Card Apprentice Daily Log

Date- 18 April 2321

Time- 08:23

Location- Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City

The plan proposed by Diana for the kids in the orphanage was no different from grooming loyal slaves for Fine Gold and its allies. Many would think what's wrong, Diana was not only giving them a good childhood but also a way to make a living in society. The least these kids could do was give her their loyalty.

As Wyatt pointed out, what the circle and other shady organizations were doing was no different from what Diana did, granted their means were crueler but they were also asking the orphans for their undying loyalty in return for helping them leave the streets, giving them a roof, feeding them, teaching them skills, etc.

"Diana, what you just proposed was not an orphanage but an institution to pump out loyal workers," Wyatt spoke from experience. He also had a similar idea.

Back on Earth, Wyatt had also pondered about this, he even came up with a proposal where the government takes in the orphans, feeds, and educates them. In return, the orphans serve in the army for a decade with pay and all benefits of course. He was young and naive back then. He had suddenly come into a lot of money and he wanted to do something for society. Fortunately, before handing in this proposal, he talked to his army friend, a general, who helped him see the wrong in his plan. Even when he argued, what if they don't join the army and some MNCs? The general stopped him from making what could have become the biggest mistake of his life right after the Viltronian serum debacle.

Listening to the argument Wyatt had put forward, there was a heavy silence within the car. Cindy, Diana, and Cortney were pondering Wyatt's words, trying to find a way to refute them. After all, for them, they felt like the idea was without loopholes. It was hard for them to give up on it. Especially, Cortney who had heard the idea for the first time and got roped into it.

"Sigh!" Diana suddenly sighed and laid back on her seat helplessly. Then, she muttered, "You are right Master Wyatt. What I proposed was no different from what the Circle had in store for me. In the name of helping the kids and giving them a better future, I would end up robbing their freedom. Freedom to choose their future, by making their mistakes and learning from them."

Diana was the first to give up and agreed with Wyatt. Soon Cindy followed, "I had heard excessive good can become evil, today I understood what that phrase was talking about."

As for Cortney, she did not speak but her silence was evidence enough that she too understood what Wyatt was trying to warn them about. Then after a few minutes, she finally broke the silence saying, "I thought I had found my calling. I guess I was just blinded by what the idea promised and did not bother to think of the consequences. Though for a moment, it felt good to know I had an answer to the problem."

Cortney expressed her disappointment but Wyatt understood what she was talking about. At first, when he had also thought of a similar plan he thought he had found a solution to end a part of the world's suffering. That moment felt so empowering, it got him so hyped up that he believed no drug in the world could ever get him that high. Fortunately, he had friends to help him see the wrongs of his why just like how he helped Cortney, Cindy, and Diana see the wrong in their idea.

"Then, what now?" Cortney asked Diana, as her misleading idea had helped her understand what she wanted to do with her life.

"..." Diana did not have an answer, she could not think of a way where she would not be forcing her will on the kids and also getting good results. It was impossible, they were talking about kids here, for goodness sake. They do not know better. After a lot of contemplation, Diana found it hard to acknowledge it but she had to, that the current system of orphanages though flawed was working. With better management and support it could give more promising results.

Diana hated the fact that after hating the orphanage system for decades, she had to agree that it was a better way to help the kids than what she had thought of. At least it did not rob the kids of their freedom. Granted it could be easily exploited in the wrong hands. Well that's the risk with every thing.

"Don't tell me you are going to give up, just because you met a roadblock. Work your beautiful brain, there must be another way," Cortney pressured Diana to think of a better way to help the orphans in the world. She felt that even though they had made a detour, they were still on to something worth pursuing. She hoped the gang did not give up on exploring this. Instead, they should buckle down and think of a way to make this happen.

"Cortney, I hate to admit it but the current orphanage system despite its flaws is working. I think that with someone as kind-

hearted as you managing and supporting it, the orphanage will give more promising results in the future," Diana responded, cheering for Cortney to do her best to help the orphanage.

"I know that and I will do that without you telling me. What about opening the orphanage in other cities? What about helping the orphans in the Blossom District and then in the entire Southern Region? I have the strength and the money, just guide me. Think of a better solution," Cortney continued to insist that they don't forget their original motivation and continued to think of a way to achieve it without giving up.

"..." Diana did not respond, as her mind was a mess. She was more excited about her orphanage development project than anyone else. Learning that it was the same as what the Circle did to her, she was still trying to process that. Especially with having to agree that the existing orphanage system was working better than she thought.