Liza gained the advantage in the first few seconds.
Her vampiric speed did not depend on preparation, calculation, or conscious alignment. Her body simply responded. She crossed the road as though distance mattered less to her race, maintaining her balance even through bad turns and stretches covered in loose stones.
Kael followed close behind.
Not because he was incapable of catching her.
Because he was learning.
Every time he used Celestial Step, he watched how Liza positioned her body before changing direction, how she distributed her weight while descending, and how she reduced speed without completely losing momentum. She did not make large movements. She did not need to. A minimal adjustment of the foot, hip, or shoulder was already enough.
Kael tried to copy her.
On the first movement, he overcorrected and emerged several meters to the side of the road.
On the second, he stepped on a loose stone and had to turn his body to avoid falling.
