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Chapter Seven: Determining Fate
They stood in heavy silence inside the orphanage director's office. The clock pointed to seven in the morning, and sunlight timidly filtered through the old wooden window. Enrio and Chingyi waited for the answer as if it would determine their entire fate.
The director finally raised his head, a faint smile on his lips carrying a mix of concern and nostalgia, and said calmly:
— Very well… but how will you live at this age? Enrio, you haven't even reached ten yet.
Enrio stepped forward, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him:
— We won't leave now. We will first look for work, and for a place that guarantees us a stable life.
The director remained silent for a moment, then sighed and said:
— Very well… we will miss you.
Chingyi smiled faintly:
— And we will miss you too.
They left the office with slow steps, as if each step took them further away from their childhood. Once they had moved a little, Enrio said in a low voice:
— What happened during my childhood years passed quickly… but its impact is still heavy. Chingyi, don't you know any new information about the leader?
Chingyi stopped and looked at him in surprise:
— The leader? The last I heard was after we saved Rejin… nothing since then.
Enrio replied as he walked:
— Seven months after that incident, he was captured. During interrogation, he claimed he didn't kill the child, and when they asked about the person who intended to harm us, it turned out he had tricked everyone… and managed to escape.
Chingyi froze in place:
— This is the first time I've heard this. Who told you?
— The orphanage director.
— Strange… he didn't tell me anything.
Then he turned his face with a forced coldness:
— It doesn't matter now.
Enrio paused, then said:
— Very well. You go search for work, and I'll take care of our project today by myself.
— Agreed.
They separated. Chingyi wandered the streets of the city searching for an opportunity, while Enrio returned to their small project.
Not long after, Kazuma entered the shop, smiling as usual:
— Good morning, Enrio. Do you have orange juice to start my day?
— Yes, of course.
While preparing the juice, Kazuma said:
— By the way, I learned a name of one of those who ruled the ten dimensions. I saw you reading a lot, so I thought I'd help.
Enrio looked up:
— Reading is not a bad thing; it has become my hobby. I recommend you try psychology novels. Now… who is this person?
— There is no clear name, but he is called "The Founder." He was extremely strong, and he had the strongest soldiers with him. That's all I've learned so far.
— Thank you… and here is the juice, ten pounds.
— Here you go. By the way… I know you two will leave the orphanage. It's sad, but I have good news.
— And what is it?
Kazuma smiled proudly:
— The top fifty students of the year were announced. You are first… and I am second.
Enrio's eyes widened:
— That's amazing! And Chingyi?
— Twentieth place. His level is average, which suits him.
Enrio gave a sad smile:
— The news is sad for me… but it will make Chingyi happy.
— You are right. I wish you a bright future.
— And I wish the same. Farewell.
After Kazuma left, the shop filled with children; they bought things, laughed, and said goodbye to Enrio after the news of his departure spread. It had been a warm day despite everything.
As the sun set, he closed his shop and went to his usual seat in the backyard. Sitting alone, he spoke to himself:
I appeared fine in front of everyone… but inside, I wasn't. What hurts me most is not being expelled from the palace, as Chingyi, Lina, and my grandfather made up for all that… but the child's murder in front of my eyes. If I had been stronger then, none of this would have happened. I will become stronger… and smarter, or rather, more aware. I will find out who did it. The second part of our plan… will make us truly powerful.
At the same time, Chingyi was on his way back to Peace Orphanage, thinking:
I don't know whether this news will make Enrio happy or weigh him down, but he will always use it in his own way. I am tired… when I arrive, I'll tell him, eat something, and then sleep.
When he reached the front yard, he asked the children:
— Where is Enrio?
— In the backyard, on his usual seat.
He walked toward him, and once he reached him, he stood in front of him and said:
— Enrio… I have good news, and bad news.
Enrio raised his head, his eyes steady:
— Speak quickly… what are they?
Chingyi swallowed and remained silent.
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