Kael emerged from the thick woods surrounding the academy, her footsteps silent as she stepped onto the cobblestone path leading to the outskirts of the city. The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery glow casting an ethereal light on her pale skin. Her crimson eyes gleamed, reflecting the moonlight like molten rubies. She tilted her head back, inhaling deeply as if savoring the crisp night air, which now carried layers of scents she had never noticed before—earthy soil, the faint tang of iron in the wind, and the distant hum of human life.
Her movements were fluid and precise, each step a deliberate act of grace and power. She felt the energy coursing through her body, coiled and waiting to be unleashed. Kael flexed her fingers, watching as her nails elongated into sharp, obsidian points before retracting again. A smile, subtle yet dangerous, tugged at her lips. She wasn't merely stronger; she was different. Every fiber of her being hummed with potential.