Leaving

This is a massive terrestrial planet, nearly ten times the size of Earth.

The planet's surface is lush and green, carpeted in grass and flowers, with towering, gargantuan trees piercing the sky.

Yet, despite the abundance of flora, there is not a single trace of birds or beasts, let alone humans.

However, at this moment, a lone figure stands upon a plateau on this very planet.

It is a young, handsome boy of about sixteen, with black hair styled in a semi-upright fashion. Beneath his bangs, which are parted at the center of his forehead, lies a delicate and striking face.

The boy wears a red long-sleeved coat over a black bodysuit, and through the coat, a brown tail can be seen wrapped around his waist.

The boy sits cross-legged with his eyes closed and his back straight, his hands resting on his knees. He floats in mid-air, a yellow aura flickering around him from time to time.

Suddenly, the boy snaps his eyes open, and the aura around his body slowly fades away.

Landing on the ground, the boy slowly turns his head toward the empty space in front of him.

"You've arrived."

It is strange; the space ahead is clearly empty, yet the boy speaks as if someone were standing there.

Soon, however, a crisp voice rings out, and a ripple of movement appears in the air.

"Oh my, you caught me. Is there really no way to hide from you anymore?"

Following the crisp voice, the empty space suddenly begins to distort, and a figure quickly manifests.

It is a girl of about fifteen with silver hair and a delicate face, pointed ears adorned with a pair of red earrings.

The girl wears an expression of frustration, looking at the boy before her with a hint of resentment.

"..."

The boy watches her silently, shakes his head, and says indifferently.

"Laila, your timing is perfect. I am leaving this place."

The girl—no, Laila—stares at the boy in shock. She hurries to his side, looks up at the boy who stands a head taller than her, and asks in surprise.

"What is it, Kast? Has something happened?"

The boy, Kast, looks toward the horizon before turning his gaze back to the girl.

"Laila, my training has reached the next stage. I need to go out and seek a breakthrough; this place can no longer satisfy my needs. Therefore, I must leave."

As he speaks, Kast pulls a small, transparent vial from his robe, containing a few drops of bright red blood.

"This is my blood. I promised it to you before, so here it is."

With that, Kast tosses the vial to Laila.

Laila, having caught the vial filled with blood, speaks hurriedly.

"W-wait!"

"Hm?"

"You... you can't leave yet!"

Looking at the puzzled Kast, Laila continues.

"Well, your strength hasn't reached its limit yet! Yes, you aren't at your strongest! You just said you could still break through, so I don't need this blood right now. You have to stay; wait until you reach your peak after the breakthrough, then give me the blood."

As she speaks, Laila throws the vial to the ground, shattering it into pieces.

Kast watches her actions without reaction, merely looking at her calmly.

"What you say has some logic, but for me, this blood represents my current peak. Since I have already given it to you, I have fulfilled our agreement. It doesn't matter that you smashed it; I have kept my word. Now I am leaving, and you have no excuse to stop me."

Kast turns his head toward the direction he was looking before, and his body begins to hover off the ground.

Watching the expressionless Kast prepare to leave, Laila grows anxious.

"No!"

Laila rushes in front of Kast to block his path.

"I said no! You must stay here until you've made your breakthrough."

She assumes a stance, prepared to force Kast to remain.

However, looking at her posture, Kast remains unmoved, his expression as flat as ever.

"Laila, have you forgotten? You are no longer my match. A year ago, I already possessed power equal to yours; now, I am even further beyond your reach."

Kast crosses his arms and continues.

"The only reasons I didn't leave sooner were that I hadn't reached my own limits and I hadn't fulfilled our agreement. Otherwise, I would have left a year ago. Move aside, and I will give you another drop of my blood. Otherwise, I fear you may suffer some physical pain."