Even though she had pushed him away, she had still come to fight.
Still, Kael didn't let the moment weigh on him too long. He took a deep breath and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
Kael turned in the opposite direction from where Elysia had gone. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword.
His body still ached from the earlier battle, but his eyes were sharp, focused.
(I'm not done yet,) he thought.
And with that, he disappeared into the forest on his own path.
Somewhere Deeper in the Forest!
Professor Sylvia moved swiftly and silently through the dense forest, her long coat fluttering behind her like a shadow. She barely made a sound as she leapt from branch to branch, her eyes sharp and focused.
Every movement was precise—like a predator hunting its prey.
Her gaze followed the faint traces of lingering dark mana in the air. The forest around her was quiet, unnaturally so, as if all the creatures had gone still after the Shadow Leech passed through.
