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While he was busy working his mind, gathering knowledge on everything he could find from the books. On the other corner of the world, a tyrant was brewing a storm that would raze down entire kingdoms and build them anew if they did not line up with his demands.

The world was truly in chaos, it took three years for the chaos to somewhat calm down. The tyrant ruled the eastern lands but his hunger for power was still not satisfied. This calm was not the calm after a storm promising peace, but rather a prelude to another chaotic symphony of war and bloodshed.

Valerian had finished chopping off the bushes and shrubs innumerable times in his life and was wiping off his sweat when someone spoke from behind him, “Jinx, I have to say, you sure are a lasting stain on this world. If it was someone else they would have committed suicide by now. After all, Matron Gloria loves you more than all of us, does she not?”

Followed by this statement a chain of chuckles erupted, however, Valerian gave no reaction. He completed his work and picking up the garden shearers, he quietly left. The children behind him continued throwing harsh words but Valerian had stopped letting them affect him long ago. To him, their existence was not important.

After he came back to the library, he found Gloria standing in front of the door. She said in her sharp voice, “Jinx, you are turning ten today, your time in the orphanage has come to an end. Take whatever unfortunate object you like, and leave the place. Make sure that you are quick, I have to get the library purified of your residual cursed energy.”

She did not care about the indifference flashing in those silver pupils and with the clacking of her shoes, she walked past Valerian. He was aware that the children who did not get adopted by the age of ten, were supposed to leave the orphanage to make room for the new ones.

.....

Diligentia was the only one upset about his departure, even though he did not care much about leaving this place. To him, home meant Diligentia, the warmth she bestowed him with. He went inside the library, took a few of his neatly folded clothes and the letter from his mother, and left the place.

In place of the emotional child, he was three years ago unable to express sadness, Valerian seemed to have become someone, unable to feel anything at all. His heart was covered with steel, leaving only one clear spot for Diligentia.

He made his way to the office where Diligentia would be at this hour. He was about to knock when a voice sounded, “Come in, Val.” Valerian pushed open the door, he walked in holding the stack of his clothes in one hand.

Diligentia had visibly turned older at this moment. She was twenty-eight, yet the stress and constant worry had made her look like someone in her late thirties.

The boy did not start the conversation but stood there looking at the lady in front of him. Diligentia was in the same manner regarding him as well. They both were trying to extend the time to part a little further. However, parting was inevitable.

Valerian took a deep breath and raised his hand slowly. He asked with his signs, “Can I have a bag to keep my clothes?”

Diligentia stood up from her chair and from a cupboard on the side she took out a cloth bag. She helped Valerian keep his clothes inside it but did not yet say a word. The child has seen her do this often when she was upset. He wished to speak to her more than anything in his life. He wanted her to know his voice.

Both of them after completing the task took a deep breath. Diligentia began, “When you go out there, be careful. Do not trust everyone, however, do not be suspicious of everyone either. Here keep this, to get yourself food. Go straight to the city library, meet the librarian there as I have told you earlier. Okay? I will try to come and meet you when I have time.”, as she gave him a small roll of teals.

Valerian bowed his head and nodded to her, he wanted to cry, his heart was flooded with pain, but it was of no use. Diligentia touched his head gently and said, “Worry not, we are not parting forever.”

The boy nodded, he cast a careful gaze at the closed door, and then at the windows before he plunged into Diligentia’s soft embrace. The tears she had been holding back leaked from her closed eyes. The two stood holding each other in silent comfort.

They broke away from the embrace and Valerian put his bag on his shoulder. He looked at the Teals in his hand and asked, “They will inspect me on the gates. I am a sinner, so I will be checked for any valued goods. Can you keep them with you?”

He gently took Diligentia’s hand and gave her the money back. The currency of this world was called Teals. Then he hopped and pecked Diligentia on her cheek and ran out of the room.

Diligentia was surprised and her hand subconsciously traced her cheek where Valerian had kissed her. She wanted to chase after him but was aware that if she did, her heart will ache even more. She did not want to watch her child go out without her protection.

Valerian did not directly leave the orphanage he came to the backyard and then moved his lips. The group of squirrels living inside the tree there came out. Valerian kept making sounds and the squirrels replied with equal enthusiasm. The boy took off the thread around his neck and bent down, holding it in his hand.

A squirrel rushed up to Valerian and took the thread and the pendant from his hands. He stroked the squirrel’s head with the tip of his finger and left the place. His body was still comparatively a little smaller than the children his age. The bag slung over his shoulder seemed too big for him.

As Valerian carried the bag to the entrance of the orphanage his words came true. A group of children stood there gazing at him with disdainful eyes and a leering expression on their faces.

The boy in the lead called out, “Jinx, Madam Gloria said that before you leave the place, you must be checked. So, make it easy on yourself, take out the things from the bag, and take off your clothes too. Who knows what you might be hiding under those garbs.”

These children were all younger than Valerian by a few months at the least. However, they were backed by Gloria. Hence they ran rampant as long as they were not too loud. Steeling himself Valerian took a deep breath and took off the bag from his shoulder and unpacked his clothes, although, before he could place them on the ground a girl ran over from the side and kicked the pile of clothes. Making them spread over the ground.

She defended her actions by saying in a sweet voice, “Sorry, Jinxy, who knows what you might have hidden in the folds.”

Valerian did not look at her and began to take off his clothes. He took off his shirt and was about to take off his pants when a voice from outside the orphanage asked, “What is going on here?”

The speaker was a young lady, she wore clothes worth more than what Valerian was carrying with him. The boy in charge replied, “Lady Grace, how come you are here today?”

The lady did not reply to the boy but the butler behind her reiterated, “My lady has asked you all a question.”

The butler, an old-looking man had a presence that made the children shiver. His gaze made the boy in the lead for inspection really scared, “Sir, we are only checking if he has tried to steal anything of value.”

The lady replied to this, “You all must learn some decency. He does not have anything on him. Did you ask him to take off his clothes? Shame on you. Let him go. Mister Gene, help him with his clothes and the bag.”

The man bowed slightly and helped Valerian pat off the dust from his clothes and then proceeded to help him fold them back into his cloth bag.

Valerian accepted the shirt offered by the man and bowed to him in gratitude. He told something to him with his sign language. The old man was surprised at first, but then he nodded and went back to stand behind the lady.

Valerian stopped in front of the young lady and after bowing to her, picked up his bag and walked out of the gate at last. Lady Grace nodded and watched Valerian leave in silence.

She asked, “What did he tell you?”

The man replied, “He told me that he is incapable of speech but he is grateful for our help.”

Lady Grace smiled and mumbled to herself, “Valerian, did you really forget the debt I owe you?”

Valerian walked on the road along the wall of the orphanage for a few minutes and after making sure no one was nearby, he let out a chain of whistles, upon which, the squirrels came over. They were carrying the thread in their hands. Valerian bent down and took his pendant back.