The day had finally arrived.
The sun was just peeking over the horizon when the orphanage staff began waking the children one by one, breaking the silence of dawn with murmurs and hurried footsteps.
The workers walked through the hallways, gently knocking on doors at first, then more insistently when some children were slow to rise.
Anna woke up with the feeling that something heavy weighed on her chest.
It was the day they would leave the orphanage, their home—though Anna hadn't spent as much time here this time around, it had once been a different story.
As she got dressed, she could hear the sighs and murmurs of the other children sharing the room with her.
Some wore badges, others didn't. Those who hadn't been selected for the magic academy or sword training looked on with sadness, and even a bit of envy, at those preparing to leave.
The atmosphere was charged with mixed emotions.
