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
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