3

As Asai continued to reminisce, a shadow slowly crept towards his backside.

"GLOMP!" Two hands sprouted from his blindside and grabbed him. Pulling him backwards. "Asaiiiiiii~" A sweet voice calls out. Asai recognised this warm smell of flowers.

"Sister Mary. Please, you nearly gave me a heart attack." Asai frowned. As someone who's supposedly older, this was something he couldn't get used to no matter how many times Mary grabbed him like this. Swinging his body around, she bear hugged him, squeezing him into her embrace, her bosoms enveloping him in warmth. Her tunic was a plain black, she didn't appear like a typical nun. Sporting a leather belt around his waist, her tunic outlined her natural curves.

"Nonsense! Your 16th birthday is coming up, you're still young and healthy! There's no way you'll get a heart attack." At this point, she was clutching him so tightly that his feet was off the ground, she swung him around like it was a cute little dance.

"Mmmmgmhmng 0gmmhng!" Asai tried to talk but her breasts said otherwise. Noticing his struggles, she finally relinquished her hold on him. "Sister Mary, you aren't that much older than me. Can you stop treating me like a child?" 

"No way, you better stay forever cute or I'll eat you up!" She giggled before ruffling Asai's hair. Asai simply assumed she always wanted a little brother and for some reason decided it would be him out of all the possible candidates at this orphanage. Now freed, he glanced up and saw her big heart filled smile. Her soft brown hair and eyes radiated a soft warmth. She was the sole person here who was nice to him.

Whilst everyone in the kingdom of Del Lagos, and it's capital Einhoren sported blonde and different shades of brown. Asai alone had black. This naturally painted a target on his back, the others saw him as bad luck. No known Gods or Goddesses had black hair. Was he the son of the devil? The spawn of darkness and evil? Rumours were spread but luckily for Asai, supposedly, a powerful noble house granted him stay at Trichia Seminary/orphanage.

The two were about to re-enter the orphanage when a noble looking man exited. Being quick-witted Asai and Mary immediately stepped to the side and slightly bowed. The noble barely gave them a glance before continuing towards his carriage. Another nun followed by Sammy was closely behind him.

"Sir, I hope you've enjoyed yourself." The driver greeted him with a deep bow. However, the noble didn't even bother to respond to him. He turned and glanced upon the two.

"Margare, do remind me. The contents of our discussion yesterday. I seemed to have enjoyed myself much more than anticipated." The nobleman happily smiled.

"Milord, as a quick reminder. You've agreed upon hiring Sammy here as a maid to learn the trade back at your castle." The elderly nun was quick to answer albeit politely.

"Milord, I'll endeavour to service you to the best of my abilities! I ensure it!"  The nobleman shared a quick glance between the two before throwing a coin pouch at the elder.

"There's your annual donation. do inform me if other, applicable young flowers bloom." He nodded in satisfaction. The amount of coins he just spent barely a percentage of his wages from the King. However, for the orphanage, it would mean many months of two meals per day for the children. "Come, Sammy." He quickly turned and boarded his carriage. Sammy gave Izella the elder a quick hug before leaving.

...

After watching this event, Asai noticed that Mary had already disappeared back inside. A slight bump on the top of his head made him glance sideways to see the orphanage guard. Assigned here by the local nobility. However, one had to question whether he guarded anything at all. The man was mostly found tipsy. Dipping daily in ale.

"You boy, did you like that girl?" Asai glanced upwards, into his eyes. "HAH, let me tell you boy. That girl was just sold to him like a whore. whenever one of the young ladies reach adulthood, the ripe age to pluck." He gave his dry lips a big lick before continuing. "The head nun contacts the local nobility to see if they're interested in donating to the orphanage in exchange for hospitality." Unbeknownst to the guard Asai already realized where the coins came from, for the food that laid upon the tables at lunch and dinner.

Asai quietly left the guard. Sneaking off with one last glance he saw.

[Paul: Lvl 32]