The orphanage of Tristan

The smell of oiled metal clanging against each other,  assaulted his senses. The slap of cold wind forcing him to focus. 

Looking down from where he was standing, Reiji saw waves of well armed soldiers of multiple races gathered together, each staring at him with fervent adoration and worship. Each one of them chanting out, Hero! Hero! Hero!

Rallying words, and morale boosting speech was given one after another, by the generals standing by his side. Unable to move or control his body, he could only watch as his right arm was raised, a holy sword piercing the dark night sky. Stepping forwards, words he had never spoken came out from his mouth.

"Soldiers-no, free people... This is the end. Beyond the horizon lies not just an army - but a shadow that will swallow this world whole. Our world." 

A feminine voice rang out from his mouth, full of zeal and passion. 

"Today we fight not for crowns, banners, or kingdom. Today we fight for all life!"

The sword in his hand glowed, lighting up the dark sky, as he channeled divine mana into it.

"They believe us to be weak! That we would fear and cower before them... But our bonds are strong! Our wills iron! Together, we can win!" 

"I have stood with you, bled with you... I know that we stand united!"

"Tomorrow when the sun rises, it will be on a free world - one that we have protected with our very lives... Should we fall today... let the enemy know that we died fighting, protecting what matters most."

Looking at the army below, she finally shouted.

"Stand with me brothers and sisters, and let us carve our names into the annals of history!"

"YEAHHHHHHHHH!"

Alicia! Alicia! Alicia!

Waking up from his dreams, the first thing Reiji noticed was the smell - stale wood, damp cloths, and the faint smell of boiled vegetables. Using all his willpower, he slowly opened his eyes, fighting against his eyelids. The dream already fading from his memories, leaving behind only the lingering feelings that he felt from Alicia.

The cieling above him was cracked and warped, water stains spreading across. The signs of constant repair could be seen, mixed into the cieling.

Rolling to his side, he was greeted with the bright sky blue eyes of a goddess. Her well proportion face had a cheeky smile plastered over it. Her sky blue hair covering parts of her face.

"Bwuh" 

Falling out of the bed, Reiji quickly backed up, startled by the sight of the goddess sleeping next to him. 

"Wha - waddya think ya doin?!" 

“Oh your finally awake.”  Elnyra floated out of the bed, displaying her well shaped body draped over by a small satin pajamas. 

“Wha-why're ya dressed like that?!” Reiji asked, quickly averting his gaze. 

“Fufufu. I heard your unconscious voice waking up. So I thought I’d shock you awake. Consider that my punishment for making me worry.” The goddess replied giggling.

Grumbling to himself, Reiji apologized to Elnyra for making her worry. Remembering how she had tried to catch him as he was falling unconscious. 

Putting on his washed and folded clothes, Reiji headed out the door, stepping into a rundown hallway. The building seems to be made from natural resources, mostly wood and stone. The floorboards creaked as he walked on them.

Hearing the sounds of the creaking floorboard, two familiar heads popped out of a nearby hole in the wall.

"Oh big bro Reiji, you're awake!" Noah smiled excitedly as he saw Reiji. The little beastkin running out to pull him towards the hole.

"We're just about to have lunch. You're in luck, we have boiled vegetable soup and bread today!" Wuelle who was wearing a small dirty apron beamed at him as Noah brought Reiji into a large room with a long wooden dining table.

Like the rest of the orphanage the furniture was made out of stale wood, the room were just as rundown from wear and tear, barely holding together through short term repairs.

At the middle of the living room was Taryn, sitting at the dining table with multiple other children of different races all of a similar age range. Only one other person seemed out of place, as she was a full size adult, wearing a grey nun outfit. She would have fit in back on earth if only she didn't have two long ears sticking out of her head.

 Noticing Reiji, Wuelle, immediately greeted him. “Reiji you’re awake. Say hello to everyone,” 

The other people sitting at the table were: Sister Mary the woodelf, Lily a human girl, Melron a dwarf boy, and Brent a half-elf boy.

Sister Mary also got up to greet him. “Thank you for saving the children Reiji. They've been telling me all about your heroic battle against the bandits.” Sister Mary was a tall slender dark elf, with dark skin, who carried herself with the softness of a caring mother.

“You don’t have to thank me for that. I was only getting rid of trash that I found annoying. It’s not a big deal.”  He replied.

“Wow look at you, acting all stoic. If only your cheeks weren’t red.”  

Ignoring Elnyra, Reiji went to join the others at the table. Wuelle had quickly placed another bowl of soup for him. 

"Not to be rude, but how did I get here? Last I remember was losing to Souma." Reiji spoke between mouthfuls, as he wolfed down the bread and soup in front of him. Enjoying his first proper meal since he arrived in this world.

"Ah Souma is the one that carried you here. Well it was Kiba that was carrying you." Taryn replied. "We heard loud sounds of fighting. By the time we arrived, it had already died down. Kiba eventually came to find us. That's when we realized you and big bro Souma were fighting."

"I'd like to apologize on my brother's behalf. Despite you rescuing the children Souma still went and hurt you." Sister Mary bowed profusedly.

"Brother? Are you part Oni?" Reiji asked confuse.

"No silly! Big bro Souma and Sister Mary are also from this orphanage. When they grew of age, they chose to stay behind to help the others like us."  

"Oh... I see." Reiji scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Yes, this orphanage of Tristan can only support orphans up to the age of 15. After that they have to leave and find their own way in the world." Sister Mary said sadly. 

"Souma and I chose to stay in Tristan and find ways to help support the orphanage further. So he became an adventurer and I became a nun. However most of our other siblings have gone to different parts of the world to find their own lives."

"Anyways, big bro Reiji. How was our big bro Souma? Was he strong?" Taryn asked excitedly.

"Ah - yea - He was strong alright. Stronger than anyone I've ever fought." Reiji replied.

"I know right!" Noah beamed.

"He's able to fight up close, with his short swords and also able to use magic, when he changes form. It's super cool!" Wuelle joined in. "Especially Kiba, his pet direwolf is just so fluffy and cute. I want to play in his fur all day."

Hearing Wuelle’s reply he couldn’t help but agree. “Yes, Souma really is strong. Even back on my world, I’ve barely ever lost a fight that badly before.” 

As they continued making small talk, a loud creak could be heard as the front door swung open. Souma came walking in, Kiba trailing behind him. Seeing Reiji at the table, Souma nodded at Reiji once before sitting on the other side of the table. Kiba walked over to the corner of the room and curled up besides Wuelle.

"You're eating." Souma noted, more of an observation than a question.

"Yeah... Thanks for carrying me."

"Think of it as thanks for rescuing the children."

An awkward silence befell the room as Reiji and Souma continued eating their meal in silence. The children took turns, stealing glances between the two. 

Souma’s face was still as ever. Reiji on the other hand, was eating with furrowed brows. Having lost to the Oni before him, he felt outmatched by Souma's expert use of his swordsmanship and wide array of skills. 

Clearly, he was someone who understood how to best utilize and fight with the blessings of this world. Unlike the bandits that he fought earlier.

Having underestimated this world due to being able to handle the monsters of the forest and the bandits easily, his lost against Souma had been an eye opening experience. Not to mention humbling.

However he was still alive. That meant he could challenge Souma again, just like back on Earth. As long as he didn't die, he would always come back for revenge. 

These swirling thoughts fill his head, as he wolfed down the food in front of him wildly, taking out his frustration on the food.

Reading his thoughts, Elnyra silently smiled, grateful that Reiji has been doused with the cold truth before its too late. Although the silent frustration was beginning to grate on her nerves as well.

Unable to stand the silence Noah eventually interjected.

"So what are your plans after this big bro Reiji?"

"Nice job Noah!" Elnyra raised her thumbs at Noah, not that he could see it.

"I'm not sure. Since this is the first time I've been to a city in this world. I'd like to take a look around." 

"In that case. We can show you around." The three children happily offered to take Reiji around the town, wanting to pay him back for saving them.

"Sounds like a plan." He smiled.