The sound of birds chirping reached my ears. When I opened my eyes, the sun was already rising ... morning had come.
I touched my head, remembering the pain that had torn through me last night.
Then, a familiar blue window appeared before my eyes.
[The system has completed the transfer process.]
"You could've warned me about the pain, you know," I muttered, getting out of bed.
That's when I noticed something strange. My breathing felt… different. It wasn't just breathing anymore — I could feel it like there something more than just oxygen. I could sense the mana in the air around me, faint flows of energy moving everywhere. There were even other kinds of energy mixed within it, though I couldn't quite understand them yet.
A question rose in my mind.
"How will this Breathing Technique help me? I mean, it obviously fills up my mana, but what else does it do?" I asked the system.
[The Grey Family Knight Breathing Technique is designed to do more than just replenish mana, host.]
[Through controlled breathing, it regulates the flow of mana and strengthens the body's inner channels. By aligning breath, mind, and energy, it refines mana circulation, increases stamina, and enhances recovery speed.]
[In simpler terms, the technique helps you absorb mana more efficiently, purify it as it enters your body, and expand your mana capacity over time.]
[Regular use will also stabilize your mental state during battle, reducing fear, pain, and fatigue.]
"That actually sounds… useful. So it's not just about mana, it's about control, huh?" I said, stretching my arms. "If it can make me stronger, then I'll do it every day. I need every advantage I can get."
I opened the door and walked downstairs, where I found Mira sitting alone at the table.
"What's wrong, Mira? Where are the other children?" I asked.
Mira looked up at me, her face pale and her voice trembling.
"There was a man in armor like some soldier ..... he said he brought back the bodies of those who died in the forest. Sister Mariya and Sister Jun went to recover them."
Her voice broke.
"Brother Tyler… it's not Joren, right? He was stronger than you, so he'll be fine, right?"
I couldn't answer. I just turned away and walked outside.
Some of the other children were there, whispering, watching. I didn't want to face them.
If I did, they'd ask questions ... questions I couldn't answer.
My main problem was Joren's body.
And if they recovered Joren's body… they'd know. They'd see the wound and realize it wasn't a monster that killed him, but a human .... and I also kill him in the near of village, no less.
Damn it… I can't end up in prison now. I have a mission.
Maybe the body was eaten by beasts, or too damaged to tell. Even if they suspected a human, I could just deny it.
But the real problem was Tev, the A-rank knight.
He will catch me if I'm lying or not.
My thoughts froze as I saw Sister Mariya and Sister Jun returning ... soldiers behind them, carrying a coffin. And with them… was Tev himself.
Damn it. I'm really going to jail… in the first chapter of my story.
The other children gathered beside me, silent. Sister Mariya and Sister Jun looked at us, their faces full of grief.
Seeing their expressions, I realized they didn't know the truth.
Yes… I'm safe. I screamed it inside my head.
But then Tev, still on his horse, looked at me ... and smiled.
A knowing smile.
Before I could think about what it meant, the soldiers set the coffin down, and Tev dismounted.
"I am Tev Ryn Holt, one of the Duke's direct knights," he said.
"I offer my deepest condolences for your loss. Out of guilt for what has happened, I entered the forest myself to slay the beast responsible. Yet I found no trace of it — only the bodies of the fallen children. I have brought them back so they may rest with their families. Regarding compensation, I have already discussed the matter with Sister Mariya." say Tev in his knight tone.
He continue
" From tomorrow onward, Tyler Draven will train under my guidance for two months. After that, he will travel to the Ducal City to become a proper knight."
Sister Mariya remained silent.
For a moment, I was stunned ... then a quiet happiness crept in.
So I got chosen… but I can't show it now.
"Thank you, Lord Tev," I said respectfully.
"There's no need to thank me," he replied. "You earned this yourself. Take your time to bury your brother. After that, come to the Baron's estate for training."
We all bowed as he left.
And
The soldiers placed the coffin down in the small graveyard behind the orphanage ... the same place where the children of the church were always laid to rest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and incense.
Everyone stood in silence. The younger children like Nina and Terven clung to each other, Mira ,Robin and Goden quietly sobbing. Sister Mariya led the prayer, her voice trembling as she spoke blessings of light and peace. Sister Jun stood beside her, head bowed, clutching her rosary tightly.
I helped lower the coffin into the grave. My hands trembled as I grabbed the rope, the weight of the box pressing down like the guilt in my chest. The dull thud of earth hitting wood echoed in my ears, each sound heavier than the last.
I didn't dare look at anyone. My eyes were fixed on the dirt, on the small patch of ground that now held my secret.
When the final handful of soil covered the grave, the ceremony ended. The others lingered for a while, whispering prayers and tears into the wind. I stayed still, silent.
No matter how much I wanted to say something ... anything ... the words wouldn't come. Because deep down, I knew the truth.
I killed him.
The mood at the orphanage was heavy after that. After Joren's burial, Sister Mariya called me to her office. Sister Jun was already there.
"Yes, Sister Mariya?" I asked. I had a rough idea what she wanted to talk about ... but I wasn't worried. They didn't know what I had done.
"Tyler," she began, "I was informed that you awakened your core and survived the Wood Forest, which is full of monsters. That alone proves your strength. But this path you've chosen… it won't be easy."
She paused, her voice soft but heavy.
"I've always wanted you children to stay under the church's care ... to live safely, without risking your lives. Even Joren didn't want to become a follower of Light, but when he said he wanted to study magic and open a magic school someday, I supported him. I even got special permission from the main church and secured a scholarship for him."
Her eyes grew sad.
"If you go with Lord Tev, you'll no longer belong to the church. We won't be able to help you in the future."
She was warning me .... if I joined the knights, I'd lose all ties to them.
Then her tone softened again.
"But there's another reason, Tyler." She took a breath, her eyes trembling slightly. "You came to this orphanage when you were just two years old. I've seen you grow. I took care of you like my own blood. I don't want to see you face this cruel world so young."
Her words stirred something deep inside me. Memories that weren't mine ... but still felt real. Sister Mariya staying up all night when I was sick, smiling at me like a mother would.
I felt tears sting my eyes. But I couldn't let the emotions of the old Tyler control me. I wasn't him. I had my own mission ... to return to my world and kill those monsters. For that, I needed to enter the academy.
"I know, Sister Mariya," I said softly. "You've taken care of me like your own child. And I know how much it hurts to lose one of us. But… I don't belong here. Not in this orphanage, not in this village."
Their eyes widened slightly as I continued.
"You never said it, and neither did the others in the church, but I know what the villagers call me ... demon. They say I made my mother take her own life."
Both sisters fell silent.
"I can't stay here forever, Sister. Because of me, people will keep pointing fingers at you. Even if they respect you, they'll still hate me. I don't want the orphanage ... or the others ... to suffer because of me."
Sister Mariya tried to speak, but I kept going.
"So please, let me go. I want to join the Ducal Knights. I'm awakened now ..... I'll be fine."
I forced a smile.
Sister Mariya sighed, tears glimmering in her eyes. "I suppose I can't stop you anymore. You really have grown, Tyler. I never imagined the boy who wet the bed until he was twelve would become so mature."
Sister Jun laughed, and I scowled.
"Sister, please don't remind me of that! It's still embarrassing!"
We laughed together, lightening the mood for a moment.
Then Sister Mariya turned serious again.
"Tyler, Lord Tev may be kind, but Baron Holt is… not. Be careful. Don't make mistakes in front of him. Lord Tev said you'll move to the Baron's mansion tomorrow morning. Pack your things tonight."
"Pack? But I'm just training, right? I'll come back here afterward," I said, puzzled.
"No, Tyler. You'll be staying there for the full two months," she replied, her voice heavy with sadness.
I sighed. "Alright… I'll pack my bags and leave tomorrow morning, Sister." I bowed slightly and closed the door behind me.
Sister Mariya leaned back in her chair, her voice quiet and trembling.
"He's really grown. When I first brought him here, he used to cry for his mother and father every night. But over the years, his eyes became so empty ... like a body without a soul. He only opened up to Joren… and now even he's gone. Yet he acts like he's all grown up."
She removed her glasses, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Sister Jun, tell the cook to make Tyler's favorite dish tonight," she said softly.