[@Shikaru]

"No offense taken," said Meruin. She really was on the weaker side of the physical spectrum. There was a reason for that, but it was uneccessary to be mentioned at this point. In any case, Meruin took the book in her hands and gripped it tightly. She had no idea why he wanted her to try lifting the enermous tome, but it was his request . . .

Meruin took the book from his hands, and was consequently nearly thrown into the floor. The little mage's face turned  slightly red with the effort, but nonetheless, she managed to keep the book close to her chest.

"As - [i]wheeze[/i] - you can see, I am completely - [i]wheeze[/i] - capable of holding up - [i]uuurgh[/i] - okay nevermind. A moment - [i]wheeze[/i] - if you please," she groaned, her arms shaking a bit. 

The little mage tapped the floor five times with her left foot, muttering a few hurried spells in intervals under her breath, and in response, an overgrowth of vines and plants sprung up under her, forming the shape of a hand. Meruin fell back into it, letting the new construct of nature support her weight and that of the books. 

"There, no strengthening - [i]huff[/i] - magic on myself, from you or from me," she said with a succint look. It was loophole, but whatever. She could do without details for now.