As I turned around, I saw a slender boy running toward us. He was holding a naked sword, trying to look like a proper fighter.
Behind him were two others, following closely.
I remembered now. They were the ones who had been crouched in fear behind Filoรฉ earlier. They seemed about the same age as her.
I noticed that all of them looked a little thin. Were they eating properly?
They were quite different from the orphanage children I remembered, just like Filoรฉ, who once lost the will to live.
Had something happened to their teacherโฆ?
โNarg,โ Filoรฉ muttered as she looked at the boy with the sword.
She was afraid. The lively sparkle that had been in her eyes just moments ago was now clouded over.
โHey, Filoรฉ. Whatโs the big idea? Letting some random old guy snatch away a monster like that. Did you forget what I told you?โ the boy shouted.
โI havenโt forgotten. Butโฆโ
โDonโt talk back to me! I ordered you to lure the monster, didnโt I? I even went out of my way to speak to you, and youโre still useless! Wellโฆ I didnโt expect a huge one like that to show up, but still.โ
Whoa, hold on there, kid. Thatโs quite the attitude.
Wasnโt it you who was trembling in fear at the back earlier?
โYou should be grateful, you talentless idiot. The fact that someone as worthless as you gets to be around someone with skills like mine is already amazing. Got that?โ
โโฆโ
โDoesnโt look like you do. Looks like Iโll have to teach you a lesson again.โ
Filoรฉโs shoulder trembled.
As I watched the girlโs eyelashes quiver as she stared at the ground, I concluded, โThis is beyond just a childish quarrel.โ
โHey, kid. Narg, was it? Thatโs going too far. Sheโs from the same orphanage as you, isnโt she?โ
โShut up, you bastard! Get lost, trash! Dirty old man!โ
Wow, seriously? What kind of education are they giving at that orphanage?
The extreme reaction left me stunned, my anger momentarily forgotten.
But this kid was serious. His bloodshot eyes and tense shoulders, along with the nervous behavior of the two behind him, made it clear.
โGet away from Filoรฉ right now, you piece of trash. If you donโt, Iโll kill you with my skill, Full-Power Attack. Iโll show you how much stronger I am.โ
Hmm. Full-Power Attack, huh?
Thatโs a basic skill for people with warrior aptitude, something they learn early on.
Basic skills are learned through simple level-ups. So, this Narg kidโs level is probably around five or six.
Even so, if I took a hit from his sword, I wouldnโt get off unscathed.
I was completely baffled by his constant stream of insults. It seems he really didnโt like seeing me with Filoรฉ.
Could it be that heโs head over heels for her?
No, no.
Even if that were the case, using the girl you like as bait for a dangerous monster is a huge red flag.
In my experience, people like him are the first to lose trust and find themselves in dire straits in a party.
โTake this! Skill Full-Power Attack!โ
Without hesitation, the boy slashed at me.
I had no choice. I dodged for now, ready to teach him a lesson with a good punchโฆ
โGifted Skill: Flash Thrust!โ
A swift strike and a beautiful blade of light passed just inches from Nargโs body.
The boy himself was unharmed, but his clothes were not so lucky. His raised sword froze mid-swing as his upper and lower garments disintegrated into mere scraps of fabric, falling to the ground.
Next to me, Filoรฉ stood still, holding out a wooden stick.
Was it my imagination, or did her long hair look like it was standing on end?
โUnforgivable.โ
Her voice, now filled with intensity, contrasted sharply with how she had sounded before. Her eyebrows drew a sharp angle, and her fierce gaze pierced through Narg.
โIโve been listening to you insult Isto-sanโฆ and ridicule him.โ
โW-whatโฆ?โ
Narg seemed to finally realize what had just happened to him.
His clothes were in tatters. He must have realized that, had things gone differently, it could have been his skin or flesh scattered across the ground. His legs buckled, and he collapsed where he stood.
With the tip of her stick pointed at his forehead, Filoรฉ declared boldly.
โNarg, I will never forgive you! I wonโt obey you anymore! I wonโt be scared of you!โ
โUwaaahhhโฆ Noooโฆโ
The shock of being rejected by the girl he liked.
The fear of nearly facing death.
The confusion from the sudden reversal of roles.
The humiliation of having his prized skill completely overpowered.
All of these emotions overwhelmed Narg, and he began to cry openly, snot running from his nose. To make matters worse, he even wet himself.
Truly pitiful.
But Filoรฉ showed no sign of pity, her expression remained harsh.
How much had Narg tormented her? Perhaps this was simply karma at work.
โIsto-san,โ Filoรฉ said, still glaring at Narg cautiously.
โThanks to the example you showed me with Flash Thrust, I now understand that I can use a gifted skill as well. I will use this power for you, Isto-san.โ
She declared this with the resoluteness of a knight. Perhaps she had a natural affinity for such a path.
I steeled myself. If Filoรฉ held me in such high regard, I would have to take responsibility.
As her new guardian, I would take her under my wing.
I also needed to talk to the head of the orphanage.
And then there were living expenses, a base of operationsโฆ Ugh, just thinking about it made my head feel like it was going to steam, but Iโd do my best.
โOh. The head of the orphanage,โ Filoรฉ muttered. Likely alerted by the commotion, the person had rushed outside. The timing was perfect.
As I turned to look at the man emerging from the orphanage, my smile faded. Something felt off.
Was the head of the orphanage always that fat? I remembered him being much leaner.
โHey, Filoรฉ. Are you sure thatโs the head of the Elpida Orphanage?โ
โYes, thatโs Mr. Gabi,โ she replied.
A different person.
The head I knew must have already left.
The new headโGabiโarrived, out of breath, and smiled warmly as he addressed me.
โWell, well. What brings you to our Elpida Orphanage today?โ
His tone was gentle.
But something feltโฆ wrong.
I wanted to think it was just my imagination, butโฆ