The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

After two weeks of sneaking around and still, he wasn't making any progress. The worst part now was that it was very obvious now that he was sneaking around. Luckily, nobody had confronted him on why he was always sneaking around and he hoped it would remain that way until he was able to figure it out.

The gatekeeper had seemed like he would give him issues the first week but either he was assured because Vernon always came back or he never cared to begin. Now, Vernon was completely oblivious of his existence and would just run past without a care in the world. Also, he wasn't really sneaking off again and he was surprised nobody had tried to follow him to see what he was up to but that was hardly the top of his worries.

The first couple of days took quite a toll on him as he couldn't help but feel like he was doing something bad since the forest was totally off-limits, now he didn't bother looking left and right before he got to work but even with more time he wasn't getting anywhere.

However, the only good news was it was no longer spikes, it was a little shapely but it was still pretty much part of the trunk sticking out, nothing special and Vernon found that he was getting frustrated with each and every passing day.

Vernon stared up at the ceiling, seeing the drawings clearly even though it was lights out as he thought of his predicament and what he could likely do about it. He was running out of options and found that it bothered him more than it should.

He sighed, he obviously wasn't getting anywhere alone and he probably wouldn't make any headway soon enough which meant he would have to ask for help. He groaned at the thought.

There was obviously a limited number of people he could ask and even though he and Nevil were supposedly fine, they haven't had any reason to do things alone so, he still wasn't sure how it would be.

He bit the insides of his cheeks as he thought about this more. He really needed some help but he wasn't sure he wanted to be Nevil's. However, he couldn't ask anybody else as it would seem like he had not completely forgotten about the fight but truly he has but he wasn't going to pretend that it wouldn't be at least a little awkward.

He screamed internally but quickly calmed himself down, he would have to approach Nevil there was no other way around it. Funny enough, he wasn't worried about Nevil saying no just about how awkward it would probably be because this was sure to bring back a lot of memories when they worked in Nevil's except it was Nevil doing all the work and Vernon just stood there watching.

He tried to get himself to sleep as there was no point getting all worked up, Nevil was still his childhood friend even with their earlier differences, it wouldn't be that difficult he hoped. He would just walk up to Nevil and ask for his help.

Easy Peasy.

He pushed the thought to the recess of his mind as he tried to get some sleep. The training wasn't child's play and it was continuous though sometimes they do get the day off and it was pretty fun Vernon wasn't going to lie.

As he thought of magic and all that he had learned he felt himself slowly drift into the dream world as his eyes shut close and stayed close. He had a dreamless sleep but he wasn't even aware that there wasn't any dreaming.

He woke up the next morning feeling a little pumped, ready to take on the day which basically meant ready to ask Nevil to help him. He first thought it was better to ask it before training that way he would be done with the inevitable and it wouldn't have to weigh in on him the whole training.

However, the opportunity provided itself and he chickened out like a worm in the sun. All his courage depleted. He pushed his request-making further down the day. After all, they were in the same magic group, lots of opportunities were sure to present themselves.

It was time for training and Vernon saw himself unconsciously avoiding Nevil. He ended up beating himself up about it but it didn't stop him from avoiding Nevil. Finally, during lunch break, he summoned the courage to call out Nevil's name. There was no backing out of this one.

At the sound of his name, Nevil turned around to see Vernon standing even though everyone was headed for the cafeteria. He frowned but didn't hesitate as he gradually made his way to where Vernon stood a little awkwardly and he could help but wonder what this was about.

"What is wrong?" Nevil asked as he approached him. "Aren't you going for lunch?"

"I am," Vernon replied and looked away.

"Okay?" Nevil returned, his frown deepening as he mentally braced himself for the worst.

"Um," Vernon started. "I kind of need a favor." He muttered with his hand by his sides, it was taking everything he had got to keep them there instead of in front of him, twirling his fingers.

"Go on," Nevil encouraged, wondering what this was that got Vernon all bothered.

"Um, can I just show you later on?" He asked, immediately chickening out at the thought of all the explaining he would have to do, if he tried to tell Nevil what he needed his help on and immediately decided it would just be easier to just show him than go into the details, and also maybe less embarrassing too.

"Oh, yeah sure. Whenever I guess." Nevil replied though still a little worried about what was going on, and considering Vernon had been sneaking around recently it also amped his worry a notch.

"Okay," Vernon said and blew out the air he wasn't even aware of holding. "Thanks.

"So, can we go for lunch now? Everybody is literally gone." Nevil chuckled nervously.

"Yeah, yeah of course."

Lunch went off beautifully in Vernon's own opinion and when the second part of the training came he dived into almost forgetting about his appointment later on.

However, he is quickly reminded as training soon came to an end and it was time for his usual routine. He walked up to Nevil before he ran off with the boys to go play or something.

"Come with me," he muttered as he took Nevil's hand and pulled him out of the room.

"Where are we going?" Nevil asked with a hint of a smile, telling that he might have a guess as to what was going on and that he was fighting hard to pretend otherwise.

"You'll see," Vernon replied as they got to the hallway that would lead to where the children gathered and his way out.

He passed them quickly waving his hands as they passed, showing that he wasn't ignoring them and that he was also in a hurry. He didn't let go of Nevil's hand until they were outside.

Neither of them said anything as Vernon led them through the courtyard and stopped in front of the forest. Nevil looked at the forest and then at Vernon as he expected and was waiting for some sort of explanation.

"Okay," Vernon muttered, blowing more air out of his lips. "For a couple of weeks now I have been trying to use my magic to shape a part of the tree…" as he said tree, he paused dramatically and pointed to the only tree he always used, for some reason the thought of trying another tree had never crossed his mind.

Nevil's face didn't change much as he waited for Vernon's explanation which in his opinion was taking a little too long. He and the rest of the boys have sneaked to come to watch Vernon several times but still, they didn't know what his aim was except the fact that he was doing some weird magic training.

They have all tried guessing but all of their ideas seemed dumb so they had just left it at 'weird magic training'. The worst part that didn't help was the way Vernon was always sneaky about it like nobody could see him leave for a long time and then return.

It was funny and they would often make jokes about it but nobody brought it to his face for various reasons. One was if he wanted them to know he would not be so sneaky about it and Vernon often kept his distance from them so, it was going to be hard to randomly bring it up.

So, Nevil had been surprised when Vernon chose him ever since the weird fight, things have been better but still a little awkward. It was not as bad as before the fight or after the fight but it was not any better either.

"Um, shape?" Nevil asked when Vernon didn't say anything more after a couple of seconds.

"Yeah," Vernon replied a little more confidently. "You know my father is a wood craftsman. I was wondering if I could do something like that with magic." He glanced at Nevil wanting to see his expression.

"Oh, okay. What exactly did you have in mind?" Nevil asked with a confused expression.

"Toys!" Vernon screamed excitedly.

"Toys? Why toys?" He wasn't opposed to the idea but the last thing he would want to make would be toys, nah he knew he would want to make a huge toy first.

"Well," Vernon started, glancing away. "The toddlers barely have enough toys to go around. I wanted to make some for them."

"That is pretty cool," Nevil found himself saying. "So, what progress have you made so far?"

"None," Vernon sighed.

"None?"

"Well," Vernon muttered and walked closer to the tree. "It is no longer spikes," he showed off the spikes as he spoke, touching the tree to reveal them. "But it isn't any better either." He ended with what he could do now.

The outline of this was a little wobbly. A little was an understatement.

Nevil could immediately see why Vernon had needed his help. That didn't look remotely like a toy except the toy was a lump of wood. Nevil tried to keep his expression neutral as it was obvious that Vernon was a little embarrassed by this but it was hard to keep his laughter in and he ended up smiling awkwardly.

"I know it is bad, Nevil but would you mind not laughing at me?" Vernon muttered.

"I am not laughing, it was just a little shocking. That's all, I promise." Nevil hurriedly said as he got his expression under control.

"Okay, whatever. Will you help me then?"

"Yes, of course, I will. This looks like fun but it is also very difficult. Let me try." As he spoke he approached the tree and Vernon took a step back for him.

He touched the tree and closed his eyes thinking of his favorite toy. It wasn't anything special and it had been a poorly done job but it was easy to know what animal it was because of its mane. However, it had looked more like a stac dressed as a lieon than an actual lieon.

Nevil tried not to let his thoughts distract him from what he was doing as he concentrated a reasonable amount of magic towards the tree along with his thoughts. His concentration was interrupted by Vernon's gasp and he immediately opened his eyes to what had happened.

One thing was sure, his first attempt wasn't spikes or a lump of wood. Though it still looked like a lump of wood, it looked like an effort was put into the lump of wood.

Vernon immediately started to clap and he walked closer. "What is it?" He asked as he studied it, making sure to keep his smile in place lest it would look like he wasn't happy.