In that instant, a searing orange light flickered in the Noble's eyes. The heat intensified around him, the very air seeming to warp and shimmer. Sizzling smoke curled from beneath his feet as his magical aura expanded, creating a dome of oppressive force that blanketed the entire stage.
The crowd recoiled from this display of power. While they were only brushed by the edges of the Noble's aura, it was enough to cause discomfort. Weaker mages stumbled back, feeling as if an invisible weight was pressing down on them.
For the two-star Mage on stage, however, the pressure was exponentially worse. His face flushed red as he struggled to breathe, the Noble's aura constricting around him like a vice. It was a terrible pressure, as if an invisible giant was trying to crush every bone in his body.
The fact that this was merely the Noble genius releasing his magical aura, without even casting a spell, was a terrifying demonstration of his power.
