From Yan's Perspective.
We were all brought back from the awakening test to the orphanage. I was among them.
But Rami and Selena didn't return with us.
I approached one of the staff and asked in a low voice,
"Where are they?"
He smiled — a shallow, cold smile.
"One of the officials is bringing them personally. They'll return later."
I didn't comment. Just nodded, watching the car drive us away.
When we arrived, the place looked different.
Decorations were hanging. A table was filled with cakes and juice. Fireworks were set up.
So many gifts. So many excited faces.
I asked one of the kids,
"Is it someone's birthday?"
"No. They said Ryan prepared a party for those who took the awakening test and are about to leave the orphanage."
Then he added confidently,
"Mr. Ryan and the others will be coming too."
I felt happy hearing that. It was just like kind-hearted Uncle Ryan to do something like this.
But amidst the noise, I heard a whisper.
Close... and deliberate.
"Tch, they've never done this before. All this just for Rami? Spoiled, as usual. Pathetic."
I didn't turn. I ignored it.
Instead, I started arranging chairs and handing out cups.
Minutes later, Ryan and the others walked in.
I ran toward him like I always did.
"Hi!" I waved enthusiastically.
But their responses were dull.
Lily — who used to hug me every time — ignored me. Turned her face away like I wasn't even there.
The reason? I knew it.
My result. I didn't get a rare class. Just an ordinary one... uninteresting.
I wanted to cry, but I remembered I promised them I'd become stronger.
I stepped back to a corner of the hall and sat quietly. Watching.
A little later, Rami and Selena arrived — their faces surprised by the decorations.
I forgot my sadness for a moment and laughed. The scene looked ridiculous from where I sat.
The party began, and gradually... the sting faded.
Rami was surrounded by everyone — talking, laughing, opening gifts.
Me? I got only one.
It's okay. Rami and Selena are my family.
I watched him from afar. I wanted to approach, to congratulate him, say something... anything.
But he was always busy.
"I'll wait until the party ends," I told myself.
But Rami left early.
When I noticed, I went to his room. Found him asleep — his face calm.
I didn't wake him.
I climbed to my bed, lay down, and stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow, I'll start again.
Rami is smart. Selena is strong. And me?
I just need... more time.
And maybe, in an unexpected moment,
I'll surprise them all.
While Rami had drifted into sleep, the orphanage witnessed an entirely different scene... from another angle.
In a quiet room on the upper floor, Ryan sat at a wooden desk, reviewing scattered documents.
He had decided to stay the night at the orphanage.
A soft gust of wind rustled through a half-open window. He didn't turn.
He said calmly,
"What's the news, Martin?"
A middle-aged man entered — sharp features, dark clothing. He stood firmly behind Ryan and replied,
"Captain, I observed him. He doesn't seem to harbor anything... in fact, he truly loves you. But—"
"Speak," Ryan said without lifting his eyes.
"The problem... he wants to go to Star High School. That... could complicate things."
He hesitated, expecting anger.
But Ryan responded with unexpected calm,
"It's fine. If that's his wish, I'll let him go."
بالطبع! إليك الترجمة الإنجليزية المعدّلة للفصل مع الحفاظ على الأسلوب السردي والحوارات بدقة ووضوح:
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Chapter: A Seat at the Edge of the Party
From Yan's Perspective – Revised Version
We were all brought back from the awakening test to the orphanage. I was among them.
But Rami and Selena didn't return with us.
I approached one of the staff and asked in a low voice,
"Where are they?"
He smiled — a shallow, cold smile.
"One of the officials is bringing them personally. They'll return later."
I didn't comment. Just nodded, watching the car drive us away.
When we arrived, the place looked different.
Decorations were hanging. A table was filled with cakes and juice. Fireworks were set up.
So many gifts. So many excited faces.
I asked one of the kids,
"Is it someone's birthday?"
"No. They said Ryan prepared a party for those who took the awakening test and are about to leave the orphanage."
Then he added confidently,
"Mr. Ryan and the others will be coming too."
I felt happy hearing that. It was just like kind-hearted Uncle Ryan to do something like this.
But amidst the noise, I heard a whisper.
Close... and deliberate.
"Tch, they've never done this before. All this just for Rami? Spoiled, as usual. Pathetic."
I didn't turn. I ignored it.
Instead, I started arranging chairs and handing out cups.
Minutes later, Ryan and the others walked in.
I ran toward him like I always did.
"Hi!" I waved enthusiastically.
But their responses were dull.
Lily — who used to hug me every time — ignored me. Turned her face away like I wasn't even there.
The reason? I knew it.
My result. I didn't get a rare class. Just an ordinary one... uninteresting.
I wanted to cry, but I remembered I promised them I'd become stronger.
I stepped back to a corner of the hall and sat quietly. Watching.
A little later, Rami and Selena arrived — their faces surprised by the decorations.
I forgot my sadness for a moment and laughed. The scene looked ridiculous from where I sat.
The party began, and gradually... the sting faded.
Rami was surrounded by everyone — talking, laughing, opening gifts.
Me? I got only one.
It's okay. Rami and Selena are my family.
I watched him from afar. I wanted to approach, to congratulate him, say something... anything.
But he was always busy.
"I'll wait until the party ends," I told myself.
But Rami left early.
When I noticed, I went to his room. Found him asleep — his face calm.
I didn't wake him.
I climbed to my bed, lay down, and stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow, I'll start again.
Rami is smart. Selena is strong. And me?
I just need... more time.
And maybe, in an unexpected moment,
I'll surprise them all.
While Rami had drifted into sleep, the orphanage witnessed an entirely different scene... from another angle.
In a quiet room on the upper floor, Ryan sat at a wooden desk, reviewing scattered documents.
He had decided to stay the night at the orphanage.
A soft gust of wind rustled through a half-open window. He didn't turn.
He said calmly,
"What's the news, Martin?"
A middle-aged man entered — sharp features, dark clothing. He stood firmly behind Ryan and replied,
"Captain, I observed him. He doesn't seem to harbor anything... in fact, he truly loves you. But—"
"Speak," Ryan said without lifting his eyes.
"The problem... he wants to go to Star High School. That... could complicate things."
He hesitated, expecting anger.
But Ryan responded with unexpected calm,
"It's fine. If that's his wish, I'll let him go."
Martin was thrown off.
"Are you developing feelings for him...? Weren't we planning for him to be tied to the guild we're building? What if one of the capital's noble families recruits him?"
Ryan slowly shook his head and answered confidently,
"Wrong. I admit I care for him after all these years, but don't worry — if he stands in my way, I'll remove him easily, just like we'll soon remove Yan.
You're smart, Martin, but you're too cautious. Rami sees me as a father. And Selena... she sees me as her uncle. True, she's a wildcard, but Rami? He's easy to keep close. We raised him together — that's enough."
He paused, then added in a lighter tone,
"I've noticed a change in his behavior this year... his emotions are harder to read. But trust me, he still loves me."
"Even so..." Martin began, but Ryan cut him off:
"The guild isn't even complete yet. Even if he's ranked S, what can he do now?
Let him go, train, become stronger... maybe he'll even return with another genius we can recruit. I'll hint to him about it soon."
Martin paused, then asked,
"And Selena? You let the government take her so easily..."
Ryan looked at him seriously and said,
"You know I can't keep a potential SS-ranked child with me. If they found out she was linked to me, they'd likely kill me and raise her themselves. One S-rank is enough.
If I hadn't become A-rank myself, I wouldn't dare stand up to the guilds and explorers now."
Then he gave a faint smile and added,
"Besides, Selena still sees me as her uncle, and her bond with Lily is strong. If she reaches high ranks someday... we'll know how to make use of that."
Martin nodded, speaking with careful thought,
"As expected... always one step ahead, Captain."
Ryan gave a fleeting smile, then added in a softer tone, gesturing to the door,
"From now on, call me Guild Leader, not Captain."
Martin rolled his eyes at the obsession — the guild wasn't even fully formed yet.
Unaware of Martin's thoughts, Ryan continued in a near whisper,
"By the way, tell Jack to control himself. We don't want him ruining the plan. It won't be much longer anyway."
Martin gave a slight nod, then left, closing the door behind him.
Ryan remained alone, staring into the dark outside the window.
He muttered softly, barely audible,
"Sorry, Yan... I really wished you'd gotten a better class."
He froze for a few seconds, then closed his eyes.
An old memory slipped in uninvited — the moment he first held Yan as a baby, crying hoarsely, his face covered in dirt.
Just a lost child back then...
Now, just a piece in a much larger plan.