"Wait, Norman, what do you mean? No way… Is it really possible!?" The young Ebson revealed a look of complete disbelief.
Across from him, Norman showed a confident smile.
"Don't worry, Ebson. I'm very confident. Once it succeeds, the two of us will definitely be able to change the world!"
Hearing this, there was no joy on Ebson's face. Instead, a trace of concern appeared. He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with uncertainty.
"But you know that this matter…"
However, Norman patted Ebson on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'm here."
Norman's voice sounded extremely reassuring.
Ebson raised his head and saw Norman's gentle yet confident black eyes.
"Oh right, how have things been going between you and Liti lately?" Norman teased, winking at Ebson.
Ebson's face flushed red, but a disappointed expression quickly flashed across his face. The words Liti had said at the previous gathering had hurt him deeply. However, in front of Norman, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He could only reply awkwardly.
"N-no, nothing really. I think… I think I should just forget it."
Norman raised an eyebrow and stroked his chin.
"That shouldn't be the case. Didn't Liti praise you before? She said your blue eyes were very beautiful. How about we try again?"
Ebson shook his head.
"Forget it. There's no need."
Norman said, "What? You don't believe me? Now you've really fired me up. Ebson, I must help you win Liti over!"
But the highly motivated Norman didn't notice the extremely dejected look in Ebson's eyes.
"But the one she likes… isn't me at all, Norman…"
...
On a night of torrential rain, Ebson staggered onto the street.
The rain quickly soaked his messy suit. He wandered aimlessly along the road, letting the rain strike his body while occasionally letting out hysterical laughter.
Yet that laughter sounded especially like crying.
When he reached a dim streetlamp, Ebson reached out and supported himself against it. His body heaved violently.
Under the faint yellow light of the streetlamp, streaks of dark liquid flowed from his tightly closed eye sockets.
...
"Doctor? Doctor? What's wrong with you?"
The sudden voice pulled Ebson back to reality.
He seemed a little dazed. Lowering his head, he looked at the white lab coat he was wearing and the syringe and disinfected cotton ball in his hand.
Standing in front of him was a thin and frail boy. The boy looked very uncomfortable in the laboratory, shrinking back timidly. A faint fear flickered within his black eyes. Clearly, the enclosed laboratory frightened him greatly.
In other parts of the lab, there were quite a few other Eldian orphans from the Liberio internment zone watching the scene as well.
Among them, the girl who had been here the longest, Elsha, softly reminded Ebson.
"Doctor, you were spacing out."
Ebson's pupils shrank slightly before he finally came back to his senses.
Then he smiled gently at the boy in front of him.
"Child, don't be nervous. Same as usual—we'll just take a little bit of blood for testing. It'll be quick."
Although the boy was afraid, he seemed to think of something. Gritting his teeth, he nodded and stretched out his hand.
There were already many needle marks on it.
The sharp needle easily pierced the skin.
Ebson casually asked the boy, "By the way, child, what did you say your name was just now?"
"Yago. My name is Yago," the boy replied quietly.
"Yago, huh? That's a good name. Then what's your surname?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Ebson noticed Yago's body stiffen. His expression also changed.
Finally, with great difficulty, he said, "I… I don't have a surname."
When the other children heard this, their gazes toward Yago immediately carried a trace of contempt.
Even among orphans, a child without a surname would be looked down upon—because it proved he was truly the "bastard" people spoke of.
Ebson was slightly stunned.
No surname?
He looked at Yago.
Just an ordinary boy, even somewhat thin and weak. But judging by his appearance, he might grow into a handsome young man in the future.
However, what attracted Ebson the most were Yago's deep black eyes.
Very beautiful.
"No surname, huh? Then how about I give you one?" Ebson said with a smile.
Yago was startled.
This was the first time someone had said they would give him a surname.
"Norman. Your surname will be Norman. How about Yago Norman?" Ebson said softly.
Yago murmured to himself.
"Yago Norman? Norman… Norman… it sounds really nice."
Yago's eyes lit up.
"Okay! Thank you, Doctor! I really like this name!"
When the other children saw that Doctor Ebson had personally given Yago a surname, several of them immediately showed jealous looks.
Especially Elsha.
The way she looked at Yago was filled with undisguised anger.
That guy! Even she had never received such treatment!
Time passed quickly, and the day soon ended.
One by one, the orphans said goodbye to Ebson and left.
While Doctor Ebson was tidying up his equipment, he suddenly felt someone tugging at him.
When he turned around, he saw Yago, whose expression looked a little embarrassed.
Ebson crouched down, smiled gently, and patted Yago's head.
"What's wrong, Norman? Is there something you need?"
Yago fidgeted for a long time.
After quite a while, he finally gathered the courage to speak.
"Um… Doctor… earlier you said… helping with your experiments has… has… has a reward…"
Before he finished speaking, Yago quickly lowered his head.
Although he sometimes stole small things, when facing a major Marleyan figure like Ebson, he was naturally filled with awe.
After hearing Yago's words, Ebson was also stunned.
It seemed he had never expected Yago to say something like that.
After a moment, Ebson finally reacted.
He took several banknotes from his pocket and stuffed them into Yago's hand.
"Of course. Good children deserve rewards."
Yago looked at the money in his hand with excitement.
This was even more than what he earned from working three weeks at Miss Madina's dessert shop!
That meant he could buy that newest strawberry cake!
Annie would definitely be happy when she saw it!
Yago happily thanked Ebson before quickly running off.
His mind was full of the joy of sharing the news that he now had a surname with Annie.
Oh right—and he also had to bring Annie her favorite dessert.
This time he could buy more.
He could even let Annie taste the strawberry cake she had always wanted to try!
The little Yago's mind was now completely filled with that cute girl with the bun hairstyle.
Ebson stood silently at the side of the street, watching Yago's gradually fading silhouette, lost in thought.