Adrien's mouth spread into an excited grin. "Oh, yeah -- ah -- have you read Mark of the Abyss?".

Valerion chuckled. "I have heard nothing but good things about it -- I own the first book, but I haven't read it yet".

"Oh -- well -- then -- I don't think it will ruin anything to say -- there's the main character, Theodora - she can stop anything by just outstretching one hand".

"Yes, that would indeed be possible for a master", Valerion said. "Is this where your interest with defense magic came from?", he then added, his head tilted.

Adrien giggled in a somewhat impish manner, with one hand covering his mouth. "Actually, the other way around - I got the book because I had heard that the descriptions of defense magic in it were really accurate. Then I read it, and, well - she kind of became a personal hero of mine".

"I see. Now I really have to read it, yes?".

"Yeah - it's great; I haven't met anyone who didn't like it".