Adrian crouched on the floor of his room, small fingers tracing careful lines in the thin layer of dust that had settled near the windowsill. At four years old, he had more control over his hands than he did a year ago. I’m getting better at this, he thought with a hint of pride, observing the straightness of the lines he had drawn.

  He glanced toward the door, his ears attuned to the faintest creaks or footsteps outside. Seems like Sister Selena is going to arrive soon.

  As expected, the door soon creaked open, pulling Adrian’s focus from his dust drawings. Sister Selena stepped in, balancing a tray in one hand.

  The tray wobbled slightly, and the rich scent of freshly baked cookies wafted into the room. Adrian’s eyes widened at the sight of the warm treats, their tops golden-brown with just the right amount of crispness, accompanied by a small cup of milk.

  “Good morning, Adrian,” Sister Selena greeted as she set a tray on the small table beside his bed.

  “I brought you some breakfast.”

  Adrian pushed himself up from the bed with more composure, feeling a blush warm his cheeks as he noticed the tray. He gave a polite nod, his lips parting in a composed yet sincere, “Thank you, Sister Selena.”

  Carefully, he took a seat, folding his hands for a moment before reaching for a cookie. Feeling the delicate crumble as he brought it to his lips.

  The first bite released a rush of sweetness, and he felt the embarrassment deepen, an unwelcome warmth flooding his cheeks. Why do these taste so much better than they should? he wondered, barely letting the question settle before savoring the next bite. He lifted his glass of milk, taking a calm sip, letting the coolness temper the rich flavor lingering in his mouth.

  “Eat up quickly, Adrian, I’ll need your help preparing for the harvest festival later.” Sister Selena urged.

  Adrian paused, his cookie halfway to his mouth, a few crumbs clinging to his lips. “Tha…harvest feshtival?” he mumbled through a mouthful.

  Sister Selena patted his head affectionately. “It’s a celebration to thank Goddess Isha for providing us with food and a bountiful harvest. Farmers from nearby have already donated lots of food to the convent, so we have a busy day ahead of us.”

  Adrian nodded, chewing thoughtfully. Doesn't seem unusual, and hey, maybe I'll get some different foods this time around.

  He took the last cookie and finished his milk in a few big gulps, careful not to spill a drop. Sister Selena chuckled lightly. “You’ve done well, Adrian. No mess at all this time.”

  She straightened up and gestured toward the door. “Now, come along. We have a lot to get done in the kitchen.”

  Adrian slid off his chair and followed her down the narrow hallway and towards the bustling kitchen. The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the sharp tang of onions and herbs filled the air. A few kids were already working, their sleeves rolled up as they chopped vegetables or stirred pots.

  In one corner, Seven was crouched over a pile of pumpkins, scooping out seeds and separating the pulp. Her movements were quick and precise, almost unnaturally so. Adrian watched her for a moment, thinking, She’s actually good at that.

  Then again, given what he knew about her, it wasn’t entirely surprising. I suppose homunculi are truly constructed alternatively.

  Sister Selena nudged Adrian forward and pointed to a large sack of potatoes on the floor. “I need you to help peel these potatoes. We’ll need plenty for the feast.”

  Adrian nodded and picked up a potato and a peeler. The work was simple but repetitive, the skin coming off in rough spirals that landed softly in a pile by his feet. He focused on the task, trying to keep the peels thin and even, though it wasn’t his favorite kind of work. There's worse things I could be doing.

  As he worked, he heard a soft whisper beside him. “Adrian."

  Adrian turned his head and saw that Seven had slipped over to him. “Can you teach me magic? Please?”

  "Sure, but can it wait until after the harvest festival?"

  "Hmm fine, but do you promise?"

  "Of course, I promise."

  ***

  Adrian’s small arms struggled to balance the wicker basket he carried. It wasn’t heavy, but it was awkward for his tiny hands to grip. His legs wobbled slightly, but he pressed on to keep pace with Seven, who also had a matching basket cradled in her arms.

  Just a bit more, Adrian thought, gripping the basket’s handle tighter as it threatened to slip.

  The two of them finally reached the long wooden table set up in the middle of the convent's yard. Sister Selena was already there, her kind eyes lighting up as she watched the children approach.

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  “You two did wonderfully,” she praised, taking the baskets from them and placing them on the table with a smile. Inside were a few fresh apples, fine additions to the growing display of food meant for the festival.

  Adrian let out a little puff of air, scrunching with exaggerated effort as he wiped his brow with the back of his hand. Then, he straightened up, his small chest puffing out proudly, and looked around the yard.

  The area had been transformed for the festivities. Long tables and sturdy wooden benches were arranged neatly across the lawn, each draped with simple but bright cloths in shades of red, orange, and yellow, while platters of fruits, breads, and pies were already set out.

  This really is a lot of food, he thought, marveling at the abundance.

  Banners and garlands of autumn leaves hung from the trees and fences, swaying gently in the cool breeze. A few children were busy arranging chairs, while others carried baskets of flowers to decorate the tables.

  Adrian let out a slow sigh, feeling both tired and oddly satisfied. It’s kind of nice seeing everything come together like this.

  Sister Selena smiled warmly at Adrian and Seven. “You two should go pick a seat now. The festival is about to start.”

  Adrian nodded, his body still aching slightly. He looked around the bustling yard, wondering where he should sit. Before he could decide, Seven’s hand suddenly wrapped around his wrist. “Come on, I found a good spot.”

  Adrian didn’t resist; he let Seven drag him along, weaving between tables and clusters of people setting up the last touches. She’s stronger than she looks.

  They reached a table near the front, positioned close enough to see everything but far enough to avoid the crowd of nuns bustling around the main table. The two plopped down onto the wooden bench, catching their breath.

  Soon, the crowd of children, nuns, and a few farmers from nearby gathered around the central table. The head priest stepped forward to address the crowd. He raised his hands, signaling for silence, and a hush fell over the yard. “Today, we offer our thanks to the Goddess Isha. For the harvest, for the food before us, and for the bounty of the land that sustains us.”

  The crowd bowed their heads as the priest continued. “Let us pray for another fruitful season and for the well-being of all gathered here.”

  Once the prayer concluded, the head nun stepped forward. She had a soft, grandmotherly warmth about her as she addressed everyone. “We give our deepest gratitude to the farmers, the helpers, and, of course, to all of you children. May this festival remind us of the blessings we share and the community that sustains us.”

  Applause rippled through the crowd, light and heartfelt. Adrian clapped along, his small hands making soft, quick sounds. She’s always happy when she talks like that.

  As the applause died down, the nuns gathered together in a small group near the front of the yard. Sister Selena stood among them, holding a small book of hymns.

  The nuns started singing, voices rising in a harmonious melody that filled the air. The children and farmers listened attentively, some closing their eyes to fully absorb the calming rhythm.

  Once the song ended, the head nun clapped her hands, signaling that the meal could begin. The children’s faces lit up, and the farmers exchanged friendly nods as everyone moved toward the tables. Platters of food were passed around, and laughter mingled with the clatter of plates and silverware.

  Adrian reached for a warm bread roll, breaking it apart and watching the steam rise. He dipped a piece into a bowl of thick stew, savoring the taste of the hearty broth. Beside him, Seven was already working her way through a plate of roasted carrots and potatoes, cheeks bulging slightly as she chewed.

  “This is good,” Adrian said quietly between bites, enjoying the food and the lively atmosphere around him.

  Seven nodded enthusiastically, swallowing quickly before replying, “Yeah! I like the pie the most.” She pointed at a slice of apple pie, the golden crust glistening with sugar.

  Adrian chuckled, grabbing a piece for himself. The sweetness burst on his tongue, mingling perfectly with the warmth of the spices. This festival isn’t so bad after all.

  When he glanced around, the boy spotted a quieter corner of the convent’s yard, tucked beneath a large oak tree with its branches shading the ground below. It was far enough from the tables that no one would overhear them. Perfect. This might be a good time to test things out, just a little.

  “Hey, Seven,” Adrian said, turning to her.

  “Hm?” She looked up from her empty plate.

  “Do you want to practice magic for a bit? Just something small."

  “Really? Right now?"

  Adrian nodded. “But we’ll have to keep it quiet and stay out of sight. Follow me.”

  He stood and began weaving through the tables and groups of people. Seven trailed behind him until they reached the secluded area beneath the oak tree.

  Adrian turned to face her, crossing his arms. “Okay. Let’s try this again. Last time, your mana core got… a little out of hand. So this time, I want you to focus on keeping everything steady.”

  Seven nodded quickly. “I’ll do my best!”

  Adrian gestured for her to stand still and gave her a reassuring look. “Close your eyes, like before. Think of your mana core as a small, steady light. Don’t let it grow too fast or too wild, try to control it.

  Seven obeyed and closed her eyes as she concentrated. Adrian watched intently. Hopefully she can control her powers better this time, but I'll stop her in the worst case scenario.

  The air around them grew still, the faint hum of energy slowly building. Adrian could sense her mana core now, glowing faintly in his mind’s eye. For a moment, it actually seemed stable. She’s actually doing it. Maybe she can—

  His thoughts cut off abruptly as the energy around Seven shifted. A chill ran down his spine as a familiar, malevolent force began to seep into the air. It was subtle at first, like a whisper at the edge of hearing, but it grew stronger with every passing second.

  Adrian’s stomach twisted. Well, that's that. He stepped forward quickly, placing his hands firmly on Seven’s shoulders.

  “Open your eyes,” he said, his voice firm but not panicked.

  Seven’s brow furrowed, her focus unbroken. “But I—”

  “Now!” Adrian insisted, shaking her slightly.

  When her eyes snapped open, and the dark energy that had been creeping into the air vanished instantly. Adrian let out a slow breath, his grip on her shoulders relaxing. "Maybe that's enough for now."

  Seven blinked up at him, her expression worried. “Did I do something wrong?”

  Adrian hesitated, his thoughts racing. It’s not her fault. She doesn’t even know what’s happening. But whatever’s inside her… it’s dangerous.

  He shook his head slowly. “Not exactly. But we’re going to need to practice that more. A lot more.”