March 9, morning.
Gelman sat beside a jade-green lake, bent over to study his face in the rippling water as he carefully shaved his beard.
His training was over, and it was time to say goodbye to his unkempt self. Still, to anyone watching, he probably looked like he was about to drown himself in the lake.
The stray hairs were cleanly shaved away. His handsome, youthful face looked smooth and delicate, like the white of a peeled hard-boiled egg.
He put away his razor and rose from the lakeside, like a flag lifting in the spring breeze. Without hurrying, he entered the cabin, calmly packed his belongings, then strolled back out.
In truth, he hardly had any luggage. His backpack was as empty as a sun-dried oyster shell.
But he had made quite a few little friends.
The "cats" in the wilderness seemed to know in advance that Gelman was about to leave, and might never return. They emerged from the bushes, from behind the trees, and from around the bends in the path.
They gently rubbed their heads against Gelman's legs, memorizing his scent and leaving their own on him.
Gelman crouched down and stroked their fur one by one.
"I'm off. Take care of yourselves." His tone was firm.
Gelman tightened the slack straps of his backpack. With the big and little cats watching and snuffling, he followed the path and left.
He reached the road outside and found the bus stop he had used on his way here. He took a bus to the nearby town of Martin Town.
After breakfast, Gelman received a text message on his phone.
"Mr. Gelman, I've arrived in Martin Town. Where are you? I'll come find you."
Gelman sent him the address. Before long, the dark-skinned Nen Exorcist, Abengane, appeared