Time has passed, and more than five years have gone by since then.
During this period, Xiertuya had always lived under the same roof as her, eating and sleeping together, always within sight of each other.
In the first few months, Xiertuya had cried and thrown tantrums, clamoring to go back. Whenever that happened, the Priest would lightly tap Xiertuya’s head with her redwood stick—not too hard, just enough to stop her crying. Perhaps that’s what they meant by “bewildered but unharmed.”
She had tried to escape, but the Priest always used some mysterious method to return her to the house without her noticing. She remembered once, after countless struggles, she finally made it back to the tribe, even meeting the long-missing Loya. She lived like that for two whole weeks, but one morning, she woke up to find herself back in this place, staring once more at that expressionless ram-bone mask.
“Had enough fun? If you have, then review what I taught you yesterday,” was all she said, her tone light but leaving Xiertuya with a clear realization.
So, it had all been an illusion, a trick of magic.
Gradually, she accepted reality and no longer tried to escape. To avoid getting knocked on the head, she began to take her studies seriously. Whether it was prayers or Chanting magic, she picked up almost everything, and she seemed to have quite a talent for it.
After more than five years, she had grown used to this life.
Each day, she listened to the Priest’s cold, impassive lessons, drank the icy river water, ate the cold food, and looked at that cold mask which had never been removed in all five years.
Sometimes, when the Priest left, Xiertuya would be left home alone. After living together for so long, she would even feel uneasy when she couldn’t smell her presence in the house.
She didn’t know how much longer this life would last, but when the day came, she might actually be a bit reluctant to leave…
Today, miraculously, the wind and snow outside had stopped.
After a long absence, sunlight shone on the white snowy peaks, making the whole world seem radiant and dazzling.
Inside the house.
Xiertuya stared blankly out the window at the clear sky, a trace of surprise in her bright eyes.
She was almost twenty now; the once spoiled, headstrong little girl had grown into a graceful, elegant young woman, truly fitting the world’s image of a Saintess.
But this absentminded look added a bit of silliness to her otherwise beautiful and pure appearance.
She gazed at the Sun outside for a long time, lost in thought, perhaps reminiscing…
How long had it been since she last saw the Sun? The last time must have been four years ago.
Back then, she’d naively thought of running away, planning to sneak off while the weather was good after seeing the Sun for the first time in so long.
But she was nearly eaten by a Wild Beast. If her teacher hadn’t arrived in time, her own foolishness would have gotten her killed.
Just as she was still lost in memory, a cold, clear voice sounded behind her.
“What are you looking at?”
The girl snapped out of her daze, turned her head, and beamed a radiant smile at the ever-present ram-bone mask.
“Teacher, you’re awake.”
The Priest silently walked to her side and also looked out the window.
“Teacher, today’s a rare sunny day. Why don’t you take off your mask and go bask in the Sun?” said Xiertuya, her pupils quietly sliding to the white mask, trying to catch a glimpse of her eyes in the dark hollows.
But as always, it was futile.
Though she’d lived with her for over five years, she’d never seen the true face behind that mask. If possible, she wished to see her face at least once before leaving.
What she didn’t know was that beneath the ram-bone mask, a pair of dark green eyes were also looking at her. The two of them gazed at each other, though only one knew it.
Seeing the expectation in her eyes, the Priest simply stayed silent, then replied after a while, “I have to go out today. You can play by yourself.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
Xiertuya lowered her eyes in disappointment, then turned her gaze back to the window.
“Remember not to wander too far,” the Priest suddenly added. This simple sentence brought a smile back to the disappointed girl’s face.
“Yes, Teacher!”
Xiertuya didn’t know why she suddenly felt happy. Maybe it was the sense of her teacher’s concern—or maybe something else…
Click.
After the Priest left, the girl was left alone, idly lying sideways on her teacher’s usual chair.
The sunlight outside was warm and comfortable, but she still preferred to stay where her teacher’s presence lingered.
Though her teacher was always cold on the surface, at times she was very caring. She would pick out Xiertuya’s favorite dishes at meals, gently hold her in her arms when she was sick, softly Chanting purification magic until she drifted off to sleep in her soft embrace. At those times, she would pretend to be asleep and bury her face deeply into that softness, breathing in deeply.
Her teacher always made her feel safe, and something more.
It was a feeling family and friends had never given her. She didn’t know what to call it. If she had to describe it, well… maybe it was a feeling even tastier than food, more fragrant than Qingxue flowers, more uplifting than the snowflakes in the sky, and even more heart-pounding than a Wild Beast.
So, what should it be called?
Xiertuya lay on the chair, thinking for a long time, and finally gave up.
Forget it. Teacher never taught her that, anyway.
Time ticked by. When the Sun finally rose overhead, Xiertuya realized it was already noon.
Usually, her teacher would be home by now, but today she seemed to be gone longer than usual.
Waiting any longer was getting more and more boring, so she started looking for some games to play.
But all the old games now felt dull. Without her teacher nearby, nothing was fun anymore.
“Uu, come home soon, Teacher…”
Unconsciously, her gaze drifted toward her teacher’s room, and a bold idea popped into her head.
She hopped down from the chair, walked to the window to check, and, seeing her teacher wasn’t back yet, she went to the door.
“Ahem, just one peek.”
She took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
The moment she did, a wave of her teacher’s unique scent rushed over her.
She inhaled deeply, a silly, blissful smile spreading across her face.
The room was neat and tidy. If there was any messy spot, it was probably the cabinet of books by the table.
She looked around, her eyes landing on the big, clean bed… That must be where Teacher slept every night.
She swallowed, but managed to resist the urge.
She knew her teacher was very attentive to details. Even the slightest out-of-place thing would be instantly noticed—she’d learned that from listening to lessons.
If she lay on that bed, just a wrinkle would give her away.
“Uu, better leave quickly.”
Just as she turned to go, her eyes caught sight of a book on the table—no, not a book, a notebook.
Could it be… Teacher’s Diary!
Xiertuya’s curiosity surged. She tiptoed to the table and opened the Diary.