---
Shin opened his eyes and was at the orphanage. Two older children had him by the hair.
"So you're the one who killed the headmaster of Brita High," one of the boys said while kicking Shin in the stomach.
Shin winced as pain shot through his already sore and bruised body. One of his eyes was black and swollen.
He was coughing up blood. The other children watched in horror. The caretakers couldn't get near because the other child held a fireball to Shin's head.
Shin was seven years old at the time and was used to these children treating him like this for a year straight.
Just as the other bully bent down and raised his arm to hit Shin, he felt someone grab his hand.
"Who's the idiot?" the bully said as he turned to see a twelve-year-old Bjorn holding him by the wrist.
The bully tried pulling his hand back but couldn't, as Bjorn's grip and strength would not allow it.
The bully scoffed at Bjorn.
"You really shouldn't point a fireball at someone's head," Jack said as he appeared near the other bully.
The other bully quickly pointed the fireball at Jack, who remained calm.
Jack smiled, "Are you trying to give me a reason to kill you?"
The bully shot the fireball, but Jack dodged, then kicked the bully square in the jaw. The bully fell back.
The other bully tried punching Bjorn with his other hand.
Crack
The bully cried out in pain as the sound of Bjorn breaking his arm rang out across the orphanage.
"For a whole year you bullied a child," Bjorn said as his anger rose, "You are teenagers. You are supposed to be role models."
Bjorn then chucked the other bully away. He then turned his sights to the other. The other bully frantically tried running away.
He raised his hand at Bjorn. Bjorn stopped. He stood and looked at the pathetic look on the bully's face.
"Look at you. Cowering because of a child." Bjorn spat on the bully and went over to Shin.
The bully tensed up with rage. He aimed at Bjorn.
"Fire Magic: Tier 1: Fireball!" the bully shouted as he launched a fireball at Bjorn.
Jack stepped between Bjorn and the spell. In the blink of an eye, Jack opened his mouth and swallowed the fireball.
Jack licked his fingers as if licking crumbs off his hands.
"That tasted absolutely delicious. Mind shooting me another one?" Jack said enthusiastically.
Bjorn picked Shin up and walked into the orphanage with him. The children opened a path for him.
"Thank... you," Shin said weakly.
Bjorn stopped and looked back. He glared at the two bullies. His gaze pierced into them. A large figure made of golden mana briefly appeared behind him and then vanished.
The bullies shook with fear as they watched Bjorn walk off, Shin in his arms and Jack following behind, smiling like a little gremlin.
They walked into the orphanage and vanished from the sight of the onlookers.
---
Shin opened his eyes. He was back at the inn, tears streaming down his face.