Chapter 226 — Orphanage

[Tranquil City - Orphanage - Evening]

Damian walked through the gates of the largest orphanage in Tranquil City – the first one he’d established and the one that had started everything.

Hehehe.

The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, children’s laughter echoing across the courtyard.

He’d come looking for the Unnamed Four, needing Vash’s guidance on physical control.

But the scene that greeted him made him pause.

Gregor – intimidating and legendary S rank fugitive – was on his hands and knees with three children riding on his back like he was a horse, his gruff voice making exaggerated galloping sounds.

Yara sat surrounded by a circle of young girls, her healing-specialized hands glowing softly as she demonstrated basic Aura control, her gentle voice patient and encouraging.

Castor was teaching a group of boys basic defensive stances, his movements slowed and simplified for their limited understanding, his normally serious face showing rare smiles.

And Vash... Vash was arm-wrestling a ten-year-old boy, his massive muscular frame deliberately losing to the child’s enthusiastic effort, his bald head reflecting sunset light as he pretended to struggle.

’I guess even they need moments of peace.’

Grandmother Helena spotted him first, her weathered face breaking into a warm smile.

"Damian! Perfect timing! We’re about to have dinner. Come, sit with us."

Damian opened his mouth to politely refuse – he had important training to discuss, didn’t want to impose–

But the children noticed him.

"GODFATHER!"

The title rang out from dozens of young voices simultaneously, kids abandoning their games to swarm toward him, their faces showing genuine joy.

"Godfather, you came!"

"Sit with us! Please!"

"Are you eating dinner? You have to eat with us!"

Small hands grabbed at his coat, pulling him toward the dining hall with irresistible enthusiasm.

Damian looked at Grandmother Helena helplessly, and she just smiled wider, her eyes showing she knew exactly what she was doing.

He sighed and let himself be pulled along.

"Alright, alright. I’ll eat with you."

The cheers were deafening.

****

[Orphanage Dining Hall]

The meal was simple but filling – rice, vegetables, meat stew prepared in massive quantities to feed hundreds of children.

Damian sat at one of the long tables, surrounded by kids who kept stealing glances at him between bites, their faces showing they still couldn’t quite believe the Godfather was eating with them.

The Unnamed Four sat nearby, their legendary status completely invisible in this context, just looking like older siblings or uncles sharing a family meal.

"Godfather, is it true you fought Giants?"

A young girl asked, her eyes wide with fascination.

"Yes."

"Were they scary?"

"Very scary."

"But you beat them anyway?"

Damian smiled slightly.

"I survived. That’s what matters."

The girl nodded seriously, processing this wisdom, then went back to her food satisfied.

There were many simple conversations and normal moments. The kind of peace that felt almost surreal given everything else happening in his life.

’Sometimes I wonder... Will I be able to protect all this?’

After dinner, Damian and the Unnamed Four excused themselves, walking to a large courtyard behind the orphanage where they could speak privately.

****

[Orphanage Courtyard - Private Discussion]

The courtyard was empty except for training equipment – wooden posts for striking practice, weights for strength training and open space for sparring.

Damian leaned against one of the posts, facing the four S rank awakeners.

"How’s the city treating you? Any problems?"

Yara spoke first, her usually serious face showing genuine happiness.

"It’s been so long since we’ve had peaceful times like this. Years of running, hiding and fighting... and now we can just exist without constantly looking over our shoulders."

Her voice became softer.

"Thank you for sheltering us and giving us this."

Gregor nodded, his scarred face showing rare contentment.

"Gia’s protection is real. No Noble families have tracked us to this city. They can’t find us through their normal intelligence networks. We’re actually safe for the first time in decades."

Castor’s analytical eyes studied Damian carefully.

"Kid, you look exhausted and drained... Something wrong?"

Damian considered deflecting, then decided honesty was better with people whose help he needed.

"I’m getting used to my Domain. It’s a Domain of Despair that feeds on my negative emotions. When I use it, I get affected by the feedback. It’s hard to control."

All four nodded with understanding, their expressions showing they’d heard about similar things before.

Vash snorted, his blunt personality showing through.

"See? That’s why physical Domains are better. Mental Domains are too troublesome. Just manipulate reality directly instead of playing mind games with yourself."

Damian turned to him specifically.

"Speaking of physical matters – I have immense physical strength, but no proper control to utilize it efficiently. I need your help for training."

Vash’s face lit up with genuine enthusiasm.

"Good! I was going to find you anyway. I wanted to teach you some things about body mastery. Physical control is my specialty."

Before they could continue, Gregor raised his hand, his voice becoming more serious.

"One warning first, Damian. Don’t increase your Aura rank too quickly. Faster doesn’t always mean better in cultivation."

His face showed hard-learned wisdom.

"You’re sixteen and already C+ rank. That’s exceptional progress, but you need to let your body become truly familiar with each rank. Let your Aura settle, your control refine, your foundation solidify before pushing higher."

He paused.

"Also – you’re S rank talent, correct?"

Damian nodded.

"I’ll think of ways to increase my talent eventually. Maybe–"

Castor interrupted, his analytical mind already seeing the pattern.

"You don’t need to worry excessively about S rank talent. Look at Vash – he’s only A rank talent."

Vash nodded without shame, completely comfortable with his limitations.

"But he managed to break through to S rank by focusing solely on body cultivation. Talent isn’t an absolute limit."

Castor’s voice became more instructional.

"Talent primarily determines your speed of Aura absorption and the efficiency of converting ambient energy into personal power."

Yara added her perspective, her healer’s knowledge showing.

"You probably rushed to C+ rank due to several factors. But I suspect the main factor is your Willpower being exceptionally strong for your age."

She looked at him curiously.

"What’s your Will attribute currently?"

"More than three hundred."

"!!!"

Silence!

Complete and shocked silence.

All four Unnamed Four members looked at each other speechlessly, their expressions mixing disbelief with something approaching awe.