Liane sat alone in her domain, a living forest shaped by her will.
The trees around her were wide, firm, and older than anything near the academy.
Flowers bloomed freely across the grass, and the air smelled of clean soil and damp leaves.
This place didn't have guards or artificial gates. It was hers, down to the roots.
She sat barefoot on the soft grass, her back straight and her hand resting over her knee. She didn't move much, didn't need to.
The quiet reached her better here.
Her fingers brushed the ground, and the grass stretched outward in response, shifting in rhythm with her breath.
This was the same place she brought Rhian to awaken his core. Technically, she had helped him.
Realistically, it was more of a psychological beatdown.
But it worked, and she had to admit, watching him panic had been a little funny.
A good kind of funny. He got stronger. That was the point.
Today, she couldn't enjoy any of it.
Five students had died.
