"In all fairness, I'd always rather had the impression that a good bit of the Magistry was there more for the paperwork and politics than they were for their skill in magic-- if you'll forgive my saying so. Perhaps I only ran into, ah- less impressive examples."

At that, he gives Kirian a brief look-over, almost but not quite disguising it as plain curiosity-- and his mouth twitches into a small grin. "Though to continue being honest, I certainly can't say I've found you lacking yet. My opinion might have been higher had I run into more magisters like yourself."

Rynlan takes a long sip of his tea, there, quietly pleased with himself. He'd like to think he hasn't lost his touch over the years, out of practice as he is.

"I'm sure the defensive spells are far more useful as it is," he continues on casually, "particularly taking into consideration that we need as many of us living as possible. What good does firepower do us if we only burn ourselves out?"