I have made no progress towards expanding into the borders of our enemy, but that doesn't mean we haven't learned anything. For one the barrier is less of a sphere and more an amalgam of spheres, with the center points of them being the cities. This tells me that something in the cities themselves are sustaining or boosting or something the magic that is keeping me out.

For another, the scholars managed to figure out what type of magic it is that is powers the barrier. It's some type of ritual that involves dozens or even hundreds of highly skilled mages, though the specifics are a lot harder to figure out, apparently. It is possible that the Angelic council needs to keep all of those mages maintaining the spell constantly, it is also possible that as long as they keep its power source topped up it can go on forever. Luckily the scholars do have someone specializing in the field, but unfortunately they are a student. Not even a particularly good student, just an average student. Still, it's better than nothing. And what are students for if not learning?

Anyway, I have provided him with all the materials he might need to study the barrier, he just needs to ask. While his teachers are keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn't slack off. I hope that doesn't become nessecary though, this is his chosen field of study, he should be fascinated by what I am told to be an amazing example of what he signed up to learn how to create. If he isn't then that is just sad, a life pursing something you don't find facinating, or at least something you desire, is a boring and pathetic life.

Speaking of students, my apprentices have more or less mastered the basics of flesh manipulation. Everything else is easy enough to figure out on their own, but I still have more to teach them. I can't really give them the library of information I have inside of my head, or at least I don't know how to do so. But common themes and noteworthy exceptions are easy enough to teach.

I ended up hanging out with my dad today, and in the process of that I met his new lover. His name was Amir and he was a Djinn, A type of demon with increadible natural talent in magic. Primarilly caused by their incredibly vivid and intense imaginations, that makes the intention part of magic so much easier. Also makes them well known for their abilities to weave together compelling stories. Which is actually how they met, Amir traveled here after hearing that my father, being the world renouned story teller that he is, was making his home in my forest, a tale he recounted passionetly.

When he arrived, which was right at the start of the whole business with the infectious disease, he challenged my father to a competition, one in which they tell stories to a crowd and the one to get the crowd the most enthralled being declared the victor. And so Amir stepped up and gathered a decent crowd and he proceded to twist a tale of wonder and intrigue, and crowd waited on every word with a bated breath in an expectant silence.

And then my father stepped up and told a tale of bravery, triumph, of despair, and of revenge. And the crowd was worked up into a fervor, baying for the blood of the antagonist, openly weeping at every tragedy, and shouting in triumph as finally the wrongs are set right.

Seeing this Amir knew that my father had stolen the victory, and with it his heart.

It was honestly one of the most sappy romantic things I've ever heard, and I grew up listening to the legendary stories of Eric Kron, told by the man himself. It doesn't hurt that they are cute together, with how lovey dovey they are. I'm glad my dad is finally getting over mom, he deserves to be happy.

Anyway, Good Night Diary.