After it happened, only Yaoshi widened her eyes at the sudden turn of events. The other three remained perfectly calm.
After all, at a time like this, the disappearance of Asta, whose authority on the Space Station was second only to Herta's, would do nothing to dispel the junior researchers' suspicions. Instead, it would make them think it was deliberate.
Whether she had secretly gone into hiding or truly disappeared was impossible to say.
"Through direct contact, I have confirmed that Afrit's flames are merely sparks of the primordial spirit fire and possess no phase-shifting capability. Conclusion: Asta remains aboard the Space Station."
"That flame must still be somewhere in the module. Find it, and there will be a way to bring her back."
"This feels like a bit of a hassle. Can't we just..." Zhang Xiu sat down in a chair in the room, finding the tedious process somewhat dull.
Before he could finish, however, a deep voice cut him off. "Heh heh, merely a spark? I find that arrogance of a genius rather congenial."
The voice seemed to come from every direction, making its source impossible to pinpoint.
His expression blank, Zhang Xiu interrupted Afrit's provocation in turn. "Say one more word, and I'll kill you right now."
Far away in another star system, Afrit found that remark amusing, seemingly unconcerned by Zhang Xiu's threat.
"If you can do it... then come-"
"-and try?" The scene before its eyes suddenly changed, revealing Screwllum and Dr. Ratio.
Still seated in his chair, Zhang Xiu propped his cheek on his left hand while holding Afrit's head in his right, turning its still-blazing eyes toward himself.
"You really do think you're somebody..."
With that, he shattered the goat's head with a wave of his hand, then infused it with a wisp