Alice Draken, the academy's mana studies professor, arrived at the orphanage with a bag that clinked with the promise of sugar.
"Have you all been good children?"
"Yeah! Alice-sister is here!"
Though she had long since passed the age where she felt comfortable being called 'sister'—given her frustratingly unchanging, youthful appearance—the children didn't care.
To them, she was simply the bright, magical fixture that showed up when things felt gray.
"Yes, yes, your favorite Alice-sister is here," she chirped, dropping the bag. "I brought candy and snacks that are ver—"
She cut herself off, watching the stampede of tiny feet. "Haha, you're not usually this energetic! I love how honest you all are with your desires."
The children giggled, well-accustomed to her teasing. They knew it was just her way of showing affection.
