Chapter 90
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2030, Planet: Grimoire
The remaining six days passed in a hazy blur, with Grifton, his cousins, and eleven others from various institutes fiercely but honorably battling for the top slots.
In the end, Grifton gained second place, with Amberly, Calico, and Marlayne ending in fourth, fifth, and sixth. Cornell Academy snagged first and third place. The remaining institutes that hadn't been disqualified for attempted sabotage, murder, assassination, and other unethical behavior took all the remaining places.
That seriously blew several elitist, royal, and empire lineages. To say there was an uproar was an understatement. However, there were no complaints about cheating because everyone had seen how the officials punctiliously carried out all the tests and categorized events.
Even Grifton was shocked by the results. The cheers that followed the announcement of the final rankings were his first clue as to what happened. While he was disappointed that his cousins hadn't managed to place in the first three, he was pleased that they were clearly satisfied with their rankings.
"Hey, we're in the top ten," Calico smiled at him. "That wouldn't have been possible if we weren't teamed up with you, Grifton. So, thank you for giving us the boost we needed." He tapped his sleeve as he spoke and grinned cheerfully.
Grifton rolled his eyes but laughed and grinned at his cousins good-naturedly.
"Well, this is a great time to celebrate." Grifton acknowledged with a sigh of relief.
However, the announcements had yet to be made. His relief was short-lived when he heard what was going to happen next.
An uneasy hush settled over the crowd when Director Moline appeared next to the competition winners on the platform.
He stood silently looking over all the youngsters who'd competed proudly as orphans with nowhere to go before now.
At last, Director Moline spoke quietly and calmly. "With handing out these awards and prizes," The microphone was detached and placed against his chest. He moved to each of the winners. "I will also announce that I'm being replaced as the official Director of Flange Orphanage. My replacement is Granville Torrent."
Grifton swallowed hard when he heard that. One of his worst fears was confirmed.
"If nothing untoward happens with the orphanage during my absence, I shall return between five-to-ten years to resume managing the operations of the Orphanage." Moline tilted his head as he addressed the winners and others who'd worked hard to achieve their hard-won honors. "I hope that by that time."
Grifton grimaced when Moline spoke of his hopes for the future of the foundlings.
Moline surveyed all of them. "Many of you will have moved onto successful careers." He spared a cool glance towards the institute officials who were staring elsewhere to avoid confirming anything.
"Well, I believe you'll all succeed."
Moline shrugged and added, "In whatever fields you've chosen in the higher institutes that I'm sure will welcome you in future years to come." A sigh escorted him. "In any event, no matter what happens, there will be a shelter for you to come back to in Flange Orphanage as long as I'm the owner of the building and lands."
There was clapping, and Grifton joined in after Moline continued speaking. He appreciated what the Director was trying to do. He found it interesting that Moline indicated he wasn't the only owner of the Orphanage. That meant something happened in the background that no one was privy to as yet.
As for what Moline stated regarding the fact that the orphans could always return to the grounds of the Orphanage if they needed shelter, Grifton didn't doubt that he meant every word he said.
Grifton was skeptical about whether all the current employees would remain because he sensed their loyalty was to Moline, not anyone else, and most certainly not to the new Director.
Grifton eyed Granville Torrent with reserve. That man gave him the creeps. He would reserve his opinion and observe him some more before making a decision on whether he could trust Granville or not. All his instincts and internal alarms were going against the man right now.
Grifton shrugged with a sigh. "good luck in the future, Director Moline. I hope what you do in the future will pave the way for other orphans to have a decent life ahead of them."
Director Moline glanced at him, startled, and then nodded. "Yes, that is what I plan on doing."
Grifton felt his nerves settling. Okay, maybe he would create another organization similar to Flange Orphanage somewhere else? Interesting, he must've been putting together a plan of what to do. At the same time, he was effectively banished from interfering with the new Director of Flange Orphanage.
"May we meet again under better circumstances?" Grifton said quietly. Others watched them curiously, but Grifton didn't care. He wanted to make sure that Director Moline knew he'd be missed for all his kindness toward the orphans.
Once the remaining announcements, rewards, and other miscellaneous acknowledgments were made, everyone was dismissed. In Grifton's estimation, this felt more like a graduation from an institute.
He mingled with the others, chatting politely and courteously. It wouldn't hurt to be nice for a little while. Grifton had to get used to such crowds. He ensured he wasn't too isolated from the people he could trust. He could sense his cousins' qualms about being left to fend for themselves in this big crush.
Gradually, Grifton wearied of the noise. He also decided it was time for a break. He was at his limit in dealing with nosy strangers who wanted his life details, and he wasn't in the mood to divulge them. Besides, Grifton figured that that was none of their business. He finally walked away from those people and sought out a quiet place. However, he soon discovered that others were nearby, and what was discussed made his heart sink. Talk about hearing something he shouldn't. What horrible timing.
~*~
A group of men and women were idly chatting in one of the temporary buildings. "Torrent, are you sure no one knows the main plan involving the Orphanage's occupants?" An unctuous voice spoke blearily.
"Oh yes, I'm sure, Lord Volanti." Torrent shrugged indolently. "I wouldn't have suggested this place to talk."
Lord Volanti grunted. "Hmm, I hope you're right." He snorted. "I believe those top ten contenders, at least four of them were related?"
Torrent paused as he tried to figure out whom he referred to. "Oh, you mean the Tinroy cousins?" He stifled a yawn. "Yes, quite a few rumors are circulating about their origins. No one truly knows if they're cousins or something else."
Volanti dismissed the rumors. "I'm not interested in rumors," he stated coldly. What I want to know is whether they're of age to be put into an army. Some forces lack mages of their talent."
Granville was no longer sleepy. "No, they're not of age. Technically, they should be enrolled in an institute and finishing up their studies." He shook his head. "That reprobate, Doyle Moline, was too irresponsible in that management part."
Volanti shrugged. "So would it really matter if three or four foundlings, top winners or not, disappeared?"
Granville exhaled. "It is well known that they're notorious thorns in sides of several gangs from various institutes." He admitted somewhat grudgingly. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to bend some rules to eliminate them."
One of the women sourly remarked, "I think it won't be difficult to get rid of them. Popularity and notoriety of this kind fade rapidly." Her dismissive tone regarding the winners made the others nod.
"Too true," Volanti recalled. "Only the Cornell Academy students will be remembered after all this. Thank you for that reminder, Sheila."
"You're welcome, Volanti," Sheila smirked. "Besides, I can think of a good use or two for those females and the boys."
Granville tut-tutted. "Now, now, keep it clean. Walls can have ears." He was suddenly vigilant. "I think we should wrap this up."
"Well," another female sighed. I also agree that there are many things that can be done with all those foundlings." She shrugged. "Provided no one gets caught, that is."
Granville chuckled. "You'll have to wait a month or two before the furor dies." His amusement vanished when he added. "Then a few scandals surrounding those brats will no doubt break out." The confidence with which he spoke caught the attention of others. "When that happens, you can grab those four troublemakers."
The others murmured, and then they all broke into small pairs and went off elsewhere.
~*~
While Grifton wasn't sure what he'd heard precisely, it sounded like trouble. Trouble was designed to bring down the Orphanage's reputation to a trash level. His hands fisted at his sides. Grifton shook his head with a sigh. "Hmm, how should I go about reporting this and being able to make it believable." That would be the most challenging part in his estimation.
What a disgusting bunch of people. He frowned because some of the voices were very familiar.
Oh yeah, now he remembered some of them. They'd been a few of the very obnoxious officials who did their best to disqualify him and his cousins simply because they weren't of the correct lineage to continue participating. I'm so glad some of those rules regarding bloodlines were removed due to the discrimination it regulated.
Because of his background and having to fight off potential kidnappers more than a few times, Grifton suspected that they plotted something very unpleasant indeed. Well, it won't be the first time I've had to fend off malicious idiots who tried to harm me and my family members. Now, he just had to figure out how to report all this information.