Later that night, everyone gathered within the bridal suite of The Annoying Fairy. Fritz sat on the floor's large rug. His carbon fiber crossbow was before him. He sat rubbing his chin, lost in thought gazing at the weapon. His mind jumped around, debating modifications he could use to fight vampires.

"Maybe I need some garlic.... Should I modify it to shoot stakes?" He muttered to himself.

Nearby, Ada and Neva sat at a table. Ada ate from a heaping pile of food. Smoked sausages, cured meats, fresh bread, and a bowl of mushroom soup were arrayed before her. In the corner, Marcelle's lower half was coiled up. Like a shield, a dusty tome was opened before her. Behind it, her purple eyes rapidly moved between the lines absorbing the information like a sponge.

"We'll be in town tonight, and tomorrow. We should use the chance to resupply and heal up." Neva said. "Trira is a rough town. We need to keep a low profile. Don't mingle too much with the locals. There's a reason they're here. Ada your gonna need some new clothes. Throw away whatever you were wearing when we were attacked." Neva said.

"I was planning on it. How's your shoulder?" Ada asked, as she forked a large sausage.

"It's getting better." Neva replied as she rotated her injured shoulder. "The wound is shallow. It'll heal up soon. I should be fine the day after next."

Shoveling the last of the food down her throat, Ada leaned back in her high-backed chair. Letting out a loud burp. The walls seemed to vibrate as she relaxed into her seat.

"Impressive." Fritz replied absentmindedly.

"Disgusting." Marcelle said shutting her book. Uncoiling herself she moved over to Fritz.

"We should get you some soda. See how loud you can get."

"Fritz."

"Yes, Marcelle?"

"As part of my master's wishes, I am to assist your magical studies." Looking up to Marcelle, Fritz quirked his eyebrow. Her lips wormed in annoyance under his gaze.

"Hah, just like Zola." Neva said after taking a huge swig of firewater.

"Even if it annoys me, we should start your lessons while we have the time. Zola has instructed me you are to be treated like a complete novice in your magical abilities. Regardless of your current abilities, magical theory will help you grow as a mage."

"I thought you were just an alchemist?"

"I know many spells for utility." Marcelle held her hand out. A spectral ghostly hand appeared hovering above it. The hand wiggled it's finger towards Fritz, before blinking out of existence. "My grasp on magical theory is excellent, even if I have not bothered to learn combat spells. Alchemy is the superior discipline, anyways." Neva snorted to herself, as she stood up and moved to the window. Opening it up, she took out her pipe as she looked outside towards Trira. Fritz frowned as he thought over her words.

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"Is that wise? We have a vampire hunting us. Perhaps, I should try and think of something to defend ourselves with? A gun maybe? Flintlock pistol?"

"A proper education is necessary for all magical users." Marcelle countered.

"Of that I have no doubt. However, the 'how' and 'why' of magic, feel irrelevant to me at the moment. We have a real and present danger lurking out there." Marcelle's lip turned upward in disgust. She crossed her arms.

"The 'how' and 'why' of magic are necessary!" She spat out. "Without a theoretical understanding of what you are doing, you can hurt yourself! Magical exhaustion can leave you unconscious in a fight! Is that what you want? To fall asleep in the middle of a fight? Do you want to drop like a fly surrounded by enemies?"

"Uhh.... No?" Fritz answered like an idiot. "I can pass out if I use too much mana?"

"Or worse. Die. Mages have died pulling on their own lifeforces to power spells. Do not underestimate this knowledge!"

"So who gets the bed?" Ada asked interrupting. Neva shook her head before responding.

"I don't want to bleed on it. I'll sleep in my bedroll." Neva said. Marcelle grimaced as Ada gave her a hard look.

"Fine. Take it." Marcelle reluctantly replied. Ada jumped up from the table before flopping onto the bed.

Ada looked over towards Fritz. She started patting the place beside the bed. "You owe me, Fritz. Especially after project SKUNK or whatever." Fritz let out a sigh.

"Ada, I'm kind of busy. I can't remember if it's vampires or werewolves that are vulnerable to silver weapons."

"Both." Marcelle, Ada, and Neva answered in unison.

"Fritz, your magical education cannot wait."

"Yes, it can. It's bed time." Ada said. "Fritz, come on. Hit the books tomorrow. I hate sleeping alone. It's cold and uncomfortable."

"Neva?" Fritz asked, as he looked over towards the older beastkin.

"No. I am sleeping on the floor." Neva replied absentmindedly. "She's always been awful, even when little. She snores too much, and is too clingy."

"I don't snore!" Ada huffed.

"You do." Neva said confidently.

"There's still time tonight. Fritz must start his education immediately! It is paramount for our success."

"I don't care." Ada said confidently.

"Huh? Are you touched in the head?" Marcelle asked.

"Maybe I am!" Ada declared confidently. Marcelle blinked slightly in confusion before disgust contorted her face.

Ada moved off the bed, towards the sitting Fritz. Hooking her hands underneath his shoulders, she brought him to his feet.

"Ada?" Fritz squeaked out in surprise. Gravity shifted as he was thrown onto the bed.

"I need to teach him! So I can be done with this task! Fritz! Make her a stuffed animal, so we can start!" Marcelle seethed.

"Fritz, you owe me. Shut up, and don't move. Marcelle, teach him tomorrow. I'm tired."

"I'm trying to kill a vampire, here!" Fritz shouted as Ada jumped over and slid up behind him. Fritz struggled, yet a deep bestial grow from behind sent instinctual fear coursing through him. His body froze involuntarily. Ada inhaled deeply before relaxing.

Marcelle looked over towards to Neva for guidance.

"Don't worry, it's just Fritz who will suffer. I'll make sure, you have time to teach him tomorrow." Neva said wearily. Marcelle breathed in deeply, as she let out a sigh. She hid her face between her hands.

"Why did it have to be me? Why? And with these companions?! Lorgen save me! Please! I don't deserve this!"

"Hah! Starting to get why quests suck?" Neva taunted.

"They don't! You suck!" Ada shot back.

Ten minutes later, Ada was asleep, snoring like a dying animal. Drool pooled at the back of Fritz's head. Held immobile, like a stuffed toy, Fritz stared at the wall. Any attempts to escape, caused Ada to cling on tighter. Eventually, Fritz resigned himself to his fate. Later on, Marcelle came up to Fritz begging for ear plugs.