Okay, second chapter, enjoy!

On a curious side not, 1 of my reviews hit number 4 on the weekly reviews!  Icookies for everyone!  and pride, little bit of pride.

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Steel groaned as he lay on the floor, completely depleted of mana and stamina.  He had been trying for a few hours now to cast the spells Mary was trying to teach, but he hadn't managed to get the hang of using mana yet.

Mary had eventually given up, saying, "You really need to get a class for this."

"But don't I get class options if I become able to use spells?" He had asked her.

"Yes, but if your having this much trouble, then most likely your the kind of guy that needs a class to assist your spell casting, rather the skills that come with the class to help you."  She explained.

"Er how does that work with travelers." He asked confused.

She shrugged, "You people just like us, so like some people in the world are predisposed to be mages or warriors, its the same with you travelers."

'This isn't working' He thought on the ground, 'I should just go back outside the wall....Wait!'

Steel shot up, surprising Mary with his sudden movement.

"Sorry Mary, I just remembered something I have to do!"  He moved to leave, but Mary grabbed his arm.

"Boy, don't think you escape me so easily."  She said with a sweet smile, "I'll come with you on your...errand."

He shrugged, he didn't care too much, at least he'd get an attractive companion to ogle on occasion.

"Okay, I'm heading to the armorer to get my new armor, lets go."  He smiled at her and took her hand in his.  He turned just in time to miss the blush that spread over her face.  He waved goodbye to the receptionist as he left with Mary, wondering why she was holding a thumbs up at him.  He figured she was congratulating him on getting Mary out of the tower.

'Sorry lady, I'm not that far along with her.' He smirked to himself, "But I bet she's a real firecracker."

(Dear lord he'd learn that out later.)

The two made their way through the city toward the armorer's shop.  Steel was looking forward to see the giant Bob again, even more so to see the armor he'd made out of the devil wolf.

He noticed Mary kept looking around the streets with interest, almost as if she was seeing some of this for the first time.

'I bet she only leaves the tower at night."  He thought, 'Guess I had better treat her."

"Mary, would you like something while we are out here?"  He asked.

Mary blushed furiously, "Foolish man, why would I want anything on this street.  This teacher of yours has no need of such trinkets and snacks."  She said this as she led him to a stall that was selling a type of sweet on a stick.

Reading between the lines, Steel bought two and gave her one.

"Fool, I'm only taking this because it would be a waste." She said, sinking her mouth into the sweet in her hand, "Ish not that good."

Steel chuckled, figuring she was putting a show for him.

"That's cute." He said before turning back to the path.  He felt her fists on his back, she must have tripped.

They arrived at the armorer's shop to find it busy.  The shop was quite different in the daytime, compared to when Steel had been there last.  The store was half outside under a canopy and half store inside.  Cheap armor lined the majority of the shelves, the more expensive armor closer to the register, where a young man was sitting, reading a book.

Wondering why the armor was out in the open for someone to steal, Mary grabbed his arm and subtly pointed at the shadows.  With her guidance, Steel realized that there were a few humanoid looking things guarding the merchandise.  On closer inspection, they were just bodies displaying armor, but thanks to Mary's earlier training he could see a small flow of mana coming off the mannequins.

Steel strolled up to the counter, "Hello, I'm here for a pickup for Scout Steel."  The boy looked up and studied Steel.  He jerked his finger toward the back and returned to his work, rather his book.

Mary shot him a look for his rudeness, but Steel waved her off.  They went into the back.

The hall ended with two doors: one leading to the room Steel had seen before, and other leading outside, where a clanking sound could be heard.  Walking toward the sound, the two came out into a courtyard/blacksmith shop.  Bob was hammering away at a piece of metal.  He looked as they approached with a grin.

"Little traveler is back hm?  Ready for his armor then?" He rumbled.  Bob's eye passed to Mary and studied her.  She made a shhing gesture behind Steel, making Bob grin knowingly.  "Hm, young Mary is with you I see."

"Yeah, Mary has been a big help trying to teach me magic."  Steel said, "It's a lot harder than I thought."

"Bob bets." He chuckled at a glare from Mary, "Bob sure you'll be able to use magic at some point, take time for some of us, or be like Bob and have no magic."

"You can't cast spells Bob?"

He shook his head, "Half-breeds like Bob don't usually have magic.  Blood mixes funny, makes the mana slow."  He put down his hammer and walked by them.  "Wait here little ones."  He commanded as he walked inside the building.

They heard some shuffling as things were moved and mutter from Bob.  He returned with a set of very furry armor.

Excited, Steel examined the armor:

Devil's Fur Coat

Type:Leather armor, torsoDurability:100/ 100Quality:Yellow/RareRequired Stats:Strength:5

Agility: 15

Effects:+3 Agility

+5 Vitality

+10 Charm

Traveler Steel Only:

+5 darkness resistanceA set of leather armor made from a devil wolf.  It was slain unusually by the Traveler Steel, and holds a strenge bond with him as a result.  Deals well with impact damage, not so well against slicing damage.  An ominous feeling comes off the armor.