The boys would follow Priestess Merilyn to the cafeteria. Despite the events earlier, most of them were in good spirits while getting food. After all, with the Coming-of Age Ceremony time here, that meant it was a time of feasting.

Kazius ate breakfast eagerly. As part of the feast, for breakfast they got two pieces of bread instead of one. They even tasted fresher and not as stale as the typical bread they got.

To double their breakfast like that was quite a luxury. Stuff like this reassured his doubts caused by High Priest Jordan. The Church of The Oracle was truly kind to them. They cared about their people. They had moments where their actions were not perfect, but they were good, so Kazius believed.

“Can you believe High Priest Jordan? Have you thought about what he said to Derek and Gabe?” Alex questioned Kazius in a whisper.

“Yeah… I do think he-“ Kazius began only to be cut off by his eager friend.

“Wasn’t he so cool? No wonder he is so high up in The Church. He was so merciful with Gabe and Derek… Even though they behaved no better than Monsters.” Alex interrupted contently, his smile becoming slightly cruel as he added the last bit.

Kazius frowned a bit. Cool was definitely NOT the word he would use. Of course, he knew it was better to not show he disproved of the actions of a Priest… Such a thing was a sin after all.

He was grateful to The Church, but he still felt that High Priest Jordan took things too far. An opinion that not only Kazius attempted to suppress, but also fight against. Despite the terror all the boys felt when High Priest Jordan was around, it seemed like Kazius was alone in such a sentiment.

Not to mention, he didn’t want to lose Alex as a friend by saying such things.

“Right…” Kazius hesitantly agreed as he played with his necklace nervously.

Alex seemed to notice his actions. “Everything he said has to be true. Think about what else High Priest Jordan said. I bet your parents left you here because they knew how much of an honor it is to be raised by The Church. If that wasn’t the case, they wouldn’t have left you that necklace!”

Kazius perked up at his statement. He had his obsidian-colored necklace with his name carved on it since he was little. He had been dropped off with it when he was a baby. The necklace meant a lot to Kazius. It brought him comfort at times like this, when he felt out of place and isolated because of his thoughts.

“I’d like to think that too.” Kazius admitted.

“As for me. I am sure my parents knew how devoted I would be. So, they left me here. We have to make them and everyone proud, Kazius. We were chosen to serve The Oracle, I know it!” Alex exclaimed contently.

“I am sure we will make great Knights.” Kazius agreed with a small smile, cheering up some, but that did not last long.

Gabe and Derek would step into the cafeteria. The two boys looked tired and sad, but otherwise fine… No physical bruises nor blood were anywhere to be seen, but appearances were deceiving. Kazius knew better than to go just by how they looked.

Priestess Rosette was known to be skilled when using Healing Magic. She could put you through Hell and no one would be able to tell by the time she was done with you. She would just heal you right up, no scars left behind.

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Kazius had been beaten by her once for asking a question during their lessons, when The Holy Tomes of The Oracle were read. That was something Kazius made sure to never do ever again. He did not like the idea of being beaten near unconsciousness again. Sadly, for Kazius, that took longer than for most. That event demonstrated he had an uniquely resilient body… Due to that, his punishment had been considered a warning.

Knowing this, he was far from sure what had been done to the boys. One thing was certain though, he pitied them.

It seemed that pity was a sentiment he was alone in though.

Snickering could be heard. All the kids, boys and girls that were from different rooms, could tell what had happened to them. There was only one reason to be late for mealtime after all.

One of the bigger boys approached them. Kazius knew his name despite the fact he stayed in another room. Ron, he was known to be one of High Priest Jordan’s favorites.

“Look what we have here. If it isn’t the Monsters of the day.” Ron mocked.

“W-We’re not Monsters! Don’t call us that! We’re Human just like you.” Derek responded, beginning to cry.

“No, we’re not… S-Stop it. It was all my fault anyway.” Gabe stated in dismay, sobbing too.

“Awww, look, the Monsters are crying. Waaa waa waaa, you should go cry to your Monster Moms… Oh wait, they wouldn’t want you either!” Ron exclaimed, laughing and pointing like he just said something hilarious. At times, he even spoke like High Priest Jordan.

Kazius knew he should probably not upset Ron if he wanted to be on High Priest Jordan’s good side… But enough was enough. After tomorrow they would all be leaving the orphanage to start their lives anyway. At least Everyone in their age group. Whether it was for the Knight Academy, like Kazius hoped, or not.

Kazius got up. As he approached, Ron was already getting ready to hit the two boys. High Priest Jordan never punished him, even if he hit others. Despite knowing this, Kazius walked in the way.

“Why don’t you drop it, Ron? They were already punished by Priestess Rosette. They have dealt with enough, stop calling them Monsters. We aren’t even supposed to use that word so casually. Are you really going to start a fight during the Coming-of Age Ceremony?” Kazius questioned firmly, much to the shock of the other kids.

Ron frowned, “What are you doing, taking their side? Aren’t you one of the two losers always talking about being a Holy Knight?” He questioned with a scoff.

“That’s right. Knights should protect the innocent.” Kazius responded firmly as he waved for Derek and Gabe to go. Breakfast was almost done and if they wasted any more time with Ron, the two wouldn’t get any food until Lunch. They gratefully left.

“Are you implying Monsters to be innocent?” Ron questioned slyly, tracking the two boys with his eyes as they left.

Kazius lost his composure at that, showing his anger, “That’s not what I said! Aren’t you the one that wants to be a Priest? How will you be a good Priest if you keep lying like that? Priests of The Oracle guard the Truth. They are not liars like you!”

“I’m not a liar, traitor. All I’m saying is that someone like you would have betrayed Humanity during the War. I bet you would have gone as far as to defend Demons. You shouldn’t defend Monsters. Heretic. The Oracle will never make someone like you a Knight. I will tell High Priest Jordan about this!”

Kazius gritted his teeth, glaring down Ron, “And someone like you should never be a Priest of The Oracle.“

“Guys… Guys… Calm down… If you get caught, you will get in trouble. We are supposed to be in our best behavior during The Ceremony.” Alex stated, stepping up himself.

Ron tsked, “Whatever. I will not deal with you losers.” he stated, walking past them, hitting Kazius with his shoulder as he walked by.

Kazius felt happy, Alex at least stuck by him.

‘Yes… Alex is my brother; in the end he is on my side.’

Alex sighed, relieved as Ron left. “What were you thinking? Why would you defend them? Ron was right, you know?”

Kazius frowned.

‘Maybe not…’

“I…I just think it isn’t his place to hand out punishments… They were already punished.” Kazius lied, realizing there was no point in explaining how he felt. As long as he could be friends with Alex, that would be fine. The Oracle surely would understand… The Oracle guarded the Truth. Ron was nothing but a power-hungry liar.

“That is true… It is bad to question if High Priest Jordan and Priestess Rosette went far enough.” Alex agreed, taking things in the other direction.

It was then that Priestess Merilyn would walk in once again.

“It is time to go to the parade, children. Don’t keep High Priest Jordan waiting.” Priestess Merilyn warned.

It was good they stopped the fight when they did… Or Kazius may have been sent to Priestess Rosette instead of being able to go to the parade…

With that, the children would line up, heading out to the street.