The Silver-Haired Magus watched with a cruel smirk as Cecilia burned. The flames were devouring her, licking at her skin, creeping across her body.
The Trial was meant to be about shattering the orb, a test of magical power and will.
But that didn't mean the participants couldn't be eliminated in the process.
The Institution of Magic needed the strongest; weakness wasn't tolerated.
Only those who survived the Trials would move on, and those who perished were simply seen as expendable.
"That should be my second," the Magus muttered under her breath, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. "Just four more to go, and then I'll be ready for the second round."
Her fingers grazed the blue orb tied securely to her waistband, hidden beneath the folds of her robes.