Year 526 A.B. (Three years later)8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgfVYsgsL9 維尼
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The moonlight shines through the enclosure windows. Under the light, a battle reaches its conclusion as Rai is knocked into the wall. A familiar-looking anthropomorphic projection lowers its leg and fades away; behind it, Kahnyne stands illuminated by the light and looking younger than before, as if he has aged in reverse.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIMCVgCdjV 維尼
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“That was great, Rai; at this rate, you’ll have surpassed me in no time at all.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gQ6gWT6gI 維尼
Kahnyne says, approaching him.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfhMT0bA9v 維尼
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Rai looks up, smiling and rubbing his stomach.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfXuEwUpgN 維尼
“If no time is 100 years from now! It’s like you’re the one getting stronger...”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡswpu8GUU6m 維尼
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Kahnyne laughs.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEoY4BXyVM 維尼
“That may be so; let us get you back to your room though. Can you walk?”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGVHXgueLS 維尼
He says helping Rai to his feet.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWW9GlQ3qg 維尼
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“I think I’ve got it now; thanks, Kahnyne.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR7MEfQuZb 維尼
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The two of them exit the enclosure, and walk through the hallways of the manor as the phantoms of their memories walk with them. Tough times, painful times, lonely times. Better times, days of healing, time spent together. They arrive at Rai’s room and sit on his bed as they have always done, but now two large suitcases and melancholy accompany them.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUDLRv2nyB 維尼
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“So, have you packed everything?”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoCEmYzI7c 維尼
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Rai begins to count off on his fingers.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5w4z6vKBA 維尼
“Books, clothes, toiletries, etcetera. I think that’s all.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAJ7nNXkP4 維尼
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“Is it really?”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsHIyfZNdy 維尼
Kahnyne says smugly looking at the comb resting on Rai’s dresser.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwizpH5yzk 維尼
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“...And an extra large comb.” 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡfienSdCHoW 維尼
Rai replies both reluctantly and jokingly.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7kMkrnsQu 維尼
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“Now, I think you’re ready…” Kahnyne falls silent for a moment. “Time really flies; it’s hard to believe that starting tomorrow, my reading buddy won't be here for a while. Hopefully you won’t miss these lectures of mine too much.” He says, breaking the silence.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ6lTdTRJ4 維尼
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Rai laughs.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAJqeSDC14 維尼
“I think I definitely would…” he fumbles with hands. “...but I had an idea.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52r7qiF0DN 維尼
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“And what would that be?”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJXpUQpDhr 維尼
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“I could write to you, and update you on each step of the way. Then you could write to me, and that way I won’t have to miss them.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡlerrX8MgYV 維尼
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Kahnyne begins to rest his hand on Rai’s head, but instead slings it over Rai's opposite shoulder. 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡeavIFyC5KR 維尼
“That sounds like a deal, Rai.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9fh39Baw0 維尼
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Another brief moment of silence falls between them before Kahnyne breaks it again.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3YzCdy0MN 維尼
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“Listen. While I still have the chance, I want to ask, is this really what you want to do?” 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSuEMP9QF3 維尼
He asks sincerely.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZWzToql6e 維尼
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Rai nods his head.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3FjP3GiPZ 維尼
“I want to become an exorcist to help you and make sure no one ever goes through what you went through again, Kahnyne. I have no doubts.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uM1THK946 維尼
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“Well, if you’re looking to make a change, there is a certain man that you should meet. His name is Xing: a division leader and one of my former students. Excel in your exams and join his squad; he will take care of you.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwvB3pJ2pw 維尼
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“I will do my best, Kahnyne.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19hKo93OnI 維尼
Rai’s voice brims with certainty.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82cKFN3Wtq 維尼
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“Of course you will; after all, you’ve grown like a weed before my very eyes.“ 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYZZGsT3jz 維尼
They both separate, pause and laugh, realizing that didn't come out as intended.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXblCAVjGm 維尼
“Even though I've been hailed as the Scholar, I guess I never really was the best with words of the mouth, huh?” 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWpJwi6BUA 維尼
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“I don't think so; you're great. I was scared of you when you first came here…” 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SNfGJWK01 維尼
Rai looks up at the ceiling, reminiscently. An image of his younger self being led out of a hiding spot amongst a row of furniture flashes through his mind. 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81espA8mOf 維尼
“... No, I think I was a bit scared of everything at that point; I'd never even seen much of the world outside of this manor, and mother and father had just started treating me like they never even conceived me.” Out of Kahnyne’s sight, his fist tightens then relaxes at the thought of the better times: a pained, yet compassionate hand reaching out to him. “But ever since the moment you reached out to me, I've felt something other than hurt. I couldn't thank you enough, Kahnyne.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVh3Sd1llx 維尼
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“Maybe we should start calling you the Poet. You’re the one who should be receiving thanks, Rai…” Kahnyne pulls Rai into an embrace. You still have much to learn about the world and yourself, but when I look at you now, I know that you will go on to accomplish great things. You…”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KpB1k6tMd 維尼
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The door to Rai's room begins to open; the shock causes them both to separate as Kahnyne assumes a natural position, standing up before the door opens completely.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡK89dsF83tR 維尼
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“Am I interrupting something?”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJkdd3etSv 維尼
Airis asks enigmatically standing in the doorway.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZiA6mLWAG 維尼
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“Not at all; I was just making sure all of the boy's belongings were packed.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfOyybq9ym 維尼
Kahnyne begins walking past her.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB64r7TIxm 維尼
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“Good, because there has been a change of plans. Instead of leaving at midday, we have arranged for a cab to pick him up first thing in the morning.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MvSQVHUiQ 維尼
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Kahnyne stops in his tracks for a brief moment, and Rai who had been avoiding eye contact looks up to debate, losing his composure.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk9X2O5c78 維尼
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“Wait, is there time for…”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GOFObBDaZ 維尼
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“Understood, madam; goodnight.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiLW14b4Xx 維尼
Kahnyne interjects and leaves the room.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNyr15WZAV 維尼
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Airis turns around shortly after and begins to leave as well, but stops in the doorway as she closes it.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN0yTrgDRp 維尼
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“By the way, I love what you've done with the place. It looks a lot better without all the glass from that mirror on the floor.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ0eZBISrv 維尼
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Rai goes to sleep unsatisfied and unnerved.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLGyKTEcwz 維尼
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A somber morning without the hope of a farewell arrives. Rai grabs his suitcases, lazily puts on his clothes and makes his way to the entrance of the manor. His stomach growls but loneliness grants the illusion of it being full. 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMN4clgeHt 維尼
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Rai reaches for the entrance's door handle that feels further and further away the closer he gets to it. Once it finally opens, on opposite sides of the entrance, his parents stand. Down a long cobblestone walkway in front of him, the cab is parked with its trunk and passenger seat open. A triangle of misery. Kahnyne is nowhere to be found. Rai begins walking forward. Lifeless goodbyes that sound like distant mumbles echo in his head. He responds without stopping.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX1vCqBRPT 維尼
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“Yes, mother.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lJUoC7BCv 維尼
“Yes, father.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnJHprMABb 維尼
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One hundred paces…8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n4B7QRs6x 維尼
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Twenty paces…8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOPE4rhicV 維尼
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Ten paces away from the cab… 8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tdSc0dhMS 維尼
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Suddenly, Rai's somber trance is interrupted by the sound of a man's familiar voice: more out of breath and riled up than usual. He turns around and to his and his parents’ surprise, Kahnyne is quickly making his way to him with a small bag in his hand.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ359t5X9f5l 維尼
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He stops in front of him, creating a small space that is only in their line of sight and slightly extends the hand that the bag is in.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCoILhbHiI 維尼
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“You forgot this.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXeqpbJY4Y 維尼
Kahnyne says very deliberately.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqHQbswepZ 維尼
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When Rai looks down and grabs the bag, he feels the soft material of some type of padding, his comb, and a book. But what he sees fills his eyes with hope again.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsh9xva114 維尼
In the space in front of them, Kahnyne uses his energy to quickly and pristinely project the words: “Act natural. Read this when you get the chance.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwGRs0SkId 維尼
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Rai reciprocates the best that he can. Sloppy letters appear in the air of their space:8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWrUTj1WEK 維尼
“Thank you, Kahnyne; for everything. I love you.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHNpyxpDV7 維尼
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They naturally nod their heads, keeping composure, but the moment Rai enters the cab, he can't help but beam and look back at Kahnyne through its tinted windows. He opens the bag containing what he now knows is a carefully wrapped PB&B, his comb and Kahnyne’s notebook. Inside, it is full of notes, quotes, recipes, and finally, a message to Rai:8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡalD1c9Tya9 維尼
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“I'm sorry that I didn't get to tell you all this in person due to our interruption, but I hope that I make it to you in time regardless. You saved me, Rai; you, who had already been abandoned once by the people who once cradled you in their arms, forgave me and showed me that maybe there is a way for me to forgive myself. In your heart is something truly special. I have not completely healed yet, but while you embark on your journey, I shall do the same…”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4eKlsl3Hd 維尼
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The text breaks and moves to a new line as if Kahnyne paused and thought before writing again.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LodE2leS7 維尼
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“... And lastly, Rai, while no one can replace Zuo, you have created an entirely different spot for yourself in my heart. I love you, and while this is not a goodbye, you will be dearly missed.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt18vHZahV 維尼
An incredibly neat signature ends the message.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSNPXqUEZJ 維尼
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“Who says that I've grown…”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp4aZmzSjP 維尼
Tears fall onto the paper as Rai smiles and closes the book in fear that its precious ink will be smudged.8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRDkbdzm5u 維尼
“...I'm still a crybaby.”8964 copyright protection158ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXRlgyKtEI 維尼
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