10 years have passed since I reincarnated into this world.
And while living for that long, I knew things that were extraordinary and fantastical things I never knew existed. Like the lamp, I saw in the orphanage hallway, the milk he was taking, three suns, and many other things which he can talk about later.
Arledge was walking down the stairs as he navigate his way to the dining area.
The dining area was on the first floor which also occupies most of its space. There were 3 long tables with each having plates, a spoon and fork, glass on top of it, and one long bench beside it.
There's a set for each one of the orphans.
As he walks towards an empty seat, Arledge remembers the first time he had eaten at this table. It's quite memorable for him.
Arledge was almost 2 years old at that time.
'Oh, by the way, the days in here are the same with the Earth which I didn't expect myself...'
Back on the track, Arledge was guided by his adoptive parents through the hallway.
'At that time, I was not excited in the least as I expected to only eat in the dining area
But that's what I thought, in the first few minutes of sitting and waiting for food to be served, something incredible happened!'
A fight!
A bully and the bullied!
It was quite exciting as he saw the bully insulting the victim with a condescending tone.
'Of course, it was not the part I was excited about. But the flying plates, glass, and forks surrounding Mike.'
'Let's just say his name is Mike. I never knew the name nor wanted to know the name of the victim. Because he was inferior to me even with his magic!'
No, that's not what he felt. What he actually felt was jealousy. For more than a year he came to this world, he can't use any mana within him or the surroundings to produce magic.
Also, at this time, he drank all 3 limits used of the strengthening potion.
You can say that he was as strong as a 15-year-old kid.
'Of course, the kid I was thinking about was from this world. The body of a person in this world was much stronger than people from Earth.'
It is more than enough for people to be amazed at him to have a body that sturdy as 2 years old. But he was not satisfied even if he knew, all he wanted was to learn magic!
Magic is something that does not exist on Earth and that is what he wants!
After knowing that Mike has talent in magic, the caretakers took him to a staff room or what he calls. There is no name sign or any written on the door.
Three days have passed since that incident. On that night, Mike has to say goodbye to his fellow orphans. He wears a hat and a handbag.
'It's like one of the anime I've watched...'
He knew that Mike was getting adopted and he also knew that it was related to him being able to use magic.
'Somehow, it feels like this orphanage was a store for profiteers...'
Seeing Mike walking out of the door, Arledge, as an intelligent person, now perceives adoption as a kind of human trafficking. As if the orphanage was a live shop for the wealthy.
This is also why his siblings get adopted without him.
'Surely, outside was dangerous... yet it arouses my curiosity more' he thought grinning.
...
Arledge is now seated on an empty seat at the end of the table. He put his chin on his palm and he looked outside full of greens.
Trees, flowers, chirping birds, whistling.
It was quite mesmerizing but he was used to seeing it. It no longer bears his admiration.
He looked bored. The only thing that makes him happy is the books that were placed on the corner of the first floor. Although, the books that were put in it were mostly legends and stories that were meant for children.
But even then, he read the books. He was truly amazed at how magical this world is. He looked forward to seeing outside more and more.
'I've got a hard time learning their language!' he thought as he remember his time learning the Terra language for the first time.
Terra language was a language that was made to be a worldwide language. In other words, most people knew how to speak the Terra language.
He really didn't have a clue what the hell is written in the book his trying to read. But then his father or adoptive father as you may call it, helped him with learning which fasten his way to read books.
'Oh, yeah, almost forgot about that. Anna also became Victor's girlfriend again... A few loving words then tada!'
This happened a few months after his reincarnation.
"Hey, Arley, do want my potato?" said Elise that was beside him.
"Huh? Ah, yeah sure" said Arledge.
Elise then put the potato on Arledge's plate. He didn't mind the nickname Elise gave him. It was normal.
"What should we play today, Arley?" said Elise.
Elise was a girl with black hair like many unawakened individuals. She was cute and with those large eyes. One can say she will be a fair lady in the future.
Elise is Arledge's close friend here in the orphanage. They were the same age. They always play. Truthfully, Elise was the one who wanted to play while Arledge just want to read a book.
"Whatever you want," said Arledge.
"Really?!... Then we should play a family play! You be the father and I'll play the mother! Crit can be our son!"
"Eh?! Why me? I want to be the dog!" Crit said. He was sitting right in front of Arledge.
Crit was a... Hmm, how to say it... Oh, an emo with sharp fangs. He was still cute even then.
All children are cute. That's what I wanted to say but sometimes crazy annoying children are just... I wanted to take them back to their mother's womb.
Just like the one who was sitting at the next table. They are little brats who bully other children. I experience those myself but they stop doing it at me after I pinched their sideburns.
I have a strong body to my advantage and they can't take prevent me from doing that.
"Then I will be the son!" said Roger who was sitting next to Crit. 'I can get all the love of Eli if I'm the son!'
"No, roger, you will be the dog then Crit will be our son. Orrr... you can be our maid or daughter" Elise said.
"But Crit said he liked to be the dog!" Roger retorted.
Elise the look at Crit. She only saw him nod vigorously.
"Okay, then for the props..." Elise continues to talk.
Arledge who was quiet in the whole conversation was already drunk in his dream.
"Children! Be quiet!" said the head of caretakers.
Arledge who was still drowning in his thought was immediately wakened up by the irritating noise coming from the front.
As he heard those words, Arledge immediately corrected his sitting posture like many other children.
The Head of the caretakers, Mary, saw that the children were already in proper posture, and she started saying the routine.
"Let us now pray for this glorious meal," said Mary.
'Glorious meal, huh. The food doesn't look glorious to me. But then, I should also be glad I have food to eat' Arledge thought then continued to listen.
He reached his hand out like any other orphan and then hold hands with his seatmate.
"The eyes of all look to you, O Lord Savior Kaspar, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
It was short. It was like the grace prayer on Earth.
"What was our meal rule again, children?" said Mary.
"Nothing is left behind," said the children including Arledge.
'The meal rule was valid I guess? considering the lack of financial here.'
After saying the meal rule, magically out of nowhere, food was already on their plates.
He was now used to seeing it after eating here every single day for years!
The meal consists of porridge, a boiled potato, and hard bread. The water refill can be acquired just by the kitchen counter.