Present Day: Year 523 A.B. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjpZRTPzTu 維尼
Present Day: Year 523 A.B. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8INWTOdoX 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvJoSmh5WI
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v2WOT55ZH 維尼
“For two years you suffered in neglect when I told you that you would never be alone.” Kahnyne looks down at Rai's scarred feet. He feels his guilt crushing his soul like a vice.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE3UfKP4Go 維尼
“All because I began to see my son in you and couldn't bear going down that path again. No- maybe that's not true. I think I had always seen him in you, but originally saw this as a chance at salvation if I could give you the life that slipped through his fingers. And so, I am not worthy of your sympathy.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3PnQASOKQ 維尼
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1fSbaETMV 維尼
Rai looks around his room, at the glass stained with spots almost black in color littering his dresser and floor, at the family crest in view from the hallway, at the stacks of books around his nightstand. He takes a deep breath to stop his tears and to prevent his voice from shaking. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBzCvsS1Ra 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2y7IeSZ3P
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxj9tmaDF4 維尼
“I forgive you, Kahnyne. I actually never thought badly of you. All I've felt over the past two years is hate for myself because of what I am. I gave up. I wished that it was me being erased on all these early mornings. But now, I know what I have to do. There's still so much I don't understand, but even so, I'll become an exorcist.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s5jr0pYA2 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKT824DkMU
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1mneZZ6Xd 維尼
“Even though you will be doing exactly what your parents want you to do?” Kahnyne asks.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdxGE8OJCs 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QCX6tHdEz
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhq3PeMJbz 維尼
“I won't. They want me to make our family respectable again, but I never cared about that. All I know, all I’ve ever known is them and you. I want to become an exorcist to help you and to make it so that no one ever has to go through what you went through again.” Rai responds.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ202lC0xmy6 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZjqoIcg5Q
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡno06HqGk8f 維尼
“The life of an exorcist can turn out to be a cruel, gruesome fate, young master. I couldn't possibly have you do such a thing for someone like me after what I've done. You may even be better off accepting your fate here as the physical and spiritual bloodshed in the field could be even worse than today… even worse than something an innocent mind can comprehend. Please reconsid-” 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjepjeR8Ja 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui2JdSAFiJ
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54awR3uvNB 維尼
“Then you can do something for me too, Kahnyne.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBSnhACcu3 維尼
Rai looks at Zuo's book resting at Kahnyne's side and smiles the brightest smile he can muster as the warm memory of an outstretched hand returns to him. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcN62IpLL0 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fqd8rNN8H
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHPZWQKv9l 維尼
“Hey there, you must be Rai. I’ll be helping out around here for a while. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxaiezGuPC 維尼
—8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQKZOzyiGr 維尼
You’ve built yourself quite the hiding spot, huh? Turns out that I’m kind of shy myself and in need of a reading buddy. Can I join you, young master?”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡy61l0zAm6w 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWBQnKoUtP
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zPY7IkAF6 維尼
After a moment of hesitation, despite his sorrow, he embraces Kahnyne.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxENylRKQb 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2IYQYyIoq
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmjPdz5eYj 維尼
“When it's just us, call me ‘Rai’. We're family. Not talking hurts.” 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVJ0fxAE3s 維尼
Words choke in Kahnyne’s throat and so he stills silent, but returns Rai's tiny embrace. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bMonm9Cnd 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopVaaEnnKK
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhGGp1Ipua 維尼
Time passes and they finally separate; Kahnyne turns away from Rai, rubs his face with his sleeve and turns to face him again.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdJENBR8xy 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJNotqPp3r
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvzYO2swBD 維尼
“You've got yourself a deal, Rai.” Kahnyne says as he rises to leave the room.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡOENtAyS2Qz 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNk9equCLq
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG664DijbJ 維尼
“Where are you going, Kahnyne?” 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNWL3EUPbD 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLeL7RWoJr
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpmNqR8jlj 維尼
“I believe that it's time we discontinue your morning routine and begin the real training for you to become an exorcist.” 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa3XP6zix6 維尼
Kahnyne’s voice that was once perpetually underlined with staleness, brims with something that he thought he had lost forever. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡubSihHU9An 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW9kCXjDoa
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrJlHkISB5 維尼
The idea of not having to go through what he went through earlier fills Rai with hope, but he reflects on what Kahnyne just said again.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡamOMrvx4Oo 維尼
“Wait… would mother and father even allow that?”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡguzmpRFhMp 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69PX7SN9iA
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYnxad7nK6 維尼
“I said we have a deal didn't I? You have my word this time. Rest for now. We'll start by catching up tonight and cutting that hair of yours.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYaDdIQ5sU 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktXlqJ4czC
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uD6cE2lao 維尼
“Actually, can we just fix it up a bit? I kind of like it this long.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ghm47Zv6L 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq9h424A4l
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT0glKPduD 維尼
Kahnyne snickers.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvIqGqZV5H 維尼
“Of course! But we'll have to comb it, and I remember how much you hated that even when it was shorter. You'll need one with teeth as wide as this manor for that.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nAmdpgATq 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10gQ9ZllKJ
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgWrFJFTTf 維尼
Although not the funniest joke in the world, it is the first one Rai has heard in ages. It sends him into quiet, hysterical, toothy laughter.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOTXp9iu6V 維尼
“Thank you, Kahnyne.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXMhaW2x7t 維尼
“My pleasure, Rai,” Kahnyne stops in the doorway “, and we'll make sure to clean that glass up as well.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkRvhrqtz8 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXqbTyrIQg
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfI6Nhrxr3 維尼
Kahnyne arrives at the training room; only Sirian remains there.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JCoCs37NP 維尼
“What took you so long, Nyne?” 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCWDpU9E0O 維尼
He sounds suspicious, obviously awaiting a good response.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQIAUAzPcY 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGRVaoqPD3
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeUcz9onNs 維尼
“I was simply resolving the situation, sir. You two did tell me that I was to manage the weight of his soul. The trauma of destroying that child's soul surely affected him.” Kahnyne says, technically telling the truth. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0iV7jKket 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvzZGsWV61
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP1ZgVcQfp 維尼
“Really? Over 700 souls have been extinguished by that boy, but now you see it fit to comfort him?”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiLM72mx4x 維尼
Sirian folds his arms.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DhXyjSDlb 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuobiFl1z0
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡprOFgkxeCq 維尼
“Well, sir.. today's calibration struck me a little close to home as well. That is why I noticed. And consequently, while in his quarters I have come to another conclusion.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxq4PXGC52 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhV4vlNEPW
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmgET1cBzV 維尼
“And what would that be?”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0TCQJ9wPw 維尼
“I believe that he is ready to move on to the next stage of his training.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJVc1nYHTq 維尼
Sirian looks at Kahnyne, analyzing him.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTl112hk7U 維尼
“Is he ready to move on? Or are you ready for him to move on?”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkad4ytggF 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iLrE3e4KZ
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqPjeeXhj5 維尼
Kahnyne passively ignores the second question but defends his case.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7gzsT3VZO 維尼
“You saw yourself what he is capable of. While he wouldn't stand a chance against a veteran right now-”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo2PhWYJO5 維尼
Sirian cuts him off.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡd46DUPEQGt 維尼
“Kahnyne, I too agree that he is ready now. He’s been ready for a while. But what about you? Unlike my wife, I knew who you once were. I have respect.” He rises from his seat.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiZKi4iTkI 維尼
“But who are you now? I can't expect you to teach him how to apply his soul to actual combat training when you yourself still seem to be a broken man with a broken soul.”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6R4L5YeoM 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFKtt7eF2H
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBmctYRo8l 維尼
“With all due respect, I can show you much better than I can tell you, sir.” Kahnyne says without a shred of hesitation. He raises his hand, pointing his palm at Sirian’s chest.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn0yA8ajIT 維尼
Sirian smirks, raising an eyebrow and returns his gesture.8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1AtYItLSx 維尼
“Is that so?” 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIuncOrEah 維尼
Sirian walks past Kahnyne, exiting the room. 8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAiIWSpRic 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpLjwaLDVj
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Mg287E4A 維尼
“Meet me in the training enclosure in the south end of the manor in 60 minutes after prepping the day’s meals. Make sure you’re ready...”8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcWbCMhSfK 維尼
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuwyuLFe0f
8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2jo5cl8hr 維尼
