“Let me do it. But do you realize how dangerous it is to sneak off to the cave?” Stephen Clark said sternly. “How many times have I told you not to run around? Just stay put in the town!”

“But you always go out yourself.” Linda Baker pouted, glanced at the hunting butterfly, feeling a bit envious, and muttered under her breath, “It’s not that dangerous outside. There are lots of friendly little spirits who often help us.”

“That’s just luck.” Stephen Clark sighed. “Looks like I’ll have to ask Grandma Allen to give you all a lecture. Go get everyone ready for lunch. Today we’re having your favorite aromatic mushrooms. And, this is also the last meal I’ll be making for you.” Stephen Clark continued, and as he spoke, his tone suddenly grew a bit somber.

“The last meal?” Linda Baker was stunned for a moment, catching the hidden meaning in Stephen Clark’s words: “Brother Stephen Clark... what do you mean?”

Before Stephen Clark could answer, an old lady came out and affectionately patted little Linda Baker on the head. “Silly girl, haven’t you noticed? Your brother Stephen Clark is planning to leave here.”

Leave here?

Linda Baker looked at Stephen Clark in confusion. “L-leave Qinggu House?”

Meeting Linda Baker’s gaze, Stephen Clark said nothing.

Alliance Year 209, Adoption Day. Both orphans from Hualan City, Stephen Clark and Linda Baker, had lost the ability to live independently.

They were adopted by Allen at the Qinggu House Orphanage.

Since coming to Qinggu House, Stephen Clark, in order to repay Grandma Allen’s kindness, had always behaved with extreme maturity and sensibility, nothing like a child. He would take the initiative to handle as many things in Qinggu House as he could, and because of this, among the children there, Stephen Clark was like a big brother.

Being relied upon by the children had also become second nature to Stephen Clark.

Now, hearing that Stephen Clark was leaving, it was only natural for Linda Baker to feel reluctant and anxious.

After a moment of silence, Stephen Clark nodded. “Grandma Allen, I plan to leave for Qishui City tomorrow. Thank you for taking care of me these past four years.”

“To do what? Is it because we were disobedient?” Linda Baker’s eyes were already turning red as she interrupted Stephen Clark.

“No, I just want to see the outside world. Besides, I’m planning to take the breeder’s exam. If I succeed, I’ll be able to help share some of Qinggu House’s burdens.” Stephen Clark said calmly.

Grandma Allen sighed. “Stephen Clark, you need to think this through. The children here all grew up in poverty, and some don’t even qualify to register as trainers. You’re so young to go out on your own—wouldn’t it be better to stay here and help grandma take care of Qinggu House?”

“I know all that, Grandma Allen, but I have my own hands and feet—can’t I take care of myself? I’ve been studying for four years, all for this day.” Stephen Clark’s answer was unexpectedly firm.

In the four years since Stephen Clark arrived, unlike the other children who only knew how to play, he had studied diligently every day, spending his dull yet novel days with boring books, all so that one day he could leave here and see the outside world.

To be honest, after Stephen Clark accepted the fact that he had transmigrated, he was unwilling to spend his whole life in one place. But reality had dealt him a heavy blow.

Still, Stephen Clark did not give up. Knowledge was the crucial bridge he found to connect with the outside world!

Unlike Earth, this world had technology, but related knowledge was precious and advanced knowledge was monopolized by the Alliance and major corporations!

Knowledge about technology was considered high-level learning and was an important means for the Alliance to maintain balance and control. Technology here developed rapidly, but had not yet reached the level of openness and hunger for talent seen on Earth.

On the contrary, the mainstream of this world was a kind of magical creature—little spirits!

They had replaced technology, were pursued by people, and all kinds of industries revolved around and were built upon them. They were indispensable partners in human life here.

What Stephen Clark studied was knowledge about little spirits.

In four years, although the publicly available knowledge on the continent was vast and complex, Stephen Clark, for the sake of his dream, still methodically built his own learning system.

Hearing this, Grandma Allen knew that Stephen Clark had made up his mind, and could only sigh and say no more.

Since coming here four years ago, Stephen Clark had been extremely sensible—not only did he never cause her trouble, he always helped take care of Qinggu House.

But Allen could also see that Stephen Clark’s heart was not here. Although he helped look after the children, having lived most of her life, Allen could naturally tell that Stephen Clark was fundamentally different from the other kids.

It was as if Stephen Clark could never truly fit in with them.

Though still young, even back then Stephen Clark already had strong opinions of his own. Perhaps, in his heart, he had long since soared to broader horizons alongside his books.

Maybe, from that Adoption Day four years ago, Grandma Allen should have seen the difference in this child from his calm, steady gaze and his self-introduction.