"I will go first," Elise said, raising her hand before anyone else could speak.
Her confidence survived until every face turned toward her, then she stood too quickly and caught both hands against her combat skirt as though gripping the fabric could hold her nerves in place.
'She jumped before waiting could make it worse,' Hajin thought, watching her approach the desk, 'which is probably the correct way to handle nerves.'
Allen did not tease her for the stiffness.
He rotated the device until its central orb faced Elise, tapped the metal plate twice, then waited for the blue line inside the crystal to brighten.
"Place your hand on the orb and circulate your mana normally," Allen said, watching her instead of the device, "do not push too hard, and do not hide anything."
"The first reading has to be natural," he added, resting one hand beside the plate.
"Understood," Elise said, although her voice came out tighter than usual.
