Inside the Imperius Academy's main hall, Arthur stood absolutely still.
His aura was not.
Power gushed out of him in uncontrollable waves, slamming against the marble pillars and making the banners along the walls tremble. The air grew thick and heavy, warped by the pressure. For a moment, even Aaron, standing a step behind him, found it hard to breathe.
His lungs burned as if someone were pressing a weight on his chest.
But for the man facing Arthur, it was nothing.
Not even enough to make him blink.
Adrian Evan Imperius stood like a mountain — unmoved, unshaken, watching the storm in front of him with faint amusement. He did not put up a visible barrier. He did not draw on any obvious power. He simply existed, and Arthur's aura broke against that existence like waves against a cliff.
"That look on your face," Adrian said, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Arthur. "Helpless. Hopeless. It reminds me of you in the past."
His tone was calm, almost nostalgic.
