While living in the orphanage, I continued to prepare for my future career as a teacher.
Over the past month I had managed to learn many new things on my own, of which I was very proud. Nevertheless, as it turned out, my efforts all this time had been merely the tip of the iceberg.
I often shared my successes and failures with our teacher, since he was one of the few like-minded people I had in this matter.
When I told Mr. Loren about my process of self-study, he sighed and shook his head:
"Of course, it's commendable that you study on your own. But still, with such preparation for the exams, you'll have a hard time..."
I was a little puzzled when the teacher suddenly said this.
"Mr. Loren, what do you mean?"
"Don't you know?" he spread his hands. "Even colleges for commoners are a battlefield now. So admissions committees have no choice but to increase the difficulty of entrance exams every year. So, even if it's an ordinary college, getting in may not be so easy now..."
When Mr. Loren shared with me some details about the current situation in the empire's education system, I was, of course, a little stunned. Of course, it's good that more and more young people every year strive to improve their lives and go to study. But at the same time... for someone like me, it also meant an increase in the difficulty of getting in.
I admit that at first I had treated it rather lightly. It seemed to me that getting into a college where commoners studied was as easy as pie. At least, much easier than into an educational institution for aristocrats.
But nevertheless... unexpectedly it turned out that everything was not as I had thought.
And now I seriously began to think: what if I really fail to do it?
Now, when I thought about it for the first time, I really began to worry. Especially since the difficulty of the exams increased every year. Apparently, the reaction was too visible on my face.
Mr. Loren apparently felt a little sorry for me when he watched me, so he said:
"It would be good if you had a tutor. With a reliable mentor, preparing for exams is much easier, you know."
I frowned. Well, no one denied that.
Of course, who would argue that studying together with a tutor was much easier and more effective than on your own? And yet...
Mr. Loren sighed.
"To be honest, I myself would be glad to teach you," he said. "I am always inspired by hardworking young people. But... even if I wanted to, I don't have the time for it."
Well, that was understandable. Mr. Loren was the only teacher in our orphanage, and he had to work with a large number of children every day. So the fact that he had no time for additional tutoring with me was completely obvious.
But in that case, where else could I find a tutor? I'm an orphan, and I don't even have money!
No matter how you look at it, I really couldn't follow Mr. Loren's advice and find a mentor. For someone like me, there was simply no other choice but to study on my own.
At least, that was what I thought. But then unexpectedly a ray of hope shone.
"Actually..." Mr. Loren said thoughtfully. "Regarding your situation, I have an idea."
"What? What do you mean?"
"One of my former students is currently studying at college to become a teacher," he smiled. "And since he's still a student, he lacks practice. I think that if I ask him, as a favor he'll agree to teach you."
When I heard this, I couldn't believe my ears.
"Really?!"
"Of course," the teacher nodded. "I'll contact him, and if he agrees, I'll find a way to introduce you. My former student is a talented young man of whom I am very proud. So I'm sure he won't refuse."
As soon as I heard about this, I instantly perked up. Did I still have hope after all?
But at the same time... for a moment, as soon as I thought about it, I wilted.
"Mr. Loren..." I said upset. "But I don't even have money to pay your student for lessons."
But the teacher of our orphanage only smirked.
"Don't worry about money!" he declared with confidence. "Since I'm going to ask him for this favor personally, I don't think this boy will really have the nerve to ask for money. In the end, he still must remember how I once helped him. So he can consider it repayment of a debt. And besides... as a student, practice will do him good anyway."
At that moment I almost sobbed.
Mentally I admired how selfless and pure our teacher's heart was.
That's what it means to be a teacher who not only teaches but truly worries about his students!
I would like to become like him someday.
And since Mr. Loren's words sounded so convincing, I decided to trust him completely. I felt relief and at the same time a feeling of gratitude. Smiling, I nodded:
"All right, then I'll look forward to meeting your student!"
***
A couple of days passed after that conversation with Mr. Loren. The teacher really hadn't lied and hadn't forgotten his promise. After the next lesson ended, he came up to me and said:
"I contacted my student, and he agreed to teach you. Here. He asked me to give you his letter."
"Really?!" I was beside myself with happiness.
Not believing my eyes, I snatched the envelope the teacher gave me.
"Of course," he smiled. "I hope everything works out for you!"
I was immensely grateful to Mr. Loren for helping me so much, even though he was not at all obliged to do so. In the end, I was just one of many orphans in the orphanage. Nevertheless, our teacher really did have a kind heart.
Immediately after the lesson ended, left alone in the classroom, I opened the envelope.
"Hello, Miss Brown!
My name is Ollie, and I am a second-year student at the pedagogical college. Mr. Loren asked me to help you prepare for the entrance exams. I thought a little and decided to agree, since I have free time.
But before we start lessons, I need to find out your initial level of preparation. So I suggest we meet at a cafe to discuss everything. We can also get acquainted and get to know each other better.
I will be glad to meet you.
I will wait for you on Wednesday this week at the cafe 'Lily' in the city center. I hope you know this place, but if not, ask the teacher to tell you.
See you soon, Miss Brown!"
As soon as I read this short letter, it seemed to me that the guy who wrote it was quite nice.
Since he was a second-year student, he was probably seventeen years old or something like that. But in any case... even if he was just a student, I was still glad that someone had agreed to teach me.
Of course, I was going to reply with agreement and meet him.
Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long. The day of our meeting was set for tomorrow.
Besides, I also knew the cafe where we were supposed to meet. The cafe 'Lily' was located right opposite the cafe we had gone to last time together with Amalia and Erica. So I could easily find it on my own.
The next day I carefully prepared for our meeting from the very morning, feeling a little nervous. I hoped that Mr. Loren's student would find me competent enough to teach me.
Finally, when the appointed time of the meeting was almost there, I was about to leave the orphanage. Nevertheless, I had only just left the building and hadn't even managed to reach the main gates.
It was precisely at that moment that someone suddenly caught me by the arm.
"Where are you going?"
I was surprised, for it unexpectedly turned out to be Erica. Where did she come from?!
For some reason she was also breathing heavily, as if she had walked here very quickly.
I was a little at a loss, but blinked and said:
"Ah, nothing much. I'm just going to meet an acquaintance in the city."
"An acquaintance? What acquaintance?" Erica asked again.
I was a little puzzled by her reaction.
"...Erica, why are you so tense? It's just a college student whom Mr. Loren recommended to me. He agreed to become my tutor and study with me for free. So right now I'm going to meet him."
But even after I explained everything, Erica for some reason still didn't let go of my hand.
No, her grip on my wrist tightened, to such an extent that I even felt pain.
Honestly, I didn't understand why she was acting like this right now.
"Erica, what are you..."
"You're not going anywhere," the girl suddenly said in a hollow voice.
"What?"
"I said you're not going anywhere."
I frowned slightly, puzzled.
"What are you talking about? Why can't I go?"
The girl's red eyes were fixed directly on me, and for some reason it was precisely now that this gaze, which I had seen so many times before, sent a shiver through me.
"Don't even think about it."
Erica squeezed my hand so tightly that it seemed to me it was about to break.