The man Katherine now faced was none other than Grandmage Yuliresio, one of the highest authorities in the magical world and the current vice director of the Beacon of Knowledge. His reputation alone could command the respect of any mage, but he also shared a close relationship with Katherine's mother. In fact, her own master had once been Yuliresio's student. Katherine knew exactly why he had come—to persuade her to return to Scarlet Castle. But that wasn't going to happen.
"Are you here to compel me to go back to Scarlet Castle?" she asked, her voice steady but sharp.
The grandmage let out a tired sigh, the weight of the conversation already wearing on him. Without a word, he raised his hand, and with a subtle gesture, a chair shimmered into existence from thin air. It was an ornate, wooden seat with intricate carvings of arcane symbols along the legs and backrest. He lowered himself into the chair with a groan, his old bones creaking slightly.
