The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE

Vernon nodded in fright, what else could he do? "Get some rest," she continued. "I will be back with your dinner."

Dinner? He almost yelled out loud but thankfully, he was able to stop himself in time. He nodded instead and she glared at him before leaving the room. She closed the door with a loud bang as if daring him to try to open it.

He sighed and felt himself relax as she left. It was not that he was scared of her but he could not help but feel anxious whenever she was around. He didn't move a muscle as he thought about what she said.

Dinner was not going to be for at least another two or three hours, he just had to make sure he was in bed before then. Though a part of him was slightly worried his punishment would be grave if she caught him. Knowing Madame Rachel, she would want to catch him red-handed. However, he figured he would worry about that when he got there. He gave it a couple of minutes in case she wanted to play a trick and then come back to immediately check on him.

When more than ten minutes passed and the door did not open, he got out of bed. Madame Prisca was not in either and he realized he had not seen her since breakfast when she took the tray away. He discarded the thoughts of her as he slowly made his way to the door.

He was conscious of every sound, just in case someone came into the room, he could always pretend he was on his way to the restroom. Would it be believable? He didn't care but he knew what he said would sound believable except he was outside the door. There, no amount of lying would save him.

It was not until he touched the doorknob that he realized he had been walking without incident. He had left the toddlers' section to the infirmary and not once did he stagger or fall. Now, as he stood in front of the door, he could feel the energy in his legs and he knew if there was a need to run he might just be able to do that.

He tried not to smile too much, maybe hanging out in his usual places was just the boost he needed. He could remember feeling lighter when he was around Penn, especially when she touched him. He didn't waste any more time as he pulled the door open, looking left and right to be sure nobody was coming or going before he stepped out of the infirmary.

There was nobody as he stepped out, he already checked that but that wasn't the only thing missing, there was no wind and for a quick second he wondered if he should go back into the room but the thought didn't last and pushing himself off the door, as he had been resting on it, he immediately made his way back the way he had come.

"Vernon!" His friends cried and ran towards him as soon as they caught sight of him. "What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like?" He asked and smiled, he didn't stop walking and they walked beside him. The toddlers were already yelling their excitement. He could see Penn rise to her feet as she tried to run to him, there was a lot of waddling and Vernon caught her before she fell.

"Are, Are you allowed to?" Nevil asked, stuttering a little.

"Kind of, I was here earlier." He couldn't think of why he phrased it like that instead of telling them how it happened but he was super worried Madame Rebecca might chase him away or worse Madame Rachel decided to check on him.

"Seriously?" They both yelled. "Does that mean you're better now?" Dev added.

"Not completely but my body temperature has reduced drastically." He smirked and he spoke.

"Does that mean you can start training by tomorrow?" Nevil asked.

Vernon felt his smile fall, he rather remained in the infirmary all day than go back to training. It wasn't like he would learn anything new and it would just be a waste of his time and Mana. Knowing Steven, he would want Vernon to work double for all the time he had been sick.

"I don't think that is advisable, especially since it was mana sickness. Using your mana immediately after is likely to cause some terrible repercussions." Dev said almost immediately.

Vernon's first thought was to jump into his arms and give him a tight hug for coming to his rescue. He had not even thought of that and had been slightly worried that getting better faster would be costly for him.

However, what Dev said totally made sense and hopefully he would be able to use that excuse long enough, and maybe when he did eventually return, Steven would have to reduce his workload because of this.

He didn't jump into a dance nor did he jump into Dev's arms instead he said, "Yeah, today is just the first day, I'll definitely need more time before I can resume training." It was hard to keep the smile out of his face as he spoke. He tried to hold a sad look but he didn't need anyone to tell him, he was failing. He knew he was.

"Oh that makes sense," Nevil muttered but Vernon could tell he was not too pleased by this new development and it made him wonder just what Steven was putting them through. Of course, he didn't care and he was glad it was them and not him.

"We were actually going to drop by to see you as soon as we were done saying hi to the children but I guess you've ruined that." Dev suddenly said, changing the subject.

"What!" Vernon yelled and chuckled. "If I understand correctly you would have preferred to see me on the bed?" Vernon's eyes widened in mock shock.

"Your words not mine," Dev said with a straight face.

He smacked Dev's arm but he knew his friend was joking. "How dare you?"

"When did you start to feel better though? What about the headache? Is it better or completely gone?" Dev asked, laughing and rubbing the spot Vernon had smacked him. The words were barely out of his mouth when he heard another smack. "Ow!" He cried and everyone else burst into laughter and they had seen who smacked him.

"Penn!" Dev cried again, rubbing the new spot. Of course, it didn't hurt that much but he needed to put up the act. He stuck out his lower lip in an attempt to look sad and then proceeded to fake crying.

Penn immediately regretted her action and began to wave at him while she said, "sorry." She then approached him and tried to help him rub the pain off.

"Thank you, it is fine now." He said to her with a huge smile and she smiled back.

"Hey!" Yelled Vernon. "How come you never tell me sorry when you hit me?"

She moved from Dev's side, came to his side. When she got close enough, she smacked him and said, "shut up!"

Vernon gasped and tried to fake crying but she didn't apologize instead she laughed.