Jonathan returned to Hartsera and took a day to rest before going back to Daniel's office above the rundown tavern.

Daniel's eyes lit up as he saw Jonathan. "Hey, it's great to see you. How was your trip to see Rollie? What did he say?"

Jonathan took a seat across from Daniel. "You're going to hate this, and I'm really sorry, but Rollie is still not interested at this time."

"Damn it!" Daniel pounded the desk. "Why not? What did he say? I want every word."

Remembering the conversation, Jonathan zoned out. "He may not get the best grades in school without the help of a tutor, but I think he's a sharp kid."

"Why? What makes you say that?"

"He linked you and our group to the bank robbery," Jonathan said. Daniel's eyes bulged, but Jonathan continued, "I had to lie to him and tell him I knew nothing about it. I didn't like doing that, but it caught me off guard."

"And is he against that or something?"

"Rollie said he has a gut feeling that there's something off about the offer. He seems uncomfortable with it. He wants to know as much information as possible, and honestly, I can't blame the kid."

Daniel fumed silently in his chair. "Unbelievable. Unbelievable. I knew I should have gone with you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I sent you to do an important job, and you come up short!"

"Don't take that tone with me!" Jonathan's heart raced, he rarely had any angry outbursts like that, but he hated being yelled at. He took a breath and refocused. "I show you nothing but respect. I would appreciate the same. I am a powerful mage, and I like being modest, but I know I'm more intelligent than the average person you find. And I know how to talk to younger people. Without me, you don't have Patrick, Elliot, Elijah, or Richmond."

"The way I remember it, Patrick convinced Richmond."

Jonathan narrowed his eyes and exhaled. "Not to mention, my girlfriend is willing to take us out on a boat through the boundary fog."

Daniel paused and shook his head. "Okay, I'll admit, I got a little upset there, but you must understand my frustration. And to be honest, I'm surprised you're not a little more frustrated yourself. You've done a lot to commit yourself to this cause, don't forget."

"Believe me, I'm well aware. I had low expectations for recruiting Rollie, so I can't say I'm too surprised."

"There's no sense focusing on it more. We may as well start planning what we will do next." Daniel rapped his fingers on the table. "Who could we ask to replace Mandy?"

"Have you talked to Mandy about things?" Jonathan asked.

"No. I haven't. Honestly, you're better at that sort of thing than I am, so I was hoping you could chat with her."

Jonathan narrowed his eyes at Daniel. "You could work on your people skills. I think this would be a good opportunity."

"Are you kidding? This is a delicate situation. It's far better if you have a conversation with her. You're a master communicator, and like you said, you are excellent with young people. I wouldn't want anyone else handling a job like that. Will you please talk with her?"

"Sure. And I suppose I will talk to my other person, who I think would be an excellent candidate."

"Do I know them?"

"I think you do. He's been a professor at Attleton for a long time. You know Remington Hawthorne, right?"

"Yeah, the history professor?" Daniel grinned. "I think that's a marvelous idea. From what I remember, he's practically cold-blooded."

"Yeah, I'll talk with him and see if I can convince him to join us."

"And you think it's a guarantee? Because I worry with older people because--"

"Yes, yes, you've told me before, their minds aren't easily moldable, and it's much harder to sway anyone who's a few years out of Attleton. I understand."

"Not to mention, I fear Professor Hawthorne might snitch on us and what we're doing if we reveal too much."

Jonathan shrugged. "It's hard to say. I've worked with him for a while, and he's always been bitter. I don't think I've ever seen him be charming. He's definitely nicer to the students who perform better in class, but even outside of them and to his cohorts, he is a bit alienated from everyone."

"I hate to pass off another conversation to you, but since you know him so well, I'll let you talk with him. Just let me know if there's anything I can do to help you."

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"That's all right. I'm happy to talk with him and Mandy."

"Just as long as it's no one from your family, right?" Daniel chuckled.

"Sure, you can say that," Jonathan said flat-lipped.

"Oh, come on, I was just making a joke. I thought you would appreciate it."

"I do. I just have work on my mind. These will be two difficult conversations, and I just want to figure it out in my head." Jonathan stood up and opened the door to walk out. "I'll tell you what I find out in a few days."

Jonathan took a day off to write a letter to Professor Hawthorne, asking to visit him for dinner to discuss something important. To Jonathan's surprise, Professor Hawthorne wrote back immediately and said he would happily host him. Although Jonathan was a little surprised at how quick he received the letter, he didn't think much of it and went to Professor Hawthorne's house near the end of June.

Professor Hawthorne lived in an area with large plots of farmland and fields. Although he didn't have a farm, he had a small, modest house between properties. His land had hills, and with the summer weather, it was a pleasant temperature for Jonathan as he rode his dragon bike to Hawthorne's house. The sun floated towards the horizon during the trip, casting a golden hue on the luscious green fields.

As Jonathan arrived at Hawthorne's house, he parked the dragon bike out in front, walked up to the small porch, and knocked on the door. From the outside of the house, the wood was chipping and losing its white coat of paint in numerous places. The windows were small and looked like frosted glass with how much dust they had. On the roof, the shingles were coming apart.

Professor Hawthorne opened the door, his eyes were wide, but he smiled sincerely. He seemed afraid but still welcoming. "Jonathan! Good evening, sir. I was so confused about your letter. Are you visiting any other staff members or something?"

Jonathan took a step inside the house. He was surprised at how clean and tidy everything was. A flower-scented candle burned on a round table next to a chair. "No, I'm not visiting other staff members. I just wanted to visit with you and talk about some things, nothing overbearing or overwhelming, I promise you. How have you been since the end of the school year?"

"I've actually been jubilant. I can read and finally focus on catching up on so many texts. It's wonderful. I don't have to spend all of my time around ungrateful brats. I swear, every year, the students get worse and worse."

Jonathan arched his brow. "I'm surprised how candid you're being with me."

Hawthorne sat on a couch and motioned for Jonathan to sit across from him." I figure I'm a few years away from retirement. Even if I'm told to leave early, it's not that big of a deal for me."

"I understand." Jonathan stepped further into the small, clean house and sat across from Hawthorne. "Are you still enjoying teaching?"

"Sure. But the students are really starting to get under my skin. Constantly misbehaving and constantly disregarding the rules we have set in place."

"Are you referring to anyone in particular?"

Hawthorne scowled as he gazed off to the side. "You know that Rollie is quite the problem. And I don't know if you saw him play Dragonstryke, but that kid will be a star in the league if he keeps on playing, and that will drive me crazy..." Hawthorne looked back up at Jonathan. "Sorry, I know you don't want me talking about the boy much, but that kid needs serious discipline. Between you and me, I still firmly believe he's the one who ruined the Unity Statue. And I can't believe Principal Pine's ridiculous speech saying we shouldn't give more attention to it. There should be harsh penalties for destroying something like that."

"Sounds like being on campus has been tough for you. I'm sorry to hear that."

An awkward silence filled the room. Jonathan kept fiddling with his hand, but it was hidden away from Hawthorne's sight in the sleeve of Jonathan's cloak.

Professor Hawthorne squinted at Jonathan. "You mind telling me what this meeting is all about? Or are you just here to chatter about whatever frivolous topic comes to your mind?"

Jonathan smiled. "You know, I've always looked up to you. I've always thought you were a brilliant professor, far more intelligent than everyone else that taught at Attleton."

"I certainly try my best."

"Which is why I wanted to ask you something. Only you and maybe Professor Henderson could answer, but in a battle of wits, you and Henderson going toe to toe, I think you come out on top."

"I don't like talking ill of my co-workers, but Henderson and I have some overlap with our classroom instruction. Although mine is much more rooted in reality and based on actual history, therein probably more substantial to education, but I'm digressing. Either way, I'm flattered you've selected me for your dire question. So, what did you want to ask me?"

Jonathan didn't like how the conversation felt like a business transaction. He didn't want it to be: question, response, result. "You've prepared dinner, yes? Why don't we eat first, partake in a little mead, and we can discuss things. I want to pick your brain, and it might take a while."

"Sure, of course. I'm making a recipe passed down from my grandparents. I didn't know my parents much, but my grandparents gave me this recipe for a hearty and thick soup."

"Soup? In the summertime?"

"It will feed me for days. More time to spend reading. History is made every day. There is always a lot for me to catch up on."

Hawthorne escorted Jonathan to a kitchen with a lonely table underneath a wide open window. An early evening summer breeze came through the window. Each had a stone bowl full of a chunky soup resembling oatmeal but dark red. It smelled like stewed tomatoes and garlic. Jonathan took a bite and was surprised at how tasty it was.

As they ate, Hawthorne talked about some of his favorite foods with Jonathan, and the conversation felt relaxed and calm. Exactly what Jonathan wanted. When the moment felt right, after a pause between their casual but engaging conversation, Jonathan finally asked, "So, I know you were wondering why I came here, but I wanted to ask you about iox magic. Are you familiar with it?"

Hawthorne wrinkled his nose. "Do you mean the magical ability descended from The Manticore in mythology? If my understanding is correct, it's more powerful than elemental magic."

"Yes, that's it. You know it quite well."

"I wouldn't say I know it quite well, but--"

"You certainly know more than most."

"Right, but it's just a myth," Hawthorne smirked. "Perhaps you should have gone to Professor Henderson for this. Like I said earlier, he's much more acquainted with mythology than I am."

"So, do you have any interest in it?"

"Interest? What do you mean? It's a myth, right?"

"But that's what I'm curious about. What if you could wield the power of the iox magic? What if it did exist?"

"Then you would be one powerful mage." Hawthorne kept eating.

"Would you be interested in pursuing that kind of power?"

Hawthorne laughed dryly to himself. "If you think you can convince me to go on a hunt for mythological orbs that, more times than not, end up in death, then you have asked the wrong person, but I'm flattered you thought I would be a good addition to your expedition."

But Jonathan sat still, the corner of his lip curling up.