Fairly open

Sylvain spends some more time helping explain a few of the formula's Annette has trouble processing, before Annette looks up at her fellow redhead. "Still, in all seriousness, I'm surprised you're good at this black magic stuff. You always seemed to be more into spear work, Why aren't you taking a magic course?"

"Never really caught my interest, I guess." Sylvain shrugged. "Also my dad had me all the way into spears before I had even entered the academy given the family relic."

"Ahh, your dad..." Annette replied. She looked a long ways away. Seems she might have daddy issues... Sylvain bookmarked that little nugget of knowledge for later. The awkward silence continued for a bit before Annette changed the topic. "You know...you're actually kind of amazing. I've been studying magic for a while now, but even I have trouble with this stuff. You act like all you do is mess around, but are you actually working hard in secret?"

"Nah, hanging out with girls is way more fun." Sylvain says with a shrug. "I guess I just picked this stuff up somewhere. Life is short, Annette. If you waste it working hard, it'll be over before you know it. Get out in the world. Have some fun!"

Annette pouted in frustration. "That's easy for you to say. You're strong and smart without even trying. It's not fair."

"Uh..." The heir of Gautier looked awkwardly at her, not expecting the sudden praise.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." Annette apologized, not wanting to really disappoint the guy her fantasies last night had her jumping up and down along his... Stop that Annie! She gave herself a mental slap, though her cheeks were already flushed.

Sylvain grinned, scratching the back of his head. "No, I was just thinking that you're pretty cute when you're sulking. You know that?"

Annette blanched at him. "What is wrong with you?" She said, flattered by the comment but taken off guard all the same.

Sylvain decided that the little mage had had enough of him messing with her today. "Hey, uh, I just got lucky with that stuff in the book. I'd normally never be able to outsmart you. Anyway...I'm gonna get out of here and leave you to it." He turned and vacated the room to try and find Mercedes.

Annette recomposed herself after he had left, pondering his words. "Got lucky, huh? I'm not sure about that. Well, that does it. It might be tough, but I won't accept second place. Let's go, me! I can do this! I'm going to finish this whole book before lunch!"

The poor girl got close to 10 pages before her stomach rumbled for lunch, her brain getting derailed by fantasies of Merci and Sylvain pampering her and going places that you couldn't mention in a workplace.