"Vyn."
The silent girl stepped forward, her black and grey robes drifting lightly as she moved. Her long hair trailed behind her like shadows on water.
The drones reactivated, humming softly.
"Begin," Athena said.
Vyn raised her right hand, fingers spread open. Mana swirled around her palm like ink dissolving in clear water.
[Magic Manipulation – Ether Weave Active]
She closed her fingers slightly. The air around her shifted.
The first drone lunged, but before it could reach her, a wave of shimmering violet mana lashed out like a whip, slicing its arm clean off at the elbow joint. She flicked her wrist, and the whip coiled around its neck, compressing until the rune core flickered and dimmed.
Another drone fired a mana bolt. Vyn drew a sigil in the air with two fingers, and the bolt froze mid-flight, then disintegrated into glittering motes.
She moved her hand again, forming a second sigil that pulsed dark red. The ground beneath the two approaching drones warped, forming spikes of condensed mana that shot up, impaling their legs and pinning them in place.
She flicked her wrist again. The spikes shattered upward, destroying both rune cores at once.
The last three drones circled her, forming a defensive triangle. Vyn’s expression never changed. Her fingers wove intricate symbols into the air, mana forming chains that wrapped around the drones’ limbs and necks, tightening until their rune cores compressed under the pressure.
The last drone struggled violently, but she didn’t even look at it. With a small squeeze of her hand, the chains constricted further, snapping its core.
Silence fell.
Athena’s gaze hardened slightly.
"Twenty-one seconds. Overuse of mana constructs. Your control is impressive, but your output is inefficient. Refine it."
Vyn bowed silently and walked back to stand beside Reia. She didn’t even glance at Silas, who looked genuinely unnerved by her display.
Finally, Athena turned to Evelyn.
"Step forward."
Evelyn swallowed hard. Her hands trembled as she tightened them into fists. She stepped onto the field, her red hair tied back in a low ponytail. Her eyes flicked to Lucian for half a second. He nodded once, slow and calm.
She faced the drones. They activated, rune cores glowing.
"Begin."
Evelyn raised her hands, trying to focus. Mana flickered around her palms in uneven bursts.
[Infinite Replication – ??? Status: Undefined]
The first drone lunged forward. Evelyn moved to dodge, but stumbled slightly. The spear grazed her arm, leaving a thin cut across her uniform sleeve.
She gasped, pain flaring hot under her skin. The drone pulled back for another strike.
Lucian’s eyes narrowed.
But Evelyn gritted her teeth, raising her hands again. The mana flickered more violently now, like a spark trying to ignite. The drone lunged again, and this time, just before it struck—
A flicker.
For half a second, an exact duplicate of Evelyn appeared in front of her, taking the strike before shattering into mana fragments. The drone staggered back, confused by the sudden replication.
Evelyn’s eyes widened. "What... was that...?"
The drones regrouped and charged together. Evelyn raised her hands again, and multiple flickering images of herself blinked in and out of existence, confusing their targeting systems. But the mana flickered unstable, and she couldn’t hold the replications long enough to attack.
Athena raised a hand. The drones froze mid-strike.
"Stop."
Evelyn fell to her knees, gasping, sweat dripping down her temple. Her mana flickered out, leaving her exhausted and shaking.
Athena’s voice was cold.
"You don’t know what your ability does."
Evelyn swallowed hard, trying to catch her breath. "N-no... not fully..."
Athena sighed softly.
"Stand up."
Evelyn forced herself to her feet.
Athena’s eyes were sharp, but her voice softened by a degree.
"You have power. But until you understand it, it will kill you before your enemies ever get the chance."
Evelyn lowered her head, silent.
Athena turned back to the class.
"That’s enough for today. You’re dismissed."
Lucian walked over to Evelyn, offering his hand. She took it without a word, her fingers cold and trembling in his.
"You did fine," he said quietly.
She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes.
"I... I don’t even know what I am anymore..."
Lucian squeezed her hand gently.
"Then find out. That’s why we’re here."
As they walked back to the dorms, the sun climbed higher over the Academy towers, its light harsh and unfeeling. But for a brief moment, with Lucian beside her, Evelyn felt like she wasn’t alone in its glare.