Hunt Race

The courtyard had grown quiet.

Kael sat across from Darius, slowly turning his cup between his fingers.

The conversation about the Blood Drinker had settled, but something else had been on Kael's mind since he entered the courtyard.

He looked at Darius.

“Captain.”

Darius raised his eyes.

“Ashvale.”

Darius didn't need to ask what he meant.

Kael continued.

“The beast responsible.”

Darius's expression remained calm.

“You haven't forgotten.”

“No.”

Kael's voice was steady.

“I've been getting stronger for it.”

Darius leaned back slightly.

“I know.”

Kael held his gaze.

“How close am I?”

Darius was silent for a moment.

Then he shook his head.

“Not yet.”

Kael's expression didn't change.

Darius took another sip of tea.

“I told you already.”

Kael waited.

“Come when you're strong enough to beat it out of me.”

Kael nodded.

“So that's still the condition?”

“Of course.”

Darius placed his cup down.

“You wanted the truth. That's the price.”

Kael leaned back.

“Fine.”

For a moment, the two sat in silence.

Then Darius looked at him.

“You're getting closer.”

Kael's eyes sharpened slightly.

“Good.”

Darius suddenly laughed.

“Pfft—hahaha!”

Kael looked at him.

Darius shook his head, still laughing.

“That was a joke.”

Kael's expression remained unchanged.

Darius pointed at him.

“You don't even know my rank, Darius said while laughing

Kael said nothing.

“You're not even Silver yet.”

Darius laughed again.

“Hahaha!”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Boy, you still have a long way to go.”

Kael stared at him for a few seconds.

Then a faint smile appeared.

“I know.”

Darius's laughter faded into a grin.

“Good.”

Kael stood and picked up his cup.

“Then I'll keep going.”

Darius watched him.

“That’s what I expect.”

Kael placed the empty cup on the table.

He turned toward the courtyard entrance.

Behind him, Darius spoke once more.

“And Kael?”

Kael stopped.

“Don't rush it.”

Kael glanced back.

“I won't.”

He left the courtyard.

Darius remained seated, his eyes following him until he disappeared.

The distance between them was still enormous.

Kael knew it.

But for the first time, he didn't see that distance as something impossible.

He simply saw it as something he had yet to cross.

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