After the events in the market square, the three of us—myself, Deniz, and Jerich—made our way back home. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows along the cobblestone streets of our town. The fading light painted the buildings in shades of orange and red.

As we walked, the bustling sounds of the town gradually gave way to a quieter ambiance.

Jerich, walking a step ahead, spoke up, breaking the silence.

"I've decided on something about tomorrow," he announced.

"Tomorrow?" I asked

Deniz, who had been walking alongside me, also turned his attention to Jerich. We exchanged glances.

"Yeah, you might have realized it, even though I never mentioned it," Jerich began, his voice measured. "It's the recruitment day"

Right, tomorrow marked the recruitment of people who would be sent to Egypt, the heart of the Bramevaria legion.We really don't know what happens to the people when they go there, no one comes back to report. People here also don't resist it, as I've seen. They are promised that it's army recruitment of some sort, but as Jerich told us before, they are recruited to become test subjects for Bramevaria's scheme.

"But I've made preparations for your leave," Jerich continued, his tone serious.

"Today, I went to Farid's place to make sure that no one from our orphanage gets caught up in this mess. However, they won't let you get away, Aries, not with your esper origin."

"Leave? Where and why so sudden?" I asked,

"Aries, you have to understand, time is of the essence," Jerich explained.

"In Italy, I have connections. My friend Marco owns a merchant ship, and it will be docking here in Ringsheer Island tomorrow. You need to lay low until you reach the Bilad al-Sham mainland. From there, you can follow Marco all the way to Acre. I'll explain everything in detail once we reach home. Marco sent me a letter with information about the route."

I nodded, trying to process the sudden news. Leaving the island so abruptly was both exciting and disconcerting. I couldn't help but feel that there was so much left to do here, and the memories of my time on the island weighed heavily on my mind.

As we continued to walk, Deniz chimed in with reassurance, "Hey, don't feel down. Everything will work out."

As we continued on our path, the forest path gradually led us closer to the low cliff where the house stood. The dense canopy of trees above filtered the fading daylight, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

The path, worn smooth by countless footsteps, meandered through the woods, revealing glimpses of the island's natural beauty. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and fallen leaves.

As we approached the entrance to the orphanage, a chorus of youthful voices reached our ears, mingling with the laughter and chatter of children of different ages.

The entrance to the orphanage was a welcoming sight, with colorful flowers adorning the doorstep and a well-tended garden that gave it a cheerful ambiance. The children were playing games in the yard, their laughter filling the air as they chased each other in carefree abandon.

Inside the house, the atmosphere was bustling yet cozy. The main hall was adorned with handmade decorations, showcasing the creativity of the children. Paintings and drawings adorned the walls, telling stories of their dreams and aspirations.

Deniz, couldn't hide the soft smile that tugged at his lips as he watched the children at play. Layla, a sweet and innocent girl of about fifteen, approached him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

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"Deniz, will you play tag with us?" Layla asked, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.

Deniz, caught off guard by her request, hesitated for a moment but then found himself nodding. "Sure, why not?" And he went to the garden too.

The young cheered as Deniz joined the game. They darted around him, their laughter infectious. Layla, with her bright eyes and boundless energy, led the charge, tagging Deniz and then darting away with a giggle.

Jerich and I mingled with the younger children, sharing stories and laughter. The chemistry between the children was evident as they formed a tight-knit family within the orphanage.

"You're pretty fast, Layla!" Deniz called out, his voice laced with amusement.

Layla glanced over her shoulder,"You'll have to catch me if you want to tag me, Deniz!"

Their interaction was filled with light-hearted teasing and shared laughter, drawing them closer with each passing moment. It was a side of Deniz that few had the privilege to see, and Layla cherished this newfound connection.

During a break in the games, Layla found a moment to sit next to Deniz on a bench under the mango tree Their conversation flowed naturally, and the sun bathed them in its warm glow.

"I didn't know you could be so fun, Deniz," Layla said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Deniz chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I guess there's more to me than meets the eye."

Their conversation meandered from childhood memories to dreams for the future. They talked about the adventures they hoped to embark on and the places they longed to see.

Jerich, the caretaker who had seen young love bloom before, watched from a distance, allowing them the space to discover their feelings. The orphanage was a place where bonds were forged, and he knew that this connection between Deniz and Layla was a beautiful testament to the magic of youth and the sense of belonging they had found in each other's company.

As the day turned to evening, Deniz and Layla continued to sit side by side on the front steps of the orphanage. Their fingers brushed lightly, and the chemistry between them was undeniable.

And yeah, I was eavesdropping the whole thing, because I am the narrator. Jealousy tugged at my heart, but I reminded myself of my own principles: live and let live. Someday, perhaps, I would find my own connection like theirs.

Leaving my discreet spying behind, I made my way to Cairo's room to discuss the matter Jerich had brought up. I climbed the staircase leading to the upper floor, knocked on his door, and heard his tired voice from within.

"Leave it! I'm not feeling well today."

"Alright," I replied, "just make sure you join us for dinner at the right time."

With that, I left him be and retreated to my room, which was conveniently situated next to Cairo's.

I entered the room, the dim light from the small window casting a soft glow across the modest space. The shelves lining my room were filled with fiction novels of all kinds, each one telling tales of epic romances and grand adventures. Yet, as I he looked at them, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of loneliness.

I settled onto my bed, surrounded by the comforting scent of aged pages. A sigh escaped my lips as I gazed at the ceiling. My mind began to wander, and I found myself thinking of Aisha, the girl who had occupied my thoughts for quite some time.

I recalled the details of her face—the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, the curve of her smile that could brighten the darkest of days, and the way her hair flowed like a waterfall down her back. He could even picture the slight dimple that appeared on her right cheek when she grinned. It was a mental image that had been etched into my memory.

However, before I could immerse myself too deeply in this daydream, I shook my head to snap myself out of it.

"Come on, Aries," I muttered to myself, "you're getting carried away."

A surge of frustration and restlessness washed over me, and I decided to take action. I pushed myself off the bed and dropped to the floor, deciding to release my pent-up energy through a series of push-ups. my muscles flexed with each repetition, and I could feel the burn as I worked my way through the set.

After finishing my exercise, I stood up and, in a strange bout of confidence, decided to take off my shirt. I stood before the mirror in my room, examining my physique. I couldn't help but admire my well-built body, complete with defined abs and toned biceps. A small smirk played on my lips as I flexed my muscles, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Then, I turned my attention to my face, closely scrutinizing it in the mirror. I sighed and muttered to myself, "Well, I guess I'm pretty average in the looks department."

As I continued to evaluate myself, I couldn't help but engage in a bit of self-deprecating humor. "Average looks, a decent sense of humor, and a love for books," I mused aloud, "I guess I'm the total package."