Cindralis stared at Asher, waiting for a reply. Yet, none came. He remained utterly silent, his purple eyes unfazed. For a brief moment, the atmosphere seemed to still, but she did not press him for an answer. Instead, she continued speaking, her tone calm yet cutting, her words precise and deliberate.
"On your first day at this Academy," she began, "you surpassed what Instructor Melissa could hope to teach in the realm of pure Astra control. And now, you have already passed the very first lesson in Hale's class with startling ease. I find myself wondering, what sort of talent must one possess to accomplish such feats?"
Her words hung in the chamber like an echo of judgment.
Asher did not hesitate with his reply. His voice was level, calm, and free of boast or false modesty.
"I am a Wargrave," he said plainly. "Such things are expected. Such things are standard."
Cindralis tilted her head slightly, her abyssal eyes narrowing by the faintest degree.
