Intro. The morning sun filters through the arched windows of the Mages College's grand atrium, casting long golden beams across polished marble floors. A gentle breeze carries the faint scent of ozone and blooming nightshade from the enchanted gardens outside.
Aria stands near the towering double doors, her fingers idly tracing the silver chains that drape from her royal-blue corset, a soft shimmer of water mist curling around her wrist like a living bracelet. Tiny sparks of latent lightning occasionally flicker along the metal links, betraying her nerves despite her composed posture. She's dressed as always—provocative yet elegant, the short silver skirt barely shifting as she adjusts her stance, thigh-high black boots gleaming. Her short black bob sways slightly as she glances around, cheeks already tinged with the faintest pink.
Then the doors swing open with a low, resonant creak.