But in that chaos, as screams and pounding fists against the sealed doors echoed across the chamber—Anya's sharp gaze swept the room.
And then, to her surprise, she noticed something unusual. Amidst the sea of fleeing students and desperate professors, a small group hadn't budged an inch.
Charlotte's friends.
They stood huddled close together near the corner, nervous but unmoving. Their eyes darted between the glowing, unstable battery and Mika's calm back, yet not one of them made a move to flee.
This sight instantly softened Anya's expression, and she stepped toward them, her smile blooming bright as spring.
"Well, well." She said warmly, clasping her hands together as she approached. "What about you girls? Why aren't you running? Aren't you scared of what's about to happen?"
Her voice was sweet, almost playful, but it carried that same dangerous undertone that made even professors flinch. And true enough, Charlotte's friends stiffened immediately.
