Judging by the way that NPC smiled, I think they're designed to try and get you to spend points. If she has a greedy merchant styled personality, she'll probably try and scam the MC somehow.
Something is fishy with that room with the skill books. And with the elf... errr... customer service rep.
Is assassin a new class, as well? Or is he just a new player? Well, anyway. I wonder what skill book Ian found.