The Neon Abyss transport ship cut through the darkness of space. But the twelve kneeling students heard everything. The trembling in their limbs. The ragged sound of their own breathing. The soft footsteps behind them.
Vice Principal Clovis stood with his back to them, hands clasped behind his back. In the corner of the cramped cargo hold, elevated on a seat that looked far too much like a throne, a man sat with his legs crossed.
Black hair and a black mask. The same man who had appeared at the battle of Hevaria to save the demon Draxos and destroy Grace's sword of light with a single attack.
Claude.
"The Shadow Vatican is really disappointed," Claude said, his voice flat and empty, echoing slightly from behind the mask. "You couldn't even secure a spot for the inheritance ground."
Clovis didn't turn around. "Don't worry, Claude. We can still get the Demonic Asura Lotus Flame."
