Chapter 7: Little Abel
The sunlight piercing through the curtains made my eyes slowly open. The warmth of the morning sun touched my cheek, and the soft, soap-scented air of the orphanage filled the room.
'Morning already…?' I muttered inwardly as I rubbed my eyes.
I tried to stretch my body, but my movement stopped halfway. Something was holding my arm. Warm… soft… and oddly heavy.
"...Huh? What's this?"
My brows furrowed. Slowly, I turned to the side—and my heart stopped for a moment.
"...Abel!?"
The kid was sleeping beside me, lying on his side and facing me, his face extremely close. His blond hair was messy, with strands covering his tightly shut eyes.
"Since when did he get here?" I whispered almost soundlessly.
I glanced around. The door was slightly open. So he sneaked in?
My shock slowly turned into confusion and resignation. I let out a long breath.
"It's not like him to do this… did something happen?"
I shook my head and got out of bed, glancing at Abel who was still sleeping on my mattress.
'Should I wake him?'
'…Better not,' I thought, gently covering him with the blanket.
Then I went to the bathroom to wash my face. While drying it with a towel, I returned to the room. Abel was still curled up in my blanket.
"Hah… I should just train and let him sleep."
I walked out quietly so I wouldn't wake him. As I stepped into the backyard, the chirping of morning birds and the soft breeze greeted me.
The air was still cool, dew still clinging to the grass. The yard wasn't big, but enough for running laps or light training. To the east, a wooden fence stood, and on the other side grew a large, old tree with thick leaves.
I stood in the center of the yard and took a deep breath.
"Haaah…" The morning air filled my lungs, refreshing my body.
For the past three years, this has been my routine—before the other kids wake up, I always train.
Push-ups, sit-ups, running, or just meditation. Sometimes Milly caught me, but she'd just smile and say, 'A kid like you is too diligent.'
I smiled faintly at the memory.
"If I don't train, this body won't be strong enough for what's coming."
Without thinking, I started with simple warm-ups.
Shoulder rotations, leg swings, then push-ups.
Every time my body tensed, I could feel my muscles adjusting—a small pain that strangely felt comforting.
"Twenty… twenty-one… twenty-two…"
I counted silently.
When I finished, I moved on to sit-ups, then running around the yard. Sweat began to drip, but my pace was steady.
Every time my foot hit the ground, I felt something pulsing faintly inside my body—like a tiny current beneath my skin.
'Is this… mana?' I wondered as I slowed down.
But the moment I tried to focus on it, the pulse disappeared.
"Hm… looks like my body is getting used to this training."
I stopped under the old tree and sat cross-legged, closing my eyes. The morning breeze brushed my face, carrying the smell of soil and wildflowers from beyond the fence.
"Alright, a bit of meditation before I shower."
I steadied my breathing, focusing my mind. In the silence, I could hear the sounds inside the orphanage—kids waking up, footsteps, soft laughter…
But among those sounds, I heard a familiar light footstep approaching from behind.
"Ren?" A soft voice called.
I slowly opened my eyes and turned.
Abel stood at the doorway, still in his pajamas, his blond hair messy, and his eyes slightly swollen from sleep.
"Uh… good morning… again…" he said awkwardly, lowering his head in embarrassment.
I smiled a little. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"
He nodded lightly. "Yeah… I-I didn't mean to sleep in your room."
"It's fine," I replied as I stood up. "Now I'm going to take a shower. I have things to do today."
"..." Abel kept his head down.
I smirked and leaned a bit closer. "Heh… are you embarrassed?"
"N-no!"
"Ahaha, really?" I teased, then stopped. "Well then, see you."
Abel turned his head away quickly, trying to hide his flushed cheeks. But a tiny tear still slipped out from the corner of his eye.
"Hmph… s-see you…" he muttered.
I left Abel standing in the yard. As I walked away, he muttered while staring at my back, "Idiot…"
.
.
.
Walking down the hallway of the orphanage, I arrived at the kitchen. Sister Maya and Milly were cooking something. When the door opened, they both turned their attention to me.
"Ah~! My little one!" Milly walked over and gently patted my head. I let her.
"Big Sis, I'm going out today. Is that okay?"
"Going out?" Milly raised an eyebrow. "That's unusual."
I scratched my cheek. "Well… I just feel like it."
Milly crouched down, still stroking my head as she spoke, "Of course you can, little one! I'm even happy you're going out."
Hearing that made me feel a bit happy. Milly noticed and chuckled. I turned to Sister Maya and bowed slightly.
"Morning, Sister."
"Good morning, Ren," Maya replied softly.
"Are you leaving now? Not eating first?"
"Umm… maybe I should eat first?" I said uncertainly.
Milly and Maya both smiled. "Good. Now come eat," Milly said as she stood up and walked toward the table.
I nodded and followed her. We sat at the long dining table filled with the warm aroma of bread and vegetable soup. Some kids ran around to take seats, while I sat at the end of the table with Milly and Sister Maya.
Milly served soup into my bowl with a smile. "Now, eat a lot, little adventurer."
I chuckled. "I'm not an adventurer, Sis."
"Not yet," Milly answered quickly, her eyes glinting playfully.
Sister Maya just smiled gently from across the table as she watched us. After everyone started eating, Milly leaned slightly toward me.
"Oh right, Ren. If you go out later, could you buy some groceries? We're almost out of flour and salt."
I nodded while chewing bread. "Okay, I'll buy them. But…"
I rubbed my thumb and index finger together—a sign.
"Payment."
"Oh… of course." Milly stared at me oddly. "But what for?"
"To buy chocolate." I replied. Milly nodded without asking further.
"Oh, and—" Milly pointed her spoon at me, "take Mia or Kyle with you, okay? They said they're bored staying in the orphanage lately."
I let out a small sigh. "Alright… if they want to go."
Milly grinned mischievously. "I'm sure they will if you ask, especially Mia."
I rolled my eyes lazily, making Milly laugh. "Honestly, Ren. A little smile from you and the kids here would follow you anywhere."
"Thank you for the compliment," I said flatly.
Sister Maya held back a small laugh, while Milly tapped my shoulder gently.
"You little brat."
We all shared a small laugh.
After finishing breakfast, I stood up and cleaned my bowl. "Alright then, I'll go once the dishes are done."
Milly waved. "Be careful out there, and don't forget what I asked!"
I gave a small smile as I stepped out of the kitchen. Morning sunlight greeted me again, and in the distance, the voices of children playing filled the yard.