A week later, Daisy found herself in the dungeon once again. This was her third time down there, and she was getting familiar with the place. She had gone down with a mixed pick-up group for the first time, a group of people of various talents. None of them knew her outside of reputation, and she only knew them in return as other students she'd seen around campus.

The monsters came at them, and the group responded with force, blasting and slashing at the creatures. Daisy did her part to defend the other members, but the monsters were not the only things she was keeping her eyes on. She ducked just under a great blast. It destroyed the monster, but almost hit her. "You need to watch your aim." She huffed at the fledgling mage. "You have all the power down, but there's more to it than that."

The mage just snorted. "Yeah, whatever. I'm doing my job, just do yours. We'll be out of this place soon enough." He didn't seem to be in any mood to listen to advice, but she wasn't sure if that was his attitude or her body type. She shook her head and put her mind back to the task at hand.

They pushed to the bottom and the cheers from several of them implied it was their first time clearing that dungeon. Daisy grinned and gave a few pats on backs to them. "Good work." She nodded her approval. "Keep up that kind of work, and you'll go far." They looked pleased at that, and she smiled.

The mage from before squinted at her. "We don't need well-wishes from some warrior that signed up for the wrong school."

Another got in the way before Daisy could respond. "She's learned magic, and she's always doing her work, unlike you, Tom." That got laughs from the rest of the class.

Daisy chuckled and nodded to her defenders. "Don't worry about it. I'm glad to be here." She waved at them as the room started to fade, and soon enough she found herself outside of the dungeon, standing on the platform. "Let's get back to school." She waved them all ahead and started back herself, tail lashing gently.

She moved through the halls. As she passed, she noticed that the teacher's door was open. Curious, she peered in. "Hello?"

The teacher looked up from his desk, and he smiled when he saw her. "Ah, Daisy. How fortunate you arrived." He pointed to a chair across from him at his desk. "A moment of your time?"

She nodded and settled into the offered chair, tail hanging over the back. "Is something going on, sir?"

He shook his head. "I just wanted to ask you how things were going, and if you had any questions." Dipping his quill in a vial of ink, he continued his writing. "According to Professor Valermouka, you've reached the plateau expected of those taking up mage craft so late in their careers." He lifted a hand. "And it is not a criticism. Most of the students she has are well versed in their art before they ever reach her. You have done very well for a late starter."

"Thanks." Daisy rubbed at her right cheek, considering the teacher. He didn't do any of her classes. "Is that a polite way of showing me the door?"

"Quite the opposite, I assure you." The teacher smiled. "Your grades are excellent, and I can tell you are a diligent worker. I have heard nothing but praise for you from your teachers, and your fellow students, especially when they've actually been in the field with you." He clasped his hands. "But it's just as clear to them that your strength is your blade. You are a warrior, and I speak that only as a compliment."

Daisy frowned and leaned closer. "I'm not sure I get what you're aiming at, professor. You're saying I can do well here, but I'm a fighter, not a mage?"

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"I did say that." He laid the quill flat. "You could be advancing faster and better in the field. Every report says the same thing: You are a powerful warrior, and you are holding back your potential by focusing on the mage craft." He gestured around him. "You do not have to be a magic user to be a great hero, after all."

Daisy frowned and looked down at her hands. They shimmered green with the promise of her magic. "But?"

"But nothing." He leaned in. "You are a warrior first. You need to learn to incorporate your magic into that. If you do, I believe you will find yourself a rare thing: A mage that can stand on the front lines." He gestured in the air. "That is something that only the strongest of mages can claim, and only then when they have spent decades mastering their art." He picked up the quill just to point it at Daisy's dagger. "Take that. Your favored weapon, is it not?"

She lifted the dagger and turned it, watching the light shimmer along the blade. "It's my favorite, yeah."

He gestured with the quill, pointing it at her like a wand. "Then it should be your focus, as a warrior, and as a wizard. You don't have time to cast spells slowly while you are moving about as a warrior must." He gestured to her dagger. "So you should focus your magic through the blade." He pointed at her armor. "Or your shield. Make that your casting tools. It will not be easy, but it will give you the chance to cast more swiftly, and to be a better fighter."

He reached down and pulled out a map to unfurl on the table. He pointed to a specific spot on it. "Here. The dungeon here gives rise lagrely to the unliving. Foul things. They hate the touch of healing magic. Striking them down with a dagger? Slow. But a dagger that glimmers with healing magic? They will fall to you in droves."

Daisy considered the map. "So you're giving me a recommendation?"

"I am giving you a challenge." He set the quill aside. "You already have friends. You do know wizards need a certain amount of field practice, do you not? That's why they're so eager to plunge into that easy little hole with you. Take your friends. Who were they? Ah, yes. Cedric and Theodore. The three of you make for an excellent combination of talents."

Daisy frowned. "You're not sending Theodore with us. He's been trying to get me interested, and failing miserably. He might not be willing to join up with me again. And even if he is, Cedric doesn't want to go with him."

The professor gestured at the map. "What a perfect opportunity then, for them to put aside their differences and work together for the good of you all." He shrugged gently. "You don't have to, but you will find yourself in other, worse, company. It's good practice, setting boundaries and keeping them."

Daisy frowned, and she could feel the fur between her ears prickling as she leaned over. "That's a little cruel, professor."

He tapped his fingers on his desk. "I assure you, it is not. I've heard what he did, operated by his genitals. He is far from alone. That is an all-too-common problem around here. Set your boundaries, and let none past them." He looked her over. "And why do you not have a chastity amulet?"

Daisy blinked. "Oh, those are real?" She rubbed at her cheek. "I guess I should pick one up. I lost track of that with a bunch of other stuff. Where do I get one? Are they expensive?"

The teacher chuckled. "Not terribly. They are made to be cheap and disposable. You could even make your own, if you had a bit of skill. Even Theodore could manage the spellcraft needed. Though, for obvious reasons, I don't imagine him making one." He snorted at the idea as he gave the address to a place. "They break after they work, but they do work quite nicely. You won't need to replace it often."

Daisy rubbed over her cheek, feeling that soft fur under her fingers. "And why do I need one? From other students? I'm not shy."

"For anything. Anything that attempts to get involved with you without your permission will be denied, and lose interest moments after that. Works once, but, again, quite well. You'll hardly know it went off." He pointed to the map. "You'll want one of these before you go in here. It's an all-too-common way monsters try and control you, after all."

Daisy shuddered, imagining anything undead trying that with her. "I would hope not!" She reconsidered the kind of game she was in. "But I can imagine it. Okay, picking up a few dozen of those."

"Your friends can help you make them, if they are actually your friends." He gestured around. "And I need to get back to work, if you're alright?"

She nodded and got up. "Cedric is a good bunny, and person overall. If he knows how, I bet he'd get right to it." She headed for the door out, tail swaying with relief. "Thanks for the chat. I'll talk to them about the dungeon."

He smiled at that and waved her away as he went back to his own work.

Daisy headed out and considered the teacher's words as she wandered.