Symbolic Punishments

The arcane had struck, and the shock on the faces of the students trapped in the red square was brutal.

"We won't be able to—" one stammered, his voice shaky and faint.

"Evolve ever again…" another finished, his breath short.

"Professor! How can you do this without asking us first!?" Luna shouted, her rough voice full of frustration cutting through the chaos, standing among the students in the square, her fists clenched tight.

"She's right, Professor! You just turned dreams and careers to ashes!" Cynthia added from the blue circle, her words burning with anger, her eyes showing her fury. A wave of shouts and complaints crashed through the room then, a flood of unhappiness roaring loud, every voice mixing into a desperate mess.