Darren felt fairly comfortable after transforming Hazel. It was odd that with each change he made he felt he was making both the right and wrong choice at the same time. While he didnt regret his decision, he wondered of their was something else he should be doing.
Darren's next class was after History was an elective, Shop class. Technically the class Technology and Practical uses but everyone simply refered to it as Shop Class. Home Maintenance, Car Repair, and General technical skills were all taught, the school wanting to give its students a foundation for life after school.
The class itself was taught by a husband and wife duo, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob's. The middle aged couple worked well enough together, but Darren could tell they were growing tired. Looking down at his rings, he originally thought if turning them into Maid droids like Steph. That is until the Ring of Age seemed to speak to him. Darren thought he understood, the Rings seemed to point Darren towards a balance between the two.
Darren now watched as the couple began to grow younger. Mr. Jacob's, or Greg, began to regain the ebony color of his hair, the grey fading as his hairline returned. Darren watched as the massive belly the teacher had grew smaller, becoming flat. Greg Jacob's was now a lean and fit 18 year old teen.
Mrs. Jacob's, Denise, also began her transformation. The womans graying hair returning to its previous brown. Denise's body also shifted. Before the middle aged woman had let herself go, a thick waist, drooping breasts, and a slight slouch made her appear far older than she was. Now though her figure slimmed, her breasts rising before shrinking down from D to C cups. Now an incredibly attractive 17 year old girl stood before the class. Darren couldnt help but blush slightly at Denise's girl next door beauty.
As class dismissed, Darren now understood the changes. Greg and Denise were the mentors of the other teenage teachers. Both if them had been teen prodigies before them and had actively recruited the four prodigies. Considering how successful Greg and Denise were, the school district hoped to create a mentor program for other young prodigies.
As Darren finished yet another day of school he quickly made his way to Yurikos. He had so many questions for the elderly wizard. Seeing Yuriko waiting and smiling, Darren responded in turn as the two entered her home. As they did Darren had only one queation.
"What happened to the last Catalyst?"
"A good question," Yuriko sighed. "I had hoped to put this off but it appears things are progressing faster than anticipated." Yuriko now invited Darren to have a seat as she told her tale.
Darren now learned of Katie, daughter of Kellie and Jack. When Katie had discovered the Ring of Age, the young girl had no idea the kind of power she had acquired. The girls first wishes for friends, people she could trust. As time wore on she eventually began useing her powers to help those that needed it.
These first wishes though were the start of the Catalyst reshaping the world. Those changed would either grow to become allies or find happiness they could never find alone. It was then that Katie found her purpose, bring magic back into the world. Darren was shocked to here that everyone he had met, Akira, Ayami, Tricia, Kari, Jack, Sachiko, even Yuriko herself could in part thank their existence to Katie.
Magic had been forgotten, lost as humanity advanced. Magical beings in turn were dying out. Lost, forgotten, and wasting away. Katie changed that, her will shaping this timeline and creating another from scratch. One intrinsically linked to this. "So what's the difference between the two timelines," Darren asked.
"In this timeline," Yuriko said. "Magic is the thing of legend. A parlor trick and the thing of fantasy. In the other, Jack's timeline, magic and in turn magical beings are as prevalent as droids and technology are here."
"So why didn't Katie make magic commonplace in both timelines," Darren asked.
Yuriko shifted, an uncomfortable look crossing her face. "Darren as the Catalyst you can change whatever you wish," she sighed. "However your actions have consequences. For every action their is a reaction."
"How so?"
"The world needs balance to survive," Yuriko said. "Katie's actions invited the attention of darker forces. Eventually leading to her demise."
"She was killed," Darren gasped. "How?!"
"It was our children," Yuriko said sadly. "My generation, the ones Katie helped to train, we failed. We had grown up in relative peace watched over and spreading magic throughout the world. Then one of our children was seduced by dark magic. Allied himself with our enemies. His actions led to not only his destruction but the destruction of the Catalyst. Katie sacrificed herself to save the world."
"Is that why the Rings were kept in your basement," Darren asked.
Yuriko nodded, sighing deeply as she stared out her window. "My children and my grandchildren had no connection to magic," she said. "They had not been part of the final battle and had no desire to claim the Rings for themselves. By leaving the rings with me, they could be safe until the last of mortal magic died off. That is, until you showed up."
Darren looked to apologize, Yuriko giving him a warm smile as she grasped his hand. "No Darren you did something wonderful," she said. "Magic has a place in the world. My only advise is this. Dpnt try to change the world all in one day. Change comes slowly, and you have plenty of time to shape the world."