arrangement, understand their pronunciation, and comprehend the information they conveyed.

He even understood how to write them.

The healer handed him a writing instrument and requested that he reproduce one of the sentences using his own handwriting.

Marek complied.

His writing wasn’t particularly elegant, but the healer confirmed that it was perfectly readable.

She then switched to Prime Language.

Marek immediately recognized the difference.

The sentence was constructed differently from Thesarin, and several words sounded completely unfamiliar despite carrying meanings he could understand. Nevertheless, he managed to answer the healer’s questions without requiring Rhovan’s assistance.

It was an extraordinary experience.

For the first time since arriving in the Prime Continuum, he could communicate with someone who had never learned a single word of familiar Earth languages.

The healer completed the final examination before informing him that his Tongue Script had integrated successfully.

However, she advised him to avoid prolonged speaking for the next several hours and to return immediately if he experienced persistent pain, numbness, or unfamiliar voices.

Marek thanked her.

He was about to leave when he remembered something. "Excuse me. Does the Script also allow me to understand technical terminology?"

The healer explained that his edition included the ordinary vocabulary and formal registers used throughout modern Libran society. Specialized legal, medical, and professional terminology might require additional study or an approved extension.

Marek nodded.

He hadn’t expected to become a qualified Libran lawyer simply because somebody placed a magical strip beneath his tongue.

Still, the possibilities were enormous.

He could now read their books, understand their broadcasts, communicate with their citizens, and eventually examine whatever government records might help him locate his father.

After thanking the healer again, he left the examination room with Rhovan.

The others were already waiting outside.

Nadia immediately approached him and asked something in Thesarin. "Newton! How was it?"

Marek grinned. "Pretty good, actually."

She laughed before switching back to Earth Language. "Finally! Now we don’t have to rely on this idiot whenever we want to buy something."

Rhovan placed a hand against his chest, looking deeply offended. "After everything I’ve done for all of you, this is how you repay me?"

"Yes," Kellan answered without hesitation.

Rhovan threatened to confiscate his payment card.

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By the time everyone had finished their examinations, it was already afternoon.

They stopped at a small restaurant near Clearroot Binding House before returning to Goldwake House. Marek wanted to test whether he could understand the menu without Rhovan translating everything, and the others were equally interested in trying their newly acquired languages.

They could finally order without making Rhovan translate the menu for them.

Unfortunately, Kellan caused a problem.

He had misunderstood something written on the menu and ordered a dish intended for several people. When the waiter returned carrying an enormous serving tray, everyone turned toward him.

"What the hell did you order?" Nadia asked.

Kellan stared at the food. "Lunch?"

Dario burst into laughter.

Even Marek couldn’t stop himself from laughing when Kellan attempted to explain that he had simply selected the dish with the most appetizing picture.

Rhovan, meanwhile, seemed to be having the time of his life.

"Congratulations, Kellan! You have successfully learned Thesarin and immediately demonstrated that understanding a language does not make someone intelligent!"

"Shut up!"

Marek was already beginning to understand what Rhovan meant earlier.

Their Tongue Scripts had provided them with the ability to understand Thesarin, but that didn’t mean they automatically understood every custom, expression, or cultural practice associated with the people who spoke it.

That would require considerably more time.

Still, he was satisfied with what they had accomplished.

After finishing their meal, Marek spent several minutes examining the applications installed on his communication device.

He could finally understand them.

The navigation application was particularly interesting because it allowed him to examine Courtspire’s transportation network in considerable detail, including routes connecting the city to several other districts across Metrava Prime.

He could also access news broadcasts, public announcements, and various government services through the device.

However, when he attempted to open one of the official registration portals, a notification appeared requesting his permanent civil identification.

Marek frowned.

’So I still need that Standing Card.’

He examined the notification again before saving the page.

At least he now understood what the application was asking him to provide.

When they eventually left the restaurant, the streets were considerably busier than they had been that morning. Numerous people were moving between the surrounding offices, while public announcements played from several displays mounted near the pedestrian walkways.

Marek understood every announcement.

The advertisements were also readable now, including the enormous displays promoting various products and services throughout the district. Some advertised local bands, performances, and other entertainment he would have completely ignored yesterday.

He also found himself paying attention to things he had completely ignored yesterday.

A nearby bookstore was advertising several publications concerning the history of the Libran Concord. Another establishment offered educational courses for newly registered residents, while an enormous display above one of the public plazas was broadcasting an announcement concerning the upcoming Lantern Verge redevelopment hearings.

Marek remembered the news broadcast they had watched last night.

Now that he could understand the language, he spent some time listening to the announcement before turning toward Rhovan. "What’s happening in Lantern Verge?"

Rhovan glanced toward the display.

"A rather complicated matter involving the local government, several private contractors, and the residents living there. You’ll probably hear quite a lot about it while we’re staying in Courtspire."

Marek nodded.

He didn’t know enough about the issue to form an opinion, and he had considerably more pressing concerns at the moment.

Still, he made a mental note to learn more about the district later.

For now, he was interested in something else. He opened the navigation application again and searched for the Courtspire Civil Standing Center.

Several results appeared.

Marek selected the nearest establishment and examined its location, operating hours, and available services. He could even view the requirements for completing a First Standing Declaration.

His First Entry Writ was already included among the listed documents. He was reading through the remaining requirements when Rhovan noticed what he was doing.

"Already planning your next visit?"

"Of course. You said we could begin looking for my father once the registration was finished."

Rhovan smiled.

"Indeed. But tomorrow, we’re going to do something else first."

Marek raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Training, Oph—Newton! You still have plenty to learn about your Space Authority, and your Sunblind is approaching."

Marek had almost forgotten about that.

He checked the date displayed on his communication device before remembering that November 30 was already drawing closer. He had less than three weeks left.

"Fine," he eventually said. "But we’re completing the registration after that."

"Naturally!"

Marek wasn’t entirely convinced by Rhovan’s enthusiasm, but he decided to leave the matter alone for now.

He saved the location of the Civil Standing Center before putting the device away. He could read Courtspire now. Finding what it knew about Tomas Vale was the next problem.

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Author’s Note: Thank you so much for the Magic Castle, Xhander_The_Fool! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧