When he spoke, his voice carried the quiet authority of someone who had spent decades uncovering truths that others preferred to leave buried.
"Gentlemen. Ladies." His words fell into the silence like stones dropped into still water, creating ripples of attention that spread throughout the chamber. "When, precisely, did we begin measuring potential by bloodline rather than ability?"
The question was delivered with such casual precision that it took several moments for its implications to register. Professor Thornwick opened his mouth to respond, but Ashcroft continued before he could speak.
"These assessment results," Ashcroft said, gesturing toward the crystalline display with academic detachment, "indicate that this student achieved what we had previously deemed impossible. The physical examination equipment was destroyed not through crude force but through the application of techniques so advanced that our measurement systems could not comprehend them."
