The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

It has been over a week since the toys incident and nothing has really changed except the fact that Vernon was now very worried about James. At first, it was easy to ignore as he figured James was just a little sick but now he looked worse and often spent his time all by himself as he had no energy to play around like he usually did.

James was half his size now, he was weaker than even the youngest of the children who could barely walk and spent most of his time sitting in a corner, never really moving around. Unable to take it any more, Vernon brought it up with Dev first one night just after final dinner on their way back to their room.

"Dev," he muttered softly and slowed down so that Dev would slow down too as they were walking side by side.

"What is it, Vernon?" Dev asked with worry written all over his face.

"Well," he said and twirled his fingers. At this point, they were completely separate from the rest of the members of their room but not so much that they could no longer see them. "I wanted to ask if you have noticed the difference with James. Do you know what is wrong with him?" He asked, looking into Dev's eyes as he spoke.

Dev jumped back a little as if he had been slapped and Vernon's worried look soon changed to shock. "Are you okay?" He asked, wondering what the problem was.

"Yeah, I am fine," Dev hurriedly replied and started walking away.

"Are you sure? You look pale," Vernon asked, increasing his pace to catch up with Dev who was walking. "Was it something you ate?"

"No, I am just tired."

"Oh, sorry then what about James. Have you noticed that he is way slimmer and does not play with the other children?"

"Can we talk about this tomorrow? I really just want to go in and lie down." Dev said, walking even faster.

"Um, I guess. I'm sorry you're tired…" But Dev was now out of sight as he merged with the rest of the boys ahead and Vernon was left standing alone, worried what that whole expenditure was about and knowing that now he was curious as hell as to what was going on.

He, however, did not pester Dev but proceeded to his bed where he laid down and tried to think of what the hell this was about. He would let it go tonight but he would definitely ask Dev tomorrow and even Madame Rebecca. James was noticeably sick but nobody was saying anything about it or doing anything, he was genuinely worried.

He woke up pretty early the next day, feeling slightly giddy. It could only mean one thing: either it was going to be a good day or a really bad one. However, he was optimistic and was sure something good would happen.

He went for the usual training, hating it but it was a ritual they could not pull out of and each and every day, they had to go through it all. You only get a pass if you're really sick or out of Mana. Then you can get more hours to rest.

He could not wait for the first part of training to be over so he would get some time with Dev which for some reason he noticed he could not catch during breakfast. A part of him was almost afraid Dev was avoiding him though he thought he was just overthinking things because mornings were always busy and everybody was trying to get themselves in order for the day.

It was finally lunchtime and he ran all the way to the wind section so he could catch Dev before he started for the cafeteria but Dev was already gone by the time he got there. He thought it odd but didn't give two thoughts about it and carried on.

When he got to the cafeteria Dev was already seated with his plate of food in front of him. He was sure Dev knew when he stepped in but kept his gaze glued to his plate, he did not even raise his gaze when Vernon placed his plate with a slight bang beside him and sat on the bench.

They were the only two at the table with the others still being served. "Are you avoiding me?" He asked.

Dev hand stilled on the cutlery he held before he slowly looked at Vernon. "What? No," he faked. *Why would you think that?"

"Are you serious?" Vernon muttered, he was getting annoyed now wondering what this was about that Dev was being super secretive.

Dev looked away and didn't say anything, Vernon was about to protest but the rest of the g**g joined in and he let it go. He would get his answer later, he didn't want it to become a group thing.

He could not wait for the training to be over, once lunch was over and several times he was caught daydreaming as he got lost in his thoughts. "Are you okay?" Pam had even asked him one time.

"Yes," he replied. "I am just tired."

"Oh, do you want me to let you go early?" She had asked, looking really worried. He could not blame her, he had not fainted in a while but it did not mean that possibility was completely ruled out.

"No," he smiled weakly. "I am good."

She had insisted after that but he knew she was keeping an eye on him just in case. He definitely preferred that to her asking too many questions and could only sigh in relief when it was finally over.

They went straight to their quarters after training was done and Vernon was ready. Just as Dev was about to go into the room, Vernon pulled him aside. "Ahh!" He screamed.

Vernon chuckled, "Calm down, it is just me." If he was in the right mood, he would have definitely laughed harder.

"Oh, hey Vernon!" Dev replied.

"Don't tell hey me, why won't you tell me what you know about James?" He asked.

Dev sighed, "That's the thing, I don't know. I am sure he is fine and just a little sick. It is nothing Madame Rebecca cannot deal with. You'll see, he will be fine." Dev tried to pull his hands from Vernon's grasp but Vernon would not let him go.

"So, you did notice he was sick. Why didn't you just tell me this yesterday?" Dev asked, still a little suspicious.

"I told you, I was tired," Dev replied, looking over his neck as if expecting somebody to come to rescue him.

Vernon glared at him and let his hand go. "I will talk to Madame Rebecca," he mumbled stiffly.

"What? Don't do that." Dev yelled and Vernon could see him visibly panicking.

"Why not?" Vernon frowned.

Dev sighed and started to walk away. "Do whatever you want." He banged the door shut even though he knew Vernon was about to come in.

Thankfully, he had not tried to follow after Dev because he would have gotten a face full of door. There was no way he would have escaped without injuries. No other conversation between him and Dev occurred again, and even when they had to go hang out with the children they did do in silence.

However, Vernon was too distracted to notice that he and Dev were barely having any conversation. He was busy looking for the perfect time Madame Rebecca was less busy for him to bombard her with his questions.

James was still in the same state but this time around he was not sitting in the corner but rather he was lying down and not moving so much. Vernon was annoyed, James was already at this stage and nobody was doing a thing about it.

Madame Rebecca dropped the child she had been feed and Dev was by her side before you could say, Jack Robinson. "Madame Rebecca," he called softly. Even though he usually helped her with the children, he knew better than to step on her toes because she would have no problem crushing him with her palms.

"What?" She yelled at him, obviously annoyed that he was interrupting her.

At her voice, Vernon felt all his courage dissipate and for a millisecond he could not find his voice but he was already here be might as well get it over with. "I wanted to ask about James." Vernon started, his voice cracking a little as he played with his fingers.

He had his eyes down so he could not see the change in Madame Rebecca's expression and how squinted her eyes at him else he would have dropped the subject and prevented what was about to happen.

"What about him?" She asked, flaring up a little.

"Well, he is very sick and has lost a lot of weight, he hardly even plays anymore. Now, he just lies down in the corner by himself. I am worried that something is seriously wrong and Nothing is being done."