- Nicolas POV -
Nicolas returned to the gathered students and professors, his expression tight.
"They've escaped," he said immediately, stepping up to the faculty. "Torwan left his assistant under an illusion spell, taking on his appearance. He should still be somewhere in Tharvaldur…"
Professor Daemar folded his arms. "We can't all leave to search. We still have civilians with the slave mark here. We'll wait for reinforcements."
"Let's hope Redna arrives soon," Nicolas replied, lowering his voice. "And that everything at the castle went as planned."
The students of the three academies — Velmora, Luceria, and Valor — kept their eyes fixed on the more than fifty guards loyal to Torwan who were stationed outside the factory.
Fifteen minutes later, the sound of synchronized footsteps filled the enclosed streets within the mountain. Nicolas stepped forward, scanning the source, until he finally saw them.
