How is that even possible? Ignazio was unconscious and wasn’t showing any signs of waking. Felix disappeared from where he was conversing with Frigia and reappeared kneeling above Ignazio without anyone seeing him move. He sent yet another pulse through the boy and grimaced. “Jack, I need your help.” He yelled over his shoulder.

Jack attempted to get to his feet. The experience was surreal. He was at once weaker and stronger than he had been before tonight. After a few false starts he managed to stumble within arms reach. “What is happening to him?” He asked

“Your spell worked too well. He is nearing the end of the first stage of the Metamorphosis without a proper shell. at this rate, he will become a ghoul. We need to forcefully open his Soulscape and stabilize his foundation.”

The explanation went right over his head as he examined the boy. Then a thought struck him. Jack placed a palm in Ignazio’s hair and instead of pulling it into himself, pushed it into the boy. The small flames once more became vibrant, red hair, and Ignazio started to breathe more naturally.

Felix did another of his magic pulse things and looked surprised. “Or you can just do that. Whatever that was.” He scratched his head.

The other children were also kneeling above Ignazio at this point and were showing different levels of worry or stress. “I just forced the mana into him. If gathering mana is pulling an object on a rope, then what I just did was get out and push.”

“Seems like a good enough metaphor for what I am sensing. Now, his Soulscape is open and everything is stable. It seems that I won’t be able to meet up with you tonight for training. Teaching and monitoring the children is my first priority. Otherwise, situations like this could happen again.” He pointed down at Ignazio in explanation. “I owe you a great debt, little brother. With four more Sages added to our ranks, defending the orphan ward will change from being nearly impossible to something accomplishable. Though I must keep them near me and out of sight for the foreseeable future.”

He reached into a bag on his belt and held out a small brooch with a glowing gem that glowed a ruby, red set inside. “This is a minor magical item with a fire affinity. You should be able to pull mana from it until I have time to properly teach you how to gather mana.”

Excitement bubbled up in him at the idea of a magic item. Something straight out of a video game or fairy tale. “How do I use it?”

Felix laughed darkly. “I do not recommend trying that. Magic items crafted by Magi are anathema. Most likely, it will explode in your hand or something even worse. I only keep a few as currency. Just focus on draining the gem in the center and it should keep you going till more permanent measures can be taken for your growth.”

Felix handed Ignazio to Frigia. She seemed just as surprised as Jack at being able to hold someone that slightly outweighed her with only a little effort. He firmly grasped Jack's arm and helped him stumble through the front door. Outside, Virtus stared down a veritable hoard of children. Their head was none other than Arthur. Casper and Lilian were between Virtus and the mob, trying to soothe the tense atmosphere.

Felix’s face was thunderous when he took in the scene. “I left you all alone for only an hour and this is what you all get up to. Casper, I told you to keep things calm.”

The formal, young man was incensed by the ensure from his father. So he responded in typical teenage style. “I am sorry father, next time I will just stand by while people kill one another in front of me.” Lillian stifled a chortle at the uncharacteristic snark coming from Casper.

“EVERYONE DISPERSE!” Felix roared to all the people present. He pointed viciously at Virtus. “You promised me that you would keep the peace. Does your word mean so little, Ferrum?”

Now it was Virtus’ turn to be upset. Righteous indignation boiled off of him in waves. “I have been minding my own business and guarding this door for an hour now. Just a few minutes ago, a young boy attempted to rob me then enter the building. I rebuffed him and told him to wait. Then he brought some friends and… Well, you can guess what happened.”

Felix facepalmed at this news. Two usually serious young men had been reduced to squabbling children after spending an hour alone. He gestured to Jack. “Take him home. He is unable to stand on his own anymore so someone will have to carry him. Lillian, you carry him. Casper, you come with me. I need your help.”

Once Jack heard that he was incensed. “I can walk home.” He tried to take a step and launched himself ten feet, right into Lilian's waiting arms. She swung her arm at a spot on his neck.

“Goodnight!” She crooned to him disingenuously. Then he passed out.