[Jack's POV]
I walked back toward the academy, the forest and my encounter with Aaron fading behind me.
"It really is altering his perception… that'll make things more difficult," I mumbled to myself.
The gates came into view—tall, familiar, comforting in their own way.
And standing just outside were my friends.
Zek, Orin, Araki, the twins… and Ark.
All of them were clearly waiting for me.
But my eyes went to Ark first.
He stood a little behind the others, closer to the wall, posture tense but hopeful. His gaze locked onto mine the second he spotted me.
Relief washed over his features, softening the worry he tried to hide.
He lifted a hand in a small wave, and the others followed his line of sight—smiling as they saw me approach.
Ark moved first, stepping away from the group with careful steps.
And that's when I noticed it.
His walk was off.
He was putting less pressure on one leg, his movements slightly uneven—subtle, but there. A faint limp. Favoring the side that had been stabbed.
I frowned instinctively, concern creeping up, but before I could say anything, Ark reached me and wrapped his arms around me in a gentle hug.
I held him close, but I could feel it. He was favoring one side even now.
"You're limping," I whispered into his ear.
He hesitated.
Then answered just as quietly, "I'm fine. It's more sore than anything."
I pulled back just enough to see his face.
His smile was soft, tired—but real.
I relaxed a little, realizing he wasn't in serious pain, just lingering discomfort. Still, he shouldn't be up at all yet.
"I'm glad to hear that… but you should be resting," I murmured. "After everything today, you need time to recover."
He gave a small, sheepish nod. "I couldn't sit still."
His voice dipped, uncertain.
"The old woman—Ms. Cottonflower, right?" he asked.
I nodded.
He smiled a little. "She explained some of what happened after I passed out. Said you'd be back soon, so… I came looking."
His tone tried to sound casual, but I caught the weight behind the words.
"I missed you," it didn't say—but I heard it anyway.
I smiled and brushed a bit of hair from his eyes.
"Don't push yourself too hard," I said, gentler this time.
His cheeks flushed faintly.
"…Thanks. But I'm… I'm used to walking while healing. It's not the first time."
He said it quietly—just for me.
And my heart twisted.
He said it like it was normal. Like growing up injured and moving through pain was just something you got used to.
And for him… it probably was.
'That bastard father of his…'
I clenched my jaw but didn't let it show. Instead, I gave him a small smile and tucked a strand of his white hair behind his ear.
"You still shouldn't push yourself too much. You don't want me worrying, right?"
He looked up at me, nodded once, and squeezed my hand gently before letting go of the hug.
I exhaled slowly and turned toward the rest of the group.
The twins were there too—no Terra in sight. Elaina was the first to speak.
"We were taking a walk when we saw your group waiting here," she said with a faint smile. "Thought something big was about to happen."
"It's… complicated," I said with a shrug. "But it's good you're all here. I got the information I needed—but I'm going to need specific resources before I can move forward."
Everyone perked up.
"What kind of resources?" Zek asked, crossing his arms.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the leather-bound book—the third one. The one from my contract with Brakos.
Thankfully, it was the only book that worked properly while the seal was active, so I was able to use it like normal and learn of some fun abilities it had over the years.
I flipped it open, tore out a few blank pages, and handed one to each person.
The sheets shimmered faintly in my hands before passing them out.
Everyone stared at the blank paper—until I snapped my fingers and gave the mental command.
Ink shimmered to life—silver threads of script winding into neat rows of text. Each page now held a unique list, customized for the person holding it.
Gasps followed.
Zek raised an eyebrow.
The twins exchanged glances.
Before Jethro could open his mouth, I held up a hand.
"I have a lot of secrets," I said calmly. "This one stays sealed."
"But—" Jethro started.
Orin stepped in and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't," he said quietly. "With Jack, it's best not to ask unless he offers the answer."
He gave me a knowing glance.
"And he won't."
Jethro frowned, clearly annoyed, but nodded. "Got it. Sort of."
I chuckled and gave his shoulder a quick pat.
"Each of you have a list, and each list is different," I explained. "You all have specific items and where you can get them. Just follow the instructions and gather the items. If you are unable to gather any item, cross it out on the page, and I will find an alternative."
Then, from my storage ring, I pulled out a small pouch for each of them, handing them out quickly.
Zek's pouch clinked. Orin raised an eyebrow.
Each one contained silver coins. Enough to cover everything.
"Before anyone protests," I said, cutting them off before the twins could even try, "this is my responsibility. You're helping me. I'm footing the bill. You can spend your own money if you want—but this is a sign of good faith."
I smiled a little. "And trust me—I'm not exactly broke."
Everyone glanced around at each other, hesitated, then nodded in quiet agreement.
"We'll give you the change," Orin said.
"Deal," I replied.
They skimmed their pages and began forming plans.
"Zek, Orin, Araki—you three head into the main market."
"On it," Araki said immediately.
Zek gave a small nod.
Orin looked like he was already planning a route in his head.
"The twins," I continued, turning toward them, "you're better suited to the noble quarter. No one will question your presence, and I need some rare resources only found there."
Elaina smiled. "Easy."
Jethro followed, less enthusiastic, but willing.
Ark stepped closer to me.
"What about us?" he asked.
I turned to him and smiled softly.
"We're going somewhere else," I said.
He tilted his head. "Where?"
"I've got a meeting," I said simply.
~~~~~~~~~~
[Araki's POV]
The streets were packed.
Vendors shouted from every stall, kids darted between carts, and the smell of grilled fish and roasted nuts clung to the air like smoke.
I flipped the paper Jack gave me, rereading the list for the fifth time.
"At the Fire Brew Alchemy shop, find dried… 1 pouch of ember grass… 2 vials of goblin blood… four empty magic crystals… a bag of silver powder…" I sighed. "I still don't get why he needs all this."
Zek, perched like a smug little bird on Orin's shoulder, kicked his legs lazily. "Silver powder's used in some exorcism circles. Old-school magic. The crystals could be for focusing the ritual or for a barrier."
I gave him a side-eye. "I get we need to make a strong spell, but this seems a little weird and... weak?"
Zek shrugged. "Banishment magic isn't easy. Especially if Jack's trying to rip something out without killing the host. Plus, it's not like we understand how this ritual would work. Jack probably has most components already."
I groaned and rubbed my temples. "Yeah… but the goblin blood? Ember grass? We collected those for a quest a few days ago... they're common items. I doubt it's for some massive spell."
"You would be surprised what common items hold a lot of power," Zek said.
I blinked. "Yeah, but still... why ask for them?"
Orin looked at me, something thoughtful behind his gaze. "Maybe… misdirection. If the shadow's watching us, tracking what we buy, maybe Jack's giving it noise. Random components, so it can't guess what the real plan is."
I stopped in the middle of the street.
Orin and Zek walked a few more steps before realizing I'd frozen.
"…Shit," I muttered.
Zek's eyes widened. "Wait. That makes sense. We buy some random items along with the actual ones. The shadow would think we are preparing the wrong ritual or trying something else."
Orin gave a slow, impressed nod. "Makes sense to me."
The three of us looked at each other.
Then grinned.
"Let's find Firestorm Brew," I said, straightening up. "We've got some noise to make."
~
[1] The leather book is one of the 3 books Brakos gave Jack. The leather book is simply a notebook. Jack, with a single mental command, can cause the book to change what is in it.
For example, he can write notes on alchemy in the book, then have the book change to a beastiary. The book will no longer show his alchemy notes, and instead, his notes on monsters and animals.
It's like a computer opening different files, but a book.