Free Web NovelChapter 39: Visit the orphanage
My wife’s face twisted with irritation.
"I thought you weren’t going to kill anyone just because they pissed you off. You’re a damned liar."
I rolled my eyes.
"So, did I kill her? She’s still alive."
I added,
"And don’t act like a child anymore. Otherwise, I’ll bathe you again – not for a week, but for a year. I’m going to scrub every nook and cranny of your body.’’
My wife groaned. A faint blush spread across her face.
"Are you threatening me?"
I ignored her and shrugged.
My wife didn’t say another word. She knew I was the kind of person who always followed through on my words.
A few minutes later, Jonathan turned on the projector.
He said,
"Today, we have a special program for you all – a practical exercise in Dawnreach City."
He brought up the information on the screen.
One by one, images and information about locations throughout the city appeared.
"All of you will form groups of up to five members. Then, your group will choose a mission to complete over the next three days. Credits will be awarded based on your performance and the police’s evaluation."
His voice turned cold as he continued.
"I’ll give you five minutes to form your groups before coming up to choose your mission. The groups with the fewest members will have to take whatever missions are left."
The students flinched for a moment before beginning to look for classmates to form groups with. No one wanted to be the last group left to choose a mission. It could be an easy one or a difficult one, but I was sure none of the leftover missions would earn many credits.
Well, it was obvious that none of the students in the classroom wanted me in their group.
Lancelot walked over to my wife and spoke in a calm voice.
"Arthea. Would you like to join my group? I still have one spot left... however..."
He glanced at me and sighed, putting on a fake look of regret as he said,
"I only have one spot left. Your husband will have to find another group."
My wife answered without hesitation.
"I appreciate your generosity, but you seem to be underestimating a married woman’s dignity... So, I refuse."
Lancelot grinned.
"Let’s see how long you can endure suffering by his side."
Then he turned back and walked toward the lectern with his group.
I said in a neutral voice,
"I didn’t think you’d say that."
My wife kept her cold expression, still angry at me.
"No matter how trashy you are, you’re still my husband. I’ll follow you to the horizon."
I sighed as I rested my fist against my cheek. I was sure that Jonathan was very angry at me, so he had created a rule to put me in this situation.
I continued watching the groups take on missions and leave the room one by one until only three people remained.
I wheeled my wife toward the lectern. Jonathan merely smirked and pointed his thumb behind him.
I looked over the remaining missions.
[Mission 1]: Visit the orphanage in the northern district of Dawnreach City, assess the children’s health, and inspect the facilities. [+ 10 Credits]
[Mission 2]: Work as an errand runner for the police for a few days, then write a reflection essay about your experience. [+ 20 Credits]
[Mission 3]: Pick up litter in the public square. [+ 30 Credits]
My wife grimaced in displeasure. She said to Jonathan,
"It’s unfair."
Jonathan shrugged.
"Nah. You had the chance to leave him, but you refused. Now you have to face the consequences of your choice."
My wife replied,
"I quit. I don’t have time to waste."
Jonathan wagged a finger several times.
"Tch. Tch. Tch. Don’t do that. You’ll lose 100 Credits if you quit."
I rubbed my chin a few times before speaking in a calm voice.
"We’ll take [Mission 1]."
Jonathan fixed his gaze on me and asked,
"Is there any particular reason for that choice?"
I said nothing, ignoring his question. He grumbled in irritation before nodding.
"Fine."
A few hours later, we boarded an academy bus and headed to the police station, where a police officer would accompany us.
"Hi. My name is Carter. It’s a pleasure to meet the precious gems of Dawnreach Academy."
A young E-Rank police officer greeted us. At his age, his rank should’ve been higher, but I could tell that his potential had limited him greatly. Those with low potential were not only limited in strength, but also advanced through the ranks much more slowly. Even after cultivating for one or two years, there was no guarantee they would advance even a single rank.
As a result, they usually accepted ordinary positions such as inferior police officers. Those with even lower potential would choose other professions, such as chefs, or construction workers, etc.
But it wasn’t a bad choice for them.
Awakeners with higher potential also bore far greater responsibility to protect humanity from demons and monster gates. They were the first to put their lives on the line.
We greeted him back before heading straight to the orphanage.
The police officer said,
"I need to get the orphanage director’s permission first, so please wait here for a minute."
After the police officer left, my wife turned her amber eyes toward me.
"Why did you choose this mission?"
I paused for a moment before parting my lips.
"Nothing much. It just brings back memories."
My wife frowned in confusion.
"Memories?"
I nodded.
In my former world, the orphanage was the place I began. It was also where I met my ex-girlfriend.
The stunningly beautiful blonde girl greeted me with a smile on her lips. Just the thought of her stirred a sense of peace in my heart, much like how I felt standing beside my wife at this moment.
I glanced around, watching the children play as I tried to picture my past.
Back then, I sat alone, reading a book while the other children tried to provoke me. It wasn’t a good memory, but I liked it, because it was a time when I could do whatever I wanted.
Freedom.
"It’s quite nostalgic."
