...

Chapter 76: Staff Of All Things III

...

Ian put on black pants, black shoes, a white shirt, and a black Tuxedo vest above it, looking quite handsome but still as carefree as ever.

Raven came up to him just as he was putting on a black tuxedo jacket, "What do you think? Looks good?" He wondered.

"Trying to impress someone?" Raven eyed him strangely but didn't answer his question. She instead asked one of her own.

"Hm? No one really, just trying to look good. I'm a crime lord after all, and my usual casual appearance doesn't fit my stature anymore, and well, I'm not disappointed. I look kinda cool, I like it."

Ian looked at himself in the mirror with appreciation. He did look more like a young rich man than a crime lord.

"If only you weren't so useless at magic. I really want some kind of magical suit for myself. Guess I have to scam... Yeah, I should do that."

Ian seriously contemplated harvesting even more hatred from Hell, but to do that, he have to meet some people and gain a bit of knowledge. That's one of the main reasons he came here.

"Hi I'm not useless ok? You don't even know what I'm capable of. Moreover, at least I can use magic, can you?"

"Oh, I'm sure you're quite capable, but if all that power remains unused, lying dormant inside, doesn't that mean you're practically useless? So think of a way to take control and use what's yours."

Perhaps Ian noticed he was being a bit too harsh as he started patting her head gently, "It's a life lesson, so take it to heart, and remember, you just have to know."

He didn't give her a chance to respond as he walked out, forcing her to follow him hurriedly after a bit of a trance, 'Does he know? How? It's like he knows everything about me... Like he knows of my other side.'

They soon arrived at an exquisite theater. It has a sense of age, seeming to be made many years ago, perhaps in the seventies.

The place was crowded. It was apparent that whoever was performing inside was very popular.

His and Raven's seats were at the very forefront, very close to the stage, "Have you ever been to such shows?"

Raven shook her head, "I don't have time for such things. They're a waste of time."

"Hm, poor little soul. Never had a childhood huh? Don't worry, I will make sure you have fun on this trip, so just enjoy the show." Ian gently spoke while stroking her hair, something she was getting used to.

"I... I don't necessarily want to have fun. I will just keep an eye on you, so don't pay attention to me." Raven spoke with a timid tone, her head was down not daring to look at Ian.

"Yeah yeah sure," He just shrugged his shoulders before adding, "Can you observe whether magic is being performed on the stage? When the performance starts of course."

Raven nodded, still a bit confused about his goal, but he clarified that directly after, "We'll meet later. I want you to observe her every action and magic happening around us. Just tell me if she used magic on either of us."

The show started soon as the whole theater fell into darkness. What followed is a ball of light manifesting above the stage, giving brightness mostly to the stage, making it the sole focus of the audience.

And on the stage appearing out of nowhere was the performer of the night. A gorgeous woman, attired in a seductive outfit with a trace of mysticism and enticement all over her, Zatanna Zatara.

The magic show started and Zatanna began her performance. She's a professional entertainer, so it's safe to say that she knows what she's doing.

She's also a magician, not just any magician but a real one, her performance was proof of that, "Ladies and gentleman, welcome to a performance that shall twist your sentiment of magic..."

As she spoke in an enticing voice, she brought her arms upwards as if calling for something, and something has indeed been called, a large ball of what looked like water clustering together above her.

"You'll leave this stage today confused. You'll wonder, was it really an illusion? Or was it a reality? Is magic real?"

The ball of water started spreading all around, like tentacles. They flowed toward the audience gently brushing against their skin, making them feel the coldness of water and the reality of the matter.

"Is what you feel an illusion or is it a reality? You must be wondering, how? Well, you shall never know, that's the fun of it, isn't it?"

And so, a wonderful magic show took place. The performance was beyond comprehension to most people in the theater. Things that shouldn't be possible happened, but in the end, people just assumed that some kind of trick was done to confuse them.

Such a spectacular performance made Ian impressed and Raven even more impressed because she clearly felt how the lady on the stage uses her magic, dignified and enchanting.

At last, Zatanna performed a bow, thanking the audience for coming before winking in Ian's direction, a discreet wink before she went back backstage.

And it wasn't long before Ian followed after her. The security guards allowed him to pass due to her instructions and led him to the magician's dressing room, a very nice room suiting Zatanna style.

"I underestimated you."

Ian found Zatanna seated facing a mirror, cleaning her face gently.

"No, you did not. I'm just as weak as you think I am."

"I know you are. You wouldn't have made a contract with a demon otherwise, you must've been quite desperate." Just as calmly, she spoke of secrets she shouldn't know about.

"Well, you know. Desperate times call for desperate measures." Ian just shrugged his shoulders, not questioning the source of her information because he knows he was the source, or the spell she had cast on him during their previous meeting, one he got rid of.

"You? You've made a deal with a devil?" Raven questioned, a bit timidly unsure of what to do. Her father is a demon of sorts, so it's safe to say she doesn't appreciate such a thing.

"Nah, I scammed a demon. Anyway, I want to meet John Constantine. I assume you know where he is?"

"Oh? Why are you in such a hurry? We have a lot, a lot to talk about." Zatanna raised her brow in amusement as she stood up and faced him,

"The thing is that I can't read your mind. That's a bit troublesome because there is a lot I want to know about you, so you won't be leaving here until I permit it."

Raven frowned, looking a bit nervous, knowing she's still a bit weak to contest against her, but she still waited to see what Ian would do. Her trust in him was growing despite all the signs. Even knowing he made a deal with a demon, she still chose to trust him.

Suddenly, she found Ian's hand on her head again, patting her as he said, "I told you before, didn't I? All you have to do is to know. I investigated her a bit since my last meeting with her, and I know she's kind of a mean bitch, so of course, I prepared."

"You did?" The seductive magician narrowed her eyes as she questioned.

"Of course. I didn't get to where I am by being stupid... Well, sometimes, but my point is let's have a civil deal. Deliver me directly to him and I will owe you one."

"And you think what you prepared can stop me?" She further questioned.

"Hmm, not sure, but it should be able to obli... do a lot of damage." Whatever it is Ian wanted to say, he realized he shouldn't say it.

Zatanna caught the implications as she smiled, "I believe you and I was just messing with you."

"Yeah, I realized that. I was also just messing around. I actually prepared nothing." Ian let out a small laugh and lied without batting an eye.

"Of course, I was also just messing around." She was strangely competitive.

The two eyed each strangely for a second before Zatanna asked, "I guess he's quite hard to locate... Why do you want to meet him?"

"I want to scam him of a bit of knowledge. I will not harm him though, so don't worry about him."

Zatanna raised her brow in surprise before letting out a playful laugh, "It's okay, a little bit of harm shouldn't be a problem if you know what I mean."

"A grudge huh?" Ian murmured before pulling out a business card and handing it to her.

"Call me when you need that favor. As long as it's not something excessive. Also, say hello to madam Xanadu for me, and ask her if she considered my offer."

Zatanna opened a portal right there and then as if already knowing the goal's location despite Ian allocating quite a lot of focus on finding him only to fail.

'An offer huh, why didn't she tell me about it? Is he even more special than I thought?' It's safe to say that Zatanna was curious, and you know what they say about curiosity.

...

Chapter 77: Staff Of All Things IV

...

"Who are you?" Right as Ian went through the portal, he found a gun pointed at his head.

Standing before him was what looked like a homeless man, in a literal sense. He was attired in a worn-out brown coat, and it was a bit dirty with plenty of gaps on it. His hair was messy and the same was the rest of his clothes.

Even the house they were in was messy, seeming to have little to no furniture. It was more like an abandoned dirty house.

"Zatanna's friend." Ian casually responded as he observed the man before him. He is after all one of the most famous and known characters in this world, and he's worth that popularity.

"That's a lie." Constantine, as if a reflexive reaction, called out Ian's lie.

"She told me to make you suffer if possible."

"Ok, I believe you. John Constantine." Constantine instantly changed his mind before reaching out for a handshake.

"Ian Rose, it's pleasure to meet you." Ian smiled and shook his hand.

Raven to the side just watched their interaction with a weird look, 'Is this really their first meeting?'

"So I assume she sent you to my location because you want something from me. What is it?" Constantine didn't really doubt his words that much.

First, the portal led him to his exact location, and there are very few people who know where he is. Moreover, he clearly sensed Zatanna's magical energy from the portal. That gave him a bit, a tiny bit of peace of mind, 'But further observation is needed. I especially need to observe the girl beside him. The darkness I sense within her is too potent.'

"So I basically can not die. I want to be your meat shield at the co..."

"Deal!" Constantine almost instantly lifted his hand for another handshake, his face almost vibrant with excitement. The truth of Ian's words doesn't matter much to him. He'll just have to try, and if he dies he dies, if not, then perfect.

"At the cost of knowledge. Most of your knowledge, especially about dark magic. You'll mainly be teaching her while I learn other more specific stuff." Ian continued before shaking his hand.

"Sure sure. Let's actually start right about now." Constantine hurriedly tidied himself a bit before picking up a small dirty bag from the corner of the room.

"What were you doing."

"Hm? Just a bit of roleplay I guess?" Constantine shrugged his shoulders, and walked out of the apartment before adding, "Anyway, just listen to my instructions, Ok? There is a possessed person above that apartment. I was planning on trapping him the slow way, but now, you can just be a meatshield."

It was all natural to Exorcist. He didn't even hesitate to use Ian, but well, Constantine was quite the odd person. His moral compass was a bit crooked, hated by many but admired by those who understand. They're the ones that really matter.

"Hmm, sure. Raven, be ready to act, okay?"

"Didn't you tell me I just have to observe? So why should I help?" Raven complained in her usual monotone voice. She sounded a bit sour, perhaps because he didn't tell her of his power, and she only heard about it now though she was still doubtful on whether such a power exists or not.

"Hehe, you're adorable." Ian's comment startled her before she looked down, hiding her expression, "Wh-What?" She acted as if she didn't understand the implications of his words.

Ian made sure to put on a pair of gloves he prepared beforehand, knowing things might get ugly.

They went upstairs, following after the homeless magician. The latter directly kicked the door open which wasn't hard due to the frail state of the entire building, let alone the doot.

He ran inside a specific room, finding an old man inside, seeming to have just woken up due to the loud sound. He was obviously a tramp, perhaps taking the abandoned apartment for himself without fear of it crumbling down on him. Does he have anything to lose anyway?

"Do it," Constantine instructed.

"Do it." Ian's voice followed, and Raven obliged, releasing a burst of violet energy that knocked the man out.

Ian also acted directly after as he stood above the man before using his knees and hands to hold him down.

Constantine then started his performance, quite an interesting one, for Ian at least as he observe the procedure carefully.

He looked closely as Constantine started forming what looked like a demonic symbol around him and the old man, all with white chalk. A magical chalk of sorts as it doesn't even need to touch the ground. It just painted the symbol as he waved it around close to the chosen location.

'Yeah, I don't understand a thing. I did try to ask the demons I summon for knowledge about exorcism but every one of them refused... Well, it doesn't matter, I will just learn from him.'

It was about that point that Constantine actually stayed true to his words, and started his teaching, "Look closely. Such demons are known as demons of possession. That's what they specialize at. They're very weak otherwise, but they stick to their victims like leeches, very hard to banish."

He finished writing the symbol by then and went on to stand outside of the symbol while moving his hands in a specific way.

Not for me though. All you have to do is to use chalk to write the said symbol or another depending on the situation, then you cast a spell by saying stuff and moving your magic in the way am doing now, and voila!"

"I take it back. Just give me some books, and leave us to study them ourselves." Ian's face couldn't help but twitch as he shook his head and focused on the phenomenon happening beneath him, the one that made Constantine become serious as he quickened his chanting.

The old man before him started spasming as if seeking release from his grasp. A harsh voice started echoing out of his mouth, his extremely stretched mouth, almost as if he's gonna throw up.

"You'll regret this!" The old man or the demon possessing him hissed as his head started twisting in a way that shouldn't be possible. His head took a 150-degree turn, crooking in the process.

The demon's eyes landed on Ian's eyes with a venomous grin, one of insanity he started to hiss at Ian. The latter on the other hand just smacked the demon before masking the latter's face, "Ew, just shut up."

"Yo..." Another smack.

"Dude, like, hurry up." Ian reminded Constantine as he felt the demon clearly getting stronger, and he'll surely overpower him if it continues like this. After all, while Ian is quickly approaching the limits of human physic, it's still within human limits in contrast to the abomination that is demons.

Constantine didn't answer but continued his strange chanting. His expression was becoming stranger by the second, and so was the demon's expression as it went from venomous to anger, and then to confusion and even horror.

"You... You're immune to possession?" Constantine's tongue slipped as he wondered.

"Pardon?" Ian instantly eyed Constantine with a strange look before understanding down on him.

"Ahem! Nothing. Anyway..." Constantine coughed in embarrassment before starting to chant again, albeit with a different incantation. This one was actually to banish the demon in contrast to the other one.

"You were trying to kill me! Constantine! I'll be waiting for youuu in hell!" The demon screeched again with intense loathing. Soon the old man stopped spasming. The demon was banished back to hell.

"That was very interesting... So you wanted the demon to possess me?" Ian questioned with a smile, a very strange expression for someone who has just been set up somehow.

"You're immune to possession, right? Great! We're gonna have a great friendship," Constantine ignored the question as he patted Ian's back with what looked like fancy?

"Now, let's get you your reward. A book for every case we solve! Cheers!" He further added though he noticed Ian eyeing him with narrowed eyes.

Constantine scratched his head in fake nervousness and murmured, "Two?" There was a bit of silence after that before he added, "Three. Final offer."

"Cheers!" Ian finally smiled and shook Constantine's hand while Raven looked at them strangely from the side, obviously speechless.

Thus the start of a harmless, peaceful, and vibrant partnership, one that will bring suicidal thoughts to even the toughest of demons. Hell was about to become more hellish, but it won't be all sweet and lovely for The demonologist, exorcist, and magician. Zatanna will surely be delighted.

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Chapter 78: Staff Of All Things V

...

"Interesting. So forcing the demon to constantly change possessions between two individuals can weaken them to the point where they can be killed instead of banishing them."

Ian murmured to himself with amusement. Two books were before him on a table, quite clean, not looking ancient at all, but they have knowledge worthy of his attention.

On his side was Raven, kind of leaning into Ian's shoulders. She had a book in her hands, and she was reading it attentively, quite focused.

"I don't get. After he did all of that, you still want to work with him?" Her focus was taken away by Ian's words, and she was naturally puzzled by the situation.

"I mean, what's the worst that can happen? I die? I get possessed?" Ian shrugged his shoulders, seemingly not caring.

Raven let out a giggle slip before she quickly regained her serious act, "You shouldn't trust him. I recommend staying away from him. I don't know if you noticed, but the three books he gave you were mostly theoretical and quite abstract, and only mine was of use. You even had to know that information about possession by asking someone else.

He obviously kept that knowledge away from you. He doesn't want you to know much about demons to keep using for a while."

Raven showed her intellect thoroughly as she listed all of her observations of the man known as Constantine.

Indeed, Constantine never provided him with much knowledge about demons. He, in fact, had to ask Zatanna what The exorcist was trying to do.

"Hmm, beautifully said Raven. Knowledge, you've listened to my advice, but I also listen to my advice... Sometimes, so don't worry."

Ian picked one of the books, looking a bit entertained, "Moreover. I'm quite interested in these books. What I need most is theoretical knowledge because I can't use magic, but I should be able to use something else very soon.

You just focus on that book. It should provide plenty of help for your problem. I think he noticed it which is why he gave us that specific one."

"You..." Raven was silent for a while, too dumbstruck to respond, "How did you find out?" And finally, she questioned after a while, a bit afraid to hear what he might say.

"We both have secrets we don't want others to know, don't we? So just focus on the book and fear nothing."

His reassurance was vague but effective as Raven did as instructed.

The two soon left the hotel room and met up with Constantine who this time was looking a bit more tidy and clean.

"Our next case isn't confirmed yet. It's just something that is suspected, so let's do some investigation."

It's important to note that they were in London at this time

. Indeed, Zatanna's portal sent them to London of all places, so they weren't here in an exactly legal way, but well, Constantine has a lot of connections. Most of them hate him, but they still have to help him for various reasons... Or perhaps his kindness just touched their hearts?

"Our destination is Birmingham. We'll be taking just a few steps to get there."

He led them to a certain room in what looked like another abandoned building. Within a certain room of that build, there was nothing but dirt... Until he started chanting something that is. Only then did a bright magic circle manifest itself.

"Did you just prepare that, or do you have teleportation already prepared for every city and country?" Ian wondered with curiosity.

"It was already there before we arrived. I faintly sensed it." Raven answered in his stead. Interestingly, she was getting more talkative by the day.

"Oh, so you can not do what Zatanna did before?" Ian asked, genuinely curious. According to his knowledge, Constantine is quite powerful, not as powerful as Zatanna but still powerful.

"I simply don't use magic unless I have to. I mean, why would I use my magic power when I can just use something else's? Those things are quite charitable nowadays." The demonologist spoke with a bit of reminiscence and a smirk as if remembering happy memories.

Ian followed with a similar reminiscence, "Indeed, they're quite charitable. Honestly, they're giving me treasures like they're saints. I may just convert if they keep it on."

Constantine stopped and eyed Ian strangely. Even he was a bit speechless but doubtful.

"What?"

"Nothing."

They were then teleported to a place very close to the case location. This time a very fancy building, clean and orderly with a guard at the entrance.

Constantine introduced himself to the guard before the latter gave him directions to the landlord's location. He happened to be waiting for the latter, close to a burned-down apartment.

"Hello my old friend! Been a long time huh?" Constantine greeted the landlord as if they were very close friends. He even hugged him though the landlord seemed a bit stiff, and a bit nervous.

"Ah... Yeah. Some tenants alerted me to strange noises they heard from this apartment. I checked myself, and I... think I saw something inside. I will send you the agreed-upon money in a bit... Should I just leave now?"

He seemed to be in a hurry to leave, and he was quite nervous, "No no, not yet. What happened in the apartment?" Constantine of course wouldn't let him go so fast.

"A suicide. A couple, wife and husband lit themselves on fire. Their daughter died just a month before the suicide, so I think that's the reason. Can I go now?"

"One more question. Is it confirmed suicide?"

"Yeah, I think so. I mean, that's what the cops said... Bye." He then hurriedly ran off.

"What did you do to him." Ian wondered.

"Nothing really. He just saw something terrible, and I think he got traumatized? Not my doing though."

"Yeah, sure."

They started searching the apartment, well, mainly Constantine did. He was experienced in the field, so Ian just observed him in action.

And he was indeed worth the word Demonologist because not much time passed of him performing some strange actions and speaking even stranger words, "Found it."

The two followed him into a small room that looked especially burned down, likely the location of the suicide. There were a few signs as to whose room it was, one burned doll and a few charred toys.

Constantine put his right hand in his jacket pocket and brought out what looked like dust, golden dust which he spread out on a certain wall before chanting an incantation and pulling something out of the wall.

A shadowy entity, a ghost.

"So this is what ghosts look like," Ian remarked with interest.

"Bland?" Raven also commented.

"Oh? You both can see him? I guess it makes sense." He then started doing his own thing while explaining how he does it. How to speak with ghosts that can't speak though neither Ian nor Raven ended up learning anything. He was quite the teacher.

"Hmm. I see, so apparently, his wife was responsible for the fire. It appears that after their daughter's death, she had lost the will to live, and her mind for that matter... She used some interesting means to trap him and die with him in their girl's room."

His words were calm without much reaction to the horrible incident. He was just used to such things.

Constantine crouched down and trailed his fingers along with the black ash on the ground, and well, he tasted it. A long lick. Who knows, perhaps the couple's ashes are still there if the police didn't do their job right, or crime sites cleaner I should say.

It took him a while to thoroughly taste the ashes, constantly mixing them in his mouth with a strange expression.

He then started performing another spell which allowed him to put the ghost into a bottle he brought out of his jacket pocket, quite the odd pocket it was.

"Here, keep it with you."

Ian caught the bottle and carefully observed the vague figure within, "Magic is weird." He almost wanted to complain as magic seems to refuse his existence, but he has a solution in mind for that.

"I... I will be waiting outside," Raven whispered to Ian, feeling the urge to puke before she ran out. Constantine's antics were certainly too much to handle for someone as inexperienced as her.

"What did you find?"

"Not done yet," Constantine responded as he picked up a toy to the side and constructed a magic circle around it while chanting an incantation.

"Hmm, okay." Ian also walked out of the room, trying to do a little investigation of his own. However, the ghost in the bottle didn't seem to like that as he kept colliding with the bottle glass as if trying to fly back into the room.

"Oh?" The moment he walked a few steps out of the room, he heard Constantine's surprised gasp, leading Ian to walk back in there.

"No no no, walk out again." The demonologist's behavior was quite erratic as if he had just found something fascinating.

It wasn't long before Ian entered the room again though this time, Constantine had another bottle in his hand with another ghost within, albeit, its color was much lighter than the other.

"I have pretty much solved the case."

...

Chapter 79: Staff Of All Things VI

...

"I have pretty much solved the case." And Ian didn't quite understand how, but he can at least assume it has something to do with magic and some knowledge he doesn't have.

"I just have to check a few things to make sure." He then called the landlord while Ian observe the other ghost. What appears to be a female ghost who in contrast to the one in his hand seems to want to escape the room.

No, scratch that. She wanted to stay as far away as possible from the male ghost in Ian's hand. Se seemed afraid while the male ghost seemed obsessive, "I see." A clear picture of what happened started to surface in Ian's mind.

"This is something demons do a lot. They seek devils in human skin, the evilest of humans, and they make them remain on the planes of the living in the form of spirits, malevolent spirits."

Constantine seemed to take the role of a teacher seriously for the first time in like ever. Such cases can do that to a person.

"It's so weak though, Why? What can it do?"

"It takes time, and with time, spirits transform. Their ties to their death become lower and lower, and only once they're free can they bring chaos and their vileness to the world. Isn't that right, little ghost?"

Constantine stared at the male ghost, held prisoner in the bottler with narrowed eyes, and added, seemingly speaking to himself, "No no, I know, I know. You may have succeeded if you faced someone inexperienced, but that, I am not."

"Not convinced? Well, I will recount to you my findings. You raped your daughter... She jumped off the balcony to her death..."

The more Constantine spoke, the more fear surfaced on the ghost's fuzzy face, but the former wasn't done just yet.

"Your wife had her suspicions, but she didn't have time to think about them because... She became lost. She was losing her mind, lifeless, suicidal thoughts."

Constantine let out a chuckle as he shook his head, "You know, I believe you. You didn't kill her. She killed herself and brought you down with her because you don't deserve to live."

"Ghahnghhhh!" A shrill scream escaped the bottle, a sound so piercing it made several cracks appear on the bottle before it broke, quite easily Ian may say.

"Against demonic entities, you should remain on guar..." Constantine's words suddenly halted as the latter looked at the scene before him with wide eyes.

Right before him, Ian reacted quickly to the ghost's activity as he leaped back with surprising flexibility, and at a moment's notice, in accordance with his call, a grey-ish Staff appeared in his hand.

The staff's head was pointy, and sharp, like a spear. Ian's life force flowed through his hand into the staff as naturally as the flow of water.

The ghost didn't seem to react, perhaps because of Ian's agility or perhaps he didn't think to take him seriously.

Either way, the staff went right through the ghost, and Ian felt it instantly. The staff was absorbing the ghost's life force at an alarming rate, to the point that it vanished from existence in less than a second.

A very contradictory concept. Ghosts are presumed to be dead creatures, so in theory, they should have no life force, yet they do. A very tiny, minuscule amount, but it's there.

'Something to be investigated later. Moreover...' The absorption of the ghost's life force wasn't the only reason the ghost was eliminated. The simplest reason is that the staff tore him to shreds. It's after all not a normal staff but one constructed by the wisdom and vision of Ian, and the charity of several demons.

"You... Why have I never heard of such an artifact? What does it do? What are those?" Constantine quickly approached Ian with a look of interest as he spewed question after question.

Ian however just eyed him with a look that obviously says, 'Do you think I would tell even after all of this?'

"Then can I just see it? Please, it's not much to ask for, is it?" The exorcist didn't give just yet.

"Sure," Surprisingly, Ian agreed. He even had a bright smile as he handed him the staff.

Only, Constantine didn't take it, but looked at Ian with suspicions, "Do you know what. I am not known for preying on other people's business, so I'll respect your privacy." He knew he made the right decision directly after he finished his words. On Ian's pale, and seemingly harmless face was a look of disappointment, "Ok, whatever."

Anyone who touches the staff will have their life force sucked dry in a matter of minutes, or perhaps even seconds. In contrast to the first black ring he constructed, the staff had no limits though it still couldn't absorb too much of Ian's life force, almost as if that's forbidden.

In fact, Ian went as far as to make all of his five rings like that, absorbing as much life force from him as they could, and that proved to be a good move as Ian has come to find an interesting thing about his life force...

Things naturally flowed from there. Ian and Constantine were great partners, absolutely not trying to set themselves up every like second.

They went to jobs and finished them cleanly most of the time. Nothing too significant at all. The only problem was that some jobs take too long.

All Ian did in his free time is to read some magical books and run the Roses from afar. He's still the family head after all, and there is a lot to take care of.

Now, one might assume that three books at the end of every successful job are too much. Perhaps Constantine agreeing to that was foolish? What a joke. A master of deception like him wouldn't make such a mistake in his normal state of mind.

Most of the books given to him weren't useful. They always had something magical to them, but it was very vague though still valuable nonetheless.

Constantine of course wouldn't go too far lest he draws Ian's ire. Among those books were ones that have value, some more than others, some extremely so.

It would be safe to say that Ian would be having a headache at every moment of every day. From learning about magic, and mystic books to an interesting project he's working on at different dimensions, his rings' shared pocket dimension. He's even working on a new project for his Staff of all things.

Well, that wouldn't be safe to say as Ian was in a constant loss of his life force, a steady absorption from his rings and even the staff, and due to him continually losing his life force, he found himself to be quite energetic. His need for sleep was getting lower, and tiredness was becoming a rare word in his life.

That makes sense, right? Just lose your life force and you should be okay. Ian was of course making many deductions on why that is, but didn't give it that much though.

One thing at a time, and at this time, the thing within his hands was his focus. The staff of all things. It was a slow process of constantly feeding it his life force with clear intent.

Only two vessels of the Staff were full, Green and Red Kryptonite energy. At the moment, the Red energy was flowing towards the green one, leaving its home vessel and joining the other familiar energy, forming what looks like a small cluster of red energy next to the red one.

Clearly, Ian's intent is to merge the two similar energies to free a vessel. The process was proving to be more difficult than expected though.

The majority of his focus was still on magic though. He learned from the books and solved whatever doubts he has by simply calling Zatanna.

He's been calling her quite a lot recently, and she seems to be enjoying his calls, albeit, she was still disappointed Constantine is still safe and sound even after all this time... Ian has a plan, but why toss away a lemon when there is still juice in it?

It was but two weeks before Ian finally found himself participating in a case that was way more interesting than any before, "God I hate magic, but I'm sure I will come to love it when I can use it." Ian Rose.

...

Chapter 80: Staff Of All Things VII

...

It was but two weeks before Ian finally found himself participating in a case that was way more interesting than any before, "God I hate magic, but I'm sure I will come to love it when I can use it." Ian Rose.

"I would argue you would come to hate it when you can use it." Constantine instinctively responded, the words hitting a spot.

"Hm, is it about the concept of For every action, there is a consequence?" Ian questioned, evidently interested in the concept.

"Indeed. Let me ask you this. What would magic be like without cost?" Constantine asked a question of his own. He was much more serious than Ian ever saw him be, 'The subject is important to him huh. Understandable with all that he had gone through.'

Ian thought then contemplated the question for a little while, "I have a general idea of what it'd be like... Unbridled Chaos that may as well declare the end of the world as we know it."

"Uh? You say that why?" Constantine was surprised, not expecting Ian to have such an understanding of magic despite not being a magician. Such an extreme prediction... was accurate, that, Constantine knows more than most.

"I see magic as the alteration of the delicate fabric of reality. I just don't see how magic can be possible otherwise. I think magic is basically defiance of reality, thus there should be a cost, and it should be severe.

I mean, how can causing such severe shifts in reality not be costly? I think The cost, the consequence, keeps reality aligned. It set things right and keeps order where magic can't.

If there is no cost, Magic practitioners would be able to endlessly twist the fabric of reality on their ever-changing whims. The result would cripple the foundations of it, likely bringing some unforeseen and unfavorable impacts."

Constantine was stunned. Not just that, he found himself envious. Those were things he wished he knew before he started, before he lost everything, 'Alas, there is no going back...'

He noted to himself that Ian couldn't have possibly known that by simple deductions. He must have other sources, even further observation is needed.

"Right... There is always a cost to almost anything, but magic's cost is much more severe. Just like what's happening in front of us.

It feels holy, nothing like magic, but as I said, everything has a price, so the process happening before me doesn't make much sense to me in accordance with several elements. I don't see or feel any of the exceptions to that rule."

Constantine narrowed his eyes as he observed the process again. The process of what looked like a pastor inside a church. It seemed popular with a long line of people standing before him.

Each person had a defect or an injury of sorts, and as if a blessing from the skies, the pastor was able to heal each and every one of them. It was a miracle, the gold brightness of salvation spreading from his hands made miracles look like an everyday occurrence.

"So let's do some investigation."

"Hmm, just go on your own. I and Raven will take a look around." Ian refused and started investigating the area with the unfocused Raven, or rather than unfocused, it was more like focused on the book in her hand.

It was a book that made her obsessed because it could very well hold the key to her freedom. She had taken Ian's advice to heart, and despite it being quite simple. it opened new planes of possibilities to the teenager.

"What are you planning now?" However, some of her focus was still on Ian, so she couldn't help but question once she noticed him being quite specific in his actions.

"I want to fly."

"Mm?" Raven was understandably confused, "Do you want me to fly you around? I can carry you. You know I can fly... Or can your staff thing make you fly?"

"No, it can't, and it's called Staff Of All Things. An artifact that will soon be desired by any who knows what it can do. Also, I don't want you to fly me around, that'd be embarrassing."

Raven let out a giggle before she suddenly had an urge to make him just that, embarrassed. The Idea sounded enticing, "How about I just control you to fly around. Wouldn't it be less embarrassing?"

"I have an idea," Ian remarked as he eyed Raven, leaning towards her.

"Huh? Wh? wai-it, am just joking!"

Raven's nervous and embarrassed stutters confused Ian for a bit, but he didn't pay attention to that, "What are you talking abo... Nevermind, just listen." He then did what he was intending to do, he started whispering something in her ear much to her dismay and embarrassment.

"It's here, I think." Two hours or so later, they found themselves before a bush of leaves, in a certain park. The location was very close to the church, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That changed as Raven got into action, spreading her hands as a wave of purple magic flared around, scattering the leaves away.

"Wow, okay..." Ian's reaction didn't surprise Raven because before them was an angel, in a literal sense. His warning beforehand did little to lower her surprise.

The creature before them looked stunning. Mostly like a human being, but with a few fascinating elements. The angel was adorned in a clear white dress, a beautifully pure garment.

Her skin was fair and spotless. Her hair was immaculate with a red tint to it. Her form was gorgeous, and everything worked solely to give those glamorous white wings the gorgeousness they deserve. Her large white wings were certainly the star of the show.

However, the angel before them had a distinction not often associated with angels. She looked weak, frail as if she was in her divine dying breath.

The angel looked stunned, but powerless, just waiting there for whatever fate awaited her. However, Ian's words gave her hope, a chance.

"Are you responsible for the miracles happening in a nearby church?" He questioned.

"I... don't know?"

"Oh yeah, excuse my rudeness. We're sorcerers as you might've noticed. We've come to investigate a certain occurrence happening in a nearby church, basically a pastor capable of healing even the most severe of injuries. You being here couldn't possibly be an accident."

Despite his words, he continued to be rude, and with no care for her frail state. Now take how would that rudeness make a human feel and multiply it a few thousand times, and that's how an angel feels when being treated in such a way by a lower being, a human nonetheless.

"Wait. Let's take care of her first, look at her, she needs help. Moreover, even if she was responsible, all she was doing is helping. She's an angel after all." Raven disapproved of his words and acted kindly towards the angel.

"Thank you." The angel expressed her gratitude while Ian frowned to the side. It was obvious to the former that the two humans weren't on very good terms.

Raven used a variety of spells to bring her discreetly to their hotel room. The angel seemed a bit nervous at the start, but she started to relax and open up to Raven after a while, telling her story, or part of it, at least.

"I don't mind if they keep the feather. My recovery is a matter of time... Yeah, I'm sure I will recover."

She looked vulnerable and pitiful. A breath seemed enough to tear her apart, yet she was still so kind.

"No. We will get you back what's yours." Raven shook her head in disapproval.

"I called Constantine. Let's wait for him to come before we make a decision. He will be bringing the feather with him."

"H-he got it?" The angel who identified herself as Imogen stammered, trying to hide the hope in her eyes.

"Not yet, but he will be getting it soon. Apparently, there is some trouble on his side." Ian shrugged his shoulders before isolating himself in his room.

The light of dawn soon shone upon the hotel, followed by the warmness of the sun, and with it came the loud yelling of the exorcist himself, "Wake up you bloke! I asked you to come and help me not go to sleep, leaving everything to me! Do you know what I had to go through!"

Constantine came knocking on the door, before opening it by force, looking quite embarrassed. His clothes were all shredded and dirty, a few leaves could be seen stuck to his hair.

Behind him was a nice-looking brown-haired girl who stared at Constantine strangely, almost as if looking at a comedy show. The show became even more comedic once Constantine emphasized, "One book for every case. I can't have you doing nothing yet expecting rewards now, can I?"

Her expression soon turn into shyness as she gazed at the man in the room who had just woken up and was yawning.

The source of her blush was his naked upper body, the only part not hidden by the blanket. His training with Richard was certainly not in vain as his physique formed into perfection, the most perfect a human can be at least.

Constantine took note of that as he stressed further, "And why do you even work out? You're a magician, we don't need muscles. Yeah, you must be slacking off, so I'll take it lower, one book for every two cases solved."

Ian took his time, giving his mind plenty of time to clear up before eyeing the scammer weirdly, "I found an angel... Five books a case."