In the morning, the sun slowly rose from the east, its gentle light spilling across the land.
Master Kalpas awoke leisurely from his slumber once again. He reached up, feeling the meticulously recarved mask, took it off, and examined it closely. A faint trace of satisfaction showed on his face.
'The coloring this time really isn't bad,' he thought silently, 'even and still full of character.' He hoped this mask wouldn't end up destroyed as easily as the last one.
As for that charred mask, though it looked wretched, it still served as a witness to a chapter of his experience. He'd keep it as a memento.
Putting the mask back on, Kalpas ambled outside, gazing at the courtyard that felt both unfamiliar and familiar.
This was the newly built sanatorium, situated on the edge of an island.
Thinking back to when they rebuilt this place, it had truly taken a great deal of effort.
Although it looked nothing like his old home, the important people were still here. In Kalpas's heart, this could still be considered a place of belonging he acknowledged.
After all, he'd contributed no small amount of strength during the reconstruction.
At this thought, Kalpas couldn't help but grumble. That hat-wearing woman with light brown hair was always ordering him around, treating him like free labor.
With his explosive temper, he'd nearly lost it back then.
If it weren't for Aponia holding him back, he wouldn't have let it go so easily!
And that woman could switch faces in an instant, one mood after another, like she was insane.
Kalpas really didn't want to deal with that sort of person. 'I'll stay as far away from her as possible from now on,' he resolved silently.
Also, according to that green-haired woman with the notoriously sharp tongue, this place was supposed to take in patients or something.
'What does that have to do with me?' Kalpas thought. He'd just leave it all for Aponia to handle.
He couldn't be bothered to worry about such things.
Furthermore, Aponia often asked him to go along to that place called the Deep End.
Every time they went, he'd see that hat-wearing woman—Vill-V.
Kalpas gradually remembered her name, but his opinion of her hadn't improved.
That Deep End… they called it a prison, but it was nothing like any prison Kalpas had imagined.
With Aponia's particular ability, something even Kalpas viewed with profound wariness, managing the Deep End was probably a simple matter for her.
Every time he saw those prisoners, Kalpas felt a surge of impatience. Some of them would only behave temporarily even after a beating.
But when they encountered Aponia, they could only beg for mercy.
And even though Aponia had explained to him many times that she would absolutely not use her 'Discipline' on him unless absolutely necessary...
Kalpas still couldn't stand her.
After all, once prejudice takes root in a person's heart, it's not easily changed.
Still, there were naturally good things too.
Vya could visit often now.
Kalpas also had a favorable impression of Elysia, finding her words gentle and pleasant, putting people at ease.
As for later, when Elysia invited him to help and mentioned joining some moth organization or another, Kalpas refused without a second thought.
'What a joke,' he thought. 'Why should I join?'
Today, Vya had come early in the morning, and she'd come alone.
Kalpas wasn't surprised by this. It was common for Vya to stay here for a few days.
Right now, the little girl was conducting morning prayers with Aponia and the group of children.
As usual, Kalpas scoffed at such things.
"Kalpas, come eat."
Aponia looked up, smiling as she called to him.
"Yeah, Brother Kalpas!"
The children also lifted their heads, greeting Kalpas enthusiastically, their innocent little faces beaming with smiles.
"Coming."
Kalpas replied. He had just finished cleaning up the charcoal and ashes left over from last night.
Last night, unable to withstand the children's relentless pestering, Kalpas had tried his hand at barbecue for the first time.
Unexpectedly, the results were surprisingly good. The children had eaten with such joy, all praising it endlessly.
Even Aponia, after tasting it, thought it was quite delicious.
"Vya, I'm telling you, last night we had barbecue! Brother Kalpas made it! It was sooo good!"
Little Green, her mouth full of food, excitedly shared with Vya, her eyes sparkling. (T/N: I forgot what I named this child.)
"That's right!"
"It was really delicious!"
"..."
The other children couldn't help but chime in, chattering over each other, all praising Kalpas's barbecue skills.
"Really?"
Vya's eyes instantly lit up as she listened, full of curiosity as she looked at Kalpas, her gaze brimming with anticipation.
"Children, if you want to eat it again, you'll have to ask Brother Kalpas."
Aponia said to the children with a smile, her eyes gentle as she looked at them and Kalpas.
"Mhm, Sister Aponia, we know!"
The children answered in unison, their voices clear and bright.
And so, everyone's eyes once again fell squarely upon Kalpas.
Those pairs of eyes seemed to twinkle with little stars, filled with anticipation, all seemingly waiting for Kalpas to give an affirmative answer.
"Fine."
Under the scrutiny of so many eyes, Kalpas felt a bit uncomfortable and squeezed the word out impatiently.
"Yay!"
The children instantly cheered.
This... wasn't so bad.
Kalpas thought to himself.
…
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