Clark smiled, glad she enjoyed the meal. After a few moments of comfortable silence, he took a deep breath, Clark set his chopsticks down, his expression serious. "I'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon to continue my practice. I've got to keep improving if I want to get stronger."
Elizabeth felt a pang of worry, but she understood. Clark was determined to become stronger, and she respected his dedication. "I see. Just...promise me you'll be careful."
Clark nodded, reaching across the table to gently squeeze her hand. "I promise. And I'll come back stronger, so we can have even more intense duels."
Elizabeth smiled, though her eyes were still filled with concern. "I'll hold you to that."
They finished their meal in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The night grew darker outside, and the stars began to twinkle in the sky. As they cleaned up, the weight of Clark's impending departure hung in the air, but so did the bond they shared—a bond forged through battles, respect, and mutual goals.
Later, as they prepared for bed, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She watched Clark, who was already lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Clark?"
He turned his head to look at her. "Yeah?"
"Just...be safe. And come back soon," she said softly.
Clark gave her a reassuring smile. "I will, Elizabeth. I promise."
With that, they settled into their beds, the room falling into a comfortable silence. The future held many challenges, but for now, they could rest, knowing that their friendship and determination would carry them through whatever came next.
The morning sun cast long shadows across the training grounds as Clark woke early, the realization of his departure settling heavily in his chest. He lay in bed for a few moments, staring at the ceiling, before finally swinging his legs over the side and getting up. The dormitory was quiet, the usual morning bustle absent as Elizabeth still slept soundly in her bed.
Clark moved silently, not wanting to wake her just yet. He had a lot to do before the afternoon. He began by packing his belongings into a small travel bag: clothes, training gear, and a few essentials. As he folded his clothes, his mind wandered back to the duel the previous day. The thrill of the fight, the clash of their abilities—it all felt so vivid.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He glanced over and saw Elizabeth stirring, her eyes blinking sleepily open. She yawned, stretching her arms before sitting up. "Clark?" she mumbled, her voice still groggy.
"Morning, Elizabeth," Clark replied with a smile. "Sorry if I woke you."
She shook her head, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "No, it's fine. I just...I guess I forgot you were leaving today."
Clark's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it. "Yeah. I'm just getting everything ready."
Elizabeth got out of bed and walked over to him, her expression a mix of determination and sadness. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Clark appreciated her offer and nodded. "Actually, yeah. Could you help me pack some food for the journey? It's going to be a long trip, and I'll need something to keep me going."
Elizabeth nodded, grateful to have something to do. She went to the kitchen area and began preparing some simple meals: sandwiches, fruit, and some rice balls. As she worked, she couldn't help but glance over at Clark, who was meticulously organizing his bag.
"Do you really have to go?" she asked quietly, her back turned to him.
Clark paused, the question hanging in the air. He walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I do, Elizabeth. I need to get stronger, and this training is the best way for me to do that. But I'll come back. I promise."
Chapter Ends.