Daisy's new, modest, clothing did nothing to make her new round of examination any less invasive. The magical scan was just as probing and intimate as it had been before. The only real change was the fact that Daisy wasn't exposed during the procedure. She was a bit embarrassed, still, but she was also growing accustomed to this.

Elina looked up from her machines. "You are a fascinating one. And I hear you're actually learning magic now?" She laughed lightly and gave a wave. "I can imagine what sort you're learning. You've got a fire in you, my dear, a desire for destruction. You're a fighter, and you want to win. I've seen a thousand just like you, and I can see it in your eyes."

Daisy clenched the air, as if crushing something. "That sounds fun, but we're going over the basics. At least it's the basics of actually casting though, so I appreciate that." She sat up slowly. "Find anything new, about me? You keep looking."

Elina nodded, and she patted a nearby stool. "Come over here, sit, and let's have a look." Daisy moved over and sat, and Elina lifted a small device from her pocket. "Brood mice, as the name implies, are very good at breeding. You don't, which created a bit of a dissonance. Not just in expectations, but biologically. Your body wants to do this. That you keep not is creating some friction. Your body is adapting, and that is how you are growing stronger."

Daisy considered that. "So it's a stressor, like weight lifting. My body wants to be pregnant, but I'm not, so it's trying harder." She frowned a little. "Is that why I see some hints of male suitability of some guys I wasn't even trying to examine?"

Elina nodded. "Exactly. Your body wants to make babies. It's trying to give you a better shot. You've noticed you're stronger, faster? That's a byproduct of your body's effort to make sure you can carry a litter of mice to term." She ran the device over Daisy's midsection upwards. "I have little doubt that you're, physically, ready for that process. But we are sapient beings. Unless you go mutant crazy, it remains your choice."

"Mutant crazy?" Daisy crossed her arms. "That doesn't sound great."

"It isn't." Elina set the device aside. "You have a strong will, and you're not under the influence of a mutagen, so I doubt it'll happen to you. Still, being something you weren't born as, the strain will be there, pulling at you. If it wins, you will act as a brood mouse is expected to behave. In this case, I imagine you'd find the closest suitable male, and get that litter on the way without delay." Elina tapped her cheek. "But that is a remote chance for you."

Daisy huffed at the idea, her ears swaying with irritation. "I'm glad of that. I'm also glad that you told me about it. At least I know what to look for, and what to fight." She hopped to her feet, tail lashing. "Speaking of all that, I have a magic lesson coming up. Did you need to check anything else?"

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Elina shook her head. "No, I got everything I wanted. You're a very special one. You're not the first outsider, but you're the first that's been given to me." She clasped her hands together. "Thank you for that. Oh, next time, I'd like a refill of that milk. Not this time, you have a class to get to."

Daisy nodded. "Alright. Next time I'm here." She paused. "Is there anything I can do to pay you for all this? Maybe help you out with something?" She gestured over the lab.

Elina cocked a brow. "You're the one working for me, and getting paid. Daft mouse, get out of here!" She pointed to the exit.

"Alright, alright!" Daisy laughed and bounced out, heading for her classes. She was learning, and she was determined to learn a lot more.

Dhiren was waiting for her, and he was smiling. "I was worried you were going to be late. Ready to start your magical lessons, Daisy?"

Daisy smiled back. "Oh, I'm ready, alright. But I didn't expect you'd be here."

Dhiren waved that away. "The teacher said this next part would be better with a friend of yours, which I am. So here I am."

The professor, Val, stepped into the room with a nod. "Welcome, students. As Dhiren has said, this next portion will be best handled with someone you know. It is also best handled with someone that isn't a romantic partner. I trust this will do?"

Daisy colored lightly. "We are not that. So what am I learning today that's better with Dhiren around?"

Val drew out a slender dagger. "Examining your techniques so far, I have an idea of what sort of magic you'll find easiest to approach." He flipped the dagger over to Daisy, hilt-first, and she grabbed it in turn. "What do you see when you look at that?"

Daisy looked the knife over. "It's well made, but not special."

Val waved a finger towards Dhiren. "It's the dagger that will cut your friend, just a little cut. Enough to bleed a little."

Dhiren rolled up his sleeve, offering his arm.

Val held out her hands to either side. "I'm going to give you a word of advice. What you have to do is focus. Focus on what you want. Cut him, regret what you did, and make it better. Use what I've shown you so far, and change the world, just a little."

Daisy considered this, then nodded. "I'll try. It's not a spell, just, a raw effort of magic?"

Val shook his head. "Not raw. I've given you the basics. It's time to use them, and he will be hurting, so no dawdling."

"No pressure," Daisy grumbled as she brought the dagger close. "You really okay with this?"

Dhiren smiled. "You're not doing anything I haven't done myself. Besides, you're not the first mage to do this to me, just the newest."

Daisy had no idea what to make of that, so she focused on the blade. She pressed the point into the skin, and slowly, firmly, cut a shallow, inch-long cut. Dhiren hissed and flinched, and blood welled from the cut to run down his skin.

She cringed at the sight. Making enemies bleed was not the same as hurting a friend. "Okay, okay, okay!" She cleared her mind, imagining the world she wanted, where Dhiren wasn't hurt and bleeding. She focused her magic, her force of will, on that image, on that world.

Dhiren's cut closed, and the blood stopped flowing. The blood already shed, however, was still on his skin.

Val clapped gently. "As I thought, you have an inclination towards healing magics. Learning magic at such an advanced age, there's a good chance this is the only kind of magic you'll get a good grip on, but, still, you made it this far. That's further than most warriors ever manage." She gestured to Dhiren. "Thank you, Dhiren, you may go."

Dhiren inclined his head. "I am glad I was of help." He wiped the blood from his skin, and took the dagger to clean the blade.