The Ark Of Analyzing The Children

Ashley, on the other hand, was more down to earth. He didn't need power, he could do without it. All he asked was the recognition he deserved. He saved so many people, so many kids who were abandoned amid poverty and war. Yet, he was still treated like a filthy rat of the Mafia.

"If you treat me with respect, I'll treat you with the respect you deserve. If you work with me well, then I will make sure the job goes smoothly. But if you treat me with dirt, then you'll sink alone."

Least to say, these two brothers did not get along well. But Ashley was having second thoughts on going against the Mages, especially with that little girl in his arms. Her smile warmed his heart, reminding that he still has Hwee to protect.

"Well, you should know that she can change her body's age just by her free will. Her real body is nothing of a human. None of our bodies are humans," replied Baldwin, with a dry laugh.

The guy's laugh broke Ashley's from his daze.

"Hang on, how about him? He claims that he is a human," asked Minwoo, pointing to the Time Mage.

The poor Time Boy was still passed out cold on the bench next to the fireplace.

"There are some things that we do not know about."

"I wished that I had held back. If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have gone above and beyond to impress us," said Z, solemnly.

Baldwin sensed uneasiness from his old comrade. It was rather rare for Z to display such hesitance and regret. He was once the most formidable commander that the Congregation had ever seen, even Poisoned Pond dared not question his strategies and plans.

"It wasn't your fault. He was just too brash when it comes to freeing powers," replied Baldwin, patting the Lost Mage.

"Kinda reminds me of a certain Dark Mage during his very first training," smirked Z, earning a smack from the Angry Man.

"I wasn't that bad!" yelled the Dark Mage.

"I can't imagine what you destroyed when doing so..." laughed Minwoo.

The Angry Man shot a glare right at the Marquess. Ashley shook his head as he continued patting the child to sleep.

"Stop provoking him, Minwoo."

"It wasn't 'what' he destroyed. It was 'who' he destroyed. The entire barracks got annihilated within the crossfire," explained Gillian, shaking his head.

"There were a few squads in those barracks. We only wanted to test out his true powers. Never thought he would end up losing control that easily."

"So how's the idea of training benefitted them?" asked Baldwin, sternly gazing upon the three.

Gillian rubbed his neck while Ysabeau looked at the two sleeping children. Z ruffled both their hairs and sighed. The two humans had tried stayed downstairs while the Mages held their meeting on the second floor. But, they had a hard time prying Mavislin away from Ashley.

It proved to be unsuccessful so Ashley was currently in a mountain of stuffed toys with a sleeping child in his arms. The room grew slightly bigger and the Old Chapel changed the small bed to fit both the kids and Ashley.

Minwoo sat on one of the stone stools while the male Mages stood around the room. The tension in the room was suffocating. Both parties had something to say but couldn't find the words to start.

"At the very least, I am now aware of their powers and potentials. So battling the Husks should not be a problem unless Old Man Pond shows up again," explained Z.

The adults looked at him with terror. Minwoo seemed shocked but Ashley remained indifferent.

"The Husks were annihilated in the previous war, how can there be more?" asked Ysabeau, her face turning pale.

She shook her head. This can't be possible. They had placed everything on the line that day just to destroy those creatures. They've lost countless, yet the enemies were still alive?!

"The Mafia has reported several accounts of the dead 'rising' again. Slumped over bodies with hollowed-out eyes, dragging their bodies around in the night," explained Ashley, sighing.

"Wait, you know about the Husks?" asked Ysabeau.

Minwoo glanced at Ashley with a raised eyebrow.

"I've never heard of them before. What are they? And how do you know about them?" asked Minwoo.

"Well, I wish I didn't. But it's a rising problem now. It's always with a deep purple fog engulfing the person, then it disappears. I've seen the army of Husks, if that's you call them, but haven't understood them."

"The Husks are beings have lost all reason and even their souls. Their Origin is undefined as any being in the Universe can be turned into a Husks. They are being powered by the purple fog you see surrounding them," explained Gillian.