Every moment of the evening went by in a blur, but eventually all good things come to an end. the festival had ended, which left the morning sun to shine over the city.

Everyone in the palace began to wake, as preparations for the day ahead began. I had realized last night, while everything happened around me.

I had decided I’d be going through with Theitus’s plan and leaving Mythral.

Regardless, I walked out of my room and into the halls to where I’d meet up with Isabelle first, before we’d have breakfast with Theitus and Altear.

As usual, I stopped outside her room for a moment, before knocking on the door.

I waited a minute or two, with no response, I knocked again, "Isabelle?" I asked and only to hear the familiar rustling from within.

It didn't take her long before she opened the door, dressed in her more casual clothes that hugged her body, but her eyes were barely open, as she rubbed them, and I could tell from the look on her face, she had barely gotten any sleep.

"Morning, you must have enjoyed yourself last night" I said causing her to let out a small yawn.

"Yeah, we had fun." She replied with a tired smile before stretching her arms a bit.

“We did,” I said before my steps began to walk away in a moment of her sleepiness, “…are you coming?” I asked when I saw she hadn't followed.

She gave her head a shake before quickly rushing to my side, and a blush followed right behind. "I- I mean! Yeah! I- I was just stretching a bit!” She said, waving her hands in the air while we walked down the hall to the dinning hall where we could all meet up together.

Breakfast consisted of a light conversation, while Theitus, Isabelle, Altear and I shared a few laughs.

Theitus however seemed to have something on his mind, like he knew what I was thinking about. It wasn’t till we finished our meal, that he gave a big stretch before speaking up.

“Our days off from training are numbered, so enjoy your days while they last." He said, like that was him dismissing everyone, while he glanced at Altear who only smiled in return. “I have something’s to discuss with Kazu, so Isabelle why don’t you and Altear go enjoy your free time." He said, hinting Altear to do so.

Isabelle looked at me for a moment before Altear lead her away, “don’t worry, Isabelle, they’ll be quick. Your lover won't be gone for long~." Altear whispered causing Isabelle to blush lightly, as she left stammering, at her tease.

Which left me and Theitus alone, he let out a small laugh before taking in a deep breath, his eyes serious. "I’ve seen many faces of yours Kazu, and yet I can tell, this one is different, you’ve made up your mind, haven’t you?" he stated before waiting for me to respond.

"Yeah, I have. I’m going to do it, but only because I want to. If I can fill this void and give some purpose to my life, then I want to find that, even if it is away from here, far from Mythral." I said while an emotion new to me, began to swell within me.

Theitus stared at me for a moment, before speaking. "I will not hold you back then, if that is the case, you’ll find more than you think on this path," he said, giving me a look of sincerity. “Nothing has changed since our last conversation about this, and the next Red Manes delivery is at the end of the month, you can leave with them if you want,”

And yet the hardest part was still yet to come, “... thanks, Theitus… But I think Isabelle will have more than a few things to say about this," I remarked, letting out a sigh.

Theitus laughed, "she definitely will,” he said with his usual grin before shaking his head. “She’ll come to understand. You not only formed a communion with her, but you also became her first friend. If you didn’t know she’s come to understand that feeling as a woman who’s in love, Kazu." he said with certainty while containing some laughter.

“… Love? Do you really think she feels that way?" I asked, confused at the concept.

“You didn’t even know, did you,” he chuckled with amusement before letting out a sigh. "It might hurt her at first, but she'll overcome it in the end, she has to become stronger. But she won't be alone," he said on a more serious note.

I couldn't help but give a sigh, not looking forward to that conversation.

"It won't be easy, but she'll only understand if it comes from you, Kazu," Theitus stated with certainty which left me to nod.

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"… Yeah, I get it, I'll talk to her." I said, with some kind of understanding on my part.

With that, I found myself walking down the hall once more to Isabelle, while Theitus was left to his own business.

Every moment of the afternoon went by in a blur, even if that was just me and her passing time together. Not long before the sun began to set once more, leaving the orange tinted sky over Mythral in its wake.

A sight I enjoyed thoroughly.

“…Isabelle?” I said while we watched the sun fade in the horizon.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"… I’m going to be leaving Mythral for awhile," I said plainly and simply.

Isabelle was quiet for a moment like she was still processing what I had just said to her, before replying.

"a-are you serious?" she asked gritting her teeth and holding her emotions at bay. "Y-You can't! You can't be serious! You can’t leave me behind, you can't just do that!" She exclaimed, giving her feelings an outlet as she turned toward me, with tears already forming.

"I have to Isabelle, it's the only way I can, I guess find what I’m missing in this world." I said causing her to sob lightly while she wiped at her face with her sleeve.

"…you idiot! You stupid idiot!" she cried out at me, "Don't do this, I won't allow it, you can't just leave me alone like this!" She exclaimed between her sobs.

I was silent for a moment, as I took in her words, and she was right, I certainly felt some kind of remorse about what I was doing, but I had to do this. "It's just the way it has to be Isabelle, you need this, to grow, to reach my level," I stated with a calm voice that only seemed to anger her more.

"Don't say that! I don't care!” she exclaimed as she hugged me, not wanting to let go.

All it took was a sigh before I pulled her away, allowing my gaze to meet hers. "I need you to get stronger. I need you to become someone who can take care of herself, a light who will overcome the darkness," I said, my words left her speechless as she stared at me in silence lost in a gaze that she could only see the truth within.

But that’s when she pushed herself away from me and wiped at her tears before running off. Leaving me with no choice but to watch her leave.

“…”

A long and heavy sigh escaped my lips, I couldn't even blame her for being angry with me right now.

what else could I do? I wondered, feeling no emotions, perhaps because I really didn’t want to.

It didn’t matter as the night progressed. Soon enough, all I could do was lay in my bed, with endless thoughts filling my head.

“… so stupid, why the hell am I like this?" I muttered under my breath.

The following day passed by, as did the next few without so much as a word from Isabelle, in fact she never left her room, only coming out to eat with Altear, and going back into her room.

It was really getting to me but there was nothing I could do, I had to give her space.

I knew that but it didn't stop Altear from explaining that a girl needs her privacy to think things through.

Regardless, I did the usual lazing around the palace, doing nothing of importance.

As I was doing so, she came to find me in the courtyard. I noticed her from the moment she had stepped foot into this place.

She didn't hesitate to come up to me. "K-Kazu, you’re not mad at me, are you?" She asked timidly with tinted cheeks.

“Huh? Why would I be mad? I don’t even know how something like that feels." I answered honestly, even though I assumed that was what she felt these past few days.

Her cheeks seemed to lighten at my words, and she let out a sigh of relief, "I-I thought you were, I was acting selfish and-"

"Isabelle, you really don’t have to explain yourself. I get it,” I stated plainly causing her to look up at me, with a timid face.

“R-Really? I-I feel really bad about how I acted," She said with a pout.

"Is that so? To be honest, my decision was a little sudden, I wish I could bring you along but it’s not going to happen," I said plainly and truthfully, even with those words she seemed to become more reserved.

"... I get it, I guess. Altear explained everything to me and why you are going to leave." she muttered, letting out a sigh before plopping down on the grass beside me. "... she said if I worked hard enough, I could become a Red Mane and join you one day." She added with a shy blush on her cheeks.

“I’m looking forward to it, Isabelle. It sounds like something you could do." I remarked to which her eyes lit up with sparkles at my statement.

"Yeah?! You really mean that!" she exclaimed as her enthusiasm returned. "… just when your out there, promise me something,” she said before taking a deep breath, as if she were preparing herself to say what she needed.

"Huh, what is it?"

“That you’ll still think of me and wait for me," she stated with a breath as her face went bright red, clearly it was something she struggled to get out but meant the world to her.

It was almost enough to make me choke up at her words, "... Forever, Isabelle," I said causing her to look up at me, her face a deep scarlet shade before she leaped onto me, wrapping her arms around my neck,

“Thanks, dummy," she whispered softly into my ear as she hugged me tight.

I was silent at first but soon enough my own arms wrapped around her frame, hugging her close.

Isabelle's scent washed over me as I closed my eyes. I found myself drowning in this moment with her. “I could say the same to you, Isabelle," I muttered, causing her to squeeze me even tighter.

In truth, this brash yet timid girl in my arms was special to me. She was someone who opened up the world for me. A girl who showed me exactly what I was missing. I couldn't deny it. I was thankful for it. And perhaps we both shared an aspect of the thing called love that Theitus talked about.

Regardless, I was glad we made up.

The days ticked by after that, each hour seemed like seconds leading up to the final day of my departure, when I would leave for the mainland.

Isabelle's days were filled with training and her efforts to reach higher than she ever had before. And it seemed her progress was steadily climbing.

Regardless, I watched over her every step of the way, I really had no need to train anymore, considering, I was at a peak level in terms of cultivation and even if I could improve, I couldn’t, without breaking my seal.

In other words, it wasn't necessary, my skills and abilities were at the level where I could deal with anything the world threw at me, or so Theitus said.

I also had Theitus and Altear to thank for my current level, and many of my other achievements. In a way all three of them were truly responsible for this version of myself, I was thankful for everything they had done.