The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

They had made sure at least one toy for each child, the number of toys they had made was closer to times two the number of children than their exact number. Vernon had already done a headcount beforehand but it was not exactly right as he did not want any questions as to why he was counting the children so he was certain he had missed a couple of kids.

However, as he watched the rush of the kids that was the last thing on his mind. Their happiness made all the troubles he had had to undergo during the course of trying to make the toys totally worth it and he found himself smiling a little too widely. “One toy for a person, if you have more than one I would be pissed with you.” He said sternly but broke into a smile without even being aware of it.

"Yes, Vernom!" They all cried and he winced, he was still trying to get used to it but the odd way they called his name was something that he couldn't help but flinch at.

Dev approached him with a frown on his face and a glint in his eyes. He had finally recovered from the phase of surprise as Vernon and Nevil had revealed the toys.

Dev tapped him on the chest when he got close enough. "Why didn't you tell me so I could help too?" He fumed, Vernon could tell he was not very happy.

"Well, well, I-I…"Vernon stuttered, pausing awkwardly. He looked at Nevil to come to his rescue but Nevil turned his face away and began to study a toy as if he wasn't the one who made it.

Vernon bit the inside of his cheeks and tried again, Dev was obviously waiting for a reply and he could tell that being excluded from this had really hurt him. It showed on his face and Vernon automatically felt bad even though he knew Dev would not have been much help.

"Um well, I did not want to bother you," Vernon said in a rush, looking down at his feet as he spoke because he knew he had said the wrong thing as soon as the words left his mouth.

Dev gasped, "Bother me? You make it sound like I have more important things to do, at least I know why you've been super secretive." He scoffed and folded his arms.

"I am sorry, I didn't even want to drag Nevil into it. I had to because I was getting nowhere." Vernon added, worried that Dev was genuinely pissed and he did not know what to do to appease that.

Dev's eyes widened, "Wow and you didn't think I could be of help?"

"Well, umm…" Vernon paused, there was no way he could tell Dev that it was because he did not have nature magic that was sure to escalate the issue. Instead, he chose to apologize and if he said sorry enough Dev might let it go.

"I am sorry, I should have asked instead of assuming that you would be bothered but this was something I wanted to do by myself and I only included Nevil because it was taking me too long to figure it out. Also, everybody knows Nevil is an expert in nature magic and I didn't come to you first because it was not wind-related. I did not even think about it."

Vernon knew he should stop talking but now that he has started, it was hard to put reins on it and he just went on and on and on, cringing internally as he could tell that his words were making things worse.

"I am sorry, okay?" He quickly added. "It won't happen again." He wasn't sure if his words were doing any good but he had already said sorry at least three times, Dev was sure to let it go soon enough. He was hoping that would be the case not that he was sure that was the case.

"Fine," Dev muttered but I am only forgiving you on one condition. He paused looking at Vernon as he waited for him to ask what the condition was before saying it.

Vernon raised his brow, he could already guess what it was that Dev was about to ask him and truthfully, he would rather say no but obviously that was completely out of the question and whether or not he liked it he would have to do exactly as Dev wanted.

He squinted his eyes and trying not to sneer he asked, "What condition, Dev?" He asked with a stiff smile.

"The condition is," Dev started to say with a huge smile that Vernon found slightly annoying. "You will show me where and exactly how you did it, you and Nevil."

"What?" Interjected the shocked Nevil. "How does this concern me? He kept it away from you, not me. He specifically said, 'Don't tell anyone."

"Oh, it concerns you alright because technically, you're all partners in crime." Dev pressured pointing fingers at Nevil and Vernon.

"Don't rope me into this, it is not my fault in any way. I only helped, Vernon, was the one who wanted to keep it a secret and only told me because he needed my help. If I had told you or anyone, he would have known immediately that I did."

As they bantered, Vernon made sure not to chip in, he did not want the attention to return back to him. He had already received enough scolding from Dev, so he watched, enjoying the show a little too much.

"And for the record," Dev said, turning to face Vernon suddenly. "We could all see you sneaking around, we just didn't know why exactly and just assumed you were training. It was funny to see you try to act like nobody but yourself could see you sneak behind poles and doors." At this point, Dev burst into laughter and Nevil joined.

"I know right," Nevil added, siding Dev. "It was hard for me to pretend to sneak around because that's what Vernon wanted and I did not have the heart to tell him everybody could see him doing so. It was so funny, every time I had to do that." Nevil chuckled.

Vernon felt his amusement gradually turn to embarrassment and then annoyance. He scoffed and said, "Whatever!" Very loudly that the children turned their attention from the toys towards them even Madame Rebecca turned towards them and Vernon felt himself deflate.

She had not said anything about the toys but he had been able to tell she was not against it and maybe a part of her had been grateful but he did not care for her thoughts as long as she did not stop the children from playing with them, she could think whatever she wanted.

Dev and Nevil laughed, saving him from awkward silence that would have ensued if they had not found his explosion funny. "You sound so pissed," Dev added, still chuckling.

"I still can't believe you actually thought we could not see you try to sneak around," Nevil interjected, obviously enjoying Vernon's misery.

"Enough, okay. I know now, stop making it worse." He tried not to raise his voice as he spoke and prevented himself from thinking back because he could remember his actions clearly as day and there was no way anybody would not have noticed him sneak around. However, at the time he had been too engrossed in the task than the process.

James chose that moment to come to drag him while a couple of other children drag Dev and even Nevil. "Come play with us," James said. "We haven't hung out in a very long time."

Vernon nodded his head agreeing immediately, it was hard not to laugh at the child's baby tongue but he was used to it at this point and knew he probably sounded like this, the first time he started to speak.

"Why are you dragging me too?" Nevil started to complain before Vernon could reply. He tried to pull away but the children refused to let him and it was either he hurt them to get away he succumbed and played with them and when they dropped their guard he would make a clean escape.

He chose the latter, falling to the ground as they surrounded him giggling and trying to get him to look at their toys, even the ones that could walk found a way to hang around him. Vernon and Dev laughed hard at this and joined them.

"What is your name?" James asked. "My name is James." He loved introductions and often wasted no time in talking about himself.

"Nevil," he said slowly, feeling overwhelmed by the attention even though they were from little kids.

"Devil?" Chorused the kids. Dev and Vernon threw their heads back and laughed, holding their stomach as they laughed hard.

"What? No. Nevil." He repeated.

"De-vil, right?" This time around it was only James who spoke and he still said it wrong. Dev and Vernon's laughter increased while Nevil just sat there fuming.