A scream cut through the noise.
Near the eastern dormitory entrance, a group of first-years was trapped.
Five of them, pressed against a wall, facing down two of the corrupted figures. One of the students—a girl with auburn hair—was trying to conjure a fire barrier, but her essence was flickering, unstable from panic.
The corrupted figures advanced slowly, almost leisurely, savoring their fear.
"Jasmine!"
Alaric's essence flooded his channels in an instant.
Whoosh!
He vanished, and he materialized between the first-years and the corrupted figures, fire and lightning already crackling along his arms.
The nearest creature didn't even have time to react.
[Dominion's Gaze!]
Alaric's eyes locked onto the corrupted figure, and his essence pulsed, not an attack, but a command. An assertion of superiority.
The weight of a higher will, pressing down on the creature's consciousness like a boot on an insect.
Its advance stuttered.
Alaric's hand snapped forward.
