Pilot

Arta didn't know where she was. All she remembered were blinding lights and then darkness. Maybe, she died.

A comforting thought since the world may be rid of her and she would be rid of it.

So where was she now?

A sharp pain that radiated throughout her entire body clouded every thought.

Body?

body?

Was she alive?

No.

No.

Something was wrong.

No.

No.

Everything was wrong.

The pain lasted far too long. Far too long that she realized for a fact that with pudgy fingers, small feet, and a haunting horror, she was alive in a different world.

Once the pain lessened she took account of her new reality.

One, she was an orphaned 4-year-old with memories of a lifetime

Two, whoever decided to cause such pain should rot in hell with whoever decided to bring her back

Three, a book, she was living in a book.

...

The Gambit Chronicles followed a boy who's described to be filled with sunshine and how he manages to keep such values through such a chaotic world. He pursues greatness and strength with some kindness if he could. Haru was the protagonist that didn't want to lose love for the world even in the midst of everything.

He loved as much as he could. Something that would be hard to achieve for countless. Maybe, that's why she read it. However, like all things it ended.

"Arta, come and eat." the matron shouted, ending her trance, and she promptly blacked out.

The next moment she came by she was sporting a fever. Something tells her that her brain activity can't be accomodated in such a small body. It will either regress or adjust and she'd hope for the latter.

The world was not kind afterall. She was born again as an orphan and with such a fever, the matron won't be able to care for her around the clock, giving the care needed to sustain a toddler especially since the orphanage sees a new rise in population and the budget and manpower remains the same.

Lucky for her, it doesn't matter either way. Burn her brains to death or wake-up in such a world. She was already in her merry way to the underworld. Why bother?

Oh, there's another thing, such an orphanage, in such a world was there was only a certain truth. In 9 years such an orphanage would cease to exist. In light of the blubbering babe that was just born last twilight who will turn into a manipulated discarded pawn murderer.

Generally, the story goes like this, there's an academy arc, knightship, war, and into kingship. There are flashbacks and incorporated character stories in between. The standard novel that's very well-written.

So, the orphanage was a just part of a flashback on one of the antagonist Haru would meet. Say, how would a 9-year-old destroy an orphanage?

Simple, magic exists.

Etheron is the mana, chakra, qi, or magic that fuels the people in this world. It is born with you, developed by you, and dies with you. Unfortunately or fortunate, some are born with greater control or amount of this etheron allowing them to be great mages. Such people are prodigies that would have the innate advantage and instinct to learn what ordinary people would require years to practice in a much shorter time.

Additionally, Arta was born 10 years before the protagonist is born. The years before peace, meaning, war is outside the larger gates of the capital.

Oh, Fuck this shit

Such thoughts can't be sustained for a long time so she promptly passed out.

The next time she came to, she was living in autopilot and lived to rest. Since, her last lifetime was a life for survival then, she wishes to live this life just to rest. If that's even possible.

Circumstances dictate that she could live such an ignorant and easy-going life for all her childhood years (before dying from the massacre). But, as circumstances also dictate that she, at 7 years old, she'd have to attend the pre-academy to be a cannon fodder as far as fate for orphans go.

"Sis, Up! Up! Up!" Shin the sweet 4-year-old would-be-murderer gestured and raised his hands up to her

She picked up the child and twirled him around before putting him down. The child was endearing and took a liking to her. Well, she also likes such an obedient little prodigy.

Shin cheerfully laughed and giddily squeeled at the fast motion.

"Sis, Again. Again!" The little thing asked blinking and staring at her cutely that definitely got him what he wanted whenever he had that expression

"Enough Shin." she muttered while patting his head

"Aww..." and then he pouts with his fat cheeks bulging

Of course, one has to pinch them just ever so slightly

"Nooooo" Shin ran after being pinched and disappeared out the door

Arta was preparing her things for her 1st day of a couple more. Her days were already limited and counted. If ever, there were 2 ways to die, war, and Shin, whichever took her life first.

While the pre-academy only releases children when they're 12 to their first cases. First cases being jobs around the capital, and afterwhich jobs at the gates, which had its own dangers. Then, whoever was blessed (more cursed) will have the honor of war and defending the capital.

She wouldn't put it past her that war might need more cannon fodder to expend given that war takes lives and more orphans are developed by the minute.

Around her, the orphanage was cramped with children. One would run by her each minute. She was preparing in the common area. Just a large space with chairs, toys, and books scattered around. It was the largest area where objects are found and where the matrons gathered 7-year-olds to wish them well and out.

"...take care, and Glory to Ether" the matron finished her long and dragging speech and signaled for them to go out the door. She had the nice idea to talk while the 7-year-old prepare their packs. Well, orphans had lack of supervision and being 7-years-old, they were already expected to have enough independence and capability.

She had a glimpse of Shin hiding in the doorframe before she turned and walked to the door.

"Well, glory to Ether..." she muttered, a saying said to bless the citizens of Ether to have abundance and strength.

She was long exhausted even before walking out that door.