The students did not line up.
They drifted, like slow prey nearing a trap they couldn't see.
'It's not going to be that bad…right?'
Lindarion didn't move from his seat. His eyes were on the dummies—each standing as still as statues, yet humming faintly with barely restrained force. Their joints clicked, once. A subtle warning.
"First pair," Nyx called, not even looking up from her notes. "Holt. Hargrave."
Cassian let out a long, thin groan, dragging himself up like he was headed to the gallows. Elara stomped up beside him, arms already crossed.
"Why do I have to go with crystal-boy?" she snapped.
"Because I don't trust you not to explode," Nyx said. "Together, you might balance out into one functional mage."
"That's not—"
The dummies moved.
Cassian's reaction was a full second too slow. The spear caught his shoulder with a flat clang, sending him staggering sideways with a yelp.
