Library

There might not be classes tomorrow but you do still have dueling tryouts. Thinking back to the one match you were in, Brice almost had you with the sleep charm he used. You are still not sure how you managed to get out of that. Whether Harmony had helped you or not, you didn't want to fall prey to something like that again. Maybe the library would have books on some sort of counter against such things. For that matter, any sort of protective spells might come in handy on the court. You exit House Phoenix to find the evening air crisp and cool as you cross the courtyard to the academics hall.

The halls are surprisingly empty with only one or two students to be seen. Its strange to see these impressive hallways devoid of activity and, for the first time, you finally realize just how big the school really is. After a few turns and a bit of a walk, you find yourself outside of the grand library. Its doors are actually rather unbecoming. You expected something large and magnificent, like those of the common dining hall, but instead, come to two simple oak doors with iron frames. Nothing to be done about it, you push one of the doors open and enter.

Inside you find a beautifully large two-story room filled to the brim with books, tomes, and grimoires. The wood shelves and bookcases are masterfully carved as is the stonework of the pillars and tables. It's artistry vastly understated by the simple wooden doors that barred you only moments ago. You walk down a row of books marveling at it all, unsure where to start looking. It appears books are arranged by type of magic and further broken down by subject. Curious if you should look for a charms section to see if it has a subsection on protective or if the library even has a defense category.

As you look around, you notice the back of the room has a staircase cut into the stone that only goes down. Didn't Lee say he found a book on advanced illusions in a sublevel of the library? The fact he found anything in this place is a surprise all in itself. You decide it is worth checking out, while you are here anyway.

Descending the stone spiral steps, the light grows dim and you wonder if you should be down here. The bottom level is lit only by a few torches on the wall, giving the whole room an eerie feel. Much smaller than the upper level, there are only twelve short bookcases lined back to back in two rows of six, three on either side of a row. How Lee managed to sneak in here with Professor Dove around is even more of a shock than him finding anything.

You slowly walk the length of the rows, reading their titles: Magical Theories by Archwizard Goran Frivius, Ancient Relics of the West, History of the Great Wizard Houses. Nothing on this shelf about charms or how to counter them. The books on this level don't appear to be in any sort of order, at least that you can tell.

"Looking for something?" A feminine voice calls out, almost causing your heart to jump out of your chest. With a deep breath, you turn to find the curvy Professor Dove standing at the entrance dressed in the short sweater dress and knee-high boots she wore at orientation. Her gorgeous brown hair falling past her shoulders. "Did I startle you?" She asks with an alluring smile.

"Yeah... I didn't realize anyone else was down here." You admit to her. "The library isn't closed is it?"

Professor Dove's hips sway seductively as she takes a few steps towards you. "The library never closes. Its books are available to students at all hours." She stops a couple of feet in front of you, placing a hand on her hip as she takes in the sight of you. "This section, however, is restricted to professors..." Her eyes glide over you as if she was measuring your worth. "And select students, such as yourself, who attend my class." The sound of her voice dances in your ears and you can't keep from swallowing nervously as you look over her voluptuous form. "So, are you here to look? Or can I help you find something particular?" She smiles at you tauntingly.

"Charms..." You **** up a little trying to get the words out. "I was looking for something... on charms. That is... How to protect yourself against them." Your mouth falters as you try to explain. "You see... I'm trying out for the dueling team... And I thought maybe..." You only become more nervous as Professor Dove moves closer to you and lightly places a hand on your shoulder.

She guides you to turn around and gently pushes you to a bookcase at the end. Standing behind you, she leans over your shoulder to methodically run a finger across the spines of books the two of you now face. "Here it is." She is practically whispering directly into your ear. "Arcanist Ivar Hellgrave's Guide to Complex Magical Defense." Professor Dove's finger stops on a black unassuming leather-bound book. "The most comprehensive tome on the subject." She whispers to you as her graceful hand pulls the book from the shelf to hold in front of you, her ample chest presses into your back.

You take the book in your own hands examining its soft leather cover etched with golden lettering. "Is it ok if I take this back to my room to read?" You ask.

"Of course." Professor Dove smiles as she lets go of your shoulder and walks toward the stairs. Her sweater dress hugs her shapely ass tightly and barely covers her flawless thighs as her hips gently sway. She glances back over her shoulders at you, once she reaches the bottom step. "I know where to find it, should I need it." Her words kiss your ears and, before you know it, she is up the stairs.