I thought this child would have long since vanished everyone. But when the tip of his tongue touched upon the Herald's gift, and he kept all to himself, was not drowned in the voice of we many, and did not become a lowly Sea Terror, I conceded that this may have changed things. I was meant to prevent that unfortunate plundering, but I did not do so. I watched as those bandits bared their vice. I hold myself in contempt for this inaction of mine. Even if it was to ensure a qualified test subject, to probe at the possibilities for humanity. I'm sure the child became aware in time that I could have saved everyone, but one as smart as him has no need to seek answers from me. Yes, he is smart and studious, but he has no reverence for knowledge, nor does he treat it as a simple tool. He seems an uninvolved bystander, examining all he witnesses. Perhaps this is the reason he did not lose himself in his bond to the Herald's flesh. Were he of different birth, he may well have been a scholar of his own school. Originally, no change seemed to occur in the child's body, to the extent I doubted my own research, thereafter deciding to prolong my observation of him. This lasted until he finally found that group of bandits, and cut the flesh from himself to give to them, inquiring if it was their lives plagued of hunger that led them to do evil, and if upon being ensured a life of warmth and plenty they could renounce that evil— I thought this child would have long since vanished everyone. But this time, I may well find hope for humanity.