Jack and the sentinel were both now seated companionably in front of the hearth, basking in the glow. Jack was reclined in his wooden chair and his master was in one made from the same geometric outlines, they were made of. There was a sense of peace. Like this is the way things were meant to be.

There are many forms of life in creation. As many different types of life exist as there are stars in the sky. You and I are one of the rarer forms that life can take. Constructs of an ideal. At this they created a red triangle of light, tip pointing up. This is one of the simplest ideals, Fire. It represents the chemical reaction that ignites. All Fires start with this ideal as a foundation, but like all things Fire grows when it consumes the source of ignition. The three points represent the three components, fuel, air and a heat source.

A small rune appeared inside the blank space inside the triangle. This is a Campfire. The rune inside indicates the fuel and purpose of the ideal. It is not alive, but has the potential to be should it grow enough life may bloom from it.

The triangle disappeared and his master pointed to the hearth. This is you. At least, your interpretation of the Ideal you have bound your soul to. It’s true form is beyond you at this point. You first need to learn how to control your being and properly exercise your power.

Jacks master turned to face him. This is your first exercise. It will serve as the foundation of your future growth, so follow my instructions closely. Place your hand in the pit. No, it is not going to burn you. They said preemptively when Jack flinched.

Jack placed his hand towards the flame. It wavered right at the edge for a bit. He forced a breath and plunged his hand in. Red tongues of energy danced across his skin. Suddenly, he was aware of every part of his body. He knew where everything was and what it did in the body. That’s when the realization finally came crashing down. I’m not human!

No, you are not a human anymore. The flesh body I crafted for you acts more as a biological machine than a vessel to hold one's soul. It was designed to both hide, protect and amplify your true nature. Along with that. They casually pointed to the Phoenix cloak. That is where I placed the majority of your soul. It was a compromise of both necessity and function.

Why? He asked distractedly, trying to shake off all the impressions and newly gained knowledge. Sure it looks nice and all but other than turning into a chicken… He stopped to give his master an embarrassed glare. It does not seem to do much more than a blanket would.

His master seemed to expect this and answered with a question. Do you remember the red cat on the fool's shoulder?

He pondered on that for a second. Yes, it seemed to be calling out to me. As if it thought I was like it or that it knew I was different. There was a… connection between us. His attention was pulled off to the side. It felt like an itch he hadn’t noticed, but was slowly growing more intense. There’s still something… THERE! A dark red cord became visible in the air. One side was tied to the hearth and the other went in a straight line off into the distance.

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That was a Jann, the least of the Djinn. Beings that are somewhere between Magi, like your friend Casper, and pure constructs like us. Jann are usually infants but sometimes, in the case of that one. His master gestured to indicate the red string. It is a shame that sometimes their Fire goes out. The absence alters them dramatically. They become something… less. This empire has a tradition of restoring and then enslaving the Jann for their personal uses. She is calling out to you, but you cannot answer her yet.

Jack turned back angrily. Why not!

Because you will die. The most powerful of Magi will willingly line up to kill you, to maintain control of their slaves.

Jack deflated. Is there anything I can do?

His master placed a hand on his arm comfortingly. You must first gather your power and entrench yourself into the empire's affairs. Gain a benefactor and learn how magi gather power. I will assist you in maximizing your potential but you must define your own path. This is the way of the Sage! Do this and none will be able to stand in your way.

The world shook a bit around them. It looks like you are waking up. Try to gather as much mana as you can before you fall asleep. Fire is best but you can absorb any form of power with the right knowledge. I will draw you in for another lesson tonight when you rest. Goodbye Jack.

Then the world faded as he opened his eyes.

…

A pair of heavy lidded eyes peered out into the world hazily, before swiftly closing. A brain that was nominally in charge looked down from it’s pedestal and demanded them to open and report. The eyes refused. When the brain once again commanded them, they retaliated by sharing the glimpse that spooked them. Oh my, the brain thought, that’s a lot of pink!

Jack decided that despite his Barbie doll pink environment he had to see where in this world he had been dragged off to. It must be a dungeon. It must be, no one liked Barbie pink that much.

With great resolve he finally did it. The result was worse than he had feared. He was laying in a twin sized frilly bed in a line of a dozen such frilly beds, empty at the moment. There were privacy curtains that could be pulled around each bed. They were full of pink lace and… tie die paisley. He cringed at the sight. What kind of freaky infirmary is this place? Better get out quietly, I do not want to attract the nurse.

He started to shift towards the end of the bed when a hand landed on his shoulder. A quick glance up the outstretched arm revealed an imperial guard standing next to his head board.

I didn’t even think to look behind me, clever him. He recognized the man, this was the guard captain that gave him his spear. The one that had clear eyes. I think his name was… vertigo? Vintner? “Hey… ugh what’s your name again?”

The red clad guardsman seemed abashed and blushed at Jack's perusal of him. He’s younger than I thought. He must only be in his late teens or early twenties. Jack wondered how this young man was put in charge of that bunch of ornery bruisers.

“My name is Virtus… sir? Ugh, how do we address you? Just calling you the Adjudicator will get old really fast.” He scratched his head in embarrassment.

Jack thought about that. His upbringing taught him that titles should be earned, not granted. On the other hand his status was more of an appointment, like a commissioner or a judge.

“I don’t have one. I will have to ask my master about that. So I won’t have an answer until tomorrow morning. Just call me Jack. That’s the name I chose and how I like to be called. Now why am I in this frilly nightmare land and how do I get out?”