The golden afternoon light bathed the quiet village, spreading a warm glow as the day ended.
On a vast expanse of green grass, Noah sat cross-legged, his chin resting on his hand. His gaze followed the children running around playing tag. Some of them had even started experimenting with basic magic, shouting playful protests when someone was accused of cheating.
Two months had passed. But the book no longer showed the miracles it once did. Its pages remained silent, not writing on their own as they had that one time.
Did it require a specific trigger, like the change in my eyes back then?
I've tried every way to trigger that power again. My eyes feel like they're about to pop out from forcing them to concentrate every day.
"Noah, why are you always daydreaming? You're like an old man," asked Sena as she approached, her head tilted in curiosity.
"I don't know why I'm like this either," Noah replied.
Suddenly, crying erupted. A child had fallen and cut their leg on a sharp rock. Noah immediately prepared to stand, but Sena was faster. She swiftly knelt beside the child.
"Calm down, this will heal soon," Sena whispered in a soothing voice. Her hands emitted a golden light that enveloped the wound.
Within seconds, the once-gaping wound began to close, leaving only a red mark.
Noah watched in amazement. In just two months, Sena had become this skilled. She could even substitute for the healer role missing at school.
From a distance, a voice broke his concentration.
"Hey, Allen!"
Noah turned. Near a large tree, Haru enthusiastically challenged Allen, who was busy training. Small, star-shaped energy particles flickered around Allen like fireflies.
"I want to duel you!" Haru exclaimed, pointing directly at Allen.
Allen didn't even turn. "No," he replied, his focus unshaken.
"Why...? Are you scared?" Haru teased.
"Sister forbids us from using magic to fight," Allen answered briefly, still ignoring him.
"Ah, come on! Just this once!" Haru pleaded.
"No."
Noah chuckled at the scene, then took a deep breath.
They're all getting stronger so fast.
He stood up and stretched, the gentle evening breeze rustling his silver hair, illuminated by the orange light.
"I'm heading home first!" Noah called out to the orphanage children and Sena.
"See you, Brother Noah!" they replied in unison.
Noah walked toward the orphanage with a faint smile. His steps were firm along the main road he knew so well.
However, his smile faded when he saw a sleek black car with the Arcadium Organization logo parked right in front of the orphanage entrance.
Why is there an Arcadium car here?
His hand was already reaching for the doorknob when he suddenly heard a voice from inside that made him freeze.
"We from the central Arcadium Organization are here to recruit three talented children from this orphanage."
Noah's hand stopped mid-air. His heart pounded, his breath caught. Instinctively, he stepped back, hiding behind the wall.
He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm himself.
I knew it... someday this would happen.
"Lately, many Rifts have appeared in Asia, and of course, our country has lost many Rifters. The Organization desperately needs new talent. It's not just the Organization—the world needs them. Those with talent must be trained in a special place."
"Those three children are Allen, Haru, and Sena. According to school reports, they are highly gifted in magic, and we need them."
Noah peeked slightly through the window. Inside, Sister looked confused as she listened to the two men in black suits. She took a deep breath.
"Alright... I will try to talk to them. But... can you guarantee their well-being?"
"Of course. They will have a much better life than here."
The two men in black stood. "Well, Sister. We'll take our leave now. Inform us when they are willing..."
They walked out with firm steps, leaving Sister standing frozen with a face full of worry.
The door opened. The two men exited, headed to their car, got in, and drove away.
After they left, Noah slowly walked toward the door, his steps feeling heavy. He pushed the door open gently, trying to suppress the uneasy feeling deep in his heart.
"Sister. I'm home," Noah said, forcing a smile.
Sister Maria turned, her face still filled with anxiety. "Noah...? Did you... hear everything?"
"Yes," Noah replied softly but flatly. He walked closer and sat beside Sister. "But I'm truly okay. They deserve this opportunity, right?"
"Thank goodness you understand, Noah," Sister Maria whispered, her voice full of relief mixed with guilt.
"Yeah," Noah said, attempting a small smile. "I might be lonely for a while since there are no kids my age left. But at least I still have the other children here... and of course, you, Sister."
Sister Maria's eyes welled up. Without a word, she hugged Noah tightly, gently rubbing his back. Noah let himself sink into the warm embrace, feeling a slight comfort that managed to pierce the emptiness in his heart.
***
The night air felt quieter than usual. In the dining room, Noah sat alone, trying to eat his meal while surrounded by the chatter and laughter of the other children. Yet, he couldn't hide the hollow feeling gnawing at him from within. Their smiles and laughter seemed to come from behind a glass wall, unable to reach him.
Suddenly, a hand draped over his shoulder. "Hey, Noah! Can you help me with my homework later?" Haru said innocently, while hugging Noah's shoulder.
"What's wrong with you?" Haru asked, sensing something.
Noah let out a faint sigh. "Maybe I'm just not feeling well," he replied, turning his face away and pretending to examine the pattern on the table.
At that moment, Sister Maria emerged from the kitchen carrying a large steaming pot. "Dinner is ready, children!" she announced with a slightly forced cheerfulness.
The younger children cheered and swarmed the table, lining up neatly to get their warm soup. Their joy created a painful contrast to the loneliness Noah felt.
Amid the cheerfulness, Sister Maria walked over to the table where Allen, Haru, and Sena were sitting.
Her voice was soft but clear amidst the children's chatter.
"Allen, Haru, Sena," Sister called. "After dinner, please accompany me in the living room for a while. There's something I need to discuss with the three of you."
Allen, who was busy scooping his soup, nodded slowly. "Alright, Sister. We'll be there after we finish," he said briefly. From the corner of his eye, Noah saw Haru and Sena exchanging glances, their faces filled with question marks.
***
After a few minutes.
The wooden orphanage door creaked softly, opening into the silent night. After making sure no one was watching, Noah slipped out.
The soft night breeze immediately greeted him, caressing his hair that shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
He walked slowly, his steps almost silent on the dew-covered grass. His destination was only one: the shady tree atop the small hill. The place that always gave him peace.
Upon arriving, he sat leaning against a large protruding root, like a giant's hand gripping the earth. He tilted his head back. The night sky stretched wide, a black canvas adorned with twinkling diamond-like stars. The glittering stars seemed to gaze back at him, silently and full of secrets.
Noah slowly raised his hand. His slender fingers reached toward the sky, as if trying to touch one of the brightest lights there.
I must not be sad... This is for their good, he whispered in his heart, trying to convince himself. I knew this would happen. This should be my motivation to catch up to them.
Someday, I will prove it… This boy without magic will become a hero. Even if fate rejects me. I will fight against fate.
"I knew you'd be here." The voice broke the silence, coming from behind.
He turned.
A boy with hair as black as night stepped out of the darkness. The starlight illuminated his face, revealing sharp and familiar eyes. The night breeze tousled his long hair.
Allen?
He approached without hurry, then sat beside Noah, keeping a comfortable distance. Allen didn't look at him; his eyes were fixed on the starry sky above, as if studying a celestial map.
Allen chuckled. "I never thought the boy who was once the most cheerful would become this gloomy. Where did the old Noah go?"
Noah lowered his head upon hearing that. It's true, I have changed…
Before Noah could answer, Allen continued. "I heard everything from Sister," he said, his voice flat, almost like a whisper of the wind.
Noah took a deep breath. A small smile spread across his lips, trying to accept everything that had to happen. "Thank goodness you already know," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "You have to go, Allen. Don't waste this opportunity."
"Yeah, I will go," Allen replied without a hint of hesitation.
Allen lay back on the grass, crossing his arms behind his head as a pillow. His eyes gazed at the star-filled sky. One of his hands rose, as if trying to grasp one of the lights above.
"And I know you're the stubborn type," he said, his voice relaxed yet full of conviction. "You're not the kind to just stay silent when left behind, are you?"
Noah lay down beside Allen, looking at the same sky. "Of course," he said in a slow but steely voice. "I will never just stay silent."
"I know this path will be tough," Allen murmured, his voice almost swallowed by the rustling wind. "But... I must be brave enough to take this step. If one day I truly become the strongest mage, believe me, our home together will feel the positive impact."
"Yes..." Noah replied, his eyes shining as if capturing the starlight above. "And I will definitely catch up to you. No..." He paused for a moment before continuing with a resounding determination, "...I will surpass you!"
Allen let out a soft laugh, the warm vibration of his laughter breaking the night's silence. "Really? Well then, I'll be waiting for that day."
The night enveloped them in silence once more, accompanied only by the whispering wind caressing the leaves above.
In that silence, a faint smile spread across Allen's lips. His eyes, fixed on the sky, seemed to see shadows of the past—a memory that made him realize just how much the two of them had been through together.