Before Nathan could reply, the door slammed open.
Vivienne Dorne swept in, her long blonde hair tied high, robes snapping against her legs as she moved with crisp authority. Her brown eyes scanned the room once, and the chatter died instantly.
She carried no books, no notes, no clutter. Just the weight of her presence.
"Sit straighter," she said sharply. "If you're too lazy to hold yourselves upright, you won't survive what's coming."
A ripple of nervous laughter stirred, then died under her glare.
Merlin sat a little straighter himself. Vivienne wasn't Reinhardt, wasn't Morgana, but she had a fire in her veins that could make even hardened fighters hesitate.
Her gaze swept the rows, lingering only a fraction longer when it landed on Merlin. No sympathy. No softness. Just acknowledgment. Then she turned, setting a hand against the desk at the front.
"Final examinations begin tomorrow."
The room went silent.
Nathan's jaw dropped. "Tomorrow?"
