How to ruin the original

Episode 2

Nigel barely made it out of the house by midnight, after enduring a whirlwind of congratulations and tears. As he washed up and sat on his bed, he noticed a storage locker in the corner of the room. He had put the locket in there years ago and hadn’t taken it out since. He opened the locker, retrieved the locket, and saw his name on one side and the intricate seal from the envelope on the other. The sight made him sigh deeply, feeling the weight of his past and his uncertain future.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Nigel quickly hid the locket in his pocket and opened the door to find Benny, the youngest child in the orphanage, rubbing his sleepy eyes and holding his swollen cheek.

“Nigel, it’s me…,” Benny whimpered.

Nigel knelt down, gently examining Benny’s cheek. “Tell me, I won’t be mad.”

“Actually… my left tooth really, really hurts,” Benny confessed.

Nigel sighed, realizing that Benny had ignored his advice about eating candy and brushing his teeth. He performed a small healing spell, his hand glowing with a golden light. Benny’s pain disappeared, and Nigel reminded him to keep it a secret, as he had done with all the children he had healed over the years. Once Benny was tucked back into bed, Nigel returned to his room, pulling out the locket again. The heavy burden of being a saint, a healer born with divine power but feared for it, weighed on him.

In the original story, Nigel, known as the “Mad Dog of the Temple,” went on a rampage when he was rejected as an apprentice priest, leading to his capture and trial by the temple. He knew he had to avoid that fate.

The next morning, Handel handed Nigel a letter from Jeronin Silvas, a former orphanage resident. Reading it, Nigel felt relieved; he had managed to complete everything Jeronin had asked. He prepared to leave, packing his things and setting off for the village, his destination being the Evans Trading Company, the top of the Evans family empire.

Upon arrival, Nigel was greeted by Sally, an impeccably professional woman. After confirming Nigel’s identity with a letter and his academy enrollment certificate, Sally facilitated the transaction, transferring a significant sum of money to Nigel—a bequest from Jeronin. The amount was enough to secure the orphanage’s future for a long time.

That night, Nigel burned the letter from his supposed family in the fireplace, deciding to forge his own path. He knew he had to rely on his abilities and the opportunities he could create for himself, rather than waiting for a family he had never known.

As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a mix of relief and determination. Tomorrow, he would set out for the Imperial Academy of Sienia, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, but tonight, he allowed himself a moment of peace in the familiar surroundings of the orphanage.

—

The following morning, Nigel received yet another letter, this time from Jeronin, who had also grown up in the orphanage. This letter confirmed that Jeronin had successfully arranged for Nigel to receive a substantial inheritance, enough to support himself and the orphanage for a long time. Grateful and determined, Nigel set out for the Evans Trading Company to finalize the transaction.

At the trading company, Nigel was greeted by Sally, who handled the paperwork with professional efficiency. After verifying Nigel’s identity through his academy enrollment certificate, she completed the transaction, ensuring that the funds were securely transferred. As Nigel left the trading company, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and security.

Back at the orphanage, Nigel reflected on the recent events. He knew that his journey was just beginning and that he would need to rely on his wits and strength to navigate the challenges ahead. But with the support of his friends and the resources he had secured, he was confident that he could create a better future for himself and the children of the orphanage.