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[hr][@Obscene Symphony][@Hero][@WeepingLiberty][hr]


[color=CBBA2E]"Great to meet you Salem, I'm Aaron Starag, but I guess you already knew that,"[/color] he stuck his phone back in his pocket, leaning back and glancing around between Salem and Lilie, still surprised by the fact that Lucan was attending the Academy too. [color=CBBA2E]"You really won the lottery there Salem,"[/color] he began, gesturing to the photo. [color=CBBA2E]"He's been my teacher for the past five years, taught me almost everything I know about swordplay, self-discipline, that sort of thing. Music too. I don't know what I would have turned into without him."[/color] A fond look crossed Aaron's face as he began resting his left hand absently on the pommel of his sword before nodding with a grin in Salem's direction. [color=CBBA2E]"You're in good hands, I can guarantee you that."[/color]

Aaron began texting someone as their conversation progressed, after a few moments hed asked Salem to take a picture with him in order to get a rise out of Lucan. A mischievous smile danced across Salems lips as he quickly gave the blonde boy wonder a light kiss on the cheeks. [Color=598527][i]What am I doing?! Surely he'll recoil, hate me, or worse.[/i][/color] The moment had passed and Aaron was...laughing? That's a good sign at the very least.
With that, Aaron put his phone away for good, done for the moment with being impolite. [color=CBBA2E]"You and I are probably going to be seeing more of each other, Salem,"[/color] he noted, and remembering Salem's second request, added [color=CBBA2E]"And of course, I'd be happy to help you study magic. You and anyone else interested."[/color] He shrugged, reminding himself not to be prideful. [color=CBBA2E]"But remember, I'm still learning."[/color]

"[color=deepskyblue]"It does seem like a good way to mingle with other mages,"[/color] Lilie finally spoke in agreement, her blue eyes landing on the young man that had turned his back to the conversation, although she would give the pair her attention once again. Salem was glad to finally hear her speak. He had feared that he interrupted something between the two once she began to shy away from the conversation. [color=deepskyblue]"I'm eager to learn, even if I feel my water element won't be of much use. But combat, on the other hand..."[/color] She gave the Area Guild table a rather confident look, only deflating slightly as she thought of the spar earlier. [color=deepskyblue]"I believe I can hold my own quite well."[/color]"

Salem's eyes grew wide as he heard the white haired mage mention both her aspect as well as her doubts in it. This was not an element to take lightly, he glanced over at her side and noticed the rapier once more. His brows furrowed and knotted as he began to place his hand upon his chin, thinking. [Color=598527][i]She wields a rapier, it's no small coincidence that her aspect would match up nicely as well...two fluid art styles that have the capacity to wreak havoc upon ones opponents. What's more she has the ability to crowd control from all the stories I've heard of water mages back from the clinic...not to mention their vital role in my clinic.[/i][/color] Before Salem could speak up a third voice appeared.

“[color=f7941d]With confidence like that, I’d pay good money to see you take on some of the guys here. Show ‘em who’s boss.[/color]” Dakota laughed and winked, relaxing their posture. “[color=f7941d]I’m Dakota by the way. Sorry if I’m interrupting, heard something about a fight and it peaked my interest. What are you guys talking about anyway?[/color]” The smile turned apologetic as the mage shifted their gaze between the other occupants of the conversation. 

It was at this point that Salem *truly* took notice of where he stood. Not only physically, but also in regards to all his classmates and peers. Aaron had his longsword, Lillie her rapier, Dakota seemed like she was a brawler herself and then there was the matter of the two who stepped aside before Salem made his way over, it would appear a majority of the mages had some combat training, something Salem severely lacked. He began to shrink, feeling incompetent and dreading how his partner would react when he found out he wasn't trained even a percentage of what Aaron knew. A small nervous chuckle escaped him as he took a couple steps back, looking down at the floor as he began to rub his neck again. [Color=598527]"I...um, I dont have any combat training. Not in the sense you all speak of at least. I cant wield weapons, nor throw a punch, or roundhouse kick or anything...I'm just a medic..."[/color] his voice trailed off softly as his eyes continued to scan the ground. [Color=598527]"But I've had many mages work with me at my clinic, so I've learned of ways to utilize other magics both for medical purposes as well as some combative strategies...from uh...the stories they've told me. All of my patients are humans and a few are brought to me by mages who have had to combat a feral or two away from the slums..."[/color] he went silent for a moment and then looked up at Lillie [color=598527]"Your aspect is a gift that we can utilize in medicine, but it is also an unrelenting force of nature that can be used in combat. I may not be a fighter but I can more than help strategize techniques to flow with your style of fighting."[/color] As if to get the last word, Salems stomach began to growl loudly from having skipped "breakfast" that day. [Color=598527]"It wouldnt happen to be Lunch yet would it?"[/color]