"And they sometimes meet? Or something?"

"No, never, but it's a handwavy way of explaining coincidences."

"So... What? Are you saying I am going to meet another you when we get separated or something?"

"No, I'm saying us meeting in the first place is weird and probably magic."

"That sounds a bit much, but I can't just tell you it's impossible. I am up to be the wizard of this adventure party. But it could be something else like... Environmental factors that make two wizards manifest near each other?"

"...manifest? Also I have had magic since I was one."

"Being born or acquiring their powers. Maybe it's contagious and you gave me the magic flu at some point. Maaaybe the magic detection only works on people that already have done magic, me via spells and you via the shapeshifting. I should've told my mom about this sooner and gotten her to cast a spell."

"My mom definitely can't do magic like I can but maybe these spells..."

"Worth checking on both accounts. Do you have anyone else that knows or you are willing to trust about magic?"

"Not really."

"Me neither." Sigh. "We could learn so much more with more than two to four people to research with. I hope we can find more of us."

"Yeah, that magic compass would be a blessing."

"Wanna try figuring that out or should truth detection come first?"

"Eh I was mostly joking about the conspiracy, I'm not going to your place today but I don't, like, think you're evil or anything."

"That is reasonable, but I was assuming that truth detection would be useful on its own merits," Temple shrugs. "I should make efforts on both fronts in case it is something easier than it sounds."

"I'd prioritize the compass."

"I was thinking more along the lines of, ten minutes trying to do the truth spell just in case it's that easy, and then try the other, but sure, I won't mind prioritizing the compass. I mean, testing the truth spell would be complicated without telling more people."

"Yeah, exactly."

"I mean, I probably should tell mom about this, so she could help, but..."

"I just realized that I told you before telling her and I think she will be upset about it."

"I would've told my mom first of anyone no matter what, I'm pretty sure."

"That—wasn't meant to be judging or anything. I just mean, we're really close, she and I. Sorry."

"I don't suppose you could like, wait to tell your mom so at least mine isn't the third person to know?"

"...my mom has known since I was one," he points out.

"I meant about me." Sigh.