Gine finally couldn't hold back. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
Bardock put an arm around his wife's shoulders and gave them a firm squeeze.
The two of them stood there, gazing at the starry sky for a long time, watching the direction where that vanishing light had disappeared.
The night wind swept across the wasteland, carrying away the last trace of warmth.
After Reiz returned home, he went to bed early.
His home stood at the edge of the Saiyan settlement. It was a modest, detached building, but quiet and peaceful.
Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling as Linoshi's face surfaced in his mind.
That strange girl.
Was she really an Angel?
If so, what was she doing on Planet Vegeta?
With those questions on his mind, Reiz gradually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, at the palace training grounds.
Sunlight poured through the transparent dome overhead, brightening the entire training area.
The walls all around were covered in marks left by battle. Countless cracks and dents bore witness to fierce clashes.
Reiz gave Vegeta a little guidance with his training.
Though calling it training was a stretch. He was really just sparring with Vegeta.
Vegeta was only five, but his Combat Power had grown by leaps and bounds, already reaching 15,000.
In fact, Vegeta's Combat Power had now surpassed that of his father, King Vegeta.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Vegeta unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks at Reiz, his small figure darting through the air. Every strike carried a sharp gust of wind.
Reiz easily blocked all of Vegeta's attacks with both hands, his feet never shifting and a faint smile never leaving his face.
After a few exchanges, Vegeta stopped and landed steadily, folding his arms across his chest.
"Hmph. That's enough for today," Vegeta said coolly, his little face brimming with pride.
"Sure." Reiz nodded lightly, giving nothing away.
"But anyway, Reiz, my Combat Power is way higher than yours now." Vegeta smiled smugly and lifted his chin, a hint of provocation in his eyes.
"As expected of you, Prince Vegeta." Reiz smiled faintly, unbothered.
"You're a genius warrior, and so am I. It's a shame your Combat Power stopped growing much once it reached 10,000." Vegeta sighed like a little old man, then shot Reiz a sidelong glance. Disappointment colored his voice. "You've really let me down. I thought I'd have a worthy rival someday."
"Hahaha, yeah, yeah." Reiz laughed along without saying much.
"In two days, I'm going out to fight. Want to come with me?" Vegeta asked suddenly, his arms still folded across his chest.
Reiz's heart stirred.
Going out to fight with Vegeta at a time like this was a pretty good option.
Familiar with the plot, Reiz knew there was a good chance he'd survive if he stuck with Vegeta.
There was no need to pick a fight with Frieza right now.
Even if they actually managed to defeat Frieza, his older brother, Cooler, would still be around.
Cooler's Combat Power had reached a staggering 470 million.
Planet Vegeta would still face destruction in the end.
"Sure. Just remember to call me." Reiz nodded in agreement.
"You're free to go." Vegeta waved at Reiz, signaling that he could leave.
"Okay." Reiz smiled and flew out through the window.
"Whoosh—"
A moment later, Reiz sped up and flew toward Star-Shattering Cliff.
He still had training to do there today, and he wanted to raise his Combat Power as soon as possible.
After all, he would need to reach 10 million Combat Power to break free of the Frieza Clan's control.
Otherwise, it was all just wishful thinking.
Star-Shattering Cliff was as desolate as ever.
Jagged rocks stretched across the landscape as fierce winds howled. Not a single cloud dotted the sky, and the glaring sun beat down without restraint, baking every rock until it was scorching hot.
When Reiz arrived at the area where he trained, he instinctively glanced toward the spot where Linoshi had been the last time.
The sight made him freeze.
A girl stood on a rock over there.
She had flowing silver hair that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, like moonlight in motion.
She wore the distinctive attire of an Angel and held a silver-white Scepter in her hand. Its shaft was long and slender, with a clear crystal orb set into its tip.
Reiz: "..."
So she really was an Angel!
She wasn't hiding it anymore and had appeared openly as an Angel?
One thing worth noting was that the girl's skin tone was much like a Saiyan's or an Earthling's—not blue like some Angels'.
She stood there quietly, her silver hair stirring in the wind. A sacred, distant aura surrounded her, as if she didn't belong to this world.
Linoshi was staring absently at the crystal orb atop her Scepter, completely unaware that Reiz had arrived.
Something seemed to swirl faintly inside the orb, like mist, or perhaps starlight.
She watched it intently, her brows drawing together slightly as if she were pondering something.
"Ahem!"
Reiz cleared his throat.
Linoshi jumped, her body trembling slightly as she snapped her head up and stared at Reiz in a daze.
"W-when did you get here?" Linoshi asked nervously, the corner of her mouth twitching. Her hand tightened around the Scepter without her noticing.
"Just now." Reiz smiled and looked her up and down, pausing over her silver hair and Angel attire. After a moment, he said, "So you can transform too."
"Y-yes..." Linoshi nodded quickly, her voice so quiet it was almost inaudible. "This... this is a transformation."
"What a strange transformation." Reiz smiled at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're the first Saiyan with silver hair I've ever seen."
"W-well... because my transformation is so strange, I hardly ever show it..." Linoshi answered guiltily, her eyes darting about as she avoided his gaze.
As soon as she finished speaking, Linoshi transformed in a flash.
Her long silver hair instantly turned black, and her Angel attire became the blue Battle Suit unique to Saiyans. White shoulder guards and armor covered her slender figure, and even the Scepter in her hand vanished.
She was back to looking the way she had the night before.
"That's amazing. Can your transformation change your clothes too?" Reiz asked with a smile.
"N-no..." Linoshi didn't know how to answer. Blushing, she lowered her head and avoided Reiz's gaze.
Her fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of her armor, rubbing it anxiously.
The fierce wind swept past, lifting her hair and brushing it lightly against her cheek.
"I should get back to training too," Reiz said quietly after taking a deep breath.
"C-could I watch from the side?" Linoshi asked softly, lifting her head to sneak a glance at him before quickly lowering her eyes again.
Her pale blue eyes held a hint of anticipation, along with a trace of nervousness.
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