(The training grounds are empty now, the echoes of battle long faded. Kael remains behind, staring at his trembling hands. The weight of what happened lingers in his chest.)
Kael (thinking): "That wasn't just a mistake. I… almost killed her."
(He tightens his grip on his sword, but the more he tries to suppress the feeling, the more it pulls at him—like something buried deep within is trying to surface.)
Scene: A Walk Through the Castle
(Needing to clear his mind, Kael wanders through the quiet halls of the castle. The cold night air seeps in through the open windows, carrying with it the faint scent of rain.)
(As he turns a corner, he almost bumps into someone.)
???: "Oh—!"
(Kael steps back, startled. In front of him stands a young woman with long silver hair and striking blue eyes. She looks just as surprised as he does.)
Kael (blinking): "…Oh."
(The silence stretches for a moment. Kael realizes he's just standing there, staring. His mind suddenly goes blank.)
Liza (tilting her head): "Um… are you alright?"
Kael (clearing his throat quickly): "Y-yeah. I mean—uh, yes. I'm fine."
(He mentally curses himself. Why did he stutter?! He just fought a monstrous knight and almost killed Elyse today, and yet… talking to a girl has him panicking. )
Liza (softly smiling): "That's good."
(Kael struggles to find something to say, but before he can, she glances toward the open hallway.)
Liza: "The stars are clear tonight. You should take a walk outside if something's on your mind."
(With that, she gives him a polite nod and steps past him, continuing down the hall. Kael stands frozen, replaying the interaction in his head. )
Kael (thinking): "…That was it? That's all I said?"
(He groans, rubbing his face. That was his first time meeting Liza, and he barely said anything! But at the same time, his heart is still racing. Why?)
(As Kael turns to look at her retreating figure, he doesn't notice the Dark Knight still watching from the shadows. The knight's gaze lingers on him before disappearing into the darkness.)
(The chapter ends with Kael standing in the empty corridor, conflicted—not about the training, not about his power, but about the brief conversation that left him strangely shaken.)