The next day, Leon and the other older children were called to the church as they helped to clean up since the Bazaar was over.
From what Leon heard, the church was able to raise about $300,000 for the orphanage and it's other projects which was good since that meant that they would be able to eat well and dress well for a while.
The local universities and art stores donated their art supplies and other materials as well during the bazaar so Leon knew he had more than enough for practice.
Rich on the other hand, managed to secure three well paying tutorship positions with the church members… by the time he was 18, he would have enough capital to start up his life in peace.
After a good night's rest, Leon felt that he was back to normal meaning that he could begin experimenting from now on.
Barricading himself in the art room, Leon used the bountiful amount of A4 papers to his advantage and since Pencils lasted longer, he focused mostly on pencil work than actual painting
Paint was expensive and though plentiful here, shouldn't be wasted like that. Leon discovered very quickly that it didn't matter if it a painting or pencil work or just a sculpture… the effect took place and the mental drain was there just not as intense as he expected.
Months passed and Leon spent his time training or painting for anyone willing to pay.
He had initially thought that he would have to take to the streets to quickly gain more money before he turned 18 but turned out that advertisement via word of mouth was more powerful than anticipated.
Counting over $100,000 in his account as rich family after family commissioned some painting or some other from him.
He would have taken his skills online but this world didn't have much of an online presence.
Leon believed that this was some sort of balance in this world… it had more advanced technology than his previous world despite the early timeline.
However, it's software experience seemed to be underground and no one seemed to be doing anything about it.
----
Standing outside the gates of the orphanage, a small group of people could be seen with a taxi parked before them.
"This day finally came" Leon said as he watched his friend stuff his small luggage in the boot of the car.
"Look at you looking down and out, I'm the person leaving not you". Richard joked as Leon chuckled
"At least you're leaving triumphantly… wait you got the studio right?" Leon asked
"Bro, you and I were there when it was first opened" Richard said knowing that his friend was worried about him.
"Okay, okay just be safe bro" Leon said… he didn't know why but he felt that this was annoyingly wrong.
What sort of system allowed such a thing… just because you couldn't get adopted, you have to leave the orphanage or care home with nothing once you're 18.
The more Leon thought about it, the more he understood why no one really liked America much in his past life.
The country may be amongst the wealthiest but it's people lived like peasants… it was no surprise that the number of homeless would continually increase.
"I should be saying that to you, you're busier than I am and worse, you are younger" Richard said with a clear expression of worry plastered in his face.
"Me? I'll be okay"
"Bro, you fainted like six times in just last month alone"
"And I haven't done so since then" Leon retorted
To them he had fainted but in reality, it was more of a mini coma as he had exhausted his mental strength.
It had being over seven months since they visited Edward's gallery, it was the year 2004 and Leon could calmly say that he had sort of understood how his ability worked. No