"Oh, look who are back. How did it go today?"
Mel asked casually, seated beneath the old oak tree in front of the orphanage.
She was now 15 years old, a budding beauty with long brown hair and a calm, thoughtful demeanor.
"Just the usual," Wayne muttered tiredly as he passed by, heading straight inside without another word.
Mel frowned slightly and turned to Aron, who had just dropped down beside her with a small grunt.
"What's wrong with him? He looks really down."
Aron leaned back against the tree trunk and shrugged. "The Baptism is tomorrow, remember. Maybe that's why he's just tense. It's his last chance to become a Spirit Warrior, after all."
Mel nodded slowly, "I see. But I'm afraid he might fail again… The chances are so slim."
Then she looked at Aron with a gentle smile. "And what about you, Aron? Feeling confident? You're participating too. Sister Sera hasn't stopped praying for you, not even for a second."
Aron's gaze drifted toward the orphanage building, where warm light spilled through the windows.
"I don't know," he said softly. "Let's just say I'm half-confident. I don't want to get ahead of myself, only to end up as another disappointment."
Mel reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Take it easy, little brother. You're already incredible. With your strength, even if you don't awaken a spirit, you could easily become a warrior."
She paused before adding regrettably,
"If I could, I would've gladly shared Sister Sera's burden… But I wasn't able to awaken like the others as well. Now it's just you and Wayne—the last hopes of the Seraph's Orphanage."
Mel closed her eyes and clasped her hands gently.
"But all we can do now is pray… and believe in the best."
Aron didn't believe in gods, so he didn't say anything else. He just hoped tomorrow he wouldn't disappoint them.
"Alright... I'm getting hungry, big sis."
With that, he stood up and headed inside.
"Rascal, don't eat all the bread again!" Mel scolded lightly from behind.
"I know, I know! I've been good at holding back lately," Aron replied with a grin.
The night passed uneventfully.
Morning arrived with the excited shouts of the boys and girls in the orphanage.
It was the long-awaited day of the Baptism Ceremony.
Even though most of them were at least three years older than Aron, they buzzed with more excitement than he did.
"Aron! You're not awake yet?"
"Wake up, Aron! It's today!"
Aron finally opened his eyes with a yawn, staring at the energetic group speechlessly.
Still half-asleep, he dragged himself out of bed and began getting ready.
He washed up, combed his hair, and put on the newest leather clothes Sister Sera had prepared for him.
Then, as usual, he joined the others for the morning prayers pretending to pray, though his heart remained quiet.
The name of God was Gilgamesh.
According to legend, he created the world and cherished humans as his own children.
It sounded like any other typical religion Aron had heard of.
"Why is it always humans?" he often wondered.
There were countless other races in the World—beasts, demi-humans, spirits, even monsters.
Why had divinity chosen only humans to receive such blessings?
He couldn't understand.
Science wouldn't answer the mysteries of this world either. Not here. Not in this world where people wielded magic and merged with spirits.
Aron believed there had to be something else, something beyond both science and gods, something that described the world perfectly, but hadn't been found yet.
After the prayer concluded, Sister Sera gathered a dozen boys and girls and began leading them toward the church.
Everyone in the orphanage wanted to come.
But, like in the previous years, only twelve children were allowed to attend despite Sister Sera being a worker of the Church.
Her position was low to begin with. She had no spirit of her own, and in the Church's hierarchy, that meant she held little importance.
Even so, the current Priest seemed to have a favorable impression of her. Thanks to that, he allowed her to bring more children than commoners could.
Regular townsfolk were only allowed to bring two companions with each participant.
The rule was meant to keep the sacred Baptism Ceremony from becoming overcrowded, too much noise or excitement could disturb the awakenings.
After nearly 30 minutes of walking along the main street of Oak Town, they arrived at the Church located at the very center of town.
The Church stood taller and grander than any other building nearby.
Its polished white stone walls shimmered faintly under the morning sun, making it clear to anyone that the Church held significant influence over the townsfolk.
Though the Church was powerful, the true ruling authority over Oak Town was the Baron who governed the region. Even the Church respected his rule.
Returning to the present—
As Aron walked alongside the other children through the tall arched doors, he was greeted by a familiar sight.
A wide open hall.
A circular pool of water, crystal clear, sat at its center.
Participants formed a neat semi-circle around it, while a robed Priest stood nearby, ready to lead the ceremony.
Spectators filled the benches around the edges of the hall—nearly a hundred of them—watching with anticipation, some whispering prayers, others simply curious.
"Go ahead, Aron, Wayne!" Sister Seraphina encouraged, her eyes filled with quiet hope as she glanced at the nervous duo.
"Yes, go ahead, Aron! Wayne! We're with you!"
The other boys and girls whispered encouragements, their eyes shining.
The Priest, an older man with silver streaks in his hair and sharp eyes, caught wind of the little commotion.
His brow twitched into a frown as he scanned the group—but when his eyes fell upon Sister Sera, he held his tongue.
With a subtle nod, he turned back toward the altar and continued preparations.
"Alright, it is time. With the Heavenly Father as our witness, let this year's Spirit Soul Awakening begin!" the Priest declared, his voice echoing throughout the hall.