Layla's plan was not to bring down the entire ward. No, not at all. Wards like this usually had alarm systems woven into them to alert the caster of an intrusion, paired with the neighbor-unfriendly zapping meant to deter anyone foolish enough to cross it.
They only needed to create a narrow opening to slip through without triggering the full alarm. The mission had to be swift and subtle. It would be best if no one even noticed that anything had been removed from Roman's room.
With that in mind, Layla drew out a strange dagger. Runes were etched along its blade, and a ruby was embedded in the hilt. The gem was a deep, liquid red, rippling as though something alive stirred inside it.
Gripping the dagger with both hands, Layla closed her eyes and began to murmur incantations under her breath. Her jaw moved steadily, the words barely audible. It didn't take long before the runes flared to life, glowing softly and then dimmed, as if sinking back into the metal.
