“Ok, L-Lilianna.” Nadrina said Lilianna’s name like she was afraid this was a trap.

“She probably thinks I’m testing her or something. Drat! Was that too forward?”

Lilianna smiled to cover her embarrassment, mentally regrouping and grasping for another topic.

“I wonder what we’ll learn today?” Lilianna asked, blatantly changing the subject. She realized it was a lame question, but couldn’t come up with anything better. All of her previous training was failing her.

“We never got an assignment, so...” Nadrina trailed off, looking embarrassed at not having a better answer. Lilianna cursed her own stupidity. Why would Nadrina know? She was a first year, just like Lilianna.

“I certainly hope there will be less pyrotechnics today,” Lilianna babbled, reaching for the most obvious topic not even a full minute into the conversation. “Yesterday was a bit much, though I’m fascinated by how Professor Aldric pulled it off. Did you have any ideas?”

Damn it, Lilianna! Why would she know anything? Did you really just ask her—?

“Oh yes, several!” The awkward and stammering girl Lilianna had expected disappeared suddenly. “I have a few working theories, but there’s so many unknowns that I’m still working it out.” Nadrina reached into the bag under her desk and pulled out a massive notebook, opening it and flipping through pages rapidly. It was an impressive thing, complete with page tabs, annotations to source materials, and obvious wear and tear from frequent use.

“I know for a fact that it was common runes he used, nothing unique,” Nadrina was already saying, turning her notebook to Lilianna and showing her some mock up rune diagrams. “It’s the combination that must have been special, though I’m still having trouble filling in all the blanks. The part that baffles me the most is the color of the flames. I’ve only ever heard of lady Zasia Glory being able to do that, and she’s not a sorcerer. I have a working theory, but it will have to wait until the professor arrives.”

Nadrina paused for a quick gasp of air before somehow growing even more excited. “Oh, you’re a conjurer, Lilianna. Do you have any theories?”

Lilianna was looking at Nadrina a little wide eyed, feeling like she was now the one on the back foot.

“I... can’t say that I do, no,” she answered carefully. “As far as I’m aware, Lady Glory is the only conjurer alive who can pull off such a thing. It is apparently a family secret or some such. I’ve certainly never heard of a sorcerer doing such a thing. Perhaps Professor Aldric will explain, if you ask?”