The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Vernon looked back and forth, from the teacher, Levisus to the students and he knew he was on his own. None of what they did had triggered anything. All he had experienced was awe and a wish to be able to do what they had done.

He felt all eyes on him as they waited for him to step forward. He closed his eyes and groggily did so, counting each step to his impending doom. He stood in front of the group just like everyone had and felt his nerves on edge.

He had to be careful or he was sure his eyes would glow again. He looked down at his feet, having absolutely no clue what he had to do. "Go on," Levisus cajoled, adjusting his glasses.

Vernon almost sighed out loud in annoyance. How was watching people use magic going to magically trigger his own? He figured it was magical but still he doubted it worked like that and he didn't feel any different.

He stretched out his hand just like he had watched Dev do, not because he felt like it was the right thing to do but he was at his wit's end and he doubted Levisus would let him go without trying and making sure, he really couldn't do it.

He pushed his hand forward as he mentally and physically tried to push out what he hoped was magic, a full ten seconds later and nothing was happening. "Feel it from your toes," he heard Dev's voice ring out.

"No, from your belly." Another voice that wasn't familiar said. Vernon felt himself frown. What exactly was he supposed to feel?

Suddenly another voice said something and everyone decided they had a word or two of advice for him. It was very distracting to listen to all their voices at once as he was really hoping that something would click for him.

"Keep quiet!" Levisus shouted. "Let him do his thing, if he needed your disorganized help I am sure he would ask." They instantly went quiet but murmuring picked up. Levisus glared at them and not one soul said another word.

"Vernon, we don't have all day. Please do your best even if it feels wrong. I want you to try to channel something out, energy perhaps I don't know but if you feel it, let it out." Levisus said to Vernon.

He nodded to Levisus' words and tried again, stretching his hands out as usual and trying to channel whatever he felt out. He forced himself, pushing his hand forwards as he tried to push out any energy.

He was in this position for a full minute when a loud sound rang out. Vernon felt himself go red and his eyes glowed. His hand fell down and his shoulders slouched while the confused group tried to figure out what the odd sound was.

It didn't take long for them to and they all burst out laughing. Levisus adjusted his glasses and blinked. "Vernon," his voice rang out. "Did you just fart?"

Vernon pulled at his shirt, wiping his now sweaty palms on them, and nodded slowly aware that everybody's gaze was on him. He kept his eyes glued to the ground wishing it would just open and swallow him. It didn't.

Levisus snickered, it was a brief sound but it was a snicker all the same. "Alright, Vernon that would be all. You can just stay in the corner and watch the training."

He nodded a little too happily, glad that Levisus wasn't about to let him embarrass himself again. He stood in the corner watching for the rest of the training. They didn't do anything spectacular, just him standing at the corner watching them try to blow away.

A loud bell signaled time for a break and Vernon noticed everyone in the group sigh in relief. "Lunch!" They said happily with a few adding, "I am starving."

Levisus clapped his hands to get their attention. "No running," he muttered, adjusting his glasses and you all should be back here as soon as lunch is over. Whoever is late would be stuck with cleaning duties with the teacher."

"No!" Rang out from every student.

"Well then, don't be late. You may go."

They all filed out and Vernon followed after them, it looked like Levisus wanted to speak to him but decided against him. Vernon watched his teacher for today change his mind.

"Do you really not know what your magic is?" He heard a voice behind his ear, he didn't even need to turn around to see who it was, he recognized the voice instantly.

"Yep," Vernon answered immediately, slightly relieved that Dev chose this as a conversation starter, not the fact that he had farted in front of everyone.

"Wow! I have never heard that before."

"Really?" Vernon asked earnestly while glancing at Devant.

"Yeah," he replied, walking a bit faster so he and Vernon could walk side by side.

"Wow! So, how long have you like— you know, been able to do magic?" Vernon asked.

"Um since I was three I think." He said slowly.

"Three?" Vernon could barely hide the surprise on his face. One could literally see Devant glow up at Vernon's reaction.

"It's not that early," he said with a small smile on his face. "Others start by one year and some even start at birth." He was trying to appear modest but was doing a terrible job at it.

"It is, I'm seven and I don't know how to do any kind of magic. I don't even know what mine is to be bad at it but you're really good too." Vernon didn't mean to toot Devant's horn, he was just saying what he truly felt.

"Well, you haven't been practicing it either so maybe that's why." Dev was trying hard not to smile as he spoke.

"That's what Captain Robbin said too and I think Vivk thought the same thing." Vernon sighed. "I'm just super tired, I thought this was going to be easy."

"Hmmm, then what did you think magic was?" Devant asked.