Chapter 2097 Life After Prison
Date- 18 April 2321
Time- 20:04
Location- Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City, Orphanage
"Don't worry about it too much. Knowing her she will come around soon. Just give her some time," Clara consoled her old friend who shook her head saying, "I don't mind. I am just happy that I get to see her grow." Clown Mask's eyes never left the retreating figure of Cortney. Though she was a calamity daughter gem she held the highest degree of freedom a calamity daughter gem could have as such her love for Cortney was only second to her loyalty to her master, Wyatt. Therefore, when Cortney refused to even acknowledge her as her mother, let alone talk to her, it hurt a lot. Her heart felt like someone was slowly barbecuing it over a bonfire. Yet, she did not let her emotions show on her face. "Then what do you plan to do now?" Clara asked. She knew her friend had always been content with watching over Cortney from a distance, but she also noticed the pain her friend felt for not being a part of her daughter's life, despite the latter choosing to conceal it. Hopefully, things will change for her now.
"I am planning to volunteer my time for the orphanage unless my new boss requires me," Clown Mask replied indifferently. As of now, Wyatt had not a.s.signed her any task so she was basically free to do anything. "I am planning to volunteer my time for the orphanage unless my new boss requires me," Clown Mask replied indifferently. As of now, Wyatt had not a.s.signed her any task so she was basically free to do anything. Usually, as a calamity daughter gem, Clown Mask would try to live her life for Wyatt but since he had ordered her to behave normally according to the situation based on her judgment long ago when she was imprisoned by the Southern Royal family, right now she continued to do the same not planning to reveal her relation to Wyatt. For now, as far as the world was concerned he had freed her from the secret prison to win a wager and to make a point, nothing more. "Excellent, it would be great to have someone like you on board with us," Clara would always welcome trustworthy manpower. Considering the number of kids in the orphanage, not having enough staff was always an issue. "Okay, so how can I help," Clown Mask asked planning to do something normal for once in her life. However, she knew nothing besides killing. After all, both her lifetime she has trained and served as a hound dog for the circle. "I am thinking about having you teach the older kids combat arts. They are about to leave the orphanage soon and enter society, they could use it as self-defense even if they do not manage to awaken as card apprentices, what do you think?" Clara had long planned to teach kids to combat arts as a means of self-defense believing it would come in handy. However, she never found someone trustworthy, skilled, and free to teach the kids, until Clown Mask volunteered. "I can do that," Clown Mask readily agreed, if it was teaching kids how to fight she could do that as she had trained quite a few kids who grew up to be remarkable individuals in the Circle's ranks. Diana Kieth was one of the exemplary examples of her tutelage. Seeing Clown Mask's enthusiasm, Clara was scared and hurriedly clarified, "I don't want you to turn my kids into ruthless killing machines. I just want them to be able to defend themselves if they were to get into some unfortunate incident. That is all. Is it clear?" "Are both the same?" Clown Mask asked Clara in confusion, causing the latter to exclaim in bafflement, "No, they are not the same. How could you possibly think that self-defense and killing someone are the same?" "Well if you kill those trying to harm you, they can no longer harm you, isn't that self-defense?" Clown Mask inquired, as someone who has only known killing for two lifetimes she really believed this to be true. After all, in her business, one only stops coming at you when they stop breathing. "Sigh, they did a number on you didn't they, " Clara looked at her friend in shock and pity. Knowing that Clown Mask was a victim of unfortunate fate she genuinely felt sorry for her but she did not believe it justified her thought process. "It's okay," Clown Mask brushed off and asked, "When do I start?" "First, we find a suitable a.s.sistant for you. Someone who will help you differentiate between normal and not normal. To keep you on this side of the line. Otherwise, I will be worried for my kids' safety the whole time you are with them," Clara believed with a little a.s.sistance Clown Mask would be able to adjust and integrate with society making her a good instructor for the kids. "No need, I think I know what you are talking about, believe me, I have it covered. Why don't you judge after watching my first cla.s.s with kids, what do you say?" Clown Mask understood what was trying to say and used the Hive AI in her calamity daughter gem to help her correct her behavior making her a model combat arts instructor for kids. Back in the top secret prison, Hive AI was key to her keeping her sanity. Among all the calamity daughter gems she master the full extent of Hive AI's abilities. "Um, okay. I will be your a.s.sistant for the first few cla.s.ses and judge if I can leave you alone with the kids. When it comes to the kid don't expect me to do you any favors," Clara was too busy with orphanage work to act as Clown Mask's a.s.sistant but since it would help her friend she decided to make time. Now that she was a card apprentice, she was more energetic and able than before. So she could afford it. "Alright," Clown Mask exclaimed jubilantly hearing Clara agree to her request. Seeing her friend happy Clara was happy but just then a figure appeared in the office out of thin air and grabbed Clown Mask by the neck saying, "I am sorry little girl but you are coming with me."