Loneliness is not a feeling or an expression, but selfloathing. -Father east
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Aurel, after taking everything, strode towards a seat in the corner near the window, far away from the other kids, and placed his plate on the table.
He pulled out a chair and started his meal. This was his first meal since coming to this world. As for lunch, he had completely forgotten about it due to the excitement brought by the system.
Two small bread loaves, a bowl of meat stew, some salad, and some sweets like fruit candy and a pack of sugar-powdered jelly.
The food was really great and plentiful. This made Father East seem even more extraordinary than he had thought. He alone could afford the entire orphanage and manage it, including the staff salaries, stationery, and the basic needs of all the children.
He scooped a spoonful of meat stew and put it into his mouth. The meat was diced into small pieces, making it easier to eat and blend with the flavour of the stew. He tore off a piece of bread and dipped half of it into the stew, letting it soak up the broth.
He then tossed it into his mouth, enjoying the delicious food slowly and with pleasure. As for Father East's background? Well, does it even matter? I just have to live a good life and not disappoint him.
After completely finishing his meal, he placed the utensils in the rack and strode towards his room.
He walked slowly, enjoying all the artwork on the walls, his hands in his pockets. No matter what, looking at the drawings made by little kids always helped calm his mood and gave him a sense of serenity.
"Achoo."
"Huh? Did I catch a cold? It really is cold in the corridor." He then increased his pace towards his dorm. "Why is this place so big? When will I reach my dorm?"
As he pondered, his steps halted when he noticed a familiar drawing on the wall that looked completely out of place among the other artwork and drawings.
He curiously walked towards it and scrutinised the drawing. Then he saw a name written at the bottom right, which made him even more curious.
"Aurel Avenlor! So this is his drawing. What might it be? An eye?". He looked at the large eye drawn on the paper. Its pupil was green and its iris was golden.
Outside the eye, everything was green. Well, except for the large eye in the middle, the entire paper was coloured green, aside from some weird and unrecognisable things that looked like feathers drawn in a dark green shade.
The drawing looked normal and abnormal at the same time. Drawing an eye as a kid was something he had done a lot, but drawing something this weirdly. either Aurel had terrible taste in art, or there was something wrong with his brain.
It didn't look good at all, yet for some reason it gave off a sense of reverence."Maybe I should ask Father East? Or should I just let it go? This is really unsettling."
As he was thinking, he heard footsteps slowly approaching him. He didn't dwell much on the drawing and turned his head towards the sound, only to see a familiar figure.
"Father East, going on a walk?" Seeing who it was, he spoke politely. Hearing footsteps in a silent and cold corridor at night, if he didn't know this world had superpowers and that he himself was an Awakener, he might have thought the corridor was haunted.
Father East smiled when he heard his voice and joked, "You boy, what are you doing here at this time? Most people have already gone to bed. Don't tell me your time of youth has come and you can't sleep."
Aurel grinned awkwardly. "Of course not. I just wanted to stroll around for a while. It might be next year, or maybe even longer, before I come back again."
"Haha." He laughed and patted Aurel on the back. "You are family here. You can come anytime when you have free time. You're just going to the academy, not another world or something. No need to be so sentimental."
"If you can't make anything big of yourself in the future, you're free to help me manage the orphanage. I'm already old and need a nice retirement. I'll be happy to pass on my position." Whether it was a joke or not, only he knew. But his eyes didn't seem to be joking.
Aurel laughed dryly and replied awkwardly, "No need, Father East. That would be too much work for me. I just want a relaxing job and a peaceful life. Managing an orphanage would be too much for me."
Father East didn't reply and simply tapped his head. "Don't worry about the future now. Who knows what will happen to anyone in the future?"
"But I have the highest expectations for you, boy. You don't have to be outstanding to meet them, because my expectations aren't anything grand. Just don't lose yourself."
"I don't expect you to make a lot of friends or become extraordinary. Just don't let yourself feel alone or lonely."
Aurel didn't reply. He looked at the ground to hide his face. He felt warm all over. This was the first time someone had cared about him this much. He tried hard to control his expression.
"Yes."It was the only thing he could say, yet it carried more emotion than any longer answer.
Father East didn't think much of it, believing Aurel was worried about going somewhere new tomorrow and that he would miss this place.
"Let's go. It's cold here. You should get some sleep too, otherwise you'll catch a cold."
Aurel replied, "Hmm, good night, Father East," and walked towards his dormitory after saying good night.
"Good night, boy. Wake up early tomorrow. I have to tell you a few things about the academy. After that, I'll take you to the station." Aurel nodded and strode forward.
Father East stood with his hands behind his back, watching the boy's departing figure. The soft expression on his face slowly faded and turned serious as he looked at the painting.He sighed, shook his head, and continued his night walk.