{IRIS}
"After manifestation," Thornwick continued, "you will be required to contain your arcane within a defined boundary. Those boundaries will be marked. Crossing them, even unintentionally, will be considered failure."
A murmur ran through the crowd.
"And finally," he said, his gaze sharpening, "you will disperse your arcane completely. Cleanly. Residual energy will be noted."
Clean release was the hardest part. Anyone could summon power. Letting it go without backlash was another matter entirely.
"Pairs will be assigned," Thornwick added. "You will observe each other. Learn from mistakes—yours and theirs."
That was when I felt it.
A presence.
Cold. Heavy. Familiar.
I didn't need to turn around to know Morgana was watching.
