Chapter 2 - Smile World

“Truthfully, I only want to have Lynn to come to our school. Just like what her card, silver card, represents, she has talent in water magic. Who wouldn’t want to have a talented person to come to their school?” Headmaster Logan said. “I tried to get her to enroll, but she keep saying that she won’t come unless we have you and the other boy to follow her”

“Thus I made a decision to have you and the other boy to enroll in Arshan Academy. But with few conditions.”

And so, in a month time, Our friend and I will be joining Lynn in Arshan Academy. Why do I feel like there will definitely be trouble once I enter the academy? Oh well, no use trying to think about something that haven’t happen yet.

After we’re done talking with Headmaster Logan, Lynn and I went off our way to our home. Because Felgrand City is one of the biggest city in Arkbrave continent, we took a whole forty minutes before arriving infront of a small building. A sign board written Smile World is right next to the entrance. This building is an orphanage far off near edge of the city wall. An 8-years old boy was walking around building before stopping with excited face after he saw us.

“Ah, Bro Leo is back!”

“Guys, Sis Lynn and Bro Leo are back!”

“They’re back? Attack!!”

After the boy shouted, Smile World went crazy with kids’ shouts. Footsteps can be heard as 12 children varying of age from 5 - 9 years old ran towards us.

“Bro Leo, which school did you go?”

“Was there really a lot of people at the place?”

“What magic are you good at, Sis Lynn?”

Just like kids they are, we were overwhelmed by the questions they keep throwing at us.

“Hey, you guys! Bro Leo and Lynn just returned from the test. Let them rest!”

“Aah~ Scary Skeleton is here! Run!”

“What did you say!?”

An 11-years old black-haired boy came out from the door. He is the other person who will enter Arshan Academy, Aaron. Though he doesn’t know yet. He is sort of the leader to the children despite always getting annoyed by them. Other than me, Lynn and the nanny, Aaron is the only one the children listen to. He didn’t follow me and Lynn to Magic Aptitude Test Hall because he said someone need to look after the children after the nanny went to a local doctor house after injuring herself.

“Those kids..Wait until you get older. I’ll give you guys beatings to my heart content.” Aaron said. Veins can clearly be seen on his face.

“Haha, looks like you’re going to be teased by them until then.” I said.

“Ugh..” Aaron turned gloomy. “Lets get inside. I’ll get you both some wa- wait where’s Lynn?”

“Ah, she went with the kids. You wouldn’t think that she just walked continuously for forty minutes by looking at how energetic she is.”

“She really has open up to the kids, huh?”

“Looks like it.”

We walk into the building and went to living room. Aaron went inside the kitchen and make some tea. He became skilled at doing housework after helping nanny everyday. I rest myself on a chair, relaxing after walking for half an hour. After few minutes, Aaron joined me in the living room.

“Here's some dessert, bet you’re hungry after going and returning from the test, huh.” Aaron put a jug full of tea and a plate of doughnuts on the table.

“Thanks.” I drank some tea before eating the doughnuts.

“How was the test? Did you and Sis Lynn do well?”

“I didn’t do that good it seems. I specialize in body enchantment magic. It seems the magic isn’t really liked because it only strengthens the body. However, Lynn on the other hand got good results. It seems she has high talent in water magic. To the point that the headmaster of Arshan Academy had to approve her request just to have her come to his school.”

“Arshan Academy? Isn’t that the one of the top four academy?!” Aaron stared in astonishment. “Wait, did you say the headmaster approve of her request? What did Sis Lynn asked?”

“That we join her in Arshan Academy.” I bite down another piece of doughnut as I drop the bomb.

“Eh?”

And so I started to tell him the whole story. At first, he didn’t show any emotion other than curiousity. When I got to the main part, he began to feel surprised. After I finished, I drank another cup of tea since my throat is a little sore. As soon as I put down the cup on the table, I turn towards… Aaron..? Wasn’t he just here a moment ago? A few seconds haven’t passed before I started to hear Aaron’s excited shouts at the backyard.

“He went to brag infront of the kids, huh? It will be a mistake in one..two.. thr-“

“COME HERE YOU UGLY PIG! I’M GOING TO BEAT YOU UP”

“Right on time.” I smiled. “I should start my training now” I said as I look at the clock

I gulped down one last cup of tea and start to walk to orphanage’s basement. The basement isn’t that spacious. As long as I don’t jump too high, my head wouldn’t hit the ceiling.

“Oi, stop sleeping and come out.”

“Damn brat. Although I’m no longer alive, I still want to sleep.”

As I say that, a man in his 30s appeared out of nowhere. His name is Reid, and just like what he said, he is not alive. In other words, a spirit. A few days before Lynn, Aaron and I came to Smile World, we lived in a village a few hundred kilometers from Felgrand City. One day, the village was destroyed by a group a bandit who called themselves Red Tears. My parents fend off those bandits just to give us three some time to escape.

While running, we saw a forest nearby and decided to hide in there. We later found a small cave to rest in. I searched around the cave to look if there was sign of living beasts and stumble upon a jet black sword. I don’t remember what happened after that but what I know was that an old man replaced the sword. The old man, Reid, told me that his spirit and the jet black sword went inside me.

Alright, lets stop talking about the past now. I’ve gotta train my martial arts now.