Sir Gallahan hastily shoved his glowing light-stick behind his back.
The four hardened warriors turned to face Kaelus, looking exactly like children caught with their hands deep inside a cookie jar.
"Y-Your Grace!" Captain Pyros barked, snapping a salute so hard he nearly bruised his own forehead, sweating profusely. "We were... executing the final phase of the curriculum! Visual mana-acclimation!"
"We pushed her to the absolute limit, Your Grace!" Sir Gallahan lied flawlessly, his voice trembling slightly. "Her cardiovascular dominance is unparalleled!"
Kaelus did not speak. He slowly walked forward, his boots crunching softly against the ash. He bypassed the terrified, sweating knights entirely and walked directly up to Seraphina.
Seraphina looked up at him, holding her crystal goblet of juice. She didn't look exhausted. She looked incredibly refreshed, hydrated, and smug.
Kaelus looked down at her.
