Surprisingly, the process of withdrawing inside himself came without conscious thought. He just needed to escape. Escape the violence. Escape his choices. Escape the prison that his room had become.

He was sitting in his chair, the Phoenix cloak wrapped around him. With a shiver he pulled it close and retreated into its folds. Then something brushed his shoulder. It was a sensation that he had never experienced, part physical and part energy.

I am here, dear one.

That was all it took to loose all the bottled emotions that had been piling up beneath the surface. His injury and mana exhaustion only masked the deep violation that he had endured when during the attack. He cried.

Those strange arms wrapped around him and held him tight. They stayed like this for a time. This moment like all others came to an end eventually. His tears dried up and the warmth of the Hearth and his master’s presence began to soothe him. It felt like he should be falling asleep but he felt something different. His awareness spread throughout his body and out. The air around him was saturated in a rainbow of sickly colors.

Then an Ember escaped his Soulscape and entered the space under his observation. It flared brightly once it entered the open air and did the strangest thing. If he didn’t know better, he would have mistaken the Ember for a paint brush. It transformed the sickly tinted light, brightening or deepening the colors for a second before the sickness around it came back. Though Not completely, he noticed. The final effect was a mixture of both color schemes.

He inhaled in surprise, only to be even more startled when some of the lights were pulled into him. The vibrant lights passed directly through him, some attaching to his flesh and others exciting the other side, brighter. This differed from the sickly lights. They went through the familiar smelting process. The trance broke as suddenly as it began, like a bubble popping.

Congratulations on discovering your first pulling technique. It was rather crude but was far more efficient than the one I had in mind for you.

Is that what that was? He felt that he should be more excited about this discovery. It felt good but that just served to exhibit his shame. I don’t know if I deserve it.

Should you have let that foolish child kill you just to keep your conscience clean? That is foolishness, you are not responsible for the actions of another.

I didn’t do anything right. When Crispin attacked, I froze. He could have just walked up and snicker-snack. He made a cleaving motion. Off with my head. Then, after Virtus saved me, I put up only token resistance. I practically consented to torture, followed by execution. He took in a deep breath and realized that he was standing over his master, who was seated. He stepped back and lowered his mental volume

This was supposed to be my second chance. I was going to help people, but what have I really accomplished?

You made a little girl happy.

What? Jack was shocked by the simple answer.

What did I tell you about being a man of righteousness? You don’t have to be a paragon of perfection to justify your existence. A hero only needs to worry about making the life of the person in front of him just a little better. You saved Aster from a life of fearfully looking over her shoulder for danger. You enabled her and elevated her. This is something to celebrate. The other three children that have awakened as Sages are full of potential and that is all because of you. Is that not enough?

Jack wasn’t convinced. All that was nice but he came from a world where someone always came to kick you down whenever you got life under any semblance of control. No, I don’t think it is.

His master seemed to have been ready for this. Too late did he realize that this was a trap. Do you know where your Embers go after they leave your vessel? No? Follow one with your perception. I think it will surprise you. Now, do it quickly. You are about to have guests.

Knowing that his master would not budge until he at least tried, Jack followed one of the Embers. This time instead of trying to trap it. He just formed his perception into a rope and lassoed it. As it left his body, the Ember made a beeline for his doorway. It went through and impacted with something on the other side.

He sat up in startlement. He knew that mana signature. The Ember had entered Casper’s Soulscape and done something to it, made it… better somehow.

Do you see now. Just your presence is helping. You share your warmth unconsciously and those around you benefit. Is this not enough?

He swallowed down bile upon hearing that last remark. A thick knot that had been twisting in his stomach throbbed. Why hadn’t he noticed it before? I would feel better if those around me were not paid to be there or wanted something from me. So far, no one has even introduced themselves without trying to get a piece of me.

Sounds like you simply need to be more proactive. Go out and make friends! I sincerely doubt you will be unpopular if you apply yourself to making that vital connection.

Can it really be that simple, he thought quietly. He played back the last few days and realized that no one had avoided or repulsed him after he made even the faintest attempt to converse. They just didn’t initiate, well, the nobles hated him at least. I have to go. Casper must be waiting for me.

Be easy on him. He might be aware of your importance, but he seems genuine in his affections. Now, be off with you. I will stoke the Fire till you get back tonight.

He exited his Soulscape and blinked his sandy eyes. He had guests to greet.

....

The door trembled. Bang! Bang! The blows came in a feverish tempo. “Jack, are you in there!” Bellowed a muffled voice on the other side.

That must be Casper. Jack hopped off of his bed hastily and reached for the door bar. It sparked at his touch and he retracted his hand quickly. Okay, gotta hold it in. He tried his new ‘magical breath holding technique’. Nope, not that one either. The bar gave way as he lifted and replaced it. I think I will just call it, Stifle. The door slid open to reveal a strange gaggle of people.

The first person was Casper. He was the one knocking on the door, arm up in mid knock. Then there were Lillian and Aster standing a few steps back. They were trying to pretend that they weren’t with Caster. What exactly was he doing? Jack side eyed Casper but failed to spot signs of any buffoonery. The final person in the hallway was professor Fabian. He was wringing his hands in worry, a stern expression on his usually eccentric face.

“Sorry about not answering the door sooner everyone. I was in the middle of meditation. I think. Today has me out of sorts. Come in.” He waved in his peers, for peers they were. His master was right, treating people with suspicion wasn’t going to get him anywhere. It was time to start building bridges.

Once the group settled into his little loft, the atmosphere grew tense. This lasted until Aster finally couldn’t take it and bum rushed Jack’s leg. She grabbed on like a vise and started squealing at supersonic speed about how she was happy to see him, that she was worried and a lot more that he didn’t catch. Steel incrementally faded from everyone’s bearing and happy smiles replaced tense frowns.

Jack spoke first. “Sorry I don’t have any snacks or… well anything.” He shrugged sheepishly.

Casper shook his head in denial. “You just got to this world three days ago. No one expects you to be ready to properly host yet. We came to pick you up for tonight’s meeting. When we saw the commotion at the seminary, we came straight here. Logic told us that was where… Virtus would try to hold up if he sensed danger.” He made a show of looming around, a dark glint in his eye. “Where is he anyways? He was supposed to protect you.”

Jack sighed. He didn’t know what those two had against each other but it was starting to grate on his nerves. “Crispin attempted to assasinate me…” He looked at the clock, it read 7:00. “Two hours ago? Have i been asleep that long? Well, anyways, he dragged off Crispin for questioning and had me bar myself in with those.” He pointed to the two security measures Virtus had installed.

Fabian had already been eyeing the tools with glowing eyes that resembled mist. “These are adequate security enchantments. They work together to wrap this room in a tier three mana shield. I am confident that this would have staved off any attack long enough for us to come to assist you.”

Lillian relaxed even further and Casper just deflated at those words. His head of righteous rage had gone unspent and now he just looked like a kicked puppy.

Professor Fabian continued speaking. “I am sorry that I missed our appointment, I was called away. That foolish scion of the Aureus family riled up a large crowd of alumni and college students. Something about racial purity and the Magi’s right to rule. After we subdued the violent offenders, the headmaster ordered us to let the rest of them go.” He paused meaningfully.

Jack thought about all of the events of the night. He didn’t like the pattern that was forming. “Those signs labeled me as a target for their rage.” He stated, holding up a finger.

“I was attacked while everyone was distracted.” He held up a second finger.

“ And the headmaster did not punish a flagrant opposition to his authority.” He held up a third finger. “Why do I feel this was all staged?”

Fabian snorted. “Because you are not a fool. This whole night stinks of wretched politics. They must be gaging your defenses, otherwise they would have sent a real assassin and not an Aureus toady like Crispin. He practically licks young Cassius’ boots.” He gave Jack a once over with his glowing eyes. “It appears you escaped the attack unscathed. That should give them pause.”

Jack squirmed in guilt. “No, I did get hurt in the attack. Crispin threw a knife at me and it sunk into my left arm… I just froze after that.” Sharing this felt like ripping off a fresh band aid but he felt it was necessary.

Fabian’s complexion grew pale. He stared off into space, as if in deep contemplation. “That is one of the worst outcomes that could have happened. If this was a probe, then the nobility now know that you are vulnerable. As such, combat and offensive spellcasting should be your new priority. You need to let them know that you are not prey or make a very powerful friend that will shield you.” He conjectured.

“Why are you helping me professor? We only just met yesterday.” Jack asked him.

“Because I hate the game of houses. I am a citizen now but I was born a commoner and remember where I came from. Something big is about to happen and I would prefer if the common man had someone whose back was large enough to shield them. Thus, Adjudicator, I am placing my hope in your hands. Do with it as you will.” He paused dramatically before speaking in an offhand manner. “Plus, I desperately want to figure out how your magic works.”

It was at that moment that Virtus marched in, sword drawn and armor glowing. He scanned the room and after a second, let out a pent up breath. “I see that you have company but you should have barred the door behind you. It was placed there for your protection.”

All the occupants looked to the open door with a variety of features. Most were sheepish but Aster was just confused. “Now that Virtus is back I suppose it’s time to go.” Jack announced. He went over to Virtus and clumsily clasped arms. As they left, Virtus insisted that Jack store the security bars in his own spatial bag. Fabian cast a few spells around the building on the way out and declared that the way out of the academy was clear, so off they were. With the exclusion of the professor who went back to his study as he bade them farewell. They were off to the commercial district.