Marie paced back and forth in a huff in front of a shamefaced Markus and a silent Grace.
"Explain yourself!" Marie demanded.
"I didn't want to continue studying in the Academy," Markus answered in a low voice.
"Why?"
"It was a horrible place, Marie!" Markus retorted with surging emotion, causing Marie to flinch. As he spoke, the mana around him started to fluctuate vigorously as if it were responding to him. This was a natural occurrence with blooming mages peaking into true magehood.
"They say it is a grounds where great mages are born, but it is actually a crucible where those without any form of support go to die a slow and painful death," Markus added.
Marie breathed measuredly to calm her nerves, and retorted, "You already knew the risks before joining. We told you before you went that magehood is a path filled with brutality."
"I know!" Markus bellowed causing the ambience to churn violently.
