Back at Maria's orphahe Astraea familia had just finished expining to Maria about the ret i.

  The revetion came as a shock to the kied orphanage director, her expression shifting from one of disbelief to sorrow.

  "Is what you say true?" Maria asked, her voice tinged with dismay.

  "Yes," Kaguya replied solemnly.

  Maria let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the situatioled upon her.

  "I 't believe they would do such a thing. I truly have failed those children," she murmured, her gaze downcast.

  This was the first time in the history of her orphahat su i had occurred or e to her attention, and it was a blow to Maria's fidenbsp;

  She had dedicated her life to raising these children, instilling ihe values of kindness, hoy, and respect – values that now seemed to have beerayed.

  Lyra observed Maria's expression, her mind briefly reting her own horrific younger years. ‘She is way too kind,’ Lyra thought, ‘but there should be a limit to her kindness right’ she questioned.

  Lyra was expeg Maria to at least sh out or dispy a more violeion, but the older woman's rea was surprisingly serene.

  ‘How she be like this?’ Kaguya wondered.

  ‘She has sacrificed so much for children that aren't even hers, and now some of those children are ruining her name and effort, yet she still...’ her thoughts trailing off.

  After a moment of ption, Maria spoke up, her voice steady.

  "Sigh, how much was taken? I will reimburse the person," she offered.

  The room fell silent, the members of the Astraea familia exging uain gnces.

  ‘ she even afford to give any money?’ Noin wondered, etched on her features.

  "It's fine," Lyra replied, breaking the silenbsp;

  "The owner of the stolen money said it should be used for the orpha wasn't muyway." she expined.

  Maria's expressihtened, a small smile grag her lips.

  "Really? Then I at least offer my thanks to him in person?" she asked, her gaze hopeful.

  Lyra paused, sidering the request.

  ‘Based on what I observed, Michalis won't like that, but it might be fun to see his expression,’ she thought before answering.

  "Sure," she said.

  With that decided, the group made their way back to the orphanage dining room.

  Upon arrival, they found that almost all the children had fiheir meals.

  Michalis and Vasiliki could be seen pying with some of those who were already dohe hyperactive children seemingly overwhelming the young boy.

  "Oh, are you guys done?" Michalis asked, his voice weary as he briefly g the newers.

  "Children, you free up this young man? I would like to have a word with him," Maria said, and the children obediently moved away, leaving Michalis free.

  ‘Being called a young man rather than a boy kinda feels good, but what could she want with me?’ Michalis thought, puzzled, as he followed Maria to a er of the room.

  "Thank you," Maria said, slightly bowing her head in gratitude.

  "Eh? What are you thanking me for?" Michalis asked, startled and fused.

  "I heard that the stolen money was yours," Maria replied, and Michalis quickly uood the situation.

  "It's fi wasn't muyway," he said, waving off her thanks.

  "Evehank you," Maria insisted, her expression sincere.

  Michalis couldn't hide his embarrassment.

  He was unaced to receiving such heartfelt gratitude, and the unfamiliar feeling made him shift unfortably.

  In another er of the room, Vasiliki strained her ears to listen in on the versation, uo resist the temptation to witness her brother's flustered expression.

  After expressing her gratitude, Maria returo the group, ready to tend to the children.

  Dinner had been served rather te on this particur day, so the kids were still awake and active, their energy levels high.

  As the evening wore on, the Astraea familia members observed the bustling activity in the orphanage.

  Ryana couldn't help but be impressed by Maria's dedication to the children, even in the face of such a troubling i.

  Lyra, in particur, couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration mixed with a hint of envy.

  She had endured a harsh and traumatic childhood, and the idea of someone like Maria – someone who had sacrificed so much for children who weren't even her own – was both awe-inspiring and fn to her.

  The evening progressed with the children's ughter and chatter filling the air, and the visitors found themselves drawn into the warmth and liveliness of the orphanage.

  Despite the earlier revetion, the atmosphere remained surprisingly upbeat, a testament to Maria's effort to create a nurturing and supportive enviro for the children in her care.

  Sihey had pleted their business at the orphahe Astraea Familia - Lyra, Kaguya, Ryana, and Noin - escorted Michalis and Vasiliki as they departed.

  "I'll hahe children who misbehaved, so you all head out," Maria said, waving them off.

  With the Astraea familia leading the way, Michalis and Vasiliki soon found themselves outside the winding streets of Daedalus.

  "Phew, finally out of that maze!" Michalis excimed, letting out a sigh of relief.

  Vasiliki sniffed her clothes and wrinkled her nose.

  "Hmm, I could really use a bath after all that." she said.

  “Me too” Michalis replied.

  Turning to the Astraea Familia, Michalis asked, "So, are you girls going to tirolling or heading home as well?"

  "Our shift is almost over, so we're headed home," Lyra replied.

  "I suppose this is where we part ways then," Vasiliki said, gng at the roup.

  "Hmm," Kaguya aowledged.

  "Thank you again for your help. We'll be sure to return the favor someday," Michalis said gratefully.

  "Happy to assist," Ryana responded with a smile.

  "Have a good night, and we hope to see you again soon," Vasiliki said, bidding them farewell.

  As both groups separated and began heading in their respective dires, Michalis suddenly came to a halt after walking a fair distance, a thoughtful look on his face.

  "What's wrong?" Vasiliki asked, turning to her brother.

  "Well, haven't you noticed that we're heading in a simir dire as them?" Michalis replied, gng back at the Astraea Familia.

  Vasiliki shrugged. "So? Let's just keep going. I'm tired and ready to get home." she replied.

  "But aren't you ed that they might be following us?" Michalis pressed, his brow furrowed.

  "Who cares? Our home isly a secret. Besides, they could have just asked if they wanted our address," Vasiliki replied dismissively, tinuing on her way.

  Unvinced, Michalis hurried to catch up with the Astraea Familia.

  "Excuse me, do you all perhaps live in the northwestern part of the city as well?" he inquired.

  "No, we live in the southwest area," Noin replied.

  "Oh, that's kind of close. Would you like to walk with us part-way?" Michalis offered.

  "Just go. Your sister is already so far ahead, and we have other things to attend to on our way back," Lyra said, ushering him along.

  "I see. Well, good night then," Michalis said, quickly running to rejoin Vasiliki.

  "Those two were quite... iing," Kaguya remarked, watg Michalis scurry off.

  "Hmm, did you notice that they're close to Level 2?" Lyra ented, her brow furrowed.

  "What? That's impossible. Didn’t you say that It's only been a little over a month sihe Bahamut Familia was formed," Noin interjected, her eyes widening in disbelief.

  "As shog as it sounds, they've only been adventurers for a little over a month," Lyra said, her voice tinged with curiosity.

  "Ugh, then they must have been part of a Familia outside of Orario or something," Noin said, shaking her head.

  “I don’t know but I highly doubt that is the case” Lyra replied.

  “Alright, enough you two. I am sure we will eventually find out, it seems like we are somewhat fated with them” Ryana said.

  “Hmm” Kaguya nodded in agreement.

  “Hmmf” Noin huffed but accepted the verdict.

  With that settled, the Astraea familia begun heading back to their Familia home to rest as the day had been a rather exhausting one.