Life in the Orphanage (3)

I've been observing an unusual kid since he arrived in this place. Most people maybe won't notice it but, for me who's been training at the Knight Academy for 6 years, I could notice some things that normal people wouldn't see. I have been gifted with great eyes since I was a kid. I could notice even the small details around me.

Xercus, I've been eyeing him for a while now. Captain Gulliver and Ms. Mairade said that he's a pitiful child that survived the massacre at Aramoor village.

Pitiful they say? He's more like a spy gathering information in this kingdom. I'm not discriminating against him but most people from that bloodline became spies used by other kingdoms, that's one of the reasons why many people loathe them. And undoubtedly, they will even use kids as spies to make them unsuspicious like this kid that looks frail and harmless.

I've been showing a dependent type big sister at this orphanage because I want to make a place where all kids grow up as thriving citizens of the kingdom. And everything was so good and smooth since I've served as a caretaker here every time we have vacations.

He always perceives and notices things sharply. Every time I try to observe him, he always turns in my direction like he knows someone was eyeing him. This makes me even more convinced that he is what I think he is.

Because I know he'll notice me anyway even if I try to tail him, so I've been trying out to coincidentally met him every time. And today, a week after he arrived, I've found out where he always went. Based on Shannon's usual behavior, it seems that she didn't saw Xercus in this place so I told her not to come here today because I have some important stuff to do.

A peasant shouldn't be able to read and write, yet he's inside in this library right now. I'm sure that he's gathering information about this kingdom. But too bad, he's been found out. I waited for a while, and at last, the door had finally opened.

"What are doing you here?" I said.

"Oh, hello Ailey," told Xercus.

He still had his stoic expression even after being busted. I'm sure that'll be cracked after a while.

"Answer the question," I said in an interrogative manner while openly showing my animosity towards him.

"I was lost and stumbled at this place in an accident, big sister Ailey."

"Don't call me with that name! I don't want to be called big sister by a spy!" I couldn't contain my anger and my thoughts were filled with disgust for a spy to call me a big sister like those kids.

"Spy? What are you talking about?" he replied with his usual monotonous voice?

"You know what I'm talking about, It'd be better to surrender yourself kid."

"Why would I? I'm just a normal kid and I'm not suspicious."

"People who say that is the most suspicious one."

"I'm not a spy, believe me," Xercus said.

"I won't believe you. You're hiding the fact you could read and write, for what? For gathering information in this kingdom? How funny, kid!"

Now, he has nothing to say anymore but to admit it. I tried grabbing him so that he won't escape.

Yet.

He swiftly jumped inside. I instantly followed him, but I didn't think he would be that fast with that physique. But it seemed that had successfully hidden behind among the shelves.

"So you're hiding now, so you're indeed a spy aren't you?" I said.

No answer came back, at least he could do this much. But, he would never escape from me.

I slowly searched around each shelf and I didn't manage to find him, then suddenly—

"What?!" I was surprised.

He was hiding at the top of the shelves and moved stealthily all this time waiting for this opportunity.

He leaped from the top and tried to knock me down, however, I'm confident in myself that I would never lose to a kid. I'm at the top of my class in terms of combat strength.

I slightly turned my body sideways to have more space and I just have to grab his legs downwards and he'll have no way to go anymore.

Yet.

When I was about to grab his legs, I notice that he was holding something in both of his hands and it was too late when I realize that.

He threw the accumulation of dust holding on his left hand to my face. Of course, I used my arms to cover my face. But that was a fatal mistake I made. Upon landing on the ground, he pivoted his foot forward and used the rope he was holding to dragged my feet so I'll fall to the ground.

He was fighting dirty but, in combat, there is only life and death so there is no way I could say using all means to fight to live is dirty.

I tried to hold my ground but, his strength is unbelievable. But I know that he didn't just use raw strength or else he wouldn't be able to drag me down. He had used a technique that utilizes body weight as a weapon.

I was planning to fight back after I fall but, he swiftly tied my hands and took a pen from his pocket, and pointed it at my throat.

I can't believe that even after my experiences, he was able to lead me in this situation. He'll be a threat to this kingdom if I let him ran rampant. He'll surely achieve an immeasurable strength as he grows up.

"Would you listen to me now?" he said. "I don't want to do anything unnecessary."

"Why don't you just do it?" I replied.

"I will not, I don't want to get my hands bloodied."

I stayed silent and waited for him to continue.

"Look, firstly I'm not a spy, and second, It's true that I hid the fact that I can read and write, however, I have my reasons for my actions."

"How would I ever believe you?!" I shouted at him."

"Let's say I'll kill you right here and now. What do you think my next move will be?"

"What do you—?" I thought over what actions he'll do but,

"There's no one in here other than you that could protect the kids, do you think I can't kill them just before someone can get here to help?"

At this time, I was petrified. He's right if he were to kill me. There will be an investigation even if he managed to hide my body, the people here would surely notice that I've gone missing.

This is bad, this kid is a lot more dangerous than I thought, those eyes are the eyes that see the lives of others as insignificant. I had no choice but to concede.

"Alright, fine, what do you want me to do."

At this moment, a thought came to my mind that this is exactly what he wanted.

°°°

Now, this is where I find the military system in this world unique from mine.

Since that day I've dealt with Ailey where I threatened her so that I could get more information in exchange for having me not hurt the kids. I have gained a lot from her, she seems to be working hard as a student.

I was planning on doing things peacefully but, my communication ability is awfully bad. I've barely even managed to do that in the past.

Well, anyway.

From the details she said, in the Aetredour Kingdom, there are three ways for those who are aspiring to be combatants of the kingdom.

First is the Magic Academy, the second is the Knight Academy, and third is the Military Academy.

Unlike soldiers that will be under the Marshal's, the supreme commander of the army's, authority. The Knights will be under the Royals' and Nobles' commands.

This is everything I know, for now, my knowledge is lacking in many ways in this world which makes this somehow exciting for me.

These side effects are affecting me gradually as weeks pass by because the faint I could feel the excitement of discovering more things. Maybe this is what they call "The thirst for knowledge". Deep down, I knew that I'm a person who's greedy for wisdom. I was born for that purpose.

I was planning to leave this orphanage in a few years to find a purpose in this new life of mine, but if a one-time opportunity in this life appears I would undoubtedly grab that chance. I don't want to live a miserable life twice.

Well, before I get my hopes up I will continue listening to their conversation. If it doesn't go well, then I'll just proceed with the first plan I made.

"You know what you're saying right now aren't you?" Mrs. Mailon said with a stern voice.

"Yes, I know. Peasants don't have any right to enter any of the educational facilities. However, I want to bet on something that would change the views of this rotten world." Mairade's words carried the emotions on her heart.

"If Xercus enters the Military Academy and accomplishes things, I'm sure that many will follow."

"Are you saying that he's talented enough to do that?

"That's why we will train him for 5 years, and see if he has the talent to do so."

"I know that ever since you were young, you have a big heart that wants every person to have equal rights in life. However, why would you go this far? If you want that to happen, why didn't you do it before?"

"That's because to prove that the Sukhothanian lineage can still help this kingdom, I need someone who was an orphan and is not a slave. Xercus is the one I'm waiting for and I won't let this chance pass by."

"Mairade is right, Mrs. Mailon." Gulliver entered their conversation. "Remember the Aramoor Massacre a month ago? It wasn't just done by Raiders. We found some evidence that there were soldiers from Ygorra Empire among them. However, according to the higher-ups, this was instigated by the militants of the Empire as a casus belli for the Aetredour Kingdom to initiate war, worsening the relationship of the two sovereignty." He explained.

Ygorra Empire was the power that had risen after the Sukhothai Empire had fallen. They've managed to gain about thrice the size of their territory when they were still a small kingdom from the past which in later years become an Empire under the dictatorial rule of the Emperor.

"So, what does that has to do with this kid?" Mrs. Mailon continued on her assault.

"We all knew that the Sukhothanians are strong and talented at combat. That's why even old man Walter also agreed when I told him about this. If we managed to convince the royals that the Sukhothanians can also be our allies, then the kingdom would gain new forces that'll revolutionize the military system."

"The Colonel did?" Mrs. Mailon became silent for a while. It looks like she's considering it now.

So this Walter guy is the one that Gulliver is close to. It's already plain obvious from the way Gulliver calls him.

It was true from what the rumors say, said by Ailey, that the royals and military aren't getting along with each other.

It was evident since the Military is under the full command of the Marshal and not the King nor the royals. Those who are greedy with powers would surely want to take hold of anything that would gain them more authority.

The Marshal is the second, just below the King, in terms of authority in the whole kingdom. It was due to the Military law signed during the Continental War stating that the Marshal holds full authority in the military. The reason for the agreement was said due to the close-knit of the King and the Marshal at that time.

The King has no power to mobilize them unless the Marshal had broken the law. The size of the military at that time was small and every single knight is stronger than 10 soldiers combined.

However, for the past 300 years, the military had grown to an extent that they went from a group of tiny puppies to a pack of wolves that could hunt a full-grown lion.

"I know that he can't enter the Knight Academy, but, it's a different story if we're talking about the Military Academy," Mairade said. "The only thing that hurdles them to enter is the expenses. But we will cover it for him so everything will be fine."

After a few moments of deliberation, Mrs. Mailon agreed.

"Fine, train him first so he'll be prepared once he comes at age. I'll make use of my connections to enroll him."

"Don't worry, the old man will also help," Gulliver said.

"Then that's better, train and teach him for a while until you return from your service. I'll find someone who can instruct him while you're gone."

"Thank you so much, Mistress," Mairade said with a full arced smile on her face.