Somehow, I felt better than I had in months.
I chuckled to myself as I stepped down from the carriage, stretching my arms above my head. The crisp morning air filled my lungs, and for once, my body didn’t protest with aches or exhaustion.
It had been five days since I’d collapsed in the information room—since Emory had carried me off to who-knows-where. And yet, when I’d woken up the next morning, I found myself on one of the sofas on the second floor, and it felt like someone had scrubbed the fatigue from my bones.
Not just scrubbed. Polished.
I’d practically bounced out of the sofa, energy humming under my skin.
Even the turtle brothers had noticed.
That morning’s training session had been... unforgettable.
I’d lasted a full thirty minutes against them, ten whole minutes longer than the day before. And I improved by a whole another level too.
Their reactions had been priceless. Dono had dropped his staff. Mike’s nunchaku had tangled mid-swing. Ralph had blinked like I’d grown a second head.
The stoic, unflappable Leon had actually gaped at me.
"What the hell did you do last night?" he’d demanded.
"I slept well," I’d answered, grinning.
Virion, floating nearby with his usual serpentine smirk, had actually paused his stopwatch to stare at me. "You expect me to believe sleep is the reason you’re not getting your ass handed to you?"
I’d shrugged. "Believe what you want. I feel like I could fight a dragon."
"N-No, I didn’t mean you, Master!"
And, miracle of miracles, Virion had grunted—then waved a dismissive hand. "Fine. Take Sunday off. But if you come back Monday looking like a half-dead raccoon again, I’m tripling your archery drills."
Which brought me to today.
I’d slept in. Actually slept in. No nightmares, no waking up in cold sweats—just deep, dreamless rest.
Now I felt invincible.
I smirked as I strode toward the Knowledge Emporium’s entrance. Time to see what chaos Nolan had stirred up in my absence—and, more importantly, to put my well-rested brain to work on that orphanage scheme.
After all, a properly manipulated prince was a productive prince.
Why do I still feel like I am missing something?
That nagging feeling had been bothering me since the day I collapsed—the only dark cloud in my otherwise perfect, well-rested life.
No matter how hard I tried to puzzle it out, the answer slipped through my fingers like smoke. Something about that day didn’t add up.
The way I’d woken up feeling renewed, the strange look in Emory’s eyes when he’d captured me, the way Nolan had been oddly... subdued afterward.
But every time I tried to focus on it, my brain hit a wall.
So I’d done what any sensible person would—shoved it to the back of my mind and pretended it didn’t matter.
Even if my instincts screamed otherwise.
Shaking my head, I pushed through the Emporium’s doors.
The twins stood at the ready, each holding a box of the shop’s most exclusive desserts. And beside them?
Nolan, the not-so-stupid moon elf prince, was holding a massive crate labeled "Custodial Tools" with the resigned air of a man who had accepted his fate.
...Had he always been this obedient?
"Since you’re ready," I said, recovering quickly, "let’s go."
I grabbed the two boxes of toys I’d bought yesterday, and together, we piled into the waiting carriage.
Twenty minutes later, we rolled to a stop in front of a slightly rusted metal gate, the orphanage’s name barely legible above it—one of the letters missing entirely.
The twins cooed at the sight. Right, they were coming for the first time too.
Nolan’s nose wrinkled.
I grinned(in my mind).
Time to put my plan into action.
The orphanage hadn’t changed since my last week’s visit—the same weathered four-story main building and three smaller halls standing stubbornly against time. The paint peeled in familiar patterns, the wooden swing in the courtyard creaked the same way, and the scent of earth and childhood lingered in the air.
Just past the gate, we found an elderly woman kneeling in her small garden, her hands buried in the soil as she tended to a patch of vibrant purple flowers. Despite her age, she moved with the energy of someone half her years, her silver-streaked hair tied back in a practical bun.
"Oh, Sir Aman!" Her face lit up as she spotted us, wiping her dirt-streaked hands on her apron. "You’re back."
I set down the boxes of toys and stepped forward to help her up. "Miss Talien," I greeted, smiling as her calloused fingers gripped mine. "You’re as lively as ever."
"Haha, you flatter me." She chuckled, brushing loose soil from her skirt. "And you’ve brought friends this time?"
Her sharp eyes flicked past me to the twins—who immediately bowed in unison, their cheerful "Good morning, Miss Talien!" ringing out—and then to Nolan.
The prince stood stiffly, his grip tightening on the crate of cleaning supplies. After a beat of awkward silence, he gave the barest nod of acknowledgment.
Miss Talien, bless her, didn’t seem offended. If anything, her smile deepened, her gaze lingering on Nolan with undisguised curiosity. "Well, aren’t you a proud one," she mused. "I know a person just like you..."
Nolan’s nostrils flared.
Before he could retort, I smoothly intervened. "This is Nolan, our new... custodian. He’ll be helping too."
Miss Talien’s eyebrows shot up. "Oh?" She looked Nolan up and down, taking in his immaculate clothes, his regal posture, the faint air of disdain he couldn’t quite mask. Then she grinned. "How wonderful. We-"
"Grandma, I brought back the-!"
A beautiful blue-haired girl appeared in the courtyard, her arms laden with freshly picked herbs. She froze mid-step as her eyes landed on our group—and specifically on me.
And why is she blushing while looking at me?!
I’m not your main lead, you know.
The voice cut through the courtyard like a ripple through still water.
And somehow, I knew—this Sunday was about to get complicated too.
Urgh... Just when I was finally having a peaceful life...
That wraps up the mass release! 🎉 I hope you enjoyed the Chapters and had a great time reading through them.
Huge thanks to everyone who’s been supporting the story so far—it really means a lot. 💙
Apologies if there were any mistakes or rough edges in the Chapters; I’ve been writing non-stop since yesterday to get everything out in time. Your feedback is always welcome, so feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments!
Let me know if you’d like to see more mass releases in the future—your responses help keep the fire burning. 🔥