[center][color=a187be][b][i]Annabeth Gulch[/i][/b][/color][/center]

Annabeth left Colette’s room shortly after their talk, putting her coat on and going back to her room to get her equipment. Along the way Annabeth thought about what she needed to improve on. The college has immensely improved on her magic skills, without a doubt. She had her magic active the entire time during the last mission, and while there were a few close calls she never actually succumbed to blood sickness. Compared to the first few weeks she started, she couldn’t even go ten minutes without getting dizzy or lightheaded. Indeed, Annabeth has improved. And yet, her levels were still overall low. Her magic had sharpen, but her other skills, her swordsmanship and physical abilities, have stangant. She’s no stronger or weaker than she was before and while she might’ve not had a problem with it, the battles against these monsters had opened her eyes to something.

If she had to fight other people, Annabeth would be fine. She could hold her own against Eania knights or Djarkel assassins. But the beast and demons the college runs into… Those where beyond mortals like her. Sure, magic may be the only thing that can actually harm them, seeing as her sword hardly did any effect, she couldn’t help but think how much better if she was more skilled and had a better weapon. Some people might say that a true warrior doesn’t rely on just a single weapon, but the same could be said of a smith. And what great smith had ever created a masterpiece hammering with a club and smelting over a campfire?

Annabeth changed into her combat gear, feeling the weight on her body. She’s gotten used to it now but she knew it needed adjustments. She needed it to be lighter, even if it compromised its durability, so she could be more agile in a fight. Rely less on absorbing blows and avoid them instead, or make them glancing. Such obvious things, but she hadn’t really realized the full purpose until she fought those indomitable beasts. Additionally, she needed to enchant her weapon. She wasn’t sure what sort of enchantment, but mortal steel wouldn’t be enough. Perhaps she’ll make it a blade of ice, or maybe psychic energy? Satori had once mentioned how Psychomancy, while unable to create physical injuries, can still cause harm. And with enough imagination it can do anything. Of course that was easy for Satori to say; she was a master. Annabeth is still struggling to make her illusions seem believable, let alone real.

As Annabeth went to go looking for someone to train with her sword, she left a request at Tyrael’s forge and Val’s office; she wanted to enchant her sword. She requested armor adjustments from Tyrael and weapon enchantments from Val. She had saved up some personal money so she could afford it, though she’ll need to consult either one of them about details. Utility things would be nice, but Annabeth wanted to focus on something that can actually harm the enemies she’ll be facing in the future. She couldn’t simply settle for “satisfactory” anymore. Annabeth needed to step her game up.

[center][b][i]Tyrael Marchosias[/i][/b][/center]

[b]"Eat carefully Lyn. Small bites."[/b] Tyrael said paternally as he demonstrated, ripping his sandwich into smaller, more manageable bites. Ironic considering that he was large enough to easily eat his sandwich in a few bites, but he wanted to set an example for Lyn. Even if her physical maturity has accelerated to adulthood, she was still young, still naive. Unaware of worldly things, even something as simple as table manners. Doesn't help that Mar is a bit of a savage when it came to eating. Even more humorous considering that normally Tyrael would never care about such things until Lyn came into his life. He supposed he was just trying to be better for her sake. Trying.

Despite taking small bites, Tyrael still managed to finish his sandwich before Lyn did and now he was just sipping juice. He could barely taste the sweet, apple flavor due to his callous maw. As he watched Lyn eat she said that she had something for Tyrael. He had an idea of what she meant, but he tried to be surprised. Who knows, perhaps she really did get something new for Tyrael. [b]"Oh? And what is that?"[/b]