Lucien and the others did not stay long at the vendor's store. They were immediately ushered by the mages to carry on. When they arrived at the children's facility for little boys and girls, the Mage Specialist asked Nicholas and the other Mages to take Aiden with him.
Obviously, Nicholas refused. He emphasized that the boy needed to rest. They need to recuperate from their wounds and their physical and mental well-being. In order to adapt to the new life. The Mage Specialist knew he wouldn't get his chance today, so he could only sigh and give up.
Before leaving, he bent down to Aiden and Lucien. With a sincere tone, he said,
"I will come back to get you into Mage Academe and test your magic compatibility. Are you okay with that?"
Lucien did not answer for Aiden. What right does he have? But he was looking forward to the little protagonist's answer. He's been working hard to keep his expression neutral to the point where his eyes came out blank and hollow, just to hide the excitement bursting inside his chest.
Ah ~ this is it. He finally gets to witness the protagonist paving his way to great hood. Lucian's heart is pounding with excitement. But he needs to calm down. He needs to act collected and serious, as if this matter does not affect him in any way. He will never miss this once-in-a lifetime opportunity!
After waiting a long time, the Mage Specialist did not receive an answer. He looked at the older one, whom little Aiden trusted, and nodded at him.
"Look after your brother. I will come back to test you both for magic compatibility. If you pass, you will stay in the Mage Academe together and train to kill the demons. Would you like that?"
Aiden, who was busy burying himself in Lucien's chest, finally looked up at the Mage Specialist. Aiden hugged Lucien's waist tightly and nodded sincerely.
The Mage Specialist can finally breathe at ease. He knew that before coming back to the Demon Slayer base, he needed to create a ten-page detailed report. Just imagining it hurt his head. On the roadside, Nicholas and his other subordinates' wave at him to come. The mudbrick house behind them has its window open to let the morning sunshine shine inside the room. The Mage Specialist left Aiden and Lucien in high spirits after seeing that he had something to look forward to.
The said children's facility is not as bad as he thought. It was actually a two story high spacious house. There's a backyard where children can play. It has the same entertainment as in the park, with slides, swings, and other amusements for children.
Aiden and Lucien joined the other children as the staff welcomed them inside. The five children, seeing the backyard and the large house, are bursting with excitement. Especially when the manager of the children's facility leads them to the kitchen where the aroma of delicious food permeates the air.
They excitedly squeal and jump to take a seat, but a middle-aged woman stops them.
"You need to take a bath first. Look at yourself, you're so dirty." When the middle-aged woman's eyes lingered on Lucien's clothes, her eyes started to cloud in gloom.
Poor children! To think they get to avoid the claws of demons! Who in their right mind would offer these children as sacrifices?! Are those people still human?!
After the middle aged woman led all the six boys to the boy's bathroom, she personally separated the only girl and led her to the ladies' bathroom. She asked one of the staff to take a fresh pair of clothes and meticulously cleaned her body. She noticed how the little child had an emaciated body and hollow cheeks. Her bones are obvious even when she wears clothes. The middle-aged woman knows they are mistreated, but this is really wrong. After the middle-aged woman led all the six boys to the boy's bathroom, she personally separated the only girl and led her to the ladies' bathroom. She asked one of the staff to take a fresh pair of clothes and meticulously cleaned her body. She noticed how the little child had an emaciated body and hollow cheeks.
Her bones are obvious even when she wears clothes. The middle aged woman knows they are mistreated, but this is really wrong.
"What's your name?"
"Lily!" The girl excitedly replied.
"In the church you live in, who's been taking care of you all?"
Lily beamed a smile. "Sister! Sister always makes us mashed potatoes for breakfast. Fried potatoes for lunch. Potato soup for dinner and grilled potatoes for snacks!"
"Huh?" The middle aged woman and the other staff who came to fetch her clothes stared at Lily, dumbfounded. They look at each other. Then stare at the little girl's skinny arms.
"A feast! Tell Old Fe we will have a feast today. Have Ms. Wang buy meat in the supermarket and buy more ingredients for chicken soup and grilled barbecue! "
The staff nodded and came out of the bathroom. As the middle-aged woman applied shampoo to the little girl's head, she did not notice Lily's eyes flash in blood red before disappearing instantly. The said feast will be prepared for lunch. At breakfast, it was a light and refreshing meal. It was obvious the children loved the chicken soup and porridge. They haven't had rice for months and are craving it.
They left the dinner table with bloated stomach and full energy. The five children wanted to play in the backyard with the others. After getting permission from the manager, whose name was Old Fe, the children did not hesitate to run in the grass and play to their hearts' content.
Watching them, Lucien smiled and yawned. He's not like these children who are energetic enough to play right after the hurdle they experienced the other night.
Lucien turned to Old Fe and asked,
"Kind sir, do you have an extra room for me to sleep in?"
Old Fe has one monocle with his almost blind left eye and a white moustache. His hair is almost bald. He's the owner and the so called manager of the children's facility. He always had a soft spot for children and hearing Lucien call him kind sir stirred his heart.