Shadow Being System

The morning sunlight streamed through the dormitory windows, painting the room with warm hues of gold. William blinked awake, his excitement surging as he remembered what day it was. After three intense months at the academy, today marked the start of the long-awaited break. For William, this wasn't just any break—it was his chance to return to the orphanage, his home.

He sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as a grin spread across his face. The orphanage wasn't luxurious or filled with comforts, but it was the place where he had grown up, surrounded by people who cared for him like family.

Gavin, already awake and stretching near the window, noticed William's enthusiasm. "You look like a kid on his birthday," he said with a smirk.

William chuckled. "It's been months, Gavin. I haven't seen the orphanage or anyone there since I got here. I'm just... looking forward to being home for a while."

Liam groaned from his bed, his hair sticking out in all directions. "Home? You're actually excited to leave this place? I was hoping I could just sleep through the whole break."

"You've got family to visit, don't you?" William asked, throwing a pillow at Liam, who dodged it lazily.

"Yeah, yeah," Liam replied, yawning. "But those old man are not exactly what you'd call relaxing company. They'll probably grill me about my grades and my abilities the entire time."

Gavin laughed. "Sounds like a nightmare. At least William gets to go back to peace and quiet."

"Peace and quiet?" William raised an eyebrow. "You clearly haven't been to the orphanage. It's chaotic, loud, and full of troublemakers. But it's my kind of chaos."

The three boys got ready for the day, their conversations filled with teasing and anticipation for their respective breaks. The academy halls were bustling with activity as students hurriedly packed bags, exchanged goodbyes, and made plans to meet up during the holidays.

__________________________

By mid-morning, William stood at the academy gates, a simple bag slung over his shoulder. He took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill his lungs. The sight of several buses gave him chills as he remembered what had happened when they first came to the academy.

"Don't forget to bring me something interesting from the orphanage," Gavin said as he gave William a playful nudge.

"And try not to get into any trouble," Liam added, though his tone was more teasing than serious.

William grinned. "You two just make sure you survive your breaks. I'll see you when we get back."

He climbed aboard the bus marked with the name of his city. Soon, the buses began moving, accompanied by an intense convoy of soldiers—far more than when they had arrived.

Tension on the Bus

At first, the students on William's bus were silent, their faces tense as they remembered the attack they'd experienced during their initial journey to the academy. The memory hung heavy in the air, unspoken but felt by all.

Then, a familiar voice broke the silence. A student stood up—it was the same boy who had cooked the hotpot on their first trip.

"Alright, everyone," he said, clapping his hands. "I don't know about you, but I think this calls for another hotpot. What do you say?"

The tension in the bus eased as laughter rippled through the students. They cheered, their spirits lifting.

Before the boy could start gathering ingredients, a loud, booming voice resounded through all the buses. "Ease up, kids! I've got something to set the mood!"

All the students froze for a moment, then burst into cheers and laughter. They knew that voice—it was Commander Charles, who was accompanying them on their journey back.

Moments later, the rhythmic beat of Glory Phonk blared through the bus speakers. Heads nodded to the music, smiles spread, and the heavy atmosphere transformed into one of camaraderie and excitement.

__________________________

The journey was long but lively. By the time William's bus arrived at his destination, the sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm glow over the familiar streets. As the gates of the orphanage came into view, his heart swelled with warmth and nostalgia.

Pushing open the creaky iron gate, he was immediately greeted by the sound of children laughing and playing in the courtyard. A group of younger kids spotted him and came running, their faces lighting up with joy.

"William's back!" one of them shouted, and soon he was surrounded by tiny hands pulling at his sleeves and bombarding him with questions.

"Did you bring us anything?"

"What's it like at the academy?"

"Did you meet anyone famous?"

"Calm down, calm down," William said with a laugh, kneeling to their level. "I'll tell you all about it later. But first, where's Mr and Mrs Beth?"

"She's in her office," one of the older kids said, pointing toward the main building.

William ruffled a few heads and made his way inside, the familiar scent of the old wooden floors and freshly baked bread greeting him. He found Mrs Beth in her small, cluttered office, scribbling something into a large ledger.

When she looked up and saw him, her stern face softened into a warm smile. "William," she said, standing to embrace him. "You've grown."

"It's only been three months, Matron," William said, returning the hug.

"Three months is long enough," she replied, her tone motherly. "Come, sit. Tell me how you've been. Are you eating well? Studying hard?"

Write that William asked that where is Mr Beth, Mrs Beth replied that he is at work.

As they talked, William felt a deep sense of comfort and belonging. For all the challenges and dangers he faced at the academy, this place would always be his true home.

The rest of the day was spent catching up with the other orphans, sharing stories about the academy, and being roped into games with the younger kids. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, William sat on the steps of the main building, gazing out at the courtyard.

For the first time in a while, he felt at peace.

__________________________

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in a soft tapestry of orange and purple, William sat on the steps of the orphanage's main building. The courtyard, now quieter, was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. The younger children had retreated inside for dinner, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He felt a rare peace—a feeling of being home, of belonging.

Just then, the creak of the iron gate broke the silence. William turned his head, and a smile crept onto his face as he saw a familiar figure walking in. Mr. Beth, his broad shoulders stooped slightly from exhaustion, entered with a bag slung over his shoulder. The man's clothes were dusty, his hands calloused, but his warm eyes lit up the moment they landed on William.

"William," Mr. Beth said, his voice a deep rumble of relief and joy.

"Mr. Beth!" William exclaimed, standing up and jogging toward him.

The two embraced, William feeling the strength in the older man's arms as he patted his back. Though Mr. Beth wasn't his biological father, he had always been a father figure to William—a pillar of stability in an unpredictable world.

"You've grown," Mr. Beth said, pulling back to take a good look at him.

William chuckled. "Why does everyone keep saying that? It's only been three months!"

"Three months is enough for a boy to become a man," Mr. Beth replied with a grin. "And judging by how you're carrying yourself, the academy's been doing its job."

"It's been... an experience," William admitted. "But nothing beats being back here."

Mr. Beth nodded, his expression softening. "I'm glad you feel that way. Come, walk with me. I need to stretch my legs after a long day."

The two began walking slowly through the courtyard, the cool evening breeze brushing past them.

"How's work?" William asked, glancing at the tired lines on Mr. Beth's face.

"It's work," Mr. Beth said with a weary smile. "Same old, same old. The fields don't tend themselves, and someone's got to keep the kitchen supplied. But enough about me. Tell me about the academy. What's it like? Have you made any friends?"

William hesitated for a moment, thinking about Gavin, Liam, and the challenges he had faced so far. "It's... different. The training is tough, and the expectations are high. But I've made a few friends. Gavin and Liam—they're good guys. We look out for each other."

Mr. Beth smiled. "That's good to hear. Friends make even the hardest times bearable. And the classes? Are they as challenging as they sound?"

"They are," William admitted. "But they're also exciting. I've learned a lot—things I never thought I'd understand, let alone be able to do. Though sometimes... it feels like I'm barely keeping up."

"That's the point of challenges," Mr. Beth said, his tone fatherly. "They push you to grow, to become stronger than you thought you could be. And knowing you, I'm sure you're handling it just fine."

William looked down, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks. That means a lot."

They reached the edge of the courtyard and stood in silence for a moment, gazing at the orphanage illuminated by the fading sunlight.

"You know," Mr. Beth began, his voice softer now, "seeing you here, standing tall and determined, reminds me of why we do what we do. Raising you kids—it's not easy, but moments like this make it all worth it." Find exclusive stories on empire

William felt a lump in his throat. "You've always been there for us, for me. I don't think I'd be where I am without you and Mrs. Beth."

Mr. Beth placed a firm hand on William's shoulder. "And we couldn't be prouder of you. Remember, no matter where life takes you, this will always be your home. You'll always have a place here."

For a moment, the weight of everything—his struggles at the academy, his fears about the future—lifted. In that moment, he felt like a kid again, safe and loved.

"Thanks, Mr. Beth," William said quietly.

"Now, let's head inside before Mrs. Beth starts scolding me for keeping you out here too long," Mr. Beth said with a chuckle.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

William laughed, the sound light and free. Together, they walked back toward the building, the warmth of home surrounding them. For the first time in a long while, William felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.