The names spilled out then. One by one. Clear. Unmistakable. Damning. Each name echoed through the gym like a death sentence. And then— All hell broke loose. The moment the final name left his lips, entire sections of the noble seating erupted. Chairs overturned violently. Silk gowns ripped as people shoved and clawed their way free. Someone screamed "Lies!" while another screamed "Run!"
High Mage Virell was one of them and he ran. They ran. Toward the exits. Toward freedom. Toward nothing. Mana barriers slammed down with a thunderous hum, invisible walls throwing bodies backward in flashes of blue-white light. People hit the floor hard, shrieking in panic.
Alias stepped forward. No anger. No hesitation.
Cold. His staff struck the marble floor once. "Hold them."
Royal Knights surged in like a tidal wave. Chaos exploded. There so much crying. Cursing. Denials screamed so loud voices cracked raw.
