Chapter 150 In The Mirror
The students looked around at the changes in each other. There was no doubt about it, most of them had left the Common Rank behind them, and they were now firmly into the Awakened Rank.
The warriors had it easy, as they could tell by their bodies, but the amount of power that the mages were feeling wasn't fading, and after Dana called up a barrier to see the changes in it, the others began to activate spells as well, allowing them to informally test the change in their powers.
"We all owe the Alchemy Master one for this. Those potions were incredible. For some of us even more than others." One of the warriors announced, while staring at Karl.
"I'm glad you liked them", he agreed, feeling a bit self-conscious about the attention on himself.
"Oh, he's not staring because you provided the scales. You should look at yourself in the mirror." Rita laughed.
Karl did not have a mirror handy, and there were none on the walls of the classroom. Fortunately, nearly half of the people in the room had a compact with them, in case their makeup needed a touch up during the day. Dana passed him one from her backpack, and Karl took a good look at himself.
Strikingly emerald eyes stared back from his familiar face, and his hair had faded from its normally dull and dark crew cut to striking blonde locks. He needed a haircut again, as it was hanging down in light waves, but the look seemed to be popular with the girls from the team.
Unlike the other warriors in the team, he had not grown any sort of beard. In fact, he didn't even seem to have any stubble at all, and he hadn't bothered to shave this morning. That was a bit odd, but he had always preferred a clean look, and if the change had eliminated his facial hair, he wouldn't be particularly heartbroken.
[Your eyes are the colour of my scales.] Thor noted.
[And his hair is the colour of the gold in my feathers.] Hawk agreed.
Alice smiled. "Now that is impressive. Karl got lucky with his gift being a bracelet that he can wear all the time, but having to carry that around with you everywhere would have become inconvenient once you were outside the Academy.
Speaking of which, you two will be headed out again very soon. We want to see how Karl's team is doing, as there is a chance that they have reached the Ascended Rank in at least attack power.
I know that Thor is a bit behind on offence, but his scales have gained a lot of durability, so we will have to test him for the level of his physique, if that is permissible."
[She can admire my scales all day if she'd like.] Thor thought.
[I think it means to try to destroy them, or hit you with an attack and see how durable you really are.] Karl reminded him.
[Oh. Well, I suppose that could be allowed. I would like to know how tough I am, too. I feel pretty tough.] Thor replied hesitantly.
Karl nodded to the team. "I think that we can arrange something. The other two are not durable sorts, but their attack power is pretty well recognized. But for Thor, it would be best to know what his limits are going to be before we get into actual danger."
Sergeant Rita frowned, then nodded in agreement. It needed to be done, even if she would rather not have someone attack Thor.
"Alright, we will take care of that this morning before heading to class. I'm sure that Hawk is eager to test his new powers against the attacks of the mages." She suggested.
Now she was speaking his language. Hawk couldn't think of many things that he would rather be doing.