As I approached the orphanage, I couldn't help but notice the unusual stillness that seemed to have settled over the usually lively building. The front yard, typically filled with the sound of children playing and laughing, was eerily quiet. A few stray toys littered the overgrown grass, as if hastily abandoned.

I frowned, a sense of unease creeping up my spine as I climbed the worn wooden steps to the front door. Pushing it open, I stepped into the foyer, my footsteps echoing loudly in the empty space.

The other Orphans didn't just hastily abandon what they were doing, they ran for their safety.

I wonder who got in trouble.

"So I hear you knocked out your opponent in a single hit," Cynthia's voice greeted me, cutting through the silence. She stood at the foot of the grand staircase, her arms behind her back as she watched me with a calculating gaze.

I hummed noncommittally, moving to walk past her as I made my way towards the kitchen. I had just finished my iron limb conditioning and while I was careful enough to only put a fraction of my actual strength into my blows, it didn't change the fact my limbs were vaguely buzzing with pain. I wasn't in much of a mood to talk.

Oh, guess it was me.

As we walked through the halls, I couldn't help but notice the signs of neglect that seemed to permeate the once grand manor. The wallpaper, a faded floral pattern, peeled at the edges, revealing the cracked plaster beneath. The hardwood floors, once polished to a shine, were now scuffed and dull, the boards creaking underfoot.

Incidentally, I could also hear my heart beating in my ears.

It wasn't that the place was dirty, it was just hard to keep up with, especially with so many children running around. Or at least normally, with it being so empty it was a completely different atmosphere then the one I normally associated with this building.

Portraits of long-forgotten benefactors and orphans who had long moved out hung on the walls, their faces obscured by a thin layer of dust. The air held a musty smell, a combination of the sweat of young children, wood, mothballs, and the faint, lingering scent of tonight's dinner.

We passed a few open doors, offering glimpses into the orphanage's living quarters. Bunk beds were crammed into rooms that once served as sitting rooms and studies, the furniture pushed haphazardly against the walls to make space. Children's drawings and posters were taped to the walls, adding splashes of color to the otherwise drab spaces.

But even here, there was a noticeable absence of life. Bedrooms that should have been filled with the chatter of children getting ready for bed were instead vacant, the beds neatly made and undisturbed. If someone was in trouble, if I was in trouble, then I probably would've seen someone scrambling around trying to see what was going on.

It didn't assuage my feeling of caution. There was a set up here, I just couldn't tell what it was.

Was there a birthday I wasn't aware of?

As we entered the kitchen, Cynthia continued, "From what your instructors tell me, it was textbook and methodical."

For a moment I stood there, wondering if there was going to be more to her statement. But it became clear that there wasn't anything else as I strode past countertops and islands for preparing food and the sink, paired with its drying rack that was filled with dishes likely used with tonight's dinner.

Walking to where the baking ingredients are and walking up the step stool left out, I opened up the cupboard, pulling out the baking soda and grabbing a glass of water and a teaspoon. A silence consumed the kitchen save for the sound of my glass being briskly whisked.

The kitchen, like the rest of the orphanage, had seen better days. The once-white tiles were yellowed with age, the grout stained and cracked. The appliances, while functional, were outdated and worn, their surfaces scratched and dented from years of use.

"If their praise wasn't glowing enough they also believed that with you unlocking your Aura you would easily be on par with the students who had been using it for close to a year," Cynthia remarked, standing adjacent to the counter top where I was working. With practiced ease I chug the full cup of water and refill it before fixing the matron with a steady gaze.

"Nothing? No surprise, elation, anything?" Blue eyes stared me down, filled with something between vague amusement and something I couldn't readily identify. But she didn't seem outright hostile, so I guess I would rather just see where she was trying to take this.

Still, it sat on the edge of my awareness like anticipating a danger, but somehow lesser. As if just being observed with a kind of intensity was enough to warrant caution around the elderly woman.

"There is also the money you asked about getting. I saw your work this morning, so you did an acceptable job. Perhaps next time do not scream to the heavens about your achievements."

I frowned, wondering if her comment was in response to her thinking I was done early or because she saw me run up the walls.

"I was not certain before, but it appears that you have found someone to train you. Perhaps all that floundering you did had impressed someone enough to take you beneath their wing. Just be careful with how hard you let them push you, I'll be having you do ground maintenance on the weekends from now on."

Well, it was what I asked for and I wasn't ungrateful so I would let her determine the pay. And since it was only maintenance, which I assumed would only cover removing weeds, cutting the grass and trimming branches it probably wouldn't take up too much of my time.

"Okay." I say after polishing off the rest of my water.

Left alone with my thoughts I decided that once again I was going to try to get my aura unlocked. It was around the time that we were getting ready to learn about it in class and from what had been said so far it was supposed to be a relatively easy process.

"Humanity are creatures of light, and searching for it in the dark will be easy enough once you know what to look for."

That was what the textbook had said ahead of time and honestly I wasn't too sure I believed it considering all I could see was light now. Since I had begun meditating in this life I had noticed what was once just a flash of gray light in my last life was now just an all consuming expanse whenever I was meditating. Yet, no matter how I pulled on it I couldn't seem to get a handle on it.

Then again that is also the reason why I trained so extensively, if there was a muscle group that was most associated with the activation of aura, I would eventually find it.

Just not tonight…

With a sigh, I placed my glass in the sink and made my way towards the stairs, the eerie quiet of the orphanage following me like a shadow as I climbed to the second floor and headed for my room, my mind already turning towards tomorrow's training.

I lowered myself onto the soft grass, the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves overhead casting a mottled pattern on my skin. I extended my right leg behind me, my knee hovering just above the ground as I shifted my weight forward onto my left foot, sinking into a deep lunge.

Today had been the first day in class where they held sessions to see if aura would be unlocked today. Following the normal trend of my own endeavors I did not unlock my super powers.

And because of that my developed plan remained unchanged.

"So you still need more money to get a scroll?" Aloe remarked from one of the benches that sat in the back of Spotlight, her eyes tracking my movements with a mix of curiosity and concern.

I nodded, my breath escaping in a controlled hiss as I leaned further into the stretch, feeling the familiar burn in my hip flexors and glutes. "Yeah, I'm still about 600 Lien short."

I switched legs, mirroring the pose on the opposite side. My brow furrowed slightly as I considered my predicament. While I was more than willing to be patient about things at first, the fact was this was taking entirely too long, especially considering that they were starting to divide those who had their aura unlocked in class with those that didn't. And while it hadn't been a big deal just yet the fact was I was starting to run out of time.

Aloe bit her lip, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. She seemed to be wrestling with some internal debate, her eyes darting to the side as if checking for eavesdroppers.

"Well," she started nervously, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "as long as you are careful, I think that you could probably get away with hunting and selling the meat and the pelts."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, heavy with the weight of forbidden knowledge. I paused mid-stretch, my eyes widening as the implications sank in.

"Aloe, I could kiss you right now," I blurted out, a grin spreading across my face. If I were an adult I would totally save you from a life of being a cat lady because you were too in love with your job.

Aloe's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her hands flying up to cover her face. "Don't say things like that, Ezekiel, it's not funny," she sputtered, her words muffled by her fingers.

I laughed, the sound bright and carefree in the quiet of the afternoon. I straightened up from my lunge, rolling my shoulders back as I considered this new avenue.

"You're a genius. Why didn't I think of that? Hell, it's even training… Just gotta get my hands on a bow or a trap making manual."

I began to pace back and forth, my steps light and quick as my mind raced with possibilities. Aloe watched me, her embarrassment slowly fading into a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Still, I was familiar enough with the tracks and scat of the local fauna that I could probably figure the rest out with some time…

And if I could figure that out, I could get a phone er scroll so I can get a better representation of my lifts… and see if there is anything online related to my theory.

With a resolute nod, I turned back to Aloe, my eyes shining with determination. "Got any ideas bouncing around your head regarding my aura problem?"

Aloe leaned back on the bench, her brow furrowing in thought. "Hmmm," she hummed, tapping a finger against her chin. "Well, from what I've seen and heard you've been actually pretty aware of your aura from the start…"

She sat up straighter, her hands moving animatedly as she spoke. "It actually kinda reminds me of this old case study where they decided to see whether or not it was better to train adults to use their aura over children. The results were mixed but on average it was found that adults had 'withered' aura that was slow to move and hard to activate…"

She paused, her head tilting to the side as she considered me. "But that shouldn't be your issue considering your age."

I felt a sinking sensation in my gut. I should have said something earlier. Masking my unease, I pressed on.

"What else did the study say?"

Aloe shrugged, her hands falling back into her lap. "Not much else, just concluding that like most human biomechanics it's very use it or lose it."

My brow furrowed as I mulled over this new information. "Does that mean that aura has its own muscle memory?"

Aloe's face scrunched up in uncertainty, her shoulders lifting in a half-shrug. "I- maybe? I don't know…" She sighed, shaking her head. "You'd have to find an expert."

I felt a flicker of disappointment, but I pushed it aside. If aura was a use it or lose it and I had a 37 year old soul this might be pointle-

No. I refused to believe that. My jaw set in a stubborn line as I lowered myself back onto the grass, this time folding my left leg over my right knee in a pigeon pose.

Aloe, sensing my determination, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Ezekiel! You are only 12. You shouldn't have any issues with unlocking it until you turn 17 give or take."

Her words were meant to be comforting, but I couldn't help but fixate on the implied deadline.

"What happens if someone is older than 17 tries to get their aura unlocked?" I asked, my voice carefully neutral as I switched sides, my right leg now folded over my left knee.

Aloe's smile faltered slightly, her hands fidgeting in her lap once more. "Well… that depends… Like I said earlier, some adults have a withered aura and others, well they rarely ever manage to unlock it since it is for a lack of better term, too sedentary."

I hummed in acknowledgment, my focus turning inward as I sank deeper into the stretch. This wouldn't change anything, I told myself. I just had to keep going.

And so I did, my body moving through the familiar motions as my mind churned with new plans and old fears, Aloe's words echoing in my ears.

I would just have to hope that my age was based off of my physical age instead of my metaphysical age.

I wouldn't hold my breath for that though.

Expert aside, Aloe had said that aura would be sedentary after about 17 years of nonusage and while I hadn't used my soul for aura before, I was reasonably sure that my danger sense was a soul based ability.

So there was probably something there that I needed to look deeper into. If at the very least to figure out what the basic nature of the soul is, what a healthy soul looks like.

I knew that at the very least my body was about as strong as it could possibly get in every aspect it could be at the moment, I trained for it after all. My mind on the other hand hadn't actually seen any real improvement since I had been reborn since everything I was doing up to this point was a refresher, save for the historical flavor text of remnant.

So maybe I am missing the yin aspect to my yang energy…

Which should help me get the control I need, if apparently I had been doing the basics of grasping aura for years.

"You look like you came up with something," looking over at Aloe I could see an intrigued look on the green haired woman's face. "Don't keep me in suspense now…"

"I thought you didn't like hearing me ramble about aura?"

"I never said that. After all, I said that I think that you would be the strongest Huntsman. How could I say that and not want to hear about what goes on in the mind of the strongest hunter to be?"

…

"W-well, I was thinking that if my exercises have been right all along and I still can't pull my aura to the surface maybe I need to train my mind some more… study a bit more so my mind can produce the strength necessary to pull it to the surface."

"Ah. So smart, I wouldn't have figured it like that, I kinda just had my aura unlocked when I was really in the zone of a spar."

Had it been anyone else, I would've thought I was being mocked, but if it was Aloe, well she was about as honest as honest gets. As far as whether or not her advice was actionable, well, it probably wouldn't be for some time to come.

Most of the students that I would find myself against I wouldn't need to put much thought into beating if any. Let alone get pushed hard enough that it was all pure reaction and action time.

"I'll keep that in mind."

It was about time for me to get going anyways, and if I wanted to do anything with the actual act of hunting then I should probably stop by the book store just to see what I am working with. Maybe stop by the outdoors shop as well.

"I'll see you later, Aloe, you've given me a lot to think about."

"I'll see you tomorrow then, also, I wouldn't be a very good teacher if I couldn't at least give you some advice from time to time. Oh, and you almost forgot your cookies."

"Ah, good catch!"

Rolling her eyes briefly as she throws the bag filled with peanut butter protein cookies, Aloe gives me a small grin. Hey, don't look at me as if I'm hopeless, I just have a lot going on!

"Thanks, I appreciate you, Aloe." I say as I catch the bag and turn about to begin my jog towards Patch's downtown area. Patch is a bit weird having been built as a port town initially which expanded into a city. Of course, port towns were a concept near and dear to me, having originally grown up in one, and eventually came to die defending.

The sea was an important asset to hold, not quite" drop everything you are doing" critical, but one that was definitely vital towards trade and the projection of a nation's power. From what I could see some of that held over to this world as well.

As I made my way through the winding streets, I couldn't help but marvel at the unique blend of old and new that characterized the island's architecture. Patch, having been built as a port town initially which expanded into a city, had a charm all its own.

The buildings closest to the docks were the oldest, their weathered facades and narrow, cobblestone streets a testament to the island's maritime roots. The air here was thick with the scent of salt and fish, the cries of seagulls mingling with the shouts of fishermen and the creaking of boat rigging.

Patch had a strong naval tradition and it showed in the shanty styled infrastructure and while the ships weren't nearly as scary as some of the old warships from Earth they did have a bit more versatility in the way of their dust canons. It helped that they employed aquatic faunus on the regular to deal with Grimm.

Not that I have actually been to the docks over there but I knew what I needed to. And it wasn't like I was in much of a mood to try to sell my ideas about creating a WWII styled navy with ICBMs after enough development.

Though the idea does sound pretty badass. Maybe I can do that after I become a reputable Huntsman…

As I jogged further into the developed port city, the buildings gradually transitioned to a more modern style, though even here there were nods to Patch's seafaring past. Wrought iron balconies and shutters painted in bright, coastal hues adorned many of the structures, while the occasional ship's bell or anchor served as a decorative accent.

The people of Patch, too, seemed to embody this duality. Weathered old sailors with salt-and-pepper beards and calloused hands rubbed elbows with young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs in the island's many cafes and public squares. Faunus and humans alike went about their business, the diversity of the population a reflection of the island's role as a hub of trade and commerce.

In a very real way there was a stark contrast from what I had gotten used to in seeing Huntsmen prospects and the average civilian, even the children seemed different in a way I couldn't readily identify.

As I turned onto the main thoroughfare that led to the bookstore, my mind drifted to Patch's military significance. The island's strategic location and strong naval tradition made it a key asset in the defense of the kingdom of Vale. I knew from my studies that Patch's shipyards were responsible for producing many of the kingdom's most advanced warships, their dust cannons and aquatic Faunus crews making them a somewhat formidable force on the high seas.

Though they did not really stand as what Earth might call a super power given their general inability to project force globally, be it economically, militarily or socially. I mean at the moment that wasn't something I was looking to "fix" given that one, I was a kid, and two there were a whole host of factors that I simply didn't know about Remnant.

My knowledge and trivia was spotty given the amount of time that it had been since I had seen the show proper and excluding fanfiction which I had to drop because there was no time to read during the war well… What I did remember was this was a death world that never seemed fully fleshed out.

Sighing, I pushed open the door to the bookstore, a small bell announcing my arrival. The scent of paper and ink enveloped me as I stepped inside, the shelves stretching from floor to ceiling, packed with tomes on every subject imaginable.

Somewhere in here, I hoped, was the knowledge I needed to take the next step on my journey. A guide to hunting and trapping, perhaps, or a treatise on the nature of the soul and Aura. But that one was a long shot, after all, even if I didn't know the reason, there was a reason that not every Tom, Dick and Harry, had their aura unlocked, so I imagine that matters regarding the soul wouldn't be found all that easily.

I had a lot of work ahead of me, but I was ready to face it head-on. Patch had given me a glimpse of the world I inhabited, and even this much seemed to be poking at my instincts, that something ultimately wasn't lining up neatly to what it should have been.

Still, it wasn't the biggest deal, at least at the moment, I was too old to be getting paranoid like this but on the other hand I was also too old to simply dismiss something out of hand because it was simply easier.

The book store was a short affair since as it turned out, hunting was something of pastime on this island given how the free market worked to create a niche with high quality home made goods. I just love to see the free market at work.

Not that I had any intentions of getting involved with arts and crafts given that I needed to get as strong as possible. Anything else was extraneous.

Now then, step one was complete-

As I was looking at my book briefly I didn't see who I bumped into, "Oh, my bad, I wasn't watching where I was going." and I still wasn't. I had a lot of studying to do so it was time to get to it.

I took off into a run, and with my body used to a state of always going it is relatively easy to make it back to the orphanage. This time as I enter I see some of the younger children running about and some of the ones older than I am returning from their own business.

Throwing out some half hearted greetings I make my way up to my shared room and begin reading. For today, I would become a Hunter of a Different Kind, so I could eventually become a good hunter.