Eric couldn’t believe his eyes. The whole orphanage got burned down.

“Did you ever learn magic?”, asked Eric.

“No... I did not...”, replied Orph while looking at his hand which turned back normal again.

Eric looked at Orph, he still had that somber expression that he had after finding out about his batchmates.

“I guess this is less shocking than what he had learned earlier.”, Eric thought to himself.

“What happened here?”, asked Shine, who appeared out of nowhere and shocked Eric.

“What are you doing here?”, replied Eric.

“Replying to a question with a question?”

“I could say the same to you-”

“I burned down this building with my hands”, said Orph while cutting off what Eric was going to say.

“Burned? I know what happened here today but burning a building like this is still an offense...”, replied Shine.

Eric spoke up and explained what had just happened a few moments ago to Shine.

“So, you’re an ability user now?”, asked Shine.

Orph didn’t reply, he kept looking at his hands. Still maintaining that sad expression.

Shine looked at Eric and spoke, “I came here under the Baron’s order, he has called for the both of you.”

Eric nodded and touched Orph on his shoulder, expressing that they should go.

Orph nodded in return.

Shane guided the two of them through the busy streets of the capital.

Eric questioned why the usually empty streets of the capital were filled to the brim with people.

Shine noticed his curiosity and spoke, “The Duke, he’s going to receive his punishment.”

“So soon?”, replied Eric losing his composure.

“The principal of that orphanage liked to account for everything there, especially all the slave trades made. It almost looked like he was having some sick fun while doing so.”

“That sounds convenient.”

Shine stopped and looked at Eric, but he soon stopped and started walking again.

“It was. The Baron took the chance and made the Duke pay with all he could.”, said Shine.

Soon all of them reached the main attraction spot for today’s event.

There were people screaming at the top of their lungs.

“Make the Duke pay for his crimes!”

“Slavery is a crime punishable by death!”

“Finally, something interesting in this boring city”

All of them kept chanting, it’s as if they all took out the frustration of their hard lives on someone who not only deserved it but also was in a higher position compared to them and also led a comfortable life.

All of their chanting stopped as soon as the Duke got up, with ropes tried around his arms.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“I WILL NOT FORGET THIS!”, screamed the Duke while looking at the King.

“I AM THE DUKE, MY POWER WILL NOT BE STOPPED FOR AS LONG AS I BREATHE, I SWEAR I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!”, he continued screaming.

The King gestured to the guards and got out of his seat, leaving the place.

The guards placed a rope around the Duke’s neck.

Shine gestured to the boys and spoke, “I think we all know what’s going to happen now, there’s no need to watch anymore.”

Eric agreed. He looked at Orph who appeared to be mesmerized by what was happening.

He touched Orph on his shoulders and spoke, “You alright?”

Orph looked at Eric and realized what was happening. He nodded and they all started walking away.

Eric heard a loud snap and the crowd cheering but he didn’t dare to look behind. He ignored it with all his might.

Soon after that, they reached the Baron’s office.

Right outside it, Shine gestured both of them to wait there and went inside the office on his own.

Time passed away; Eric didn’t know what to say to Orph who looked like he was lost in his own thoughts.

Eric decided to keep it shut and leave Orph alone.

After some minutes, Shine came outside and gestured for them to come inside the office.

“So, these are the heroes who saved this kingdom from the traitorous Duke?”, spoke the Baron smiling with joy.

“I already know my knight cadet, who already paid his dues with this.”, he continued while getting up from his chair.

“Dues?”, thought Eric to himself.

“But I never expected the Duke’s knight cadet to betray him.”, said the Baron while walking towards Orph.

“So Kid, want any rewards for this?”, he continued before stopping right before Orph’s face.

Orph thought for a while and replied,” I want to keep being a Knight cadet.”

“Ahh, still got that wish to be a knight cadet huh? You could have been rich but... but this is better.”, said the Baron while smiling.

Orph looked at the Baron and showed eyes that told the Baron that he wouldn’t regret this decision in the future.

The Baron smiled even more and spoke,” I like you! That fire in your eyes doesn’t look like they’d diminish anytime soon. You’re going to be an asset to me.”

“Since I’m practically the Duke now”

“Practically a Duke?”, asked Eric surprised.

“Ahaha yes, thanks to me with a little help from the outside. I was able to capture the previous Duke and gain power enough to rival a Duke”, replied the Baron.

“So, while I’ll still be a Baron in name... My power is more. Way more.”, he continued while sitting on the chair he sat before.

The Baron clasped his hands and spoke,” You do know what that means don’t you?”

Orph looked at the Baron.

“I can make another person my knight cadet. Orph, do you want to be my second knight cadet nominee?”, continued the Baron.

Orph knelt down and said in a firm voice, “It would be my honor!”

The Baron smiled.

He then looked over to Eric.

“What do you want?”

Eric still shocked at what just happened stumbled and couldn’t speak for a while.

“I didn’t really do anything... If you want to gift me some then I’d like you to gift Bk...”

As soon as Eric spoke those words, a ball of light came inside the room and transformed.

“You were here?”, said Eric shocked again.

“Ahh yes, the mysterious informant. I had already planned to award you but with my precious knight cadet saying... I’m more inclined to do so now”, said the Baron.

“Thank you, your grace... What I’d like is...”

After getting their rewards, Bk, Orph, and Eric went outside.

Orph asked Bk,” Are you really alright with that?”

“Yes, I’ve always wanted to open an orphanage and with so many orphans without a home... this felt like the right choice.”, replied Bk.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of them... and I’d like you to thank you guys for not telling the Baron or his knight about Emma...”, BK continued.

“I do not know if the Baron is a good man or not but he is ambitious... I want to take care of Emma and let her know about the good in the world... The Baron would’ve probably used her for his own good...”

“Thank you...Thank you for doing this”, replied Orph, showing a faint smile.

All three of them bid their goodbyes and went on their own ways.

“I want to get some fresh air.”, said Orph before going on his own.

Eric nodded in return.

Eric was on his way to return to the academy. On the way, he suddenly got reminded of Rally and wanted to speak with her about today.

So, he rushed to where he thought she was. But he couldn’t find her. After hours of trying, an older woman came near him and introduced herself as Rally’s mother.

“You’re looking for Rally right?”, she spoke.

Eric nodded.

“She’s gone somewhere, somewhere good.”, she added.

“Somewhere good?”

“Yes, her father called for her and now she’s somewhere better.”

"Wasn't her father dead?", asked Eric.

"No... He was missing, assumed dead...", she couldn't look Eric into his eyes, "They found him and he called for her..."

“Oh...I am happy for you both...", he replied, still confused.

"When will she return?”, he added.

“I don’t think she will...”

“Oh... is that so?”, said Eric while looking at the ground.

“You’re Eric right?”, replied the mother, finally able to look Eric in his eyes.

Eric nodded.

“Rally wanted me to give you this.”, said Rally’s mother.

She handed Eric a letter. Eric smiled. The thought of Rally was enough to put him into a good mood, even after what had happened today.