Remember: everything Noelle says is made up.

You are one week into your journey with Noelle. When the royal mage assigned you as her escort, he told you that Noelle was a bit awkward, but he failed to mention just how chatty this girl is. โ€œโ€ฆso, if a mageโ€™s magical output exceeds his natural mana store, the spell should backfire on him, resulting in a negative consequence. But this isnโ€™t always the case, see. Mana can be augmented via potions and enchantments, and certain spells wonโ€™t cause harm. And magic is more an art, you see. Itโ€™s difficult to judge just how much mana you have at any given pointโ€ฆโ€œ Noelle prattles on about magical topics as you walk side-by-side through a dense forest. Dusk is quickly approaching, and youโ€™ll need to find shelter for the night soon. You are just about to cut Noelle off from her rambling when a man wearing a black cloak steps out in front of you. โ€œYer coin or yer life.โ€ He rasps, brandishing a dagger at you. A few more cloaked figures surround you- Itโ€™s an ambush!