"It's deeply troubling. Utterly unheard of!" said Pangani, a sharp-tongued second-year instructor, sitting restlessly on a chair with crossed arms. Her brows were furrowed after hearing Madam Sarah's report about Anna.
"In my 463 years of living," began Mrs. Lawson, the Principal, her tone serene but edged with ancient pride, "I've never seen a crystal turn black during assessment. But that doesn't mean we should panic. The world changes. Magic changes. I've lived through empires rising and falling, through eras before mana-scripts and all these modern magic gadgets people use these days."
"Yes, yes, Madam Principal," Pangani interrupted, waving a hand. "We know you were around when dragons used scrolls instead of claws. Just spare us the history lesson. What makes you so sure this isn't a problem? Having a crystal turning black?"
