The Eclipse Moons Grimoire: Lilith's Soft Whispers

C1: S1: FXIX: Haunting Past (5)

One day later, near the monastery entrance, Aren stood quietly beside the monks.

Daojin gently ruffled his hair. "Take care of yourself," he said warmly.

Aren nodded softly.

Beside him, Tejo stared at Aren with a strange expression, as though trying to compare him to his newly proclaimed "goddess."

From time to time, his gaze drifted toward a cluster of nearby bushes.

Several leaves trembled suspiciously.

Hidden behind them were five children desperately trying not to be discovered.

Tejo smirked faintly but pretended not to notice anything.

Seeing Aren still somewhat weak from the fever, the monk who is supposed to take Aren back eventually sighed and lifted him into his arms.

"The stairs will be difficult for you in your current condition," he said.

Aren looked slightly embarrassed but did not resist.

The stone steps leading down the hill were long and uneven, and even standing for extended periods still exhausted him.

As the monk carried Aren down the mountain path, a gentle breeze swept across the quiet hilltop.

Instinctively, Aren on the shoulders of the monk turned back.

At the monastery entrance, three figures stood silently beneath the morning light.

Daojin waved, smiling.

Tejo lazily waved one hand.

And beside them, the abbot stood quietly at the edge of the stone steps.

His robes fluttered gently in the wind as his calm gaze rested upon Aren.

********

"Is the child okay now?" the abbot asked quietly.

"Yes." Daojin lowered his head slightly. "The doctor said he should fully recover by tomorrow. I've already made arrangements to escort him back."

The abbot silently nodded.

After hesitating for a moment, Daojin spoke again. "Sir...Could we perhaps take that child into the monastery?"

The abbot remained silent.

Before he could respond, Tejo immediately frowned. "What are you saying old man?

"You know the requirements. We can't simply take in random people."

Then he glanced down the mountain path where Aren had disappeared earlier. "...Even if the brat does look unusually pretty."

Daojin ignored the comment completely.

"When I visited him two days ago, he was reading the manuscript sir is still writing regarding Entities and Circles."

This time, even Tejo looked surprised. "So what?"

Daojin continued seriously, "The surprising thing is that he was able to relate to its contents."

Tejo's eyes widened. "What? That's impossible.

"It took me nearly a year just to barely understand portions of that thing. How could a child possibly relate to it?"

"Exactly," Daojin replied calmly. "Although not everyone is as dimwitted as you."

"Hey" Tejo looked irritated.

Daojin ignored him, "That is precisely why I believe he should be raised here."

Tejo fell silent.

Daojin slowly continued, "You can find people who have potential to become fighters.