Maxwell's eyes widened at the surreal scene of hulking earth hammers blooming into flower sculptures, of storms channelled into earth bridges, and of blighting fires healing the very walls they had tried to consume. More than that, he felt a sting across his cheek, as if Adam's provocation had taken physical weight to slap him right after he called this battle over.
All around, students glanced at him with genuine puzzlement that felt like an insult. The urge to correct himself clenched his mind as tightly as his heart hammered in shame. He coughed in his fist, opening his mouth.
