Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 3 (Part 1)

Two days had passed. A very short man brought in a new child.

“Wow.”

Rodin couldn’t help but gape at the newly arrived child. The kid was enormous.

The boy named ‘Drok’, whom Rodin had met on the first day, was also tall. Among the children who had appeared over the past two days, Drok was the tallest.

However, the newly arrived child was at least half a hand taller than Drok. Unlike the lanky Drok, this child was also broad. He definitely hadn’t grown up malnourished.

“Is he over ten years old?”

The large child surveyed the room and moved towards the least crowded spot.

“This way.”

Rodin had not made any close friends, so his surroundings were always empty.

Thud!

The large child sat down and glanced at Rodin but didn’t say anything, closing his eyes instead.

Rodin also examined the new child’s body once but didn’t speak first.

After about an hour, the door opened cautiously. It was the assistant who guided the children during meal times.

Clap, clap!

“It’s dinner time.”

The assistant clapped lightly and called the children.

His voice wasn’t loud, and the tone was gentle, so it was easy to miss if not paying attention.

However, the children were already aware that it was dinner time and had been waiting. Almost simultaneously, they stood up as soon as the assistant appeared.

Rodin also stood up and followed the assistant but then paused and turned around.

“Hmm?”

The large child who had just entered was still sitting. His head was turned away, so it was unclear if he was asleep or not.

“Hmm.”

Rodin resumed his steps but then stopped again and turned around.

“Sigh.”

He approached the large child and placed a hand on his shoulder. When he shook him lightly, the child slowly turned his head.

“Huh?”

“It’s dinner time.”

“Oh! Thanks.”

It seemed he had been sleeping.

The large child and Rodin left the room side by side. Ahead, the children were walking in line towards the dining hall.

“How’s the food?”

Rodin stared at the child who asked the question. Despite his large frame, his voice was quite boyish.

“It’s good. The taste is just okay, but it’s good.”

“What do you mean? The taste is just okay but it’s good?”

Rodin had no complaints about the meals so far.

The seasoning and cooking methods weren’t important. He was content just to have a full stomach.

“I mean I’m satisfied with just being able to eat to my fill.”

“Ah, I see. I’ve heard that commoners often don’t get even one proper meal a day, right?”

“Huh?”

The word ‘commoner’ caught Rodin’s ear. It implied that the speaker was not a commoner.

“Are you a noble?”

“Not anymore. My father committed a crime.”

“From the Kingdom of Riaz?”

“No, from the Kingdom of Beros.”

The Kingdom of Beros was a country to the east of the Kingdom of Riaz. It was also part of the same alliance of 13 nations and fought against the Ingram Empire.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. My dad said, as long as you’re alive, there’s always a way.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, by the way, my name is Hedler. Hedler Ikais.”

Rodin sighed at the sudden introduction.

He heard introductions several times a day. Even kids who had already introduced themselves would do it again when new kids arrived.

Hearing it repeatedly, he was sick of introductions.

“Rodin.”

“Nice to meet you. Let’s get along.”

Hedler smiled brightly.

Hedler’s first impression was that he was withdrawn, but in conversation, he was the opposite. Despite his family being ruined, he still had a childlike brightness.

Soon they arrived at the dining hall. They picked up trays at the entrance and walked towards the serving line.

They received food in order: soup, salad, steak, and bread.

Unlike when they came by carriage, steak and salad were added. The steak was a piece of meat the size of an adult’s palm with sauce, but the taste was just okay.

“Is that enough for you?”

“Hmm? What?”

“Just that. Won’t you be hungry?”

Rodin alternated looking at his tray and Hedler. Given Hedler’s size, it seemed a bit insufficient.

“Ask for more when you’re being served. They won’t give more steak, but they’ll give more bread and soup if you ask.”

“Really? If I go now…”

“No. You have to take as much as you want in one go. You can’t leave any food. They’ll check at the entrance.”

“Really? Darn.”

Rodin alternated between eating steak, bread, and salad. He chewed each small piece dozens of times, so his meal took a long time.

When Rodin had eaten about a third of his steak, Hedler had already finished his meal.

Hedler gulped and stared longingly at Rodin’s remaining food.

“Can’t do that.”

Rodin knew what Hedler wanted, but he had no intention of giving up his meal.

For Rodin, meals were the most important part of survival. Giving up food was like giving up his life.

Ignoring Hedler’s longing, Rodin finished his meal. When he scraped the last of the soup, Hedler sighed audibly.

“Sigh.”

“Let’s go.”

As they left, they drank water from the water fountain. At the entrance, they were checked to ensure they hadn’t left any food, washed the dishes, and then had their trays inspected again.

“Is it over now?”

“Yeah. We can go up and rest.”

“Ah! I’m hungry.”

Within five minutes of finishing their meal, Hedler complained of hunger again. Something felt off.

—

Hyung_Otaku2

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