She drew out a curious device that had a gem on one side, scanning over the jar. "Hm, but something is happening." She twisted it in the air, examining something. "It's breaking down. The mutagen in it is not stable outside of your body. You could use this for potions, but you'd have to use it immediately."

Daisy grumbled. "Does that mean less people would want it?" She huffed softly. "Not that I want to be a talking cow."

"One, actual cow people would be so insulted. Two, No, it makes it more valuable to most." She tapped the top of the jug. "Most people don't want to drink down a mutagen when they just want a refreshing drink." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "It'll still be good, and it won't have a chance of doing anything to you, other than give you a nice experience. That shopkeeper you mentioned, did she drink it from a jar or something like that?"

Daisy's cheeks burned, thinking back on that event.

"I thought so." Elina returned to Daisy's side and prodded one of her breasts. "Taken 'straight from the tap', so to speak, you're full of mutagens. If you don't want to take up the monster lifestyle, don't feed people that. I admit, part of me is curious if you'd get more mouse folk or brood mice. I imagine mouse folk." She rubbed her chin. "You might make a cute monster, though." Elina smirked.

Daisy frowned, ears lowering, her cheeks burning. "I'm not a monster. I'm a person." She folded her arms across her chest. "Can I go?"

Elina nodded. "Yes. I'll be calling for you soon. I don't have anything else to test today, but I might in the future. And I'm going to keep that milk."

"What are you going to do with it, and can I get a share of the money?"

Elina tapped Daisy on the end of her nose. "We already agreed to that. It'll be included in your payment. I got that alert about the school, they'll get their cut first."

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Daisy blushed, and nodded. "Right, I forgot about that." She turned, and headed for the door. "See you soon, then."

She left Elina behind to wonder if that woman had a crush on her, and headed to her room. When she opened the door to it, Dhiren was laying back on his bed, reading a book. "You are always reading something."

"You're not reading often enough." He glanced over. "Your practical is coming up, your first one. Are you ready?"

Daisy shrugged. "What am I doing?"

Dhiren gestured. "You're going to show your ability to fight, and to use magic. You'll have to show a variety of skills, and the teacher is going to judge your performance." He clucked his tongue on his teeth. "It's a great chance for them to see your blossoming magical skills, and to provide instruction."

Daisy sat but didn't lay down. "I'm a first year, they haven't taught me any magic!"

"Pity." Dhiren flipped to the next page. "You still have to go. They'll want to see how you perform on the field, magic or not. Besides, some students, most I dare say, have some clue how to do basic spells by now."

Daisy rubbed her fingers over her forehead. "So when do they get me going, magic-wise? I've learned some bookish stuff, alright with that, but not a single step of practical anything!"

Dhiren chuckled. "That comes after this exam." He closed his book. "You'll have to work on your practical, then you'll start learning some basic magic." He held up a hand. "If you get scared and back away, they consider that a win, weeding out the weak-hearted."

"Joke's on them." Daisy flexed a powerful arm. "I'm a warrior first. I'm not going to be scared of a little field trip. Shoot, I'll be the one protecting my classmates."

Dhiren laughed, and it was a pleasant sound. "Good. You should keep that attitude. You'll be a mage, and a good one, I think."

She blushed. "Thank you." She looked around and fetched one of her books. "Is it hard, the first one? It can't be too extreme with a bunch of fresh mages, right?"

Dhiren's grin was wide and toothy. "No, it's not too hard. But that's not to say it isn't dangerous." He pointed to her. "There's a reason why we have a clinic here, and a good one." He flipped on to the next page. "Be the warrior you already are. You'll impress them one way or the other."

She was quiet, thinking that over. "Alright." She hunkered down with her own book, and started reading, trying to keep her head in the game.