Chapter 54

As Caelum raised his hand, the dark energy swirling around him coalesced into a jagged, pulsating spear of shadows. His smirk widened, malice gleaming in his eyes. Just as he hurled the weapon toward Cassius, a voice rang out, cutting through the oppressive air with commanding clarity.

“Enough!”

The spear disintegrated mid-air, scattering into harmless wisps of smoke. Caelum turned sharply, his expression twisting into one of frustration. Headmistress Ellara emerged from the darkness, her stride purposeful, her form radiant with a shimmering aura of golden-white light. The stark contrast between her magic and the oppressive shadows around them was like a beacon cutting through the night.

“Caelum,” she said, her voice cold as frost, her eyes locking onto his with unrelenting intensity. “You’ve overstepped. Stand down, or I will end this here and now.”

Caelum laughed, a hollow sound that sent shivers through the air. “Stand down? Oh, Ellara, you’ve grown soft in your years of peace. You