Catherine Lorrain POV
A few hours earlier
Catherine walked down the corridor.
At the end of the hallway, a sealed chamber stood behind a layer of translucent white glass.
The soft hum of energy radiated from behind it.
Inside, beyond the barrier, sat a young woman in a meditative posture—Vice Principal Eleanor.
She looked calm, and peaceful, but the situation around her was anything but.
Floating in front of Eleanor was a sword.
It hovered, wrapped in thick, rune-engraved chains.
Massive arcs of lightning broke free from its surface, crashing against the containment spells lining the walls.
Some of the bolts vanished into the ceiling, some into the floor, but all of them screamed raw, violent power.
Eleanor didn't flinch.
Her hands remained steady, her breathing controlled as she worked to pry open the seal that locked the sword.
She was trying to tame her sword that had forgotten who its master was.
Catherine watched from the other side of the glass.
