Silverleaf Academy (LIX)

As soon as he said those words, there was complete silence. Everyone held their breath as they turned to the Pope in shock.

Even Ruby, mid-fight with the Saintess, faltered briefly, her eyes wide as she looked toward them from across the blazing ruins.

Helene stared, stunned, her shield flickering uncertainly in front of her. Vivian, however, blinked once… then scoffed.

"Daughter of the what now?"

The Pope stepped forward, slowly, as if approaching something dangerous.

"You heard me." His voice wasn't mocking anymore.

It was reverent, almost shaken. "The Demon God. The flame of the abyss. The exiled primordial. You're his bloodline. You carry that forbidden fire in your veins."

"…You're insane." Vivian's brow twitched.

But even as she said that, her own flames recoiled. They spun violently around her, erratic, as if something else had awakened behind her magic.

Helene's hand gripped her staff tightly.