The Limits Of Magic PV Illowy Magnard

Though he knew it was her, he felt comfortable at the reaffirmation that he had chosen the correct person. There was always a nagging thought in the back of his mind that made him wonder that what if he was wrong. Still, he could not let his anxieties get in the way. It was not every day he was capable of having an investigation like this right at his fingertips, and now all of his hard work was finally going to pay off.

He laid his journal in front of him, turning the page to the most recently written-in one. It was almost a finished journal- it unsettled him. He had been using it since the year prior. It was odd to see all of the pages nearly filled up in contrast to when he had just got the journal. Still, he felt it was a symbol of how far he came and the experience itself felt like proof of it as well. Glancing down at his notes, he began his 'investigation'. Any introduction he had originally planned to give was instantly thrown to the side as he jumped right into desiring answers.

"So, I heard you're all good at transfiguration and such, right?" he inquired despite knowing the answer. He had to, of course. Everyone had told him she was.

He paused, leaving room for her to reply. He had a strangely naïve view that if someone was approached in the library and randomly asked who they are without any other introduction, they would be happy to tell him anything. Still, he needed these answers.

"I gotta know the limits and all that. Like.. I dunno, let's say someone wanted to change their hair, eyes, and stuff. Is that a thing people can y'know.. do at the same time? Or could someone else a transfiguration charm on someone else to do that? How many charms can be on someone at once? How long does it take to wear off?" he bombarded her with questions, but instead of a hasty, fast approach he used to take he was now talking slowly.

He had almost definitely rehearsed this in the mirror multiple times. He wanted the answers, and right now his strategy was to catch her off guard enough to get those answers.

He was glad she bothered to confirm his beliefs. It said something about her attitude to him at least. If she had lied, this would have been an entirely different story. He would have had to find some motivation or proof that she was telling the truth, or he would probably just keep pushing to be fair. He was never the type to let lies get him down or anything for that matter. He once got a boy to apologize to him just by annoying him.

What he did not expect in return for his long list of questions was questions from her. He felt it would be obvious that he was an investigator, but then again perhaps his simple robes were not enough to display that. He was caught off guard to say the least, and it showed. His eyes widened and his cheeks reddened as instantly he realized things were not going his way. Still, he attempted to keep his calm despite the fact it was slowly slipping from him.

"The headliner? Nonono, I dunno much 'bout writing! Don't think I've ever touched a newspaper in my life."

he glanced at his journal and realized the newspaper about dhampirs that he had shoved inside of it was sticking out. He had allowed it to do so for the aesthetic, but it was rather clear that he had just openly contradicted himself and made himself less trustworthy.

"Someone handed me that one 'cause they wanted me to read it. Other than that, none!" he clarified.

His hasty reasoning would likely make him seem more suspicious to most people, but that thought did not seem to hit Ross in the head. Hey, wasn't he supposed to be the detective here? Why was she asking questions? He took a deep breath, regaining his thoughts.

"but erm.. I'm Ross. Ross Stephens. I dunno much 'bout it, could you tell me?"

Genius. An outstanding recovery. He truly was an excellent detective with wonderful social skills. Where would the world be without him?

The threat stuck with him and Ross immediately shut his yap. While he had not planned on doing anything but listening, he had an internal feeling that if he showed even a sign of having a word to say he would find himself turned into a toad or set aflame- only one of which he had experienced, but still he felt he would not live to go through either.

And so that was what he did, he listened. He felt a bit stung by her assumption that he would want to change his appearance, but he certainly did not take it personally and was absolutely not going to correct her. At first he wanted to correct her, but it soon dawned upon him that he was practically all set with the knowledge he was being given. Correcting her would only lead to less answers and a bruise on his head, so instead he kept listening.

While the spell names seemed to just fly right over his head, he could not help but feel interested in what she was saying. While this was no more of a mystery to him, perhaps one day he would attempt to contact her when he could find himself in the mental state to comprehend names and strange words. It was always fascinating to listen to someone who knew what they were talking about ramble.

Overall, he was entirely lost to say the least and the blank expression on his face proved it. Thoughts were rushing through his mind, but if one was to look in his eyes they would likely be able to see his singular braincell rattling about. As she finished speaking, Ross was dumbfounded.

But shockingly enough, he had the information he needed.

It took him a moment to fully reboot as she sat back in her chair, but soon an idea hit him like a brick in the back of the head. If that was below their grade level- of course- it all made sense!

"That's it!" he suddenly exclaimed before recalling it was a library, his cheeks reddening by the second. "I mean... o' course." he uncomfortably pushed himself out of his seat, realizing this had not gone as he had planned whatsoever. Uncomfortably glancing back and fourth, he closed his journal and scooped it up. "have a.. erm.. good day, ma'am."

And the little rat boy scurried out of the door.