ve frame cast a long, dar

heavy mana that made Elara's teeth vibrate in he

ike a sudden fire. The Stairway of Penance was a death sentence. The steps were c

, his tone flat and cruel, "your remaining ph

ant they were going to cut her open. It was t

to

Elias Vance, the head of the Alchemy departme

iling, landing heavily on the marble

ting a shaking finger at the podium. "She ha

gold cuffs. "The Alchemy department has always been p

r professors seated in the high boxes. "V

aps or the ceiling. No one was going to risk their own com

Vance. She placed a gentl

dripping with fake sorrow. "Don't break the Academy r

ouch like she burned him. "Save your

bling. Immediately, four senior male studen

will take her. Let her serve as a menial laborer in the Alch

es shifted to Elara. Vance was off

of gratitude in her chest. But she knew the truth. Staying in the Tower mean

er spine. She pulled

Elara said, her voice ringing

. "Elara, are you i

eathe the same air as the hypocrites in this Tower for one more

ats rained down on her from the stands. T

rsh, barking laugh

ase of his staff

k formed in the center of the hall. The floor split open, sliding apart

p iron thorns grew from the walls. A freezing wind blasted up from

ay on her feet, but she locked he

hand. "Bring out

g man in a pristine, tailored

Tower's top swords

s clenched so tight the muscles twitched. His eyes

The phantom pain of his sword piercing her back i

our absolute loyalty to your family

hanted broadsword. The metal scraped loudly as he pulled it f