"Today is the day I perform in front of a crowd..... For the first time in both of my lives."
I silently muttered to myself.
I was standing in front of a mirror, dressed in a simple white shirt with a loose black lower and white shoes, with a 38-inch almond-colored guitar over my shoulder.
The training I did paid off; now I'm 4'7 feet tall and can actually hold the guitar in my arms properly instead of looking like I'm clinging to it for my life.
"Damn.... Even in these simple clothes, I look so damn cute and handsome. I bet when I grow up, I will become a lady killer."
Putting aside my narcissistic thoughts, I am actually pretty nervous as it would be my first time performing in front of people. I also have no experience talking to people as I was an official shut-i Ahem. I mean an introvert in my past life. Well, if things get worse, I always have acting skills, but I wish to be able to converse with people instead of relying on my skills, so I will most probably not use my acting.
Speaking of that, today I actually have three goals on my mind that I wish to accomplish:
"The first one is to make the orphanage get donations and support of people. Second to give some mental support to Alicia through my skills ability, but that would only work if she could hear my song. Well, I can't do much about it and finally make myself known to the world." I silently reminded myself while looking at myself in the mirror.
Well, I was going to help my family. Yes, I consider everyone in this orphanage my family. Ok, I might also be doing this to get famous, but it is mostly to help my family.
"Hmm, let's see..... So the festival starts in an hour, I need to go see Grandpa."
And yeah,I call Aurther Grandpa and Grace Grandma now.
I said it out aloud and then ran towards the garden where Grandpa was tending to the flowers. I rushed to him and asked:
"Grandpa, when will we go to the festival? Did you forget that I need to reach there at least 20 minutes before my performance?"
To which he just pretended that he didn't forget it and said:
"How could I forget about that, I obviously remember it. I was just about to go get ready."
I could clearly see through his act but didn't say anything and saw him literally running towards the house.
"Well, until he gets back I should check the results of my hard work over these past few years. Status.... And only show me my stats and rank."
I muttered under my breath and then started at the translucent screen in front of me.
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STATUS
• Name: Ravin
• Age: 5
• Strength: 14
• Agility: 15
• Defence: 17
• IQ: 102
• EQ: 140
• Mana: Incalculable
• Charm: 200 (mortal limit)
• Luck: 200 (mortal limit)
• Stat Points: 106
• Potential: Limitless
• Rank: Novice
----
Now, before you call me that dumb to not use my stat points and quickly advance to the next rank, I would like to tell you that I am currently building a perfect foundation for myself naturally, as that would be more beneficial for me. I also upgraded my luck as that is one of the most important stat to have max.
I also got a message from the system on my fifth birthday saying that I would get my free coupon back as I already have limitless potential due to my physique. Sooo, now I am learning to have patience and not make decisions on a whim.
While I was seeing and appreciating my stats, Grandpa came back outside with Grandma with the rest of the children and shouted at me.
"Why are you staring at the air? Come fast or we will be late for your performance."
To which I just gave him a glare and quickly ran toward him.
"Yeah, let's go. I'm ready"
Saying so I left my home with my family to go to the town where the festival was held.
----
After arriving at the festival and almost getting late for my performance because of some distractions (playing some games), It was finally time for me to perform.
I went to stand on the platform made for me to perform. My hair flowed with the wind, and my shirt lifted a little to show my well-tonned bo---. Okay, sorry I will stop being so sarcastic. Anyway, I stood there and held my guitar and then started playing. As soon as the first note left my guitar, the people there all became quiet and a hush fell over the area with the only sound being my the sound of my guitar and then... I started singing.
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{ THIRD PERSON POV}
The town square bustled with life. Vendors called out their wares; children ran through the streets while their laughter filled the town; the smell of roasted meat with spices filled the air. A small platform had been set up near the fountain meant for performers or festival announcements. Standing on the platform was a boy who stood there with quiet confidence. Even in his simple clothes, he looked like an angel sent from heaven, and then when he started playing his guitar, everyone went silent. As if they couldn't bring themself to interrupt the boy's music.
On the side, Grace nervously whispered to Aurther:
"Are you sure he is ready?"
Immediately after she asked him, a gentle melody filled the air. All of her doubts went away when she heard that melody.
It was soft, almost shy at first— but with each note, the music grew certain, like a voice that had found the courage to speak. His fingers danced across the strings, his timing perfect, technique flawless— almost divine, but what stood out the most was his emotions that bled into every note he played.
And then... He sang.
Immediately his soft and gentle yet soothing and calming voice filled the air.
"
The night is long, the road is rough,
Your heart says, "I have had enough."
But deep inside, a flame still glows,
A whisper strong, that somehow knows.
Don't give in, don't fade away,
Storms will pass, come break of day.
Hold the light, let courage grow,
Through the dark, let hope still show.
Tears may fall like endless rain,
But every drop can ease the pain.
And when you think you've lost your fight,
You'll find your soul still burning bright.
Don't give in, don't fade away,
Storms will pass, come break of day.
Hold the light, let courage grow,
Through the dark, let hope still show.
You're not alone, you're not too small,
Even shadows rise and fall.
There's strength in just one step ahead,
There's life beyond the things you dread.
Don't give in, don't let go,
You're the fire in the cold.
Hold the light, let your heart know—
You're the hope that starts to grow.
"
Silence, pure silence. His voice was ethereal, it was clear and beautiful. His every word was filled with emotions, his voice of a child who had seen both suffering and hope. It reached the hearts of the listeners; some even started to cry remembering their own memories.
It was a song about home, about loss, and about the light that never dies, even in the darkest of nights. It was about hope.
Nobody knew it yet, but this song was for Alicia.
----
A young noblewoman who had heard the first note asked in a voice that, even though it wasn't loud, was heard by almost everyone present there.
"Who is that child."
Nobody knew the answer to that.
Others murmured, some recording the performance with memory crystals, and others simply listened in silence.
When the final note played, there was no applause— just pure silence. Then like a wave, the clapping began. More and more people began clapping and sending heartfelt compliments to the boy.
The boy just politely bowed once and calmly walked off the stage.
-----
{ RAVIN'S POV}
Even though I looked calm on the outside my heart was beating like crazy, not from the nervousness but from the joy of seeing my plan work. I can practically feel the sympathy of these people for me. When they learn about orphanage, we will get a lot of attention and donations.
While I was busy thinking about the donations, Grandpa suddenly called me and said in a cheerful voice.
"Let's go back to our home. It's time for a celebration."
After going back to my home I was surrounded by my small brothers and sisters who were bombarding me with questions like.
"You were amazing."
"Will you teach me?"
"How did you do that?"
After getting saved by Grandma, I was sent to my room to rest and was told to come down in 2 hours for the celebration.
-------
[THIRD PERSON POV]
While, Ravin was celebrating in the orphanage, Far away..... In a broken home, a young girl was sitting while holding her knees. Her whole body was bruised badly and she was silently crying in the cold corner of the room.
She was Alicia, who would arrive at the orphanage in 2 years, carrying a trauma and pain no child should ever experience.
But tonight, when she heard Ravin's song, her head rose a little. Her eyes, which were filled with pain and fear, widened, and for the first time in years, there was a sliver of hope in her eyes.
She didn't know who the singer was, but the song told her something important, something, she badly needed and wanted to hear:
"You are not alone."
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(A/N: The song used in this chapter was made by ChatGPT. I do not hold any rights to the song.)