When Magister Selenne entered Hall C, the chamber seemed to collect itself around her.
She brought no visible display of authority with her. Starlight remained quiet beneath her robes, and the mana surrounding her core pressed against no one. Even so, chairs shifted into place as the candidates rose, whispered conversations ended, and twelve voices joined beneath the vaulted ceiling in a greeting practiced often enough to require little thought.
Their attention showed less discipline.
Several students in the first two rows straightened a fraction late. A young runesmith near the windows kept his eyes on the front while the crystal above his desk still faced the third row. Another candidate lowered a reference card that he had apparently forgotten to read.
Selenne acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod and continued toward the dais.
