In the room above Daniel's rundown bar, Hawthorne, Daniel, and Jonathan congregated. The space was bare, and the charm of its past years faded into obscurity. Aside from a well-used desk and a few tired chairs, the room was furnished only by a solitary floor lamp stationed awkwardly in the corner. Its meager light struggled against the oppressive darkness that the drawn curtains permitted. Here, in the haunting shadows of the once popular bar, the three men sat, their faces cast in the unsteady glow of the sole light source.

"So, Hawthorne, I've read the reports about how you struck a student." Daniel started, but the corner of his lip curled devilishly. "Bravo. That takes a lot of courage, and I believe the iox magic will recognize that."

"He didn't just strike a student," Jonathan said stoically. "He mercilessly punched him more than twice."

Daniel interlaced his hands and rested them on the desk. "That's good, I think that shows commitment to the cause. It's not pretty, we know, but unfortunately, it's what it takes to get the iox to accept its host."

"I'm sorry, but Jonathan," Hawthorne said. "You seem a little upset. Was there a problem with my test?"

Jonathan held his composure. "We agreed that one strike would have been more than sufficient as a test, but you had to deliver a few."

"I guess I got a little carried away." Hawthorne shrugged and smirked.

"Yeah, but I just don't think Rollie deserved that. He's gone through a lot, one simple punch, I think, would have been enough," Jonathan said.

"Wait, hold on a second." Daniel held his hand up. "From reading the reports, I didn't see a name anywhere. The papers only said a nameless student. You struck Rollie, though? The kid with the mohawk from the other world?"

"That's right." Hawthorne nodded proudly. "I don't know why we seem so upset about this. This was the plan the whole time. And I wanted to ensure the iox magic would take to me."

Daniel rubbed his forehead. "You didn't tell me you targeted Rollie!"

"I'm failing to see what the issue is. If I had known there was a student who was off limits, I would have listened."

"But it's a school full of like a thousand kids, I thought it would be just a random kid. Not the one student who might have an impact on my future." Daniel clenched his fist.

Hawthorne stared at him incredulously. "Impact on your future? What are you talking about?"

"I know a lot of people don't have credence in visionaries. I understand why, and it makes sense, But I happen to have a visionary I see, and I have my reasons. She is quite accurate with her future predictions. And you want to know who she said would impact my future? Some kid with a mohawk from the Nomagi world. I have no idea whether that means good or bad, but I don't like that this is trending in a worrying direction."

"I think you're out of your mind." Hawthorne scoffed. "Sure, it's strange that the visionary was specific about some mohawk kid, but you never know, there might be another that comes into play. Not only that, I never believe a word from visionaries. Their predictions have never been right or remotely accurate. The woman you see probably can see details in the future, but you know what? Perhaps me striking Rollie is the event she had seen in her vision." Hawthorne grinned as if he just won a chess match.

Daniel and Jonathan remained silent, but Daniel zoned out at the ground and rested his chin on his hand.

"You have a fair point. Perhaps that's all she meant." Daniel's lips curled up. "Okay, that's enough of that. Let's see if the iox crucible will accept you. Although, I have no concern."

Daniel pulled out the stone bowl from the corner of the room and placed it on the sturdy table in the center. Putting his hand inside, he shot out a bolt of the smoky iox magic and stepped away. "Hawthorne." Daniel gestured for him to place his hand inside. "It might burn a little bit, but you'll be fine. So please, try not to yell. I don't want attention drawn to this office."

Hawthorne gulped but approached the crucible. He placed his hand inside, and the iox magic surged into his wrist. He winced and drew in a sharp inhale through his teeth, but as he removed his hand, it glowed with silver dissolving as it spread through his arm.

Daniel beamed. "Congratulations, you may now begin training!" Daniel rushed to his desk, pulled out a bottle of an unlabeled beverage, and took a swig. "What a momentous occasion! What a relief! We're ready, Jonathan! We can finally start to move forward here! Come on, come on, let's have a drink and be merry for once!"

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Daniel filled up a tiny chalice for Hawthorne and one for Jonathan, then delivered each drink.

"I'm okay, thank you," Jonathan said.

"Oh, come on, Jonny Boy, this is a cause for celebration!" Hawthorne said.

"Please don't call me Jonny boy ever again!" Jonathan snapped.

"Relax, Hawthorne was just being jovial," Daniel said. "We are in a good mood, and we should celebrate. Don't you think?" Daniel furrowed his brow and stood over Jonathan as he sunk into his chair.

Jonathan paused and twiddled his fingers. "Yeah. Sure. Sorry for the outburst." Jonathan snatched the tiny cup and drank the entire thing. Not that there was much, but Hawthorne and Daniel sipped theirs.

"That was your genius, Jonathan, to advocate for the aliquixer. I just love that they concluded that someone slipped Hawthorne a potion that corrupted his mind with the draught of control, but really it was the aliquixer creating the mirage. Hawthorne, sorry for getting you fired and ostracized by the teaching community." Daniel cracked up. "But who cares about that when you're laughing all the way to your mansion."

"I don't mind," Hawthorne said as he sipped his drink.

***

The week of Autumn Feast, Patrick had finished packing all of his belongings.

Richmond helped him take all his things and bring them to the living room of Patrick's house. A large room with expansive open windows, a street view of Hartsera, and plenty of seating options around a fireplace.

Patrick's adoptive parents helped him move as much stuff as they could.

"I can't believe you graduated from Attleton and already have a job," his mother said. "I remember the first day when you started living with us. Oh, Patrick, we were so worried about how well you would acclimate to your new home that we were always thinking about you."

His dad rubbed his mother's shoulder. "Actually, Patrick, we always knew you would be fine. Your work ethic impressed me, and so did your eagerness to learn. I went to school with plenty of people who were mages their whole life, and you already had seemed smarter than them."

Patrick grinned after hearing all of their praise. "Aw shucks, thank you both so much for your love and hospitality. I wouldn't have been able to come this far had it not been for the two of you."

Patrick's mom hugged him. "I just wish you could stay for one more Autumn Feast and that we could visit you at this wind farm."

"I'm sorry, but they're very strict. No visitors are allowed of any kind. I shouldn't even tell you the country I got the job in. It's a lot of very secret stuff, but I have to go to Eurozia. I'll be back for visits, don't worry." Patrick gave his father a hug.

"That's wonderful you both got such a great job right after school. Richmond, your Nomagi parents must be very proud because we're also proud of you, too," his dad said.

"Thank you both. Yeah, they're delighted, but just like the two of you, they really want to know more about the job, but unfortunately-" Patrick and Richmond both said simultaneously, "-we can't tell anyone about it."

"Understand," his father said. "I had a buddy like that back when we graduated from Attleton. Well, don't let us take up all of your time. Safe travels, and take care, son." Patrick's parents hugged him one last time.

Patrick and Richmond went to the docks, waiting for the small boat to be taken with Jonathan and his girlfriend, Genevieve. Genevieve had a vessel that she owned personally. It didn't have to go to Port Harbor between travels, which was the standard protocol on the seas. She could take the boat wherever she pleased.

On the boat, Elliot and Mandy were already aboard, along with Elijah. They were all in the cabin by the time Patrick and Richmond joined them, and then they sailed the sea, going to an island that was a boat ride that took 2 days to get there. When they arrived, they were on an island that none of them had been to before. There was a small wooden dock, but no one was there.

No one knew where they were, Daniel didn't want anyone to have that information except for himself and Jonathan. The group felt that the island was desolate, but there were a few houses and other small structures, but no one outside.

"I'm dying to know where we are, this place is weird. It almost feels like a different world, you know what I mean?" Patrick said to Richmond.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Richmond gazed at the abandoned land. "But we have to trust that they all know what they're doing. It makes sense that they found a place without much civilization. Doesn't it?"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

The group trudged from the tiny wooden dock after tying the boat down. Their steps led them along a winding path that stretched for what felt like an eternity. The burden of their luggage dug into their shoulders, leaving them with aching backs and strained muscles. Yet, they persevered and arrived at an unfamiliar destination - Daniel's residence.

Dominating their view, a grand two-story edifice of white brick stood, its facade lined by ten rectangular windows. Each window was a small beacon in the growing dusk, a solitary candle flickering behind the glass, casting a warm and inviting glow. It was more than a house, it was a mansion, and it was their first time witnessing its stately charm.

Nothing surrounded the house other than a lake behind and a few acres of land. Even beyond Daniel's property, there was nothing. Just more flatland.

"This is a nice place. Far better than what I had imagined," Richmond said. "It's a welcome change rather than meeting at that ratty bar all the time."

Patrick grinned at the massive home. "Now, this is what I'm talking about. This is the type of lifestyle I was promised."

Daniel stepped out onto the porch and waved at everyone approaching. "Hello, everyone, welcome to your new home for the foreseeable future." Daniel smirked.

Everyone went inside, and Daniel held the door open for each person. They all filed into the living room, an expansive room with crown molding, a high ceiling, and purple furniture with thick cushions and elegant curves with wide armrests. It had a fireplace at the end of the room, with end tables and coffee tables made of light-colored wood. Lanterns along the wall were lit. Daniel's disciples took a seat and were surprised to see their former Professor Hawthorne sitting in a puffy, cushioned chair. He stood up and bowed his head at everyone coming in.

"This is an amazing group of students you have here, Daniel. I'm excited to see all of you again. Hello," Hawthorne said, his face twisted in a crooked grin.