章節 7: Union - part4

While organizing books in the mythology wing, he stumbled upon one of the oldest books in the library. The title on the side was so worn that it was barely legible. Intrigued, Arthur opened the book to see its contents and possibly relocate it to another section. The back cover revealed the book's name, "The Chronicles of Olympus," and below the title was an image of Zeus on his throne, accompanied by an unidentified figure due to tears on the pages.

Remembering that he planned to study a little about the subject for the next morning anyway, he decided to take the opportunity to look at the book beforehand, so Arthur started reading and time went by, just as he was entertained during class, or while he listened to Jonathan's conversation. Arthur was so entertained reading about the most famous gods of Olympus that he didn't notice the time passing and soon it was time to close the library, but Arthur didn't go downstairs, and the minutes continued to tick by. He was almost halfway through the book when he decided to put it away, thinking it was getting too late, so he headed for the shelves and looked for the right place for the book.

After putting the book away, Arthur pondered, 'The second method is too risky. I want to become strong and live a comfortable life like Alex... Dying shouldn't even be considered.' From the conversation, only a few people should align with the union without facing consequences. Arthur murmured.

Arthur remained lost in thought for several minutes as he considered Jonathan and Allan's conversation and thought about his own circumstance and weighed up his choices; before he knew it 15 minutes had passed beyond the time that was supposed to be closed the library, and while he was still lost in thought Arthur heard - ARTHUR!!!! COME DOWN NOW!!! - Arthur, who was startled by the sudden shout, dropped some books on the floor, then looked at the clock on the wall and was startled by the time and remembering the shout Albert had just given, he ignored the books on the floor and ran down to the first floor.

- Arthur, what were you doing until now? - Albert asked with a sour look on his face.

- I... - After a brief bout of hesitation, Arthur replied - I was reading a book. I ended up finishing work early, so I thought it would be okay. - Arthur said, a little embarrassed.

- Sigh... - Albert sighed, and then looked at Arthur with the kind of affectionate gaze that a grandfather would show his grandson. - Arthur, I taught you to read and told you to practice in your spare time. But do you have to read after hours anyway? - Albert asked while smiling.

- Sorry... - Arthur replied while looking embarrassed.

- All right let's get going. - Albert went to the door and turned off the power to the entire building. - See you tomorrow, Arthur. - Albert said.

Arthur nodded and said - See you tomorrow, Mr. Albert.

After leaving the library Arthur walked along while looking at the stars in the sky, he lost himself in some memories from weeks ago as he followed the same familiar path as always.

- Alex, what's the army like? - Arthur asked.

- Every time I come to visit the orphanage; you ask me the same question. -Alex replied while smiling.

- Of course, the orphanage is horrible. I must work if I want to eat at least one sweet, why would I like this? - Arthur retorted.

- The library job isn't so bad. - said Alex, still smiling at Arthur.

- Cleaning toilets every day isn't so bad, Alex? Why don't you come and help me one day then? - Arthur muttered.

- Do you really think you won't be cleaning or cooking in the army? Besides, there won't be an old man there who lets you use cleaning robots... Of course, if you're as strong as me, you can start as a corporal, which means you'll practically be a little slave, Arthur. - Alex said as he smiled and stroked Arthur's head. - Let's play something and leave this boring work talk for another time, I've only got one day off this week.

- Okay, let's play something," Arthur replied

As Arthur remembered his conversation with Alex, he kept looking up at the sky and smiling. Like any child, he was immature, after all; even though he sometimes tried to act like an adult and be responsible, he was still less than ten years old. Arthur knew this and knew that perhaps being strong wouldn't get him the life he wanted, yet it was the best bet he had for his goals and for looking after his little sister too. Thinking about his sister, Arthur remembered a phrase he heard in the orphanage director's office. He doesn't remember when exactly he heard it, but he knows it was a long time ago and yet it was a phrase that marked him deeply. 'Being strong without needing to be and flaunting my power may seem arrogant to some people. And indeed, it is, but so what, old man? I can be arrogant for that very reason, precisely because no one can do anything but hate me in silence since they don't even have the courage to insult me behind my back... - The strangely attractive voice, but before he could concentrate on the girl's voice, he heard her speak again with a voice filled with arrogance. - There's a phrase my father said to me when I hadn't yet gone through the union process, Mr. Hilbert.' After remembering back to that point, Arthur made a firm expression and repeated the words he had heard that day. - Being strong without needing it is not and never will be a problem in anyone's life, but being weak when you need strength is not just a problem, it's a nightmare, a nightmare that no one wants to experience. - Arthur said this smiling as a child should. Even though he didn't know exactly how to interpret this phrase, he thought it was nice, so he repeated it whenever he thought it fit.

As Arthur rambled into his thoughts, he spotted the market across from the orphanage and ran into it as usual. He made a beeline for the bakery inside the supermarket. - Uncle, please give me three doughnuts! - Arthur exclaimed with excitement as he looked at the doughnuts, he used to buy on his way back from the library.

- Again, you always ask for the same thing Arthur. - Said the man as he smiled and handed Arthur his order.

- Hehe... I promised to bring sweets today too. Uncle, put them in separate packages today too. - said the smiling Arthur.

- You've taken Alex's place for real; you're even bringing sweets every day.

- Well, I said I'd take care of things. And now I'm the oldest, so I must take care of everything, right? Uncle, put it on the bill again! - Arthur said as he ran into the orphanage.

- He says he's the responsible big brother, but he always puts everything on Alex's account, it's hilarious. - commented the man as he smiled and watched Arthur enter the orphanage.

Arthur cautiously entered the room to avoid disturbing the orphanage staff. As always, he placed a doughnut on each bedside table before retiring for the night. As he lay down, Arthur glanced out the window, contemplating the few visible stars and pondering the day ahead until he drifted off to sleep.