I'm anxious. That is without a doubt, my current feeling. Currently, the kids are divided into three, those whose kinda reluctant to accept Rafiah (Zerolith, Singa and Savel), the cautious/neutral group (Rean, Elise, Kara, Karon and Farhah) and also those who support her (Mara and Charlotte). Kara is on the verge to change side to follow her twin sister but let just said she need a little push. Still, if you ask me, this is to be expected. Her friend is about to kill them and then she suddenly barge in and ask for forgiveness, yup, no sane people can process that thing quickly.

"It's alright Big Sis, give them some time and they will open up to you!" [Mara]

"Yes, thank you Mara" [Rafiah]

Mara and Charlotte are currently trying to get to know Rafiah better. They're asking various questions while avoiding sensitive topics (mostly Mara, and when she detects Charlotte's about to ask sensitive questions, she will cover her mouth)

Rean, Elise and Kara are trying their best to tell Zerolith to be gentle to Rafiah. I suppose it doesn't really fall into a deaf ear, he might be acting like he doesn't care at all, but in reality he's "concerns" about Rafiah identity (well, curious will better fit this situation I guess). Karon and Farhah do the same to Singa and Savel. While Singa and Savel don't fully understand the hatred and stuff toward the non-human, they do understand that those from the old follower will have strong prejudice against their kind and thus, they actively try to avoid Rafiah (if you ask me, if their actions continue, they will develop a problem near future...) In other words, I'm afraid they will become like those old followers, unnecessarily hating a group of people without any basis

"What should we Claude?" [Ash]

"In my opinion, they will simply get better as time goes by. Do some activities with them and involved Rafiah and I'm sure it will work out" [Claude]

"Personal experience?" [Ash]

"It is" [Claude]

Well, if he said so. Now then, the training hall will be open today (and close again for tomorrow due to the young healers using it as their station), I guess I can ask Rafiah to train with us, or so I thought

"!" [Rafiah]

"!" [Zerolith]

Yup, they're still awkward with each other. Not that I care about it. I would drag them if necessary, but thank god I don't have to resort to such an act, otherwise my reputation as an older brother will be tarnished inside their heart

"This is, the training hall?" [Rafiah]

"It is, here is where the kids and I train together, and every weekday from 100pm to 700pm, we will open the hall for public usage. We will apply some fees though, to ensure the financial stability of the orphanage" [Ash]

I explained to her about how the system works. From the entrance fee to how the loot being handle, and also Housey role in maintaining this place. Which reminds me of one thing...

"Rafiah, you really don't have anywhere to go?" [Ash]

"!" [Rafiah]

"Brother Ash! That's rude, you can't just ask her like that" [Mara]

Mara suddenly go full offense, I'm sure she misunderstood the reason behind my question, so let just explain it to her, ohh and also to others as well

"Calm down, I'm asking this for her own benefits" [Ash]

"Benefits?" [Rafiah]

"I'll get straight to the point. Will you consider working here to maintain this training hall?" [Ash]

"!" [Others]

Usually, the training hall are being managed by Claude and me, but both of us also have our hand full on other things, for example the investigation that I would do tomorrow. If this continues on, the training hall will have an irregular opening session, and it will deter our regulars from coming in, which is bad, very bad. That's why hiring a worker is a must

"Well, I'll pay you a fixed amount of money, and since you don't have anywhere to live inside Estel, I can also lend you the room inside the mansion free of charge. Of course, food included" [Ash]

Generous? Not quite. As compared to her, I'm pretty lucky since I get this mansion for free. Plus, I don't want her to be homeless, and I also don't want any of the old follower trying to take her back, who knew what will they do once they found out about her true identity

"Can I see how you do handle things first?" [Rafiah]

"Sure" [Ash]

A reasonable reason. Plus, there will be some time before the training hall open, so I will quickly do some simulation to help her.

"Let see, Rean, Zerolith and Charlotte. You three will become our mock customers. So if you can, please start from the entrance" [Ash]

"Understood" [Rean]

"What!" [Zerolith]

"Ok!" [Charlotte]

As expected, Zerolith are quite reluctant. It may seem random but I chose one from each group just now. Zerolith because he's the one that actively mad at Rafiah just now. If I can make him accept Rafiah, Singa and Savel will naturally follow (I hope). Rean to meditate and Charlotte as cheerleader I guess? I pick her just because I don't want Mara and Zerolith to be on the same team, who knew what will happen. No, I can guess, they will start bickering with each other, and this can lead to some injuries if they're not cooperating with each other when fighting the zombie. Don't get me wrong, they're strong but in this case, I will still choose safety first.

And here goes the simulation. The three of them started from the entrance, and 

"Morning, only the three of you?" [Ash]

"Yes!" [Charlotte]

"I see, well, please pay us first. I believe you already knew the amount" [Ash]

"Sure" [Charlotte]

Rean and Zerolith quickly search their pockets for money, and as for Charlotte, she paid for all three with her imaginary coins. Seeing this, the two of them become beet red

"Thank you, now each session will be 20 minutes in which you will fight a group of zombies based on difficulty level predeterminedly set, or you can request to change it to either specific zombies type. Do note we can only simulate up till B rank difficulty if I'm not around" [Ash]

"Ok" [Charlotte]

"Why is that so?" [Rafiah]

Oh yeah, I don't explain it to her regarding that part. Well, should explain it now

"I see..." [Rafiah]

"Thinking something?" [Ash]

"No, it's nothing" [Rafiah]

Weird, I thought she will give some solution for a moment, but never mind that. Maybe because she's still shy to state her idea

Now then, how should I set it? The three of them are strong. So maybe 30 zombies consist of various types will do. Better avoid the giant zombie, I don't think they're ready for that

"Alright, you have 20 minutes. Rean, Zerolith and Charlotte, take them out!" [Ash]

"""Right!!!""" [Rean, Zerolith, Charlotte]

And there they go, fighting the zombies. Rean quickly unsheathed his katana and dash forward, slicing the runner zombies that come to target the two mages supporting him. That's three down, 27 more to go

Zerolith as usual uses his staff and barrage the zombies with darkness arrow. Charlotte on the other hand, try to use ice arrow. Again, she must have done that after seeing Liyana using it. Plus, she quickly identified the healer zombies and targeted them first. Now, with no more of those healer zombies, the rest of the zombie should succumb quickly, and they did

"Nice job you three. And Rean, keep it up and you will pass my test" [Ash]

"I will!" [Rean]

Rean looks happy, well, his goal is to become adventure, and I impose a condition for his own safety. At least he should able to take down a group of 30 zombies, equivalent to E rank request before getting my approval, and I think those days will be numbered from now on

Oh, Housey have already translocated the loot to the loot corner, and thus the simulation keeps ongoing. The second group, Kara, Mara and Savel also did good. Savel as usual use his illusion magic to draw the zombies attention (and man, that illusion is something else, just where did he get such cruel idea... he basically make an illusion of a crying child with a wound, zombies favourite food if you ask me...). Well, as long as it's working, I guess it's fine? Mara quickly slice those zombies with his wind enhance knives while Kara uses her staff to support from afar

Next group Elise, Karon, Farhah, and Singa are a bit unbalanced, somehow. With Karon trying to get his mana pool to high level, and Farhah imitating him, they quickly exhaust their mana pool, leaving the job to Elise and Singa afterward. Well, they did a good job if you ask me, quickly wiping out majority of zombies but...

"Karon, Farhah. I told you didn't I? If you keep on doing that, you will find yourself in trouble!" [Ash]

""Yes..."" [Karon, Farhah]

Unlike the last time, I won't praise them. This time, I just have to properly scold them or they might not learn any lesson

With some time to spare, we continue our training session. Rafiah is reluctant to join, only watching from the side. And when evening comes, we open the training hall as usual, telling the adventure that we will be closed tomorrow due to the request from the castle. They don't mind it much which is great.

Another hectic day goes by uneventfully, and...

"So do you understand what should be done?" [Ash]

"I did" [Rafiah]

"So care to work here?" [Ash]

"If you don't mind having me" [Rafiah]

"I'll take that as yes. Welcome aboard" [Ash]

"Thanks, ohh... regarding the B rank difficulty, I can offer you a solution" [Rafiah]

"Really?" [Ash]

"I thought you already know? You did scan me back in castle, surely you know I'm also a witch" [Rafiah]

"Ehh!!!" [Ash]

"..." [Rafiah]

Still, a witch huh, this could prove beneficial

"Did you..." [Rafiah]

"No don't worry, I will still hire you. It's just I'm surprised I didn't pick that up." [Ash]

"I see, thank you very much" [Rafiah]

I can see her gratitude, she's happy to get a chance to work here.

Still, a half demon and half angle, who is also a witch, I can see why she absolutely need to wear that bracelet, but her mysterious past deepen more with that sudden revelation. 

Well, as long as I get a worker, I guess it's a win for me