[Hm, he hadn't thought about it too deeply after the fact. But...]

I know not for certain... But if I were to hazard a guess, mayhap the strong sense of duty allowed him to linger for a longer time in the Lifestream as himself. And...

[He reaches into his pocket. When he holds out his hand and unfurls his fingers, he reveals a crystal bearing a very familiar mark, resting upon his palm.]

...I suppose even after all this time, he would always answer the call of your magic.