Lucien acted first.
He subtly condensed his Sovereign Aura, focusing it like a blade and directing it straight at Thornel.
No visible movement.
No sound.
But Thornel felt it.
The moment the pressure fell on him, his complexion drained.
He froze.
His breath was caught in his throat.
Lucien tilted his head slightly and asked in the most innocent tone,
"What's wrong, brother? Is there something you'd like to say to me?"
To the untrained eye, nothing seemed amiss.
But Thornel was being crushed.
His shoulders trembled.
Sweat beaded at his temples.
His throat tightened as he struggled to form words.
"N-nothing…" he choked out, barely audible.
He couldn't breathe properly under the weight of the aura.
He lowered himself back into his seat without another word. His eyes were casted downward in humiliation.
Lucien calmly withdrew his aura as if nothing had happened at all.
A few sharp students across the room narrowed their eyes.
They'd noticed.
