Most of the gala's guests were fourth-stagers or above, so they could somewhat sense the force behind Vivian's attack. The more skillful ones were even able to gauge that the attack would likely kill the average eighteen-year-old upon impact, or at least injure them gravely.
Hence, in the brief moment when the shining projectile sped across the main table, the dozens of guests watched with bated breath, including Auri and Natalia, who were also clenching their chairs nervously.
Just as the golden streak was about to reach Drai, the marble tiles under his feet suddenly cracked, and at the same time, his body blurred from an abrupt twisting motion. And before anyone knew it, Drai's finger had struck back, bursting the bolt into tiny golden sparks that scattered harmlessly into the surroundings before dissipating.
What followed was a deafening silence that quickly erupted into jubilant cheers. All the previously doubtful faces had now been replaced by looks of shock and elation.
