Life in the Orphanage (2)

I groaned in my mind and after analyzing the information flooding in my mind I reached a possible explanation.

It seems that the 'Sukhothai Imperial Calendar' was named after the lost Empire a thousand years ago, I'm sure there are other books that'll explain this. There's no exact date on when the Empire was founded, but the calendar says it all.

Of course, I may be mistaken so I need to study more about the history in this world, however, I'm sure most of the records during that time are either lost or destroyed. I don't know why the books in this library didn't mention the name of that Empire, well, I'll leave it as it is for now.

If what I'm thinking right now is right, then I have to find out if that kind of book exists in this library or the City, even a map is sufficient enough.

On the other hand.

The person, no, maybe there are many of them, that came from my world either didn't want to interfere too much with the science and technology in this world or they aren't knowledgeable enough to interfere with it. It's plausible to think that the person who came up with the name 'Sukhothai' is among them.

A proof of it is the use of magic similar to electricity. They didn't need electric poles because processing the Manas from the atmosphere and converting it to Mana is the energy source itself. However, they need an instrument that could manifest this procedure. It was until a thousand years ago when someone prominent invented the "Mana Generator" and the "Mana Cable". It's already obvious that he's one of them.

I think this is enough for now, it's almost time for dinner. Shannon didn't seem to visit the library, even the caretakers didn't clean up today, it's odd.

And someone has been suspicious of me and had been eyeing on me too much, maybe I'll get to deal with them sooner or later.

I need to go back before they notice me missing so I left the library after arranging the books to their proper shelves and opened the door when—

"What are you doing here?" There was someone behind it.

°°°

I was the only one using my room for a long time but one day someone came to the orphanage and the Mistress made us share my room. We've been sharing this room for more than two weeks now.

The first time I saw him, I want to make fun of him, but, his eyes somehow make me afraid of him and I don't know why.

Because he didn't have any luggage coming here, I lent him some of the clothes I'm not using anymore. He's someone who doesn't speak too much, he'll just answer the minimum and won't say anything other than that.

Then, during our lectures, I noticed that he didn't know how to read and write and I think it's just normal because he's just a peasant. Anyone would realize it after looking at his slightly tan skin and ash-colored hair.

If his somewhere else in this city, he would have been bullied right after arriving here. Kids like me in this orphanage are well-mannered and don't easily discriminate against others.

So, I noticed that he always disappears right after lunch, a few days after his arrival. I was somehow curious so I always tail him to find out, but, he always disappears from my sight.

Since I always woke up late, I didn't notice this until yesterday, it seems that he's working out every day early in the morning before the sun rises.

After just about one or two weeks of working out, I could see some improvements in his body. He looks slightly bigger and a lot healthier than the first time I saw him.

And as of today, I'm currently tailing him, and this time, I'll make sure not to lose him from my sight.

°°°

This kid is up to do his thing again.

Sean, my roommate, was tailing me for more than a week now. I don't know what he's thinking, but, I need to lose him on track. I don't want to get seen by somebody going in and out in the library like what occurred a week ago.

That Shannon girl is going there every day so I studied her a bit to know what time she'll go in and out so I can't be seen and even if the caretakers went there to check up and clean the books every time. I'll just hide around the corners of each shelf. The library is at the edge of the building so there is almost no one passing by.

'Hmm, he's sticking hard to me this time I can't get him lost.' I mused.

Maybe I should just change my plans for today. I turned around a corner going in 'that' direction waiting for him.

"What do you think you're doing?" I said.

"Eh?!" he cried out. He was surprised that I was waiting for him.

I stared at his eyes without uttering a single word and waited for him to talk.

"Uhm, ahem! I'm not following you, you know? I think it's just a coincidence that we're going in the same direction!" he reasoned out.

It's a bit lame to accept it as a reason, but, I'll just play along with it for now.

"Is that so? Then fine, I'm finding my way to the toilet." I also made my lame explanation.

"Yes, yes, it's the truth alright?! I'm also going to the toilet, and to tell you, you're going in the right way! Ahem! Anyway, follow me and we'll be there soon." he explained in a hurry.

Well, this is better for now. I hope he'll stop tailing me from now on. My everyday life is passing by smoothly except at 'that' time. Well, it turned out more or less the way I wanted, except, I did something that will be a disadvantage for me if a certain situation occurs. Though, there's still an advantage with that.

"Hey, do you wanna play with us?" a cheerful voice went towards me.

I didn't have a leeway ever since then, it should be fine to take some break for now. And I would be seen more suspicious if I were not seen playing at the playgrounds even once.

"Sure, it's fine by me," I replied.

"Hey, Alex! Did you invite Xercus here?" Sean, who was playing with the other boys asked.

"Yeah! He looks always gloomy and I think he doesn't have any friends, he also rarely talks so I think inviting him would make us friends you know?" this Alex boy has some qualities of becoming a sociable and enthusiastic leader when he grows up.

But, honestly, these types of people are the ones I want to avoid. It's kinda hard for me to keep up their bright and cheerful aura. It's too much for an introverted person like me.

"Oh is that so? Well, it's great that you agreed to play this time, Xercus." Sean somehow made an awkward smile. Maybe it must have been because I caught him last time.

"Aren't you two roommates?" Alex asked. "Is Xercus not your friend, Sean?"

"Well, yes we're indeed roommates, but, we didn't talk to each other that much."

He seems to be saying this so he would appear favorable to me. It's useful for me so I'll play along with him.

"I'll sometime play with you." I shortly answered.

"Ooh! Then it's decided now, let's go!"

"Just said for a while, I need to go the toilet first," I said.

"O-Oh, yeah! That's right, we were about to go to the toilet just now." It looks like he forgot about the toilet just now.

Just as we were about to head out, I saw Ailey sneaking a peak in our direction.

I played around together with the kids but most of the time just watching them. And after that, I said that I'll be heading back inside due to some reason.

•••

As days slowly pass by, it's already been a month since I arrived here. And today, early in the morning, Gulliver and Mairade visited the orphanage.

We were currently at Mrs. Mailon's office and It's been the second time I saw her since we first met a month ago.

"Are you getting along well with the others, Xercus?" Mairade asked.

"Yes, I think so," I answered.

Then suddenly, her mouth went closer to my ears.

"Also, thank you for what you did before," she whispered.

It appears that they worked it out.

"What did you say to him?" Gulliver who had been sitting in front of us reacted.

"I've been so busy for the past weeks and I didn't have time to help in the orphanage." Mrs. Mailon said, interrupting Gulliver.

"Oh, that's right! Yesterday was the Awarding Ceremony." It seems that Gulliver didn't mind that he's been interrupted just now.

I think the Awarding Ceremony stated by Gulliver is when the students from the Academy completed their 1st year since attending the school. The next time an awarding happens will determine their future in the kingdom.

"Yes, there are many 1st year students that passed this year. And I was one of their instructors so I have lots of works to do." Mrs. Mailon said. "And talking about school, I heard from your instructor that you learned how to read and write, Xercus."

"Mm," I nodded.

"Isn't he a fast learner? He just went to school a month ago." Mairade said.

"Oh, you're doing a great job kid!" Gulliver added. "And I could also see that you've become healthier since then, maybe I should train you starting today since I've been discharged from the military for a month."

"What? What do you mean by discharged from the military?" Mrs. Mailon asked.

"Well, he sneaked out from his troops and went back to the camp alone in the middle of the night," Mairade said with a slightly embarrassed face.

"W-Well, I can't stop thinking about what Xercus said at that time so I—"

"So you went back yourself? What a big idiot are you? The only thing you're good at is being a soldier and fighting. But anyway, congratulations again to both of you. You're finally together after many years." Mrs. Mailon made a gentle smile.

"Well, it could've been a lot earlier if Gulliver isn't dense."

The office was filled with the two woman's laughter.

Meanwhile, Gulliver...

"Let's go now, Xercus I'll teach you how to swing a sword right now."

Hey, don't use me as your scapegoat.

"Look at that, he's running away," Mrs. Mailon said.

"Well, I also want to watch Xercus being trained. So I'll be joining them, Mistress."

"I have no work to do so I'll be joining you as well."

And just like that, I was forced to go outside with these three.

Gulliver brought two double-edged wooden swords for both of us. I was quite tall for my age, about 137 centimeters, however, standing in front of him right now makes me realize that he's a big man. Towering a height of about 190 centimeters with a ripped body, a normal kid would've cried by now.

"Alright, I'll teach you how to swing a sword for now," he announced.

"Okay," I replied indifferently.

"C'mon, don't be like that. I'll be teaching you some cool stuff after this, alright?"

I'm curious what is it but I was planning on doing this from the start so I'll just wait patiently.

He showed me how to swing the sword downwards while having one foot forward. I followed after him and I did it sluggishly.

"Fufufu~ he seems to find it hard to swing that sword." Mairade seems to find my sluggish swordplay quite amusing.

"It's his first time swinging a sword after all, and I think that's quite heavy for him to swing." Mrs. Mailon added.

"That's right, I doubt that he did any muscle training before."

"Yeah, he's one of their bloodlines right? He'll surely have a strong body when he grows up, it's because they're known for their raw strength and power after all."

"Yeah, just because of the war that had happened about 300 years ago doesn't mean they could just make their people and descendants forever like slaves even though the war codes didn't allow this. If only they accepted them as normal citizens, not as slaves."

Now, this makes me want to stay here a little longer, the things that aren't in the books that I've read. As I thought, the books in the library are lacking in history books. Most of them are about magic, sciences, the military, and the Kingdom's history. Almost none about the history of the perished empire.

"You're right but also wrong at the same time, the Sovereigns of each nation at that time just didn't want a revolution to happen. That's why they didn't give the citizens from the Empire to own properties and removed their surnames to make the surviving royal blood who managed to escape from the war, unknown as years pass by."

She paused and continued.

"The Royals have almost the same features as their citizens so it's quite hard to differentiate them among the masses. So even if they managed to escape from being slaves, they won't go any higher than a peasant. " Mrs. Mailon gave a short explanation. "Now, let's stop talking about this topic, it's made a taboo now to talk about the fallen Empire."

"Yes, that's why I want to take care of him so much. Most of them are slaves and only some had managed to rise as a peasant. That's why may I request something, Mistress?" Mairade's voice suddenly turned serious.

"What is it?" Mrs. Mailon noticed the changer from her voice and answered with a stern face.

"When Xercus turned 15 years old, can you find some way to get him enrolled in Rotherham Military Academy?"

I stopped at this point, Gulliver also stopped and faced the two of them. And based on his expression, it seems that this is the main reason they came here for.