Blood-Stained Failure

Vayn tried to suppress the shaking of his magical staff, but he couldn't completely still the trembling. His knuckles were white as he gripped the staff, desperately trying to draw upon his power. 

But even as fear threatened to overwhelm him, he forced out a semblance of courage. His Mana surged forth, manifesting as an eerie ice-cold aura that howled out of him like a wave of darkness.

"Do-do you really think killing weak Nascent Novices means anything to us?!" Vayn's voice cracked slightly as he spoke, betraying his fear despite his attempt at bravado. "The gap between Nascent Novice and Apprentice is but one stage, but it's a massive leap in power! You can't possibly-"

"Spare us, Vayn," Arianna interjected sweetly, cutting off his desperate monologue.