Meanwhile, a short distance from the grand hall, Aaron was shaking in his boots.
Literally.
His legs would not stop trembling as he walked down the corridor beside Arthur.
"How the hell did I get myself into this situation…" Aaron muttered under his breath.
He had thought the exam was over.
He had thought the biggest danger was behind them.
He had been wrong.
Because now Arthur was standing in front of Adrian Evan Imperius.
Blocking their way.
Adrian stood in the middle of the academy corridor like a wall—hands folded behind his back, expression cold, eyes fixed on Arthur alone. The aura leaking from him was calm, refined… and suffocating.
Arthur's own aura stirred in answer, barely under control.
He knew.
He knew he was still nowhere near the level of the man standing in front of him.
His instincts screamed at him to step back.
He didn't.
"Old man," Arthur said, staring Adrian dead in the eyes. "Are you deaf or something?"
