Selina brought them biscuits and milk. Vivienne ate quickly, without hesitation, finishing everything in front of her. When she glanced at Ray's plate, he immediately pushed it toward her.
"You can have it," he said cheerfully. "I ate a lot earlier."
Vivienne hesitated, then accepted.
Selina tried again. "Vivienne, do you know anything about your family? Anything at all?"
Vivienne shook her head.
"And how old are you?"
This time, she paused before softly answering, "Five and a half."
Ray's eyes lit up. "Then I'm your big brother!"
Selina cleared her throat. "I'm taking Vivienne to the Administrative Office. You stay here."
Ray nodded, but his gaze followed Vivienne until the door closed.
Later, alone in his room, he remembered the meditation lesson and sat down quietly.
As he calmed his mind, the image of Silverfalls Vine appeared. For the first time, he felt connected to it. Faint, gentle, yet persistent.
And somewhere beyond himself, he sensed the grass of the world responding.
Delicate. Enduring. Reborn with the spring breeze.
While immersed in the world of Silverfalls Vine, Ray felt as though he had stepped into something vast and ancient. His consciousness drifted gently, no longer confined to his small room.
Around him, faint sounds seemed to rise and fall like whispers carried by the wind.
They were not words, yet they felt meaningful, scattered and countless, as if the grass itself was speaking in fragments.
The voices did not disturb him.
Instead, they brought a quiet sense of belonging, as though he had returned to somewhere he was always meant to be.
Silverfalls Vine was not powerful in the way legends described ancient soul beasts, yet it possessed an endurance that surpassed them all. It had witnessed the rise and fall of countless eras, surviving where mighty creatures vanished into history.
From desolate plains to fertile valleys, from frozen lands to warm coastlines, it spread endlessly, unchanged for tens of millions of years.
In that boundless persistence, Ray felt a gentle strength, one that did not roar or dominate, but endured through time itself.
As his awareness deepened, he began to sense tiny particles drifting through the air around him.
They were faint, almost nonexistent, yet unmistakably real. One by one, they entered his body, dissolving into his weak soul power without resistance. The process was slow, so subtle that it would have gone unnoticed by anyone else. Yet Ray could clearly feel it.
His soul power was growing, not explosively, but steadily, like grass taking root beneath the soil. Each moment added only the slightest increase, but the feeling was stable and reassuring, as though nothing could interrupt it.
He did not know how much time passed before he naturally emerged from meditation. When he opened his eyes, his body felt light and refreshed, cool yet comfortable, as if countless strands of Silverfalls Vine had gently wrapped around him, protecting and soothing him.
The sensation lingered pleasantly, leaving him reluctant to move.
That reluctance vanished instantly when he noticed his father sitting across from him.
"Dad?" Ray exclaimed in surprise, scrambling upright. "Why are you home already?"
Wilheim smiled as he looked at his son. "Already? It's night. You've been sitting here for quite some time." His gaze softened as he continued, "You were meditating, weren't you? It seems Ironspire Academy teaches quite well."
Ray's eyes lit up, excitement pushing aside his earlier embarrassment. "I think I really learned it! When I was sitting there, it felt like lots of tiny things were entering my body, and then my soul power slowly started increasing. Does that mean I succeeded?"
Wilheim was startled inwardly. To grasp meditation on the very first day was no small feat. What his son had described was undoubtedly the true sensation of cultivation. This was not merely good teaching. It spoke of comprehension and affinity.
"Yes," Wilheim said warmly, nodding. "You've learned it. Looks like my son understands things very quickly."
Praise always carried weight when it came from his father. Ray's chest swelled with pride, but before he could speak further, Wilheim's expression turned serious.
"There's something else we need to talk about."
Ray immediately straightened. He rarely saw his father like this. "Did I do something wrong? I didn't fight anyone at school, and today… I only stepped in because those people were bad."
Wilheim listened patiently before responding. "There's nothing wrong with being brave. But bravery alone isn't enough. When you know you're not strong enough, you must learn to ask for help instead of charging forward. If those youths hadn't been frightened by your soul power, things could have ended very badly. That wouldn't have been bravery, Ray. That would have been recklessness."
Ray lowered his head, the words sinking in deeply. After a moment, he spoke quietly. "I understand, Dad. I was wrong."
Only then did Wilheim smile again. "As long as you can recognize your mistake, you'll grow."
Ray nodded firmly.
Wilheim relaxed and chuckled lightly. "Now for the next matter."
"There's more?" Ray asked, startled.
"Of course," Wilheim replied teasingly. "You just turned six and already brought a girl home. Saving a beauty, no less. You're impressive."
Ray flushed before remembering Vivienne. "Dad, what happened to her? Did she find her family?"
Wilheim shook his head. "Your mother checked with the administrative office. There were no records."
Ray's heart tightened. "Then… what will happen to her?"
Wilheim looked at him calmly. "That depends. What do you think we should do?"
Ray thought carefully before answering. "Can she stay with us? Just for now."
Wilheim raised an eyebrow. "Take care of two children?"
"I can help!" Ray said quickly. "I'll look after her after school."
Wilheim smiled faintly. "Let's eat first."
When they entered the living room, Ray was surprised to see Vivienne already sitting quietly at the table, her posture obedient and small.
"Vivienne!" he called happily, rushing over and instinctively holding her hand.
Selina spoke softly but firmly. "We couldn't find her family. The only option is the orphanage."
Ray stepped in front of Vivienne, spreading his arms protectively. "No! Let her stay here. I'll eat less if I have to."
Vivienne looked up at him, her eyes shimmering. Though he was small, in that moment, he felt like a wall shielding her from the world.
Selina sighed. "You can't decide for her. Ask her."
Ray turned to Vivienne. "Stay with us. I'll protect you. Be my little sister."
Vivienne nodded.
Joy burst across Ray's face. "I have a little sister!"
That night, despite extra food, both children ate until even Selina was stunned. Vivienne's appetite rivaled Ray's, and nothing was left behind.
With limited space, a divider was placed in Ray's room. Vivienne fell asleep almost immediately.
As Ray prepared to meditate again, Wilheim called out, "Wait a moment."
Ray paused and turned around. "What is it, Dad?"
Wilheim pointed to the chair beside him. "Come sit down. There's something important we need to talk about."