The silver doors closed with a soft thud, leaving Shennong, Mandira, Veyra, and Lyssara in the crystal-lined hallway. The air was still charged with residual mana, but the oppressive weight from the chamber had lifted. Shennong leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his usual grin tinged with frustration.
"Is that it?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "We came all this way to hear the Overseer say she can't see my future? That's the big reveal?"
Manola, standing gracefully nearby, turned to him with a patient smile. Her ivory robes shimmered faintly as she adjusted a golden hairpin in her chestnut curls. "Patience, Shennong. The Mage Sanctuary doesn't function on whims or hasty conclusions. The Overseer's foresight is a guide, not a crutch. We seek her counsel, but we don't rely solely on her visions."
