In a room surrounded by high bookshelves and a painting of a grand, beautiful mountain range, two men sat conversing, accompanied by drinks and snacks on lavish plates.
"Are you sure about this? Is it safe to leave him at an orphanage? Especially leaving him in such a small town. " asked a stout man dressed in noble attire, his face pale as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Calm down, Lan. I've calculated everything before making that decision. I'm certain the boy will be safe there. " replied a middle-aged man in another set of noble clothes, sitting by the window and reading a book on strategy.
"None of this would have happened if they had just taken the child with them! Why didn't they take him when they left? " the stout man exclaimed, slamming the table with a look of frustration.
"I don't know, Lan; I don't understand it either. They truly are a mysterious couple—utterly unpredictable. " replied the man at the desk, his gaze sharpening.
===
The morning sun spreads its warmth every day, and today was no different. I woke up and walked toward the window. Pulling back the curtains, I was greeted by the warm sunlight, a reminder to start my day.
'Is everyone else awake? ' I murmured, quickly tidying my bed.
I wasn't the only one living in this orphanage besides Elen and Ryfa. There were other orphans and another caretaker named Onew. Onew was invaluable here; he was the one who taught us how to read, count, and other basic knowledge.
As I headed out and opened the door, I was greeted by Onew, who was busy cleaning. "Good morning, Ray, and happy 18th birthday. " Onew said with his usual friendly smile, his neat short hair now white with age.
"Good morning, Onew. By the way, where is everyone? " I replied, looking left and right down the hallway, which was illuminated by sunlight streaming through the windows.
"Ryfa and Len are cooking in the kitchen, while Zun and Zuni are training with Bara. As for the others, they're still asleep, of course. " Onew said, moving a cloth in his hand in a clockwise motion to clean the window pane.
Zun and Zuni are twins living at the orphanage. They are only 15, but they've been training to become knights—they're great kids. Since they were sent here, they haven't caused a single bit of trouble; they're incredibly talented and bright. Bara is the Captain of the Knight Order of Step Town. Even though Step is considered a remote town at the edge of the continent, there is still a Knight Order stationed here to guard it. Well, it helps that we have a natural barrier that makes people afraid to come here anyway.
"Zun and Zuni are working hard to be knights at only 15, huh? " I looked up and closed my eyes with a proud expression.
"It's better that they start striving now. What about you, Ray? Have you decided what you want to do? " Onew asked, looking at me with a flat smile that sent a shiver down my spine—a sensation as cold as ice enveloping my body.
"Of course I have. I'll tell everyone during breakfast later. " I answered, standing tall and confident, thumping my chest to show my resolve.
Onew looked at me with confusion, tilting his head slightly and rubbing his chin before finally speaking. "I see. Well then, I'll go wake the other children and finish cleaning some areas first. " Onew gave the window one last wipe before moving away from my door.
"Alright. Have a good day, Onew. " I replied, leaning against the brown door that had faded over time. I watched Onew walk away, step by step, toward the other children's rooms.
This orphanage is quite large. It has three floors and a basement, allowing every child to have their own room—though some share if they're very young or, like Zun and Zuni, refuse to be separated. Behind the orphanage is a yard with a large tree in the corner. To the right stands a small shed for storage, and to the left is a small library where we usually study. Finally, the front is filled with circular brick-lined garden plots where we plant flowers and occasionally vegetables. A stone fence, though not very high, surrounds the entire property.
To be honest, I'm quite curious about Onew. Someone once mentioned that he might know the identity of my parents. But whenever I ask, he always replies with "I don't know. " or answers with questions like "Why are you asking that? " or "How should I answer that? " He's very mysterious; sometimes I feel like he isn't just an ordinary old man. Actually, it's not just him—everyone who taught me, like Mr. Dovin... well, forget that for now. Since I plan to leave by noon, I'd better pack my things. I turned back into my room and locked the door.
===
I stood before a tall two-door wooden wardrobe that had been here since the building was finished. I opened it to find all my clothes neatly arranged. For someone like me, this was common practice. I looked at my clothes, picking them up one by one. But... what should I bring? Damn, because I decided this so suddenly, I don't know what's essential. I rubbed my chin, thinking. Hmmm, maybe I should check the condition of my clothes first to see which ones are worth taking. I started sorting through outfits suitable for adventuring. Luckily, quite a few were usable—but is six sets enough? Whatever, if it's not enough, I'll just buy more later. Next: my adventurer's guild ID, my savings, a map, a blanket, a water canteen, my favorite pair of daggers, some arrows, and... that seems to be it. After counting the items on my fingers, I moved around the room, gathering everything I had listed.
"Ray, it's time for breakfast. " A woman's calm voice called out, followed by a knock. Based on the voice, it was Ryfa.
I looked toward the door. "Alright! I'll be right there! " I replied loudly. After placing everything into a brown backpack, I left my room and headed for the dining room on the first floor.
I walked through the hallways and down the stairs I knew so well. Of course they were familiar—I've spent my entire life here. And now I'm leaving... Haha, I didn't think the day I'd leave would be today. After a moment of reflection, I went to the dining room next to the kitchen. I opened the door to see many plates and bowls neatly arranged on a long wooden table. They were filled with delicious-looking food that smelled incredible. My stomach growled at the sight. I stood there, stunned by the feast. They even had my favorite: beef stew~~.
I closed the door and walked to the table. "What's with breakfast today? Why is it so lavish? " I asked, inhaling the delicious aroma.
Elen walked over from the kitchen area, setting down two extra plates. "It's for your birthday celebration, of course. Are you pretending to forget? " Elen replied with a warm smile.
"Hehe, sorry. I just didn't expect it to be this grand. " I replied, scratching my head.
A few minutes later, the other children began to arrive. The quiet atmosphere turned loud and festive as they filled the empty chairs around the long rectangular table.
"Before we eat, we have something to say to Ray. " Elen said, clapping her hands once.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAYYYY! " everyone in the room shouted—except me, of course.
"T-thank you. " I replied, trying to hide my embarrassment and touched emotions.
"Now, let's eat! " Ryfa said.
"YEAHHHH!!! " everyone cheered happily, and this time, I joined in, hehe.
Everyone enjoyed the food with joy. Seeing them, I found it hard to say that I was leaving because I thought it would ruin the mood... But I had to do it. Now, or I'd regret it forever!
===
Breakfast was nearly over. The plates and bowls that were once full were now empty, leaving only dirty dishes to be cleaned. Before everyone left, I stood up to announce my decision.
"Everyone, before you go, I have an announcement. I hope you'll listen," I said firmly, standing tall and trying to keep my expression as calm as possible.
The room went silent. The children who were about to leave sat back down.
"After this... I... plan to leave this place and try to find my parents. So—" Before I could finish, Onew interrupted.
"Wait, Ray, what do you mean? Why do you want to meet the people who abandoned you? " he asked with a serious face. His sharp gaze made him look like a fierce, veteran adventurer.
"You might be right, Onew—that it's pointless to meet people who abandoned me. But I still want to find them. I want to see them, the parents who brought me into this world. And I want to know why they left me here. " I replied with an equally serious expression.
"Don't be foolish, Ray. Throw that wish away and just hunt with Dovin like usual. " Onew replied sternly. His gaze intensified, making me shiver. The other children began to look scared. Even though Elen had agreed, it seemed Onew didn't...
"Even if you find them, may— "
"Enough, Onew! " Elen barked, cutting him off.
Onew looked at Elen; their eyes met, and Elen gave a single shake of her head. Onew sighed, the anger clouding him vanishing. He sat down and looked at me with a calm gaze. "Alright, Ray. Find them. Find your parents. I reluctantly give you my blessing, it seems stopping you wouldn't be right this time. "
"Thank you for understanding. " I bowed about 30 degrees to express my gratitude and continued. "To everyone, thank you for being my family. Though it was brief, I will never forget the memories I made here. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. "
The room fell into an even deeper silence. Everyone was speechless. Suddenly, the sound of someone running out and a door slamming loudly echoed. When I straightened my back, I saw Ryfa's chair was empty.
"Ray, go after Ryfa! " Elen ordered firmly, pointing toward the door.
"Wait, me? Why? " I asked, startled and confused about what was happening.
"Just hurry and catch her before she gets too far. " Elen urged, gesturing for me to move.
"Haish, alright, I'll go."
I ran as fast as I could in the direction Ryfa had gone, through the hallways and doors, toward the lush trees across from the orphanage.
===
After running for a while, I finally reached Ryfa. She was sitting in the shade of a tree—a tree that held so many memories. It was the spot where we played as children and where we first met.
"Ryfa... you... " I panted, standing over her. Ryfa sat gloomily, staring at the ground, the shadow of the tree seemingly blocking out my voice.
"Why didn't you tell me, Ray?... Did you always lie whenever I asked... about your... goals? " Ryfa asked in a faint voice, her eyes welling up with tears. Then she began to cry. For a moment, my body felt weak and the words were stuck in my throat; I couldn't say anything.
I shook my head and sat beside her. I gently stroked her head with my right hand. "It's because I only thought of this plan yesterday. " I answered, smiling and trying to soothe her.
"Really? You're not lying, are you? " Ryfa asked faintly once more.
"Of course not. Because Mr. Dovin was rambling about it, I got the idea to actually do it. " I replied, still trying to calm her down. Honestly, I didn't expect her to react this strongly.
Hearing that, Ryfa looked up. "Do you have to go? Can't you just stay here and work with Mr. Dovin as a hunter? "
"You want me to stay? "
"If you already know, why are you asking! " Ryfa snapped with a pout.
"Haha, sorry, sorry. But I can't stay here. I have to find them, my parents. "
"But didn't they leave you here? Why do you have to look for them? "
"Well, even so, for some reason I feel like they left me for a reason. "
It might sound strange, but I was absolutely sure of it. And... I felt it too... though faint, I had a very strange premonition about being left at the orphanage.
"What is that! You sound like you're just making things up. " Ryfa said crossly; her persuasion had failed completely.
"Come on, trust me. "
"Hmm! " Ryfa turned her head away, using her hand to hide her face.
"Don't worry, I'll come back after I find them. " I stopped stroking her head and put my hand back on the ground.
"Really? " Ryfa looked at me again with a sour face, a few tears still wetting her cheeks.
"Of course. " I answered with a friendly smile.
Ryfa held up her pinky finger. "You promise? " she asked with a serious look.
I responded by hooking our pinky fingers together. "I promise that I will return once I find them. So, can you wait here while I'm gone? "
"How long are you going to make me wait? "
"Don't worry, it won't be long. I'll do it quickly. "
"Fine. Do it quickly, okay? "
"Sure. Do you feel better now? If you do, come with me. " I unhooked our fingers and stood up.
"Where to? "
"To say goodbye to the others, of course. " I said, holding out my right hand.
Ryfa responded by taking my hand and placing it on her head. "Stroke my head a little longer.b"
"What's this, Princess? Are you still mad at me? " I teased.
"J-just do it! " Ryfa said, blushing and wiping her remaining tears. She looked down at the ground.
"Haha, alright. " I replied, stroking her head again.
I kept stroking her head in silence. The sound of the trees swaying in the wind accompanied us until we finally left that place together. We walked hand in hand, just as we had done since we were kids.