Hollow footsteps echoed as Seth strolled through the long corridors, he looked around, and a pensive expression couldn’t help but surface on his face.

Two cycles didn't seem like a long period of time, and it wasn't, but he had expected to see some kind of advancement in this old place he used to call home.

He was bound to be disappointed; the cold corridors, the walls of grey stone covered with patches of green moss, and even the staff taking care of the kids—the same old bloodsuckers that had frightened him in his dreams innumerable times—had remained the same…

Seth shook his head and decided to focus on something else.

He clenched his hands, black fire flickered into existence. Wisps of blazing mana flowed through his pathways, filling him with a searing sensation he’d already grown used to bearing. His mouth curved into a small smile, though it didn't remain for a long while when he recalled his reasons for coming here.

Almost a week had passed since his arrival in Ashlen, a week that, aside from focusing on his recovery, was spent worrying about this exact moment. At first, he’d planned on heading to his place before paying a visit to the orphanage. Alas, Liz didn't quite agree with him.

He’d never been good at handling his emotions, even worse than what one could expect from a kid of his age. But ignoring things had always been a good way to handle his problems, and today would not be the exception.

Seth pushed the thought away and continued through the long bad-lighted corridor, but soon, his mood worsened as he caught sight of a small wooden door at the end. He looked at the sides, trying to shift his attention onto something else.

Outside, through the long but narrow green windows, Seth watched the silhouettes of petite kids dashing through the beautiful garden below. Chasing each other, playing all kinds of games or doing anything a kid stuck in this place could do… If doing everything with blank eyes and faces devoid of happiness could be included in a child’s normal behaviour.

But they were the minority.

The grand majority were either staring blankly at the sky, sobbing in some secluded corner or god-knows-what other things a kid could do to somewhat lessen their broken hearts and minds. It wasn’t easy to understand that you were alone in this unfair world, that no one would give a penny for you or that the grannies that had tended you in your childhood didn't see you as more than what a bat would do to a sack of blood…

It was difficult, let's say.

But Seth had never had that sort of privilege… hopefully, or not.

Most of the kids who ended up in these sorts of places were due to their parents passing away, abandoned them or some other circumstances where there wasn't a relative who could and wanted to take care of them. Which was more common than what the common folk thought.

While the orphanage was far from perfect, it was still much better than ending up in the streets. Here, they would have food, a basic education, and some future to strive for.

Not without a price, though.

Lost in his inner world, Seth almost ran into the door, barely stopping in his tracks before the same door swung open. A ball of a sparkling white fluffy cotton-like thing hit him like a cannonball, the next moment, he found himself with his back resting over the freezing floor and a pair of deep purple eyes staring down at him.

Seth smiled, “Long time n—

He didn't manage to finish his words before a mellow, childish but loud voice resounded in his head.

“FUCKLING SETHHHHHH!!!!!”

Seth passed out.

Nearly two hours passed before Seth managed to regain consciousness and not be knocked out by Liz a fourth time. He was left with a headache that threatened him to split his head in two, and honestly, speaking with Zakira was probably the last thing he wanted to do at the moment.

Looking at the black-dressed Noble, contrary to him, she did seem to be in the mood to exchange a few words. Much to his displeasure.

They are always so annoying to handle, Seth thought, feeling another headache emerging. And dangerous.

“So,” the Noble in question said, rapping her fingers against the desk. Her bloody eyes shifted in the direction of the white snoozing fox resting on Seth’s lap, “while I will not say that I'm surprised to see you here, I might admit you have surpassed my expectations, little one. Orange Core Stage at your age is not a small achievement.”

Seth didn't feel particularly happy with the praise. He was concerned, a compliment coming from Zakira was never a good omen. “Should I take it as a word from a sexy woman or as a threat coming from a Noble?”

Zakira opened her eyes in an exaggerated manner, her long ink-black hair flowing like a waterfall behind her back. “Of course not, little one. I'm not that kind of Noble. And even if I wanted to, Ivor would not let me.” her eyes peered towards the fox snarling lowly from his lap, pouting. “Little Liz didn't seem to fancy my habits either.”

“Seth’s mine bitch!”

Seth smiled bitterly while caressing Liz’s back. Since he can remember, the small Icy White-Clawed fox and female Noble had never liked each other, and neither of them had the word peaceful in their dictionaries. Which was a problem when speaking about two Copper Ranker beings that tended to solve their problems with a fist and a paw, respectively.

Things could get a bit heated.

Seth's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the fox and Noble, ignoring the daggers they were throwing at each other.

There were a lot of mysteries surrounding Ivor, Zakira or even the cute Liz. For instance, the fact that full-fledged Copper Ranker Noble had chosen a human settlement as the place to set up her orphanage was weird enough. Not to mention that her ‘boss’, a half-dwarf half-ogre looking dude, seems to be a peak Copper Ranker or… or at least someone strong enough to have Noble as his lackey.

But Seth wasn't interested in peering into neither Zakira’s nor Ivor’s secrets, much less into their purposes for choosing this backward place as their playroom. Instead, he was more concerned with the benefits he could rip out of them.

However, looking at the sexy mature Noble in front of him, Seth was now having doubts if his line of thought was good at all. It was pretty dangerous at least.

Dealing with people of such calibres was not easy, much less safe. Much more if it was in the shape of a playful, lusty female Noble. Seth was not even sure if he had what it takes to go ahead with it.

He was a bit fragile against her moves.

“Anyway,” Seth said, calming both his nerves and Liz’s erupting mood, “what do you need me for? Liz told me you have a few things to discuss with me, but she refused to speak further about it.”

Zakira gave him an amused look. “Wow! It seems the big city has done a lot more than improved the little core of yours, darling.” her gaze intensified as she sized him up, licking her lips. “And your body seems to have matured a lot since then.”

Seth felt shivers run down his spine, “I’m only twelve, Zakira.”

“And already an adult,” she whispered in his ear, appearing out of nowhere. Her warm, pale hands slid around his body. Massaging his shoulders, chest, arms and back in a way that words could not describe. He, and little Seth, felt as though their souls were reaching the nine heaven.

Zakira wasn't just massaging his muscles but his mana, pushing it through his pathways in ways Seth couldn't comprehend. He felt as though he was being immersed in hot, steaming water as a pair of godly hands untied the knots scattered over his body. His pathways cry in delight as goosebumps erupted in ripples, his mind melted without resistance.

It was a heavenly experience, he didn't want it to stop anytime soon.

Alas, the enraged fox on his lap didn’t quite agree with him.