A Bright Morning
On a bright morning, a new smile appeared on Alice's face, who seemed enthusiastic to start the day. Sunlight entering through the bedroom window made the atmosphere feel warm and full of hope.
Suddenly, someone startled her from behind.
"Bwaaaa!" Selena exclaimed while laughing. "Hehe, someone's happy today, huh? Could it be you dreamed sweetly about a secret prince last night?"
Alice blushed and panicked slightly. "Huh?! No, it's not like that! I just... feel today will be a good day."
Selena grinned mischievously, wrapping her arm around Alice's shoulder. "Yeah yeah, classic excuse. Just watch, if I find out you're hiding something, be prepared to be interrogated all day long!"
Alice laughed softly, trying to cover her reddening face. "Selenaaa... you're always so mischievous this early in the morning."
"Hihi," Selena giggled, satisfied with Alice's reaction.
Then a knock on the door was heard from outside. Varesa's cheerful and innocent voice came from behind the door.
"Are you both awake? I'm opening it, okay!"
"We're already awake!" Selena replied.
Varesa opened the door enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.
"Selena, Alice! Miss Novy has prepared breakfast for us. Let's go to the dining table!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I really love Miss Novy's cooking because it's very delicious. And this morning I saw her cooking, I want to learn to cook too like the amazing Miss Novy."
"Hey, I want to learn cooking later too!" Selena exclaimed, not wanting to lose.
"I also want to learn cooking," Alice added with a thin smile.
Varesa smiled widely, her eyes sparkling even more. "Wahhh, it'll definitely be fun later! Come on, let's go to the table. Miss Novy is waiting."
---
The three of them headed to the dining room and saw the other children had already gathered there, including Ensei and Batara who were chatting about their plans to play that day. A warm and familiar atmosphere greeted them.
Novy smiled seeing all the children gathered. "Varesa, please lead the breakfast prayer."
Varesa's eyes sparkled with joy at getting the honor of leading the prayer.
"May we always be safe and protect each other," she said with a clear and sincere voice. "I know we each have our own past, but here we're all family. This is the family we need. Thank you so much, Miss Elina, for always taking care of us with love. And thank you too, Miss Novy, for the delicious food that has made us happy every day."
"Thank you, Miss Novy!" all the children exclaimed together enthusiastically, making Novy's face redden from holding back embarrassment.
They ate breakfast merrily. Some chatted and praised the cooking, some joked among themselves, some were busy devouring food without much talk. The atmosphere was so warm and full of laughter.
Novy smiled happily seeing all the children feel comfortable and like a real family here.
---
After breakfast, on that bright morning they played in the yard. Some read books on the garden bench, while Ensei and Batara were busy practicing archery with straw targets they had made themselves.
After quite a while, Ensei approached a child who sat quietly on a bench while sharpening a wooden sword.
"Andre, let's practice with wooden swords again! Teach me like yesterday," Ensei exclaimed enthusiastically.
Andre looked at him with a flat but not angry expression. "You're not suited for big swords, give up on that. Try using this wooden dagger first, I'll teach you."
Hearing Andre's words that were sharp but based on facts, Ensei wasn't offended. He actually nodded in agreement.
"Ahh, alright if that's what suits me," Ensei said while accepting the wooden dagger Andre offered.
Andre began showing how to hold the wooden dagger properly, his movements precise and experienced.
"Practice swinging the dagger until it's like part of your own hand—a sharp hand," he explained patiently. "And remember, the dagger is only for self-defense when you can't use your bow."
Then he whispered with a mysterious tone, "You can combine your wind power with the dagger to lighten its swing."
Ensei's eyes widened in shock. "You know about elements?!"
Andre nodded calmly. "Yeah, because I have them too."
---
Several Months Later
Ensei trained with Andre for several months. His abilities improved rapidly under Andre's tough but effective guidance.
One afternoon, they trained in an open area quite far from the orphanage.
"Weak! Put all your strength into it, see everything!" Andre barked while attacking Ensei with his wooden sword.
This time Ensei successfully parried the attack with his dagger. But when he was about to counterattack, suddenly Andre's foot kicked his stomach hard.
Ensei fell gasping.
"I said see all possibilities," Andre said coldly. "Do you think attacks only come from swords?"
Ensei gasped while holding his stomach. "Uhh... uhh... yes, I understand."
"Let's end it for today," Andre sheathed his wooden sword. "Let's find food at the stall, then go back to the orphanage."
"Okay, the day is almost dark anyway," Ensei agreed while getting up.
---
Meanwhile, at the orphanage, the day was getting dark. Suddenly from the side gate, a wolf monster sneaked in undetected. The creature entered without anyone noticing and was ready to attack anyone it found.
At the same time, Alice and Selena were walking in the side yard, enjoying the evening air. They came across the monster without realizing the danger.
The wolf monster immediately attacked them viciously. Selena screamed loudly, and the monster immediately pounced on her. Quickly, Alice grabbed a piece of wood and tried to fend off the monster, but the brutal creature was very strong so Alice was pushed and fell.
The monster managed to scratch Selena's shoulder with its sharp claws. Fresh blood immediately flowed, wetting her clothes.
Alice's eyes widened seeing her friend injured. With anger that suddenly emerged, she beat back the monster with wood and strength she didn't realize she had.
Alice saw Selena fall to the floor with blood on her shoulder, her heart shattered.
"Alice," Selena said in a weak voice, "leave me first and tell the others to leave immediately. Miss Elina is busy at the kingdom now, helping injured people."
"No, Selena! We'll leave together!" Alice protested firmly.
"I'll only slow you down," Selena said while enduring the pain.
"Don't say strange things!" Alice hugged Selena protectively.
---
The monster got up again and attacked them once more. Alice quickly blocked it with wood, and both bounced together from the impact.
The monster got up faster and was about to stab the helpless Selena with its sharp claws.
"NO! NOT AGAIN!" Alice screamed desperately.
She ran and made her body a shield to protect Selena. Alice closed her eyes in fear, then the shadow of her sister, Kimberley, appeared briefly in her mind.
Alice opened her eyes, a soft voice came from her lips. "Kim..."
Instantly, a blue-green water shield coated her body. The monster's claws couldn't penetrate Alice's water shield. With power she was just feeling, Alice pushed the monster away with a strong water wave.
Selena was shocked seeing Alice's magical ability suddenly emerge. "Alice?!"
But the monster could still stand again. Suddenly, a blaze of fire from the side burned the wolf monster to ashes.
Andre and Ensei came running toward them.
"Are you both alright? Selena, you're hurt!" Ensei exclaimed worriedly.
---
A crowd of children and Novy immediately came to the place after hearing Selena's earlier scream. Novy was shocked and worried when she saw Selena badly injured.
"Selena!" Novy yelled in panic.
"I'm fine, Miss Novy, don't worry," Selena said, trying to smile despite the pain.
Novy hurried to bring Selena inside and laid her on the bed, giving makeshift first aid. She panicked because Elina wasn't here and the wound was quite deep.
"I'll pick up Miss Elina from the kingdom. Please accompany Selena for now," Novy said while preparing to leave.
Novy rushed to the kingdom to find Elina.
Meanwhile, the other children were very worried seeing Selena's condition.
"Selena, hold on a little longer. Miss Elina will be here soon," Varesa said while holding Selena's hand.
Selena didn't seem to be getting better, her face pale and her breathing began to shorten. Suddenly Alice held Selena's hand gently. She closed her eyes briefly, then her hands were coated with softly glowing water element, trying to heal Selena.
Selena smiled weakly seeing Alice's effort. "You're always stubborn, aren't you, Alice."
"Selena..." Alice whispered, concentrating fully.
Her healing power was still untrained, but enough to provide help and relieve Selena's physical pain. The bleeding began to decrease and Selena looked slightly better.
Not long after, Novy and Elina who were gasping opened the door. They saw Alice who was able to use healing techniques with amazed eyes.
"Thank you, Alice. You've helped so much. Let me continue," Elina said with a proud smile.
Elina healed Selena with her very skilled healing power. Instantly the wound on Selena's shoulder closed perfectly and healed completely. The children cheered happily seeing Selena healthy again.
Alice held Selena's hand while shedding tears of relief. "Thank you..."
---
One morning afterward, Alice met Elina beside the window who was watching the children playing in the yard. With hesitation but full of determination, she said.
"Miss Elina, please teach me proper healing techniques."
Elina smiled warmly hearing the request, her eyes sparkling with pride.
"Of course, Alice. I've been waiting for you to say that."
Alice smiled widely, happy and full of enthusiasm to learn. She knew that with the healing power she possessed, she could protect the people she loved, like Selena and other friends.
This was the beginning of Alice's journey to become a strong healer, driven by love and the desire to protect her new family.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...