She didn’t ask if he was a dragon, and it’s likely she doesn’t even have that as a guess. She does know he’s powerful, but most people aren’t just going instantly guess “dragon!” for that – especially not when he looks like a half-elf. And, even if he’s powerful, teleporting to other continents is also probably not something you would conclude easily. Even all the other mages, who likely have a far better idea of how powerful he might be, didn’t bring up the idea.

As for Saliss and Xif not being able to help with poisons, it’s probably more of just neither of their specialities. They possibly could create an antidote, but it might take them a long while. Just because they might be familiar with some poisons, and also some antidotes, doesn’t mean those are going to work on everything. I would have to imagine Drownedfolk-Blowfish poison is probably going to be rather unique, even compared to regular blowfish poison. Taking on a request that would need them to drop all other projects and focus on the antidote, all to save one (essentially random) person, when that isn’t their speciality, is probably just not worth it.

looks like I’m 6 months behind you, and 3 years behind the actual story. Hm maybe we are [timetraveler ]

weirdoes -> weirdos (one instance)

There is no “Mainstream Media” or “X-Wing Political Party” controlled media groups yet. Any smearing the pair have done are petty smears personal to their biases rather than calculated attacks and attempt at political indoctrination. If Drassi does not fall to this tendency and sticks to the facts only, she has the opportunity to due True “Journalisming”

These sorts of parallels makes me excited for future chapters because while it does make you think about the real world parallels, and it does say something about how things are handled in the real world, it doesn’t point a finger at a “side” that is obviously a straw person and say it is a “hateful bigot” or “political extremist”

But look at me ramble lol.
Some other things I wonder at in this point is how Joseph is going to take the news his name is being used for these big deals and such. It makes me wonder if he may get assassinated or targeted for other purposes by the various “global influencing” groups and factions.

“I’ve treated cases of this Yellow Rivers disease, and while it may be spreading, my magical crystals have reversed the illness’ effects in my patients.”

Given that “illness” is singular, the possessive should be “illness’ “.

Updated Sunday. Thanks!