Nathan stood at the front of the class, rolling his shoulders like a man walking to his execution. He glanced back at Merlin, eyes full of silent betrayal.
Merlin ignored him.
Sophia tapped her fingers against her desk. "Well? We're waiting. Demonstrate it in the air whilst using Mana. Not on paper this time."
Nathan exhaled, holding out his hand. Mana flared around his fingertips as he began tracing a rune in the air—his movements quick, but slightly messy. The symbols formed in glowing streaks of blue, crackling with unstable energy.
'He's cooked.'
Merlin could already see the issue.
'He's going too fast. The structure isn't stable.'
Sophia clearly saw it too, because she crossed her arms, unimpressed.
Nathan gritted his teeth, finishing the last stroke. The rune hovered for a second—before flickering violently and shattering apart with a loud snap.
