[In the Common Hall]
"What… just happened?" Natalie asked, her eyes parted wide in utter shock.
"…" Gizel couldn't even form a word. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
Even Emma, who was usually the quickest to react, stood frozen. Her arms hung loosely by her side, eyes fixed on the large projection screen.
Everyone in the Common Hall watched in stunned silence as every single Ironhide that had been advancing toward William shattered apart.
Not pushed back. Not blasted away.
They broke.
Their massive bodies scattered into fragments, heavy shells splitting, limbs tearing free, chunks of iron-like flesh rolling across the dungeon floor.
And yet, William stood exactly where he had been the entire time.
There was no explosion. No surge of light. No violent release of aether that rattled the hall. He had not charged forward, nor raised a weapon, nor even changed his posture.
He had simply stayed there, concentrating and it…just happened.
