Hajin studied Elise and Sable for several quiet seconds before gesturing toward the floor at his feet.
Both women eventually sank onto the bare stone, although the seating arrangement required several moments of defensive hesitation.
Neither candidate wished to surrender their professional distance first, yet the ticking examination clock forced their compliance.
"Before we attempt any coordinated maneuver against that dragon core," he began, looking between them with an inquisitive tilt of his head.
"Explain your fundamental understanding of mana," he prompted, crossing his legs casually upon the tiles.
Elise straightened her back with rigid precision, her spine locking into a posture instilled by years of aristocratic academy instruction.
Her gloved hands folded neatly within her lap, clinging to habitual classroom decorum even while seated in a subterranean proving ground.
