Magic & Transvolution

Delia, X, Merlin, Serene, and Ethan eye the unconscious individuals, bewilderment spreading across. X sits on the boy's lap while Merlin, Serene, and Ethan sit on the edge of Ada's bed, Delia resting on the stool close to Justin.

"I...wasn't aware of so much happening to you two since our separation." Delia smiles, caressing her chin. "You've even met some new friends along the way!"

Justin nods. "Yep! I feel like y'all will like them, too: They're a blast to hang with." The boy sets his hand beside his lips, leaning forward. "Except for Sylock, though. He's my least favorite," he whispers. "Don't tell him that I said that."

Delia gasps, punching her son's shoulder softly. "Justin! That's not a very nice thing to say."

The teen chuckles. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. He's cool, too." He rubs his nose. "Although, he can be scary at times."

X tilts his head. "'Scary'?"

The boy scratches his head, laughing in a nervous manner. "You'll see what I mean."

X and Merlin's face warp, squinting. That doesn't sound like a good sign, they think.

Ada sighs, her hand against her gray shirt. "It's just...great to see you all again after everything we've been through." She strokes her cover. "We've encountered all sorts of dangers along the way, including the culprit group themselves: Team Conjure..."

Merlin gropes his staff as X frowns, folding his arms. "So that's who those weird outfit wearing guys are."

"Mhm. We ran into them about three more times since," Ada looks over at Mesmeren. "The first was when we were saving Mesmeren at Avalon Forest." Everyone briefly eyes the tapir as Ada continues. "Second was at Majestic City solving its city issues, and then the third time was at Serenity during a raid." Ada caresses her chin, glaring down. "Both of those cases involved the group obtaining Spells and getting away with it."

Ethan quakes as Serene's ears lower. "Yeesh. That doesn't sound good."

X grits his teeth. "That means they stole the Spell from that Forest guy."

"They did indeed, X." Ada blinks. "Wait, he told you guys what Spells are?"

Merlin pounces up. "Of course! He noticed that I was snooping through his The Birth of Wizlore book and saw the Spell pages, happily explaining what they are to us afterwards."

"Ah, I see then." Hums. "Hmm..." Ada narrows her brows. "I'm curious: Why does Conjure want to obtain all eight of the Spells?" The girl shakes her head. "And where does catching Mesmeren even play a role in this?"

"Hmm..." Merlin taps his staff. "Those are pretty good questions."

Justin snaps his fingers. "Ayo, that reminds me: I remember seeing a girl throwing the mayor of Synchronic while holding a book. Think it looked pink, too."

Delia's hand presses her lips. "You saw what happened to Mayor Herbert?"

Justin nods. "Vaguely, though. All of those...fires made it difficult to see what was happening."

"I see." The woman's face warps into worries. "That explains why I haven't seen him since the incident."

"Yeah. Homie's gone." Justin sighs, scratching the side of his head. "But yeah, bout that pink book: I wonder if that's a Spell, yo."

Squinting, Ada's hand sits beneath her chin. "It has to be." She eyes Justin. "Team Conjure wouldn't go this far if it weren't for the book the mysterious girl was holding." Nods. "I believe Herbert was a Spell Guardian, too."