High above the floating palace, the wind howled softly around the three figures suspended in the open sky. Zayne held Priest Paul tightly by the throat, his grip firm enough to keep him from even thinking about escaping, while both he and Zane looked down toward the castle where the battle had begun.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only thing breaking the silence was the distant pulse of dark mana rising from below.
Then Zayne finally asked, his voice quieter than usual,
"…Brother… "
"Do you really care about your students?"
Zane slowly turned his head toward him, his expression unreadable.
"What did you say?"
Zayne immediately tensed. "D-don't get angry, bos—"
"I'm not angry," Zane cut him off calmly. There was no irritation in his tone, only mild curiosity. "I just don't see why you'd even bother asking that."
