Ava had always possessed a talent for cooking. From the time they left the orphanage home at twelve — the mandated age for all children to depart — her culinary skills shone brightly.
In other districts, some orphans might have been adopted or taken in by wealthy families to be trained, or by childless couples longing for offspring, especially since birth rates had plummeted after the acidic rains. But in the third district, such prospects were nonexistent.
Here, people struggled to feed even themselves, let alone take on the burden of another mouth to feed.
Life in the orphanage was a temporary shelter until age twelve, at which point children were cast out into the streets to fend for themselves. It was only through the sponsorship of the officials who recognized the value of preserving human life in a dwindling population that kids like Ethan and Ava had any chance at all.
This official's support kept the orphanage running, ensuring that none of the children were left to die from neglect or starvation.
When Ethan was forced to leave the orphanage at age twelve, he had no choice but to bring Ava with him, even though she was not yet of age to leave.
Together, they faced the harsh realities of the third district. Ethan assumed the role of big brother, providing and protecting, while Ava became the ever-caring and adorable little sister.
Ava's culinary aptitude emerged early. Even at twelve, she was creating impressive dishes, a skill that spared Ethan from the dread of unpleasant meals. Ava could turn the simplest ingredients into something delicious.
"I can see your effort in the food, Ava. It shows that this is the best mushroom soup ever made," Ethan declared with pride and conviction, ruffling Ava's hair affectionately.
*Hihi*
"Ethan, I didn't know you were such an exaggerator," Ava giggled in response.
"What can I say? The aroma of the soup and my hunger are playing tricks on my brain. Or maybe I wasn't exaggerating at all," Ethan replied with a playful scratch of his head.
"Oh, is that so?" Ava laughed.
"There's only one way to find out," Ethan said as he settled onto the sofa. He scooped up a spoonful of the steaming soup, blowing on it until it cooled a bit, and then brought it to his mouth.
"Mmmm," Ethan hummed, his eyes closing as he savored the rich flavors of the soup.
"So, what's the verdict?" Ava asked, her smile broadening.
"It seems there's nothing wrong with me after all," Ethan replied, resting his chin on his palm as if lost in deep thought.
"Maybe it is the best mushroom soup in the whole world," he mused aloud, pretending as if he was pondering the possibility.
"You tease," Ava replied, a grin spreading across her face as they both erupted into joyful laughter.
The mirth eventually settled, and Ethan turned his attention back to his meal, while Ava nestled beside him on the couch, her head resting on his shoulder in a cozy snuggle.
Ava had always been affectionate, a trait she'd carried since childhood, and Ethan was more than accommodating—he was her everything, and if he didn't offer comfort, who would?
Time slipped by, and Ethan had made considerable progress with his food, noting that his hunger had significantly waned.
"So, how was your day?" he inquired, glancing over at Ava.
"Bored. I was missing you the whole time," she confessed, her voice carrying a playful sweetness.
"Didn't you have anything to do after I left?" Ethan prodded gently.
"Not much. I went out and picked some mushrooms early in the morning. After that, I pretty much did nothing until this evening when I started cooking," she recounted.
"I see," Ethan murmured, spooning up more of the savory soup.
"What about your studies?" He asked after a moment, as he swallowed another mouthful of the mushroom soup.
"They were... okay, I suppose," Ava responded, her earlier exuberance now replaced by a noticeable dip in her mood.
"You haven't been taking your studies seriously, have you?" Ethan's tone sharpened, a hint of sternness creeping in.
Ava fell silent at his words.
"Ava, I'm asking you a question," Ethan pressed, his voice rising slightly, laced with a tinge of frustration.
At the sound of Ethan's irritation, Ava lifted her head from his shoulder, her eyes locking onto his with a flash of defiance.
"Yes, I haven't, because I don't see the point," she countered, her voice now edged with annoyance.
"You're attending the most prestigious institution in the shelter, Silverdale Academy. That's why you need to focus on your studies," Ethan shot back, his anger flaring.
"Why are you so insistent on me going to Silverdale Academy? I've made it clear I'm not interested," Ava fired back, rising from the couch in a surge of irritation.
"We're not revisiting this argument. I've made my decision—you're going, and that's that," Ethan declared, turning back to his food in an attempt to close the discussion.
"And how do you plan to make that happen? Where will you get the money for me to attend the academy?" Ava demanded, her tone sharp with the challenge.
"That's something you don't need to worry about. I've got—"
"An 'awakened' friend who will help, I suppose?" Ava cut in sarcastically before Ethan could finish.
Ethan could only nod, acknowledging the interruption.
He chastised the previous body's owner in his thoughts for not concocting a more plausible lie.
"Of course, we both know how much of a lie that is. You don't have any friends, let alone one who's 'awakened," She said.
"You come home every day covered in blood. We both know you don't have friends; instead, you're engaged in something incredibly dangerous, risking your life all for the sake of money and sending me to the academy." She continued, her anger unabated.
"Enough!" Ethan's voice thundered, an attempt to quell Ava's tirade, but his plea seemed to dissolve into the tension between them as she persisted.
"I don't care about attending some prestigious academy, any academy at all. Once I become awakened, I'll become a hunter, and I'll make enough money so we'll never have to worry again," Ava declared, her voice now calm but laced with conviction.