Noah and the others walked with faltering steps, each bearing wounds and exhaustion. However, Noah seemed to be in the worst condition; he had just realized that the healing magic hadn't completely erased his injuries. It felt different—the pain still lingered, as if his wounds were merely covered by a thin layer of remedy, unlike Sena, who had recovered fully without a trace.
The midday sun stung their skin, highlighting their bodies, which still trembled with fear and trauma. Yet, its warmth offered a slight comfort, driving away the cold that gnawed at their souls.
Suddenly, Sister Maria appeared from the back door of the orphanage. Her face, initially filled with anxiety, instantly transformed into immeasurable relief upon seeing them return. Without a second thought, Sena immediately ran and hugged the woman tightly, as if seeking protection and reassurance that she had finally found a safe place.
"Sister… I was so scared…" she sobbed, her voice choked by tears that shook her small frame.
Sister Maria held Sena close, one arm embracing the young girl while her other hand pulled Noah, Haru, and Allen into a warm group hug. "Thank goodness," she whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling, yet filled with unspoken relief. "Why did both of you go into the forest?!"
"I don't know, Sister," Sena answered quickly, her breath still ragged. "I was just chasing a butterfly, and then suddenly I was deep in the forest without realizing it. Then there was a giant wolf! Noah saved me. And... and there was a Devil too!!"
Sister Maria shook her head, dismissing Sena's words as mere imagination or a joke. Then her gaze shifted to Noah, her eyes widening at the sight of his condition. "Oh my goodness, Noah! How did you get this badly hurt?!"
"Ah, this..." Noah shrugged, attempting an awkward smile. "I just accidentally fell a few times."
"Hurry inside, everyone! I need to treat your wounds," urged Sister Maria, her voice firm yet full of compassion.
Noah nodded obediently, unable to resist. As he stepped forward, a warm hand touched his shoulder—Allen, who gave him a meaningful nod, a silent gesture that they had faced danger together.
"That was truly a terrifying experience," Haru mumbled as he walked, his voice still shaking. "I never expected to actually encounter a Devil."
After arriving in his room, his wounds were cleaned and some of the deeper cuts had to be stapled. Now he sat on his wooden study chair in the quiet room. His hands gripped the sides of the table tightly, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, while his eyes stared blankly ahead.
The image of the Devil's smile haunted him again, piercing his chaotic thoughts. A question nagged at him: Did it chase me? Why?
His grip on the table tightened even more, causing the wood to creak slowly, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Compared to the terrifying power he had just faced, he felt utterly powerless. He was nothing but a flaw in a world of magic, a genetic mistake that could be erased at any time by the cruel law of natural selection—a law that had nearly silenced him forever.
Does my life have no meaning?
Suddenly, cheers and joyful laughter broke the silence of his room. The sound caught his attention, making him rise from his chair and approach the window.
He saw Allen lifting a pile of firewood with his magic. His face was tense with concentration, yet the particles of magical light managed to lift the load slowly but surely.
"Wow, Brother Allen is amazing!" exclaimed a young child.
"Is that star magic?" asked another with sparkling eyes.
Allen smiled, then carefully placed the wood in the collection spot. An elderly man approached him, patting his shoulder proudly.
"Thank you, Allen. You've been a great help today..."
Noah watched all of this from behind the window. His still-trembling hands slowly clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white again. Something bitter and sharp lodged itself in his heart as he watched the scene—a feeling difficult to put into words.
Then, his expression grew even gloomier. He threw himself onto his hard bed, letting his body collapse without spirit. Both hands grabbed his own hair, ruffling it roughly and frantically.
"Maybe one day Allen will leave me here all alone..."