Heart Tower

The night was moonless.

Gilan drove away from Sterling Commercial Street.

A short while later, the car slowly left the once bustling district and entered a tranquil residential neighborhood.

Morales Street had none of the splendid, extravagant lights or signs. Aside from the detached apartments of varying styles lining both sides of the road, there were only neatly trimmed flower beds and lawns, along with tall streetlamps arranged like soldiers standing guard.

In the car, Gilan looked relaxed. His left hand held the steering wheel while his right arm rested lightly on the open window frame. His gaze was as calm as water as he looked straight ahead at the silent, deserted road.

He was still thinking about the topics he had discussed earlier at the café with Teacher Pala and Miss Shadai.

'Teacher said that the Eclipse Society has a vast number of members, but their strength varies greatly... Among them are mystics who walk the Path of the Flaming Sword, bestowed ones who walk the Path of Ritual, and even blasphemers who combine the two.'

'The bestowed ones grovel before the Old Gods, their power originating from the gifts of the gods who govern the years. Blasphemers, meanwhile, use the Old Gods' power to profane the Path of the Flaming Sword, corrupting the primal essence and wielding fallen mysticism.'

'Both are enemies of mystics. Their differing beliefs make them natural rivals.'

Gilan frowned slightly.

His left hand turned the wheel, guiding the car onto a narrow path to the right and straight toward his apartment.

His thoughts continued.

'The seven chiefs hold the greatest strength and status within the Eclipse Society.'

'Though the chiefs possess human bodies, they have long since become vessels inhabited by demon lords. So, from a certain perspective, the Eclipse Society truly is an