His voice was quiet, but it commanded the room with the authority of a blade drawn. The subtle murmurs vanished in an instant, replaced by the crisp sounds of pages turning, quills uncapped, and portfolios opened with practiced hands.
Scrolls bearing imperial wax seals were passed down the table by silent aides in black and crimson. The scent of parchment and ink mingled with the faint trace of protective spells layered into the documents; runes glimmered faintly beneath each heading, warded against forgery.
High Arcanist Virenth adjusted the gloves on her pale hands before she spoke, her tone polished and precise. "The Ministry of Magic confirms that all five portal anchor points passed arcane viability checks. Two require local leyline stabilization, but nothing that cannot be resolved by our artificers by the second phase." She had to take on responsibilities that Count Ebon, the former Minister of Magic, had never bothered with; odds are that she will be named official soon.
