[center][img]https://images2.imgbox.com/a8/b5/xHNz9NyO_o.png[/img][/center] [hr] Upon returning to the academy life resumed as usual. Just like that it was almost like that awful couple of days were little more than a distant nightmare. While she did not experience the loss and grief others might of felt her failure to protect nearly half of their team did not sit well with her. One was cut in half with an atomic-powered laser, the other kidnapped not once but twice and one more straight up vanished with little more than a note of leave. That last one admittedly was not her fault but it sucked nonetheless. While the time they had spent with the reptilian humanoids was insightful and yielded perhaps the second most valuable find to be had this venture she couldn't help but wonder how it might of ended were her peers more competent. Was it for better or for worse that one of this remarkable species own researchers was so easily won over with sweet honeyed words and flirtatious behavior? Nonetheless it yielded insight, insight she now carried with her moving forward into a world with a larger scope than what was previously known. More than that even was when they were dropped into the desert without prompt wherein Ismette invoked a fatal disaster that would have swallowed all of them had she and Jocasta taken any other action. As a result she returns now not only armed with knowledge that Ismette has dabbled in previously unknown magic but also that some [i]thing[/i] was made aware of their world, or perhaps had been aware prior given it took the shape of the god of death itself. They had traveled back in time to undo it's summoning in the first place but did time work the same for something clearly not from this world? Given how powerful it was she wondered still if it was not aware of what they did to thwart it's arrival. She couldn't help but speculate as she returned to her dorm, mind heavy with many new thoughts to occupy an already laden mind. _ She stepped back into the shared dorm of her Zeno group, the hold under Zander Mozaru. It was a humble space, spartan in decor. Aside from a couple art pieces it was largely designed for practical use over aesthetic or even comfort for the most part. She could appreciate the intent behind its design, her own room largely looking like what one would expect from a medical student, especially a binder from this academy. Once she had placed her belongings back in the chest over in her room she set out to find her Zeno. She had seen uses of free-casting performed back during her mission such as with Ismette. It had proven invaluable and its use could not be argued. Ordinarily, if he was not out performing one of his other duties he could be found around here, hence why she started here on her search for him. Zander Mozaru was to be found in the inner courtyard of his home, a satchel of nails hanging from his belt and beams of wood whisking about this way and that. While he was physically occupied with hammering one nail into what looked like a new awning, a half-dozen other hammers were in action nailing other beams into place. Somehow, though, there was no hint of sound. When Trypano stepped outside, he did not look her way, but his voice was friendly enough. [b]"Ah, good timing,"[/b] he began. [b]"Would you mind just holding up the far end of that long beam there? Then, maybe we can speak if you've got any questions."[/b] Trypano gave a simple nod before moving across the inner courtyard over to the beam as requested. It seemed Mozaru, on top of being skilled with kinetics, also had some talent in multitasking apparently. Regardless, she hoisted up the beam he indicated and awaited further command. Such a think was not forthcoming. Instead, it was an invitation, as a hammer floated over and noiselessly pounded a nail into the wall close to Trypano's fingers. [b]"So,"[/b] remarked the Zeno, twisting on the ladder to regard her, [b]"How can I help you?"[/b] She was not put off by the pounding of the hammer nearby her fingers as she was confident in both the Zeno's measure of control and her own capacity for pain. Rough times learning to control her drawing had taught her well what pains to heed and which are little more than distractions. [color=crimson]"Recently since my arrival I've seen instances of other casters who eschew components of the spellcasting procedure. I am curious to learn such methods."[/color] He was busy hammering again as she spoke, but he paused for a moment and tilted his head. [b]"You mean like this?"[/b] he gestured at his work. Trypano gave a short affirmative nod. [color=crimson]"Much the same."[/color] [b]"Hmm yes,"[/b] he replied. [b]"We can work on those."[/b] One hand dug into the satchel at his belt and plucked out a nail. [b]"Here,"[/b] he offered, handing it to her. [b]"Now, use this to cast a Kinetic spell."[/b] He grinned slightly. [b]"Focus your drawn energy at its tip, like you're used to, first."[/b] With her left hand she received the nail, her suspicion being that she'd be using it as a makeshift wand of sorts. As instructed she aimed the nail at a loose board, drawing from the motion of the air and attempting to move it in however small degree it may. The nail wobbled and fell. Zeno Mozaru smiled ruefully. [b]"You got ahead of yourself. Pick it up, and then focus like it's a wand. Don't do anything with the magic at first."[/b] Her expression as stoically focused as usual she gave a simple nod, taking note of this correction. This was nothing new, the process of learning under a teacher one she was well accustomed to. Picking up the nail she focused then on the steps of the procedure as laid out, bringing focus to the end of the nail and drawing back again the kinetic energy, holding this energy steady at the focus point of the nail. [b]"Good,"[/b] said the Zeno, not wasting any words or motion. [b]"That's a process you know. You've done it a thousand times. Now, use the nail as a focus. Anything can be a focus, right? Raise that hammer from the ground and put it in my hand."[/b] As per his command she then focused the kinetic energy into the hammer. Admittedly kinetic was not her strongest field but giving a small object motion was still basic enough for her to manage. With the tip of the nail directing the energy into the hammer she lifted it slowly. It wobbled unsteadily but maintained a tenuous float as she attempted to move it over to her Zeno's grasp. [b]"And you were able to do this in one of your weaker schools,"[/b] remarked the Zeno approvingly, as he took the hammer. [b]"Now, we've established that anything can be a focus. Hold that nail right up to the wood, almost touching. Bring your other pointer up behind it, about an inch away."[/b] With little pause she approached the wood and placed both the nail and her other pointer into position. [b]"Now the space between the tip of your pointer and that nail is your focus. Build up your kinetic there and push it out in the direction of the nail in one quick burst."[/b] Her brow narrowed with focus, concentrating as she drew in the energy and channeling it into a point removed from the end of her faux-wand. With a mental push she gave the kinetic energy a vector in the direction of the nail. The point pf origin still erred towards the nail itself, a noticeable fault in this her first attempt at the method. The nail skewed to the side and stuck messily in at an angle, bringing up some splinters and the Zeno pursed his lips slightly. [b]"It's second nature, now, to view the object in your hand as the focus, isn't it?"[/b] he tossed her another nail. [b]"Line it up. Try again. If it helps, view the back of the nail as your focus: just behind the back of it. Like an extension of your finger, you're going to use that energy to push it in."[/b] [i]Like an extension of my finger.[/i] She considered the advice given. This time the aim was to insert the nail into the board, bridging the point of focus somewhere between her finger and the end of the nail. With deep concentration she slowly and carefully directed the energy, not a surge but a slow, heavy push. With this advice at mind she seemed more successful in keeping the point of focus nearer to her finger. A more tactile approach seemed to suit her. The nail sunk into the wood virtually - if not completely - straight and stuck fast. [b]"Much better. That approach suits you."[/b] Zeno Mozaru smiled. [b]"Of course, there's a great deal more to learn, but you've used both a part of your body and your actual target as foci. That's the essential first step."[/b] [color=crimson]"I see."[/color] She reflected on the techniques demonstrated as well as the state of her mind and focus while performing them. Under his instruction she continued her practice until time came for her to attend other obligations. Some progress was made but it would be some time still before she could move away not only from the process of motion and tools but from rooting her magic so close to herself. _ There sat the lantern, a veritable artifact of the gods itself, on a humble table in the library. It was a large place, silent and easy to get lost in. It seemed a decent place to converse in relative privacy as many different faces go too and from this place. She was well aware Hugo as well as a select few others were aware that she was in possession of it but the overall administrative body would likely crack down on their unannounced seizure of a country's holy relic for their own use. She had sent a letter to her good acquaintance Ingrid notifying her of the location of where they'd speak. Desmond being present was optional given how his involvement would still net them minimal potential for this task. Her fingers steepled, a textbook on organ rejection open to the page she was last one, she eyed her environment whilst scanning for other living souls present in the area. She wanted to remain inconspicuous but the need for some secrecy regarding the topic remained as she waited. Ingrid had come to the library as Trypano had asked. She took some time to find a book of interest though, One about different oil burn rates and temperature output. She spent some time finding Trypano as even with a letter to help find her, it was a large library. Maybe after 10 minutes of wandering Ingrid found her. Ingrid gave a smile and a wave as she took a seat next to her. [b]"Afternoon Trypano, what are you reading?"[/b] [color=crimson]"Ah, Ingrid. I am currently reading a text on prior records regarding a binder's difficulties with organ rejection in the human body."[/color] She set her eyes on Ingrid's approach, calmly sliding a velvety red cloth bookmark into the book and setting it shut. [color=crimson]"I gather Desmond was busy either tinkering with one of his many new weapons or training for the Kinetic class's project no doubt. Regardless, since you're both on the same team for the upcoming trials event his involvement is of only mild concern."[/color] She gestured to the lantern before continuing. [color=crimson]"As you're aware our attempts to elicit a functional response out of this item prior was rushed and yielded only modest results. While I do believe that with some research into it's history we could discern it's mechanism what truly interests me is the potential of a secondary use when it is to be paired with it's historical set-piece: The Record Book of Ahn-Shune. Now, as you're aware one of the offered rewards is access to The Forked Tower where said book is currently kept."[/color] She turns her gaze over to the lantern itself. [color=crimson]"While confidentiality regarding what occurs in the tower is required there is no doubt that discovering the true functions of the lantern itself should be done for documentation purposes. The church would do nothing aside from keeping this artifact polished anyhow. My proposal is that between the two of us if only one our groups enters the top 5 groups selected in the trials then the one who makes it should accept the invitation to the tower and will thus for that period become the owner of the lantern for that period of time."[/color] She turned her eyes back to Ingrid. [color=crimson]"Your thoughts?"[/color] Ingrid listened and honestly thought that was the plan already. So there wasn't much to say, [b]"Sounds fine to me Trypano. Though I don't know the odds of my group winning at the moment but let's hope for the best."[/b] Trypano nodded in response. [color=crimson]"Indeed. We'll both try our best and that way it should at least double our odds of putting this mystery to rest."[/color] She then offered a hand to shake. [color=crimson]"My thanks on your cooperation."[/color] Ingrid remembered another thing right as they were shaking hands. [b]"Oh! I found something on my person when we were in Torragan."[/b] Ingrid pulls out the small note that carries a 10 digit code and what looks like a snakey smiley face. [b]"I think she placed it on me. Any thoughts"[/b] Trypano cradled her chin in thought as she considered what Ingrid mentioned. [color=crimson]"It could be spatial coordinates or perhaps a coded message. Outside of that I'm unsure of what they pertain to without additional context to help make more sense of it. I did notice a section of those manuals awarded to us were sealed however so perhaps you may want to see if there's correlation in that."[/color] Ingrid just gives a thumbs up before leaving now hearing Trypano's thought's. With business settled Trypano resumed her study for the remainder of her free time, more thoughts brewing in the back of her mind as she digested this info. _ The handy thing about having a lantern as a rare artifact was that it was also circumstantially useful as a light source. Sitting at her desk she poured over notes on the various symptoms that follow when foreign organs are implemented into the body. While not fatal in the short term it was simply not viable as a long term replacement as subjects would then suffer numerous conditions as a result, their health deteriorating over time. [i]Why?[/i] She wondered. She knew that should the body accrue a splinter it would, in time, be pushed out from the flesh as it grows back in anew. Were anything that wasn't it's own flesh just a splinter in the eye of sightless meat? Even the very mana they called upon seemed to reject any form but the one that was decided for them. [i]Just... Why? How does something with no mind of it's own decide what will and will not be?[/i] In the flickering candlelight she studied well into the night, conceding to rest only as exhaustion clawed it's way upon her. So much to do, so little time. [hr] - Directly involved: [@Force and Fury],[@dragonpiece].