Solar Calendar
Day 28, Month 12, Year 1500New Night Village
In the Morning
"Nox, don't you want more? Are you sure? Look, I have plenty to give you!"
A seven-year-old girl raised her small hands, cheerfully showing a boiled potato.
"No need, don't worry about it, Ana."
Nox gently stroked the girl's head with a sweet smile.
"Is that so?" Ana opened her eyes a little, looked at the boiled potato, and shrugged.
"Alright," she said, and with a smile, she took a bite of the potato.
Nox fell silent and looked around. Four other children sat at the same table as him, all dressed in ragged clothes, but their faces were adorned with smiles as they happily ate their boiled potatoes.
I have to admit, our situation is pitiful... We're very poor. We barely have money to buy potatoes, but the bright side is that they allow us to eat three meals a day. Not that I'm complaining too much—potatoes have many variations. They can be made into potato cream, fried potatoes, potatoes with small pieces of meat, and even with a bit of pork fat, they taste good. Or even small potato balls with some vegetables...
"Eat as much as you want, kids! Nox managed to sell all the milk in these two days! To celebrate, each of you will get a glass of milk and a piece of white cheese."
Sister Jenny entered with small trays and distributed them among the children. As I looked at what was meant for me, I called the sweet girl over.
"Ana, come here."
"What is it?" Ana looked a bit confused.
"Here."
I handed her my glass of milk.
"You need to grow big and strong."
Ana's eyes sparkled.
"Yes! When I grow up, I'll help Nox with his work too!"
She brought her small hands to her chest and smiled.
Ana is the youngest among us, yet the most energetic. She occasionally helps Sister Jenny with household chores, but most of the time, she plays with the other children in the church.
"Nox, can I go with you? I can do it too!"
André, an eight-year-old boy, raised his hand and offered to help Nox with today's sales.
"You can't," Nox said firmly.
"Why not?" André looked a bit disappointed.
"You have reading lessons with old Colder."
Nox lifted his head and looked at him with a small smile.
"Have you learned to read yet?"
"Uh..."
André was stunned for a moment, then slowly lowered his head, discouraged.
"I told you he'd say no. You're still too clumsy."
A girl the same age as André, named Olivia, pointed her spoon at him with a teasing smile.
"I can go!"
"No."
Nox shook his head and looked at her.
"I remember old Colder mentioning that even though you're smart when it comes to reading, you still need to work on your math."
"Huhh..."
Olivia tensed up, her smug smile disappearing instantly. She fell silent.
"Kids, even if you want to help Nox, first things first. You need to focus on learning, at least the basics," Sister Jenny comforted them.
"But it's not fair! Nox learns so fast!"
Elias, another orphan, looked at Nox with a hint of envy. He leaned in closer and hesitated before asking,
"Come on, Nox, tell me your secret."
He murmured so that no one else would hear.
"Effort."
Nox whispered back in the same manner.
"Alright..."
Elias murmured as well and quietly stepped back.
The table fell silent again. They all treat each other like siblings and see me as their older brother. I deeply regret our lack of money, but it's not like we can do much about it...
I looked at an empty chair.
"Did they forget about us?"
I wondered to myself...
*****
I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was a dark, weeping sky. I felt cold. The wind's currents had no mercy on anyone, least of all a baby lying in a basket of wheat with only a few thin blankets to cover his body.
I was afraid.
After all, I felt so fragile at that moment. I had no idea what was happening. As I tried to lift my hands, the door in front of me opened, revealing a man.
He looked at me with pity and, with a gentle smile, picked me up from the cold ground.
As time passed, I understood. I had transmigrated into the body of an abandoned baby. I don't know how it happened. No matter how hard I tried to recall my past life, I couldn't remember anything. My memories were completely fractured, leaving me with no clue as to who I was before.
Somehow, I adapted.
When I turned one, another baby was abandoned in front of the church. Curious, I saw her. She was in the arms of a young Jenny. She had beautiful white hair like snow and platinum-colored eyes.
She was a girl.
A beautiful girl...
****
"Has nothing arrived?"
Sister Jenny asked with concern, placing a small wooden cup on the table.
Old Colder let out a sigh.
"No... Heh, forget about it, Jenny. It's been five years."
He took the small cup of hot water and brought it to his lips.
"Look, a letter has arrived from the Empire."
He showed a letter. At first glance, it looked simple, tied with golden ribbons that kept it sealed. In the center of the letter, a seal emitted a faint light.
"Goddess..."
Sister Jenny carefully took the letter and examined it closely.
"It's the same as last time... Did you send it?"
"Yes. They can't ignore it, even if he's just a commoner."
Old Colder gazed out the window.
"Though I wonder... Well, only time will tell."
"Don't wonder. Nox is different... He is kind and hardworking."
Sister Jenny gave a warm smile and gently stroked the letter in her hands.
"With his help, we'll definitely be able to take care of the other children for a little longer."
"I hope so. If things continue like this, I don't think we'll survive the winter."
Old Colder looked away.
"I wonder if they will meet at the academy... In the last letter she sent, she mentioned being adopted by a noble family. Heh, it was inevitable. She was too special for this small village. After all, she was a child beyond my understanding."
"Do you think Nox will be okay?"
Jenny asked as she sat down.
"I don't know, but..."
Old Colder fell silent for a moment.
"I hope so. Hopefully, there, he'll be able to understand the mana that resides in his soul."
"I hope the same..."
Jenny placed the letter on the table...