SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant Chapter 571: A Place for Silas

After a brief moment of thought, Trafalgar responded.

"Honestly, I'm unsure how credible that is."

Cynthia appeared somewhat taken aback.

"Hm? You don't think so?" Her tone softened as her gaze fell upon the slumbering child. "I believe you handled Silas quite well."

Trafalgar shifted his head slightly.

"So, Silas is his name. Not a bad one, I must say."

Cynthia offered a nod. "That's what we know of him. He arrived not too long ago. I visited a few times afterwards, and he was consistently the same, gazing out the window. He seemed distant, as if he felt out of place among the others."

Trafalgar directed his attention to Cynthia, then back to Silas.

"The boy has endured a great deal."

Cynthia observed him for a moment before inquiring, "What did he divulge to you earlier?"

Trafalgar allowed his eyes to drift down to the child nestled beneath the blanket.

"He opened up slightly, sharing some of his experiences. It was difficult to hear, even for someone like me." His voice remained subdued. "Hearing it from a child makes it more impactful. He's already faced a harsh existence." A soft exhale escaped him. "In a way, I find myself relating to him."

Cynthia fell silent after his admission.

She was aware of the older whispers circulating about Trafalgar, enough to grasp his meaning, at least partially. The academy rarely spoke of those bygone tales anymore. Newer, brighter, louder narratives had overshadowed them. Yet, the former Trafalgar had indeed existed – weak, abandoned, and treated as inferior within his own kin.

Such experiences leave indelible marks, regardless of how public perception may shift.

Cynthia remained in her spot while Trafalgar settled onto the edge of the bed.

"Thank you," she expressed after a pause.

He turned his head towards her. "For what, precisely?"

"For visiting today. The children enjoyed your presence last time, and today..." Her gaze shifted towards Silas. "You've made a difference for him. Perhaps now he'll begin to open up to the others as well."

Trafalgar offered no immediate reply.

His thoughts had already ventured elsewhere, moving with a speed far exceeding the present conversation. Silas was, he was certain, the offspring of a dragon. If that lineage truly ran true, the child had almost certainly awakened his mana core, or would do so imminently. A child of such potential could inadvertently become dangerous.

And therein lay the critical issue.

The children residing here lacked the financial means, resources, or guidance necessary for early core awakening and control. The majority would not properly interact with mana for years. Silas, however, was different. If any incident were to occur within these walls, even accidentally, the repercussions would be dire not only for him but for every child in the building.

Trafalgar could not leave him in this environment.

Adopting him himself was out of the question. That was an entirely separate matter. While marrying Mayla and Aubrelle was one thing, taking in a child under his own name posed different challenges. Furthermore, Valttair would detect the mana surrounding Silas the moment he was in close proximity for more than a fleeting moment.

Then, a solution presented itself.

"Arthur."

Arthur could handle this.

Arthur could take the child in, provide a secure upbringing, and ensure he was in an environment where individuals attuned to mana were readily accessible. Euclid possessed ample space. It had trustworthy personnel, soldiers under Trafalgar's command, and a robust infrastructure capable of concealing something sensitive if required.

Most importantly, Arthur was competent.

"Arthur, your utility is truly remarkable. It seems I'll be assigning you additional responsibilities."

He turned towards Cynthia.

"Can I secure a home for that boy?"

Cynthia's eyes widened slightly.

The question clearly caught her by surprise. "How?"

"I have someone on my staff," Trafalgar stated calmly. "He can provide him with a home."

That particular statement held a measure of truth.

Cynthia regarded him for another moment before gently shaking her head. "It's not quite that straightforward. He must first come here. There are interviews, background checks, and necessary documentation. We need to ensure everything is properly processed and..."

"Do not concern yourself," Trafalgar interjected. "Grant me a few hours."

Before Cynthia could inquire about the meaning of his words, he rose from the bed and stepped away.

He left the room behind, traversing the orphanage grounds with a purposeful stride that clearly indicated his resolve. By the time he reached the entrance, his mind was already racing ahead.

Mere minutes later, he found himself at the Gatehub.

The transition was swift. The world warped and reformed, depositing him back in Euclid. From there, he ran.

He covered the distance to his mansion in mere seconds.

Arthur was present within.

The man turned the instant Trafalgar entered, his face immediately reflecting surprise. "Has something occurred, Young Master?"

Trafalgar wasted no time.

"Yes. I require you to adopt a child."

Arthur's jaw actually dropped.

"What!?"

"Accompany me," Trafalgar instructed. "I will explain during our journey."

Arthur did not hesitate with a second question.

That was precisely why Trafalgar placed such immense trust in him. He was the type to analyze before acting. If Caelum was his trusted right hand, then Arthur was undoubtedly the left. While their methods differed, Arthur's utility was in no way lesser.

Explanations unfolded as they progressed on their journey.

Trafalgar hadn't deceived him. While not revealing every single detail, he had disclosed sufficient information. The identity of the child, the child's extraordinary bloodline, the inherent dangers of leaving him in his current location, and the critical need for discreet action. Arthur absorbed this information in quiet contemplation throughout their transit, his expression becoming increasingly grave with each revelation.

By the time they arrived back at the orphanage, Arthur had fully grasped the situation.

The prospect of raising the offspring of a dragon was hardly something any rational individual would anticipate encountering in the ordinary course of life. Nevertheless, Arthur also recognized the formidable nature of a being like the Gluttony Dragon. Consequently, he understood that the child left behind by such a powerful entity would not remain overlooked by the world indefinitely.

Cynthia was waiting outside when Trafalgar made his return.

The instant she observed him approaching with another man in tow, she instinctively straightened. Arthur possessed a distinct aura about him. His mere presence conveyed an implicit assurance that he was capable of managing far more than the average individual.

Trafalgar halted directly before her.

"I had requested a few hours of your time."

Cynthia's gaze shifted between Trafalgar and Arthur, evidently attempting to comprehend how an individual could depart, return, and present such a decisive resolution in so brief a period.

Arthur offered a polite inclination of his head. "Arthur. I was informed of a child residing here who is in need of a suitable home."

Cynthia remained silent for a moment.

Then, she redirected her attention back to Trafalgar, and the unspoken question that had been forming within her seemed to reach its ultimate conclusion.

He had actually gone through with it.