The rest of the night was pretty tense, and somehow, Constantine managed to get to the kitchen before Jason. He was busy popping trays of bacon into the oven when Jason came up the stairs and did a double take.

"John?" Jason asked, still half-asleep.

"Morning, kiddo. Just getting the bacon going," Constantine said casually. "I already cracked the eggs, and they're ready to scramble once the bacon's halfway done. I was debating between pancakes or French toast, but since I put the hash browns in already, maybe just regular toast?"

"Uh, I think toast's good," Jason said, his eyes glued to John, who was now pouring tea and fixing it just the way Jason liked. He set it on the counter and pulled out a couple loaves of bread for toasting, along with some shredded cheese.

Jason took the tea, still looking a bit confused, and sat down on a stool. Constantine got busy with a large skillet, adding a splash of olive oil and a couple pats of butter. He checked on the hash browns and bacon, flipping the hash browns and pulling out the bacon tray to sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on it before sliding it back into the oven. Then he grabbed a whisk, gave it a rinse, and started whisking the eggs.

Jason watched in awe. Constantine gave the eggs a final check, then dripped a drop into the pan. When it hissed, he poured in the eggs and started stirring with a heat-proof spatula, moving them around until they were just right. He scooped some scrambled eggs into one bowl, added cheese, and stirred it in before transferring everything to a second bowl. He covered both bowls with lids and left them on the counter, then started making toast.

"Anyone else up?" Constantine asked casually.

"Dami and Billy are already at Nanda Parbat Academy for Magic," Jason said with a grimace. "Roy's taking Lian to school. They'll be staying at the academy dorms for a while until we sort things out. It's safer for them to apparate to class."

"Good call," Constantine said, whistling a tune as he finished up breakfast.

Just then, the door opened, and Roy walked in, taking in the scene with wide eyes. He slid into the seat next to Jason. Constantine handed him a cup of coffee and grabbed a bottle of juice for Jason, who had finished his tea.

"He can cook?" Roy whispered to Jason, completely surprised.

"I know, right?" Jason whispered back, still in shock.

"Of course, I can cook!" Constantine grumbled from the stove. "Been doing it since before either of you were born. Now eat up—we've got a lot to figure out!"

They ate in silence for a while, until Roy broke it with a puzzled look. "Why sacrifice kids?" he asked, confusion clear in his voice. "Wouldn't it be smarter to go after older witches or warlocks who have more power?"

Jason looked uncomfortable, but it was Constantine who jumped in to explain. "Because kids are innocent," John said, taking a bite of his toast. "That innocence is powerful in magic. It's not just about being untouched—it's about having a pure kind of magic that hasn't been messed up by darker stuff."

Roy frowned, still trying to wrap his head around it. Jason, ever the teacher, tried to make it clearer. "Think of it like this," he said, his voice soothing. "Purity in magic is like starting with a clean slate. The cleaner the slate, the stronger the magic. When someone's intentions are pure, their spells and rituals work better. Sacrificing kids taps into that purity and makes the dark magic even more potent."

Roy's face grew serious as he started to understand the twisted logic behind the dark rituals. The room fell silent again, just the clinking of cutlery filling the space.

"Children represent new beginnings and potential," Constantine added, breaking the silence. "Their innocence can make magical rituals much more powerful. It's like their pure presence boosts whatever the ritual is trying to achieve."

Roy's eyes widened with dread. "So, Chorozone's kid is using this to give his father a new body and life on Earth."

Jason's face showed deep concern as he processed Roy and John's explanation. "It's messed up, man," he said quietly. "But yeah, it makes sense. They're twisting magic to reach their messed-up goals."

"It's like messing with the very core of innocence and hope," Constantine said quietly, his voice a mix of sadness and frustration. "Kids symbolize new starts, growth, and untapped potential. When they're used in these rituals, it makes the magic way more intense."

Roy suddenly jumped up, looking between Jason and John with a panicked expression. "Does this mean Billy and Damian are in danger?" he blurted out. "They're both magical kids!"

Jason quickly shook his head, trying to calm Roy down. "No, they should be okay," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "For the ritual to work, they need magical kids tied to specific ley lines between Gotham and Metropolis."

Roy looked relieved but was still worried. "But what about Billy? He's the Champion of Magic," he pointed out, clearly concerned.

Jason nodded, acknowledging the concern. "Yeah, but Billy's connected to the Rock of Eternity," he explained. "That connection should keep him out of danger."

Roy relaxed a bit, but still looked concerned about Damian. "What about Damian?" he asked. "He's a Wayne, but he's also got some Al Ghul blood."

Jason's face turned serious. "Damian's tied to Nanda Parbat and Infinity Island," he said. "His Al Ghul blood does give him some magic, but it also connects him to those places. As long as he stays clear of the ley lines Chorozone's kid is targeting, he should be fine."

"Your kids might be safe, but a lot of others are still at risk," Constantine reminded them. "We need to get a plan together, and fast."

Seo-joon walked into the Nanda Parbat Academy library, and as always, he felt a rush of awe at the sight. The soaring ceilings and elaborate carvings were impressive, but it was the moving bookshelves and magical atmosphere that really blew him away.

He wandered deeper into the library, taking in the sheer number of magical texts, from ancient Egyptian scrolls to old grimoires written in Latin. It was like a treasure chest of knowledge, holding secrets from across history. He ran his fingers over the book spines, feeling the weight of centuries of magical wisdom. Each book was like a puzzle waiting to be solved.

As he touched an old tome, a mix of anticipation and anxiety bubbled up inside him. He was about to enter his fifth year, a big deal for his magical education. Soon, he'd have to take a bunch of tests that would determine if he could move on to more advanced classes. It was a critical moment, and the pressure was starting to get to him. The thought of not making the cut was stressful, especially knowing these tests would decide if he could keep up with the more challenging material.

Seo-joon knew these tests were important. Magic was no joke—it's powerful and dangerous if not handled right. The tests were a way to make sure only the most skilled students moved forward.

He buried himself in his books, each page a challenge and each spell a new hurdle to jump. Despite his efforts, he couldn't help but feel like he was always a step behind his best friend, Billy.

Billy Head seemed to live in the library. Seo-joon couldn't remember the last time he saw Billy anywhere else. The kid was always buried in books, surrounded by towering stacks of them that he called his own.

Seo-joon couldn't shake the nagging worry he felt for Billy. It wasn't like Billy to stay holed up in the dorm all the time, especially with that intense look in his eyes. Something was off, and Seo-joon's concern was growing.

He wandered through the library, scanning the rows of bookshelves, and his heart sank when he spotted Billy in a dark corner. The dim glow of Lumos was casting long, spooky shadows over the piles of books surrounding him. Seo-joon approached, trying to keep his anxiety in check.

As he got closer, he glanced at the titles sprawled out on Billy's table: *The Power of Purity*, *The Growth of the Magical Cores of Children*, *Sacrificial Rituals*, *Power of Death and Life*. Each title made Seo-joon's stomach drop.

What was Billy getting into?

The more Seo-joon looked, the more uneasy he became. This wasn't just some academic curiosity—this was seriously dark and dangerous stuff. Then it hit him: his Umma had mentioned a bunch of magical kids being killed in New Jersey. The connection made his worry spike even more. Was Billy in danger? What the heck was happening in New Jersey?

Seo-joon's heart was racing as he confronted Billy, his voice a mix of fear and frustration. "Billy! What the heck is going on?" he demanded, unable to hide the concern in his voice. "What are you researching? Did you forget that Red Ghoul warned us about sacrificial magic?"

Billy's eyes went wide with surprise. He looked like a deer caught in headlights, and Seo-joon could see the guilt all over his face. "I… I'm just helping Madame Xanadu with some research," Billy said, his voice wavering under Seo-joon's intense stare. But Seo-joon wasn't buying it for a second.

Seo-joon walked into the library at Nanda Parbat Academy for Magic, feeling that familiar awe as he took in the impressive surroundings. The towering shelves, the moving books—it all seemed to have a magic of its own. But today, he was on a mission, looking for Billy who had been spending more and more time here lately.

When Seo-joon finally spotted Billy in a dim corner, hunched over a pile of books, his heart sank. The titles laid out on the table sent a shiver down his spine: *The Power of Purity*, *Sacrificial Rituals*, *The Growth of the Magical Cores of Children*. What was Billy getting into?

Seo-joon's worry was palpable as he approached, trying to keep his voice steady. "Billy, what's going on? Why are you researching this stuff? Did you forget about what Red Ghoul warned us about sacrificial magic?"

Billy looked up, caught off guard. He tried to play it cool, but his nervousness was clear. "Uh, I'm helping Madame Xanadu with some research," he said, though Seo-joon could tell he wasn't being entirely honest.

Seo-joon decided to go along with the cover story for now. "Oh, really? What's she got you looking into?"

Billy seemed relieved for the change of subject. "Red Ghoul's trying to set a trap without putting any magical kids at risk. He's out of ideas, and Madame Xanadu thought I could help."

Seo-joon nodded, taking in the information. "So, there are all these different catalysts in rituals, right? Life and purity are pretty powerful ones, especially together."

Billy's expression brightened. "Exactly. That's why magical kids are being targeted. They represent purity."

Seo-joon thought for a second, then asked, "What if they're trying to make a bigger target out of whoever's behind this? Have you heard of the Heart Purification Ritual?"

Billy frowned, clearly unfamiliar with it. "Heart Purification Ritual? What's that?"

Seo-joon explained, "Back in Korea, before the Hunters and all that, witches and wizards used to go through this ritual before their wedding. It was supposed to symbolize purity. It's kinda outdated now, though."

Billy's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't know that. That's… interesting."

Seo-joon chuckled a bit. "Yeah, it's pretty old-fashioned and was outlawed a long time ago. But it might be just what Red Ghoul needs. If someone went through it, they'd become really pure—maybe even a bigger target because their magic would be stronger."

Billy's face lit up with excitement. "That's a great idea! Do you have the ritual details?"

Seo-joon shook his head, grinning. "Not on me, but I can ask my mom. She's a historian and knows a lot about magical history. She might have something that could help us."

Billy's sudden appearance in the magic room at Fawcett House caught Roy, Jason, and Constantine off guard. Jason's shock quickly turned to frustration. "What are you doing here?" he snapped, clearly upset. "I told you to stay in Nanda Parbat! You'd be safer there!"

Billy, however, wasn't fazed. He turned to Constantine, knowing he'd get a more level-headed response. "I know how to lure Chorozone's child into a trap," he said, his voice full of confidence.

Roy's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know about Chorozone's child?" he asked, his voice mixed with disbelief. "And how did you know we were planning to trap him?"

Billy shot Roy a look that could only be described as classic Talia Al Ghul, deadpan and unflinching. "I'm the Champion of Magic," he said simply. "Super hearing is kind of a given."

Jason groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Smart ass," he muttered. "I try to be a good guardian, and now I've got two little brothers making me gray before I'm even thirty."

Constantine rolled his eyes at Jason's drama and turned back to Billy with a raised eyebrow. "Alright, what's your plan, then?" he asked, gruff but not unfriendly.

Billy grinned, standing a bit taller as he laid out his proposal. "The Heart Purification Ritual," he announced, his eyes shining with determination. He handed over a sheet with the ritual's step-by-step instructions.

Roy's gaze shifted between the paper and Billy, a mix of concern and resolve on his face. "You're sure about this?" he asked, uncertainty in his voice.

Billy met Roy's gaze head-on, his eyes fierce. "We have to try," he said firmly. "If it means stopping Chorozone's child and saving those magical kids, it's worth the risk."

Jason clenched his jaw, his fists tightening. "We don't have much time," he said urgently. "We need to act fast. The next full moon is in a couple of days."

"I've got all the ingredients at The Rock of Eternity," Billy said, his excitement evident.

Even though the situation was serious, Billy felt a surge of excitement. Being the Champion of Magic for five years had made him eager to finally make a real difference. Jason had kept him out of the hero stuff until he turned eighteen, which Billy understood, but it didn't stop him from wanting to help out.

There were times before, like when Batman was dealing with time sickness, when Billy wished he could have done more. But now, he could actually play a key role. He was ready to gather the ingredients, perform the ritual, and help catch Chorozone's kid.

"How did we not think of this before?" Constantine laughed in disbelief. "Go for it, kid!"

Billy's excitement was palpable. "SHAZAM!" he shouted, the magic zapping through him as he transformed into Leukós. In a flash, his normal clothes were swapped for his white and gold suit, his muscles bulging with newfound power.

With a grin stretching from ear to ear, Leukós didn't waste any time. He flicked his wrist, summoned lightning, and zipped off to the Rock of Eternity. The thrill of magic buzzing through him sent a shiver of excitement down his spine. As he arrived at the Rock, he felt a surge of determination.

Leukós moved quickly, scanning the room for the ingredients he needed: 2 bulbs of hemlock root, a pinch of Myrrh resin, 6 oz. of Lausenschlange oil, a vial of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a handful of Mullein, and a few clumps of Gum arabic.

Once he had everything, he got to work. With practiced ease, he mixed the first three ingredients over high heat until they started to boil.

Handling the vial of Pseudomonas aeruginosa carefully, he added a few drops at a time, stirring as the potion began to turn a faint pink. He kept at it, adding the remaining ingredients, watching as the mixture thickened and took on a light pinkish-white hue.

After letting the potion simmer for a few more minutes to make sure it was just right, he took it off the heat. He bottled it up, sealing it tightly to keep it potent.

Holding the finished potion, Leukós felt a wave of satisfaction. This was their best shot at setting a trap for Chorozone's child, and he was ready to see it through. With the potion in hand, they were one step closer to hitting their goal.