“See that you don’t.” Praying she held her loyalty, Koichi moved around her and quickly made his way toward the small building reserved for the infirmary. It was placed away from the other buildings so that the kegare wouldn’t infect anything else.

Not that he cared. He was already treated as if he were walking defilement.

In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt as if he belonged anywhere. Especially not in this world.

Trying not to think about that, Koichi entered the infirmary. The sparse place smelled of incense and spice. No one tolerated anything unclean, and only those being punished were sent here to tend these poor suffering souls. Just being here tainted anyone who dared enter, and thus they required purification before mingling with others.

Most of the occupants were here due to illnesses or injuries sustained in practice, but the one on his right . . .

An apparition hung silently in the corner. Watching. Waiting.

Koichi saw the pride in the ghost’s eyes over the injuries he’d caused the child it hovered over. He would never be able to understand how anyone—or anything—could derive pleasure by harming someone else.

It was sickening, really.

Beside the unconscious boy, a monk was praying for his recovery with no idea the demon he should be driving out was standing beside them, laughing as it watched on with pitiless eyes.

I’ll deal with you shortly . . .

First, he had Ryuichi to see after.

Another monk approached him. “May I help you?”

“Yeah. I have a delivery.” Koichi lay his bundle down on an empty futon, then carefully uncovered the boy.

The monk gasped at the sight. “What happened?”

“He was in a fight. Apparently, he lost.”

Unamused by the curt explanation, the monk knelt beside Ryuichi and inspected his wounds.

They were all physical, easily treated, unlike the inner wounds Koichi held, which never healed. Those scars made him wonder how he was still sane.

Satisfied with his inspection, the monk looked up. “Should I report this one ‘missing’ too?”

Koichi cringed and looked about, terrified someone might have overheard. Relieved that no one was close to them, he shook his head.

For once, there was no need. Unlike the other injured Kai-dan students, Ryuichi would be staying and not fleeing into the mountains to hide with the other monks, where they’d be safe from this school that was intent on punishing them for not fitting in. For being a little different from the rest.

Like him.

“That won’t be necessary. At least I hope it won’t be.”

The monk bowed. “As you say, my lord. But I’ll make preparations, just in case.” Clearing his throat, the monk slid his gaze to the back of the infirmary and began chanting.

Koichi caught the subtle gesture and gently retrieved Ryuichi. He followed the monk to a secluded back room, where the others couldn’t see them.