Sean and Ben stepped out of the gymnasium, the cool evening air a welcome contrast to the stale, crowded atmosphere they'd left behind. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows on the streets of the city. They talked with lower voices now. The neighborhood they grew up in had some residents with low tolerance to noise, so they were nagged pretty much everyday when they were little.
"You know, I'm really gonna miss this place," Ben said. "It's weird to think we won't be around anymore."
Sean nodded, his thoughts elsewhere. The truth was, he was anxious about what lay ahead. How would he fare in the military, would he be able to raise his aptitude and so on. Although the military provided better chances for that, they also had more Evolutionaries than a few top guilds combined. The competition was no joke. Those who chose the military would almost everytime end up as foot soldiers. If they did not wish to stay in the military they would be reinstated as law enforcement. Normal police could not deal with Evolutionary criminals.
They soon reached the familiar gates of the orphanage, a modest building nestled in a quiet part of the city. The building was in utter silence, with no lights on. As it was winter, the sun had set early, leaving the building in absolute darkness. Once the warm and bright orphanage was now shrouded in shadows, worrying the two.
"Way to creep us out, did something happen? Where is everyone?" said Ben.
"Let's check it out."
They got closer to the door. Sean retrieved the keys from under the doormat.
-"CLICK"
Insides were as dark and silent as the outside. Sean got worried and started calling out.
"Ms. Hudson? Are you there? Kids? Anyone! Sally? Tommy?" Just as he was about to call out Ms. Hudson again-
""WELCOME BACK SEAN! WELCOME BACK BEN!""
Lights suddenly turned on and kids shouted in unison.
"Kyaaaa! You guys will be the death of me one day." screamed Ben, he was the type that would wear his heart on his sleeve.
"Welcome back, you two. How was it?" said newly emerged Ms. Hudson. She was a woman that looked like in her forties (a relatively young-looking forty) despite being over sixty years old. This was because Evolutionaries aged slower; without the accident, she would have looked like she was still in her late twenties.
"Did you do it, Sean? Did you pass the test?"
"What's your color? Are you a Violet? Or maybe a Blue?" the kids chimed in.
Sean chuckled, tousling the hair of a particularly eager boy named Tommy. "I'm a Red, guys. Just a regular, good old Red."
Tommy's face fell for a moment before he grinned. "That's still awesome! I heard that Amazonian's son was an Infrared!"
Ms. Hudson frowned. "We don't give names to our neighbors, Tommy You are not getting a slice.."
"Hieek! I'm sorry Ms. Hudson, I will not call her an Amazonian again, please let me eat the cake, I won't even call her daughter 'Little Amazonian' anymore!
"You idiot." Sean slapped the back of Tommy's head. "What did I say about how to handle crushes?" Tommy went red as a tomato at the mention of it.
"Y-y-you guys always bully me! WAAAH!"
"Hahahaha! his face is redder than Sean's assessment hahahaha!" Ben was having the time of his life. Suddenly Ms. Hudson turned towards Ben.
"So how was yours then? How did it go?"
"Piece of cake." Ben replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to hide the pride in his voice.
Sean just shrugged. "Yeah, the bastard is a Yellow."
""A Yellow?"" Kids shouted in unison again.
"Very good. I hope you thought hard about where to join."
"Of course, I will be applying to Dawnrise."
"It's a good choice. Godspeed to you, I hope you make it."
"Thanks, Ms. Hudson."
"Alright, let's move inside. I made a cake, let's eat it before Ben goes back to his home." Said Ms. Hudson and headed to the dining room. Then she turned to the kid that was wiping his tears. "Tommy, what are you waiting for? Go inside. I will be forgiving you this time, but remember to apologise to Mrs. Margarett."
With Tommy joining them too, the kids headed to the dining room, where the long table was already set. The younger kids scampered in behind them, taking their places eagerly.
As they all sat down, the usual banter and chatter filled the room. Sean found himself smiling more easily, caught up in the familiar rhythm of life at the orphanage. He and Ben exchanged jokes, trading quips with the other older kids, while Ms. Hudson kept a watchful eye on everyone.
---
A month passed in the blink of an eye. The day of Sean and Ben's departure arrived with an early morning chill, the sky still a pale gray as the residents of the orphanage gathered in the courtyard for the farewell party.
Ms. Hudson had gone all out. A table laden with food and drinks stood to one side, and streamers were strung across the courtyard. The kids buzzed with excitement, though there was an undercurrent of sadness in their eyes. They looked up to Sean and Ben like older brothers, and the thought of them leaving was hard to swallow.
"Hey, Sean, remember to write to us!" Tommy shouted over the noise, his eyes bright with unshed tears.
"Yeah, don't forget about us when you're out there killing Abominations!" another kid chimed in, trying to sound tough.
Sean smiled, though it was tinged with melancholy. "I won't forget. You guys take care of this place for me, alright? Can't have the first base of Sean the Great in shambles."
As the party wound down, the time to say goodbye drew near. Ms. Hudson called the kids, and they said their goodbyes. Then she instructed Sally, biggest amongst the kids after Sean, to look after them. She then took Sean and Ben, driving them to the train station.
Ben would be leaving first, as his train was a frequent one.
"Good luck there, buddy. Don't forget me when you make a name for yourself."
"Hah, like I would. See you later man."
"Yeah, see you."
Ben then hugged Sean and Ms. Hudson one last time, before getting into the train with his family. They knew about the farewell party and were waiting at the station. The train doors closed, and slowly started moving. It kept accelerating until it was hard to track it with just their eyes. Now it was just Ms. Hudson and Sean.
"Sean," she called out, her voice serious. "I've watched you grow up from a mischievous little boy into a fine young man. I know you're ready for this next step, but I need you to understand something."
Sean looked at her, his heart heavy. "What is it, Ms. Hudson?"
"You're going into a world that's much harsher than anything you've known. The military is tough, and they won't go easy on you just because I know a sergeant there. But I know you're a strong kid, Sean. I know you can handle whatever comes your way." She paused, her eyes locking onto his. "But it doesn't mean you won't be hurt. So promise me that you will look after yourself and be careful, alright?"
Sean swallowed the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. "I will. I promise."
Ms. Hudson nodded, satisfied. "Good. And remember, don't start Engraving with your chest, start with the head. And definitely do not Engrave when you haven't personally killed the Abomination."
Sean was confused, wasn't it common sense to start the engraving from the chest? Sean wasn't wrong. Even Ms. Hudson had said it was common sense before. Engraving in the chest would increase one's constitution and vitality, giving them more chance in engraving Aberrant Cores.
She pulled him into a tight hug before he could ask what she meant, her grip strong despite her age. "You've made me proud, Sean. Now go out there and make yourself proud too."
His train had arrived, brimming with others who chose to enroll to the military. One could also see soldiers in passing. This train's destination was Southern Evolutionary Camp, where most of the newcomers had their training. Then they would be going to the Arctic.
"Take care of yourself, Sean," she said, her voice filled with both love and concern. "And don't forget what I told you."
"I won't." Sean promised, giving her a final, lingering hug. Then, with a deep breath, he turned and boarded the train with others like him.
The train began to move, slowly at first, then picking up speed as it left the station. Sean watched out the window as the city faded into the distance. But Ms. Hudson's words kept bothering him: why had she said something different from what she said before, why should he start from head, and why did she suddenly stop as the train came? It would be a long journey before he found his answer.