Jake spent the next few days searching all over the city for the mysterious sorcerer, but was unable to find any leads. He talked to anyone who may know something, called in a couple favors, but nothing. The wizard just disappeared into thin air.
As the sun rose on a clean Wednesday morning. Jake's morning was just like any other. He got up, got ready, and was on his way to school on his skateboard with Trixie and Spud.
"Yo Jackie!" Trixie called out, "Where were you last night? You missed movie night, Spud screamed like a baby!"
"I was keeping watch over Rose's apartment." Jake answered.
"And does Miss Ninja know you're keeping an eye on her?" Trixie criticized.
"So far she is my only chance of finding this sorcerer, if she ever comes back for Rose, I'll have her." Jake said, "Besides, it's extra protection. I don't want to risk her getting taken again."
"Jake, I think Rose can take care of herself." Trixie said.
"I know she can, but Gramps always says you can never be too careful." Jake told her.
"Just be careful, ok?" Trixie said.
"I will." Jake replied.
Jake sat in the back of Rotwood's class, trying to avoid attention. The high school mythology class was just as bad as it was in middle school. Full of incorrect information coming from a guy who knew a lot less than he believed he did. Sometimes the words Rotwood said were so incorrect, it was almost enough to make Jake bang his head on his desk, and reveal the existence of magical creatures just so he could get the people in this room some actual facts. Almost, but not quite.
Today's lesson was extremely nerve-racking for Jake. Today Rotwood was giving "scientific facts" on dragons. For everything he said that was correct, he said about 40 things that weren't. Finally, the inevitable happened. Rotwood decided to get Jake involved in the class.
"So, Mr. Long, perhaps you would like to share with the class a list of all the weak points on a dragon."
Jake thought it was a joke. Did he honestly expect Jake to tell him that. "I have no idea."
Rotwood raised his eyebrow. "Really? Not one."
"Nope!" Jake said, "This head is an idea free zone. Like if you wanted to go in my head and buy an idea, when you got to the register, they'd tell you hey it's free dawg!"
"I see." Rotwood said, "Class, I present to you, Jake Long, the boy who never has a single idea."
The entire class started laughing. Jake remembered exactly why Rotwood was never his favorite teacher. It was going to be a long year. Before Jake could think up a clever comeback, the bell rang.
"Class dismissed!" Rotwood yelled.
Jake sat in the back so he was one of the last ones out of the room.
"You know it is a shame, Mr. Long." Rotwood said from his desk, "I was really looking forward to some insightful views from an actual dragon."
"Man you've got to be trippin' if you think I'm about to reveal to you all of my weak spots." Jake replied.
"Calm down Mr. Long," Rotwood said, "I am a studier of dragons, not a slayer. All my questions are purely academic. I am a scholar, not a barbarian."
"Yeah well, you better do your studying somewhere else." Jake said as he walked out the room.
Jake was on his way to meet Rose for lunch. Although the danger she was in still haunted Jake's mind, he was also pretty happy. He was finally getting the relationship he always dreamed of with Rose. No lies or secrets like when they first started dating. No worries of the Huntsman like the second time they went out. Rose was back again, and this time, there wouldn't be some big, magical, Huntsclan related epidemic that would separate them for months. The third time was going to be the charm.
On his way, Jake ran into Spud and Trixie.
"Hey guys, what up?" Jake asked.
"Jake," Trixie started, "Spud here's been thinking, and we might have a lead on the mystery sorcerer you're looking for."
"Lay it on me." Jake said.
"Ok dude, so you know how we're searching for a wizard, so why not ask someone from the magical world?" Spud explained.
"I've already tried that Spud," Jake answered, "No one I've talked to knows anything. Not even Fu has been able to dig up any information from the shady characters he hangs out with."
"You know dude, you haven't talked to everyone who might know something about a wizard in New York." Spud said.
Jake thought for a minute, then he finally realized who Spud was referring to.
"Nigel Thrall!" Jake exclaimed.
