na Aco

accompanied dense magical activity. I led Greyson through the bustling crowds, navigating past floating brass lanterns and witches aggress

c. The walls were lined with thousands of narrow, dusty boxes reaching all the way up to the vaulted ceiling. Greyson's eyes lit up with pure, u

shower of brilliant, crackling silver sparks erupted from the tip, il

voice trembling with genuine excitement.

d robes swaggered over. I immediately recognized the silver falcon crest embroidered on his chest. He was from a minor branch of the Sterling fami

es darted to the folded parchment in my hand-the standard Stellaria Academy equipment list. "A filthy, magicles

Stellaria with this kind of trash," one of them muttered loudly. "The sacred halls of magic a

ity. His small hands retreated into his sleeves, his fingers already twisting

act, I wore a serene, almost gentle smile as I walked directly up to the Sterling boy. He was

s grasp before he could even register the movement. He opened his mouth to protest, his

g it so it was perfectly level with his eyes. With a casual, effort

l and magical dominance. The magical core inside-a rare unicorn hair-withered instantly, turning pitch black. I rubbed my fingers together, gr

stared at the dust covering his expensive dragon-leather shoes in absolute horror.

eds it," I whispered, my voice carrying the freezing, crushing weight of an arctic blizzard**, locking onto him with pure, unadulterated

back, trembling, their previous bravado completely evaporated. The arrogant young

ng their existence. "I will craft my brother'

bell chiming cheerfully above us, my highly honed passi

in the deep shadows, a white-haired wizard was peering through the gaps in the wooden railings. His e

andmaker mutter under his breath. Even over the ambient noise of the shop, I could hear his hands shak

mply pushed the door open and stepped out into the bustl