Hunter Academy

Chapter 18

Sophia landed in the store and she quickly grabbed Zander to steady herself. The shelves around them shook from the closing of the portal, and the clinking of glass caught Sophia's attention. She glanced around at the shelves full of potions and elixirs. Jars of ingredients, cauldrons, flasks, and all other kinds of supplies for making potions and elixir were also on the shelves.

"Did you really have to push me in the portal?" Iris asked crossing her arms, snapping Sophia out of her shelf gazing.

"It was payback for nearly making me fall at the house," she replied and Iris let out a huff. "I hate what opening portals does in the human world." Sophia pulled her hair up into a ponytail with an exasperated sigh.

"Welcome to the Genie's Lantern!" a man greeted and Sophia turned to see an elf that was an inch or two taller than she was. He smiled a toothy grin, making the wrinkles near his eyes more prominent. His ears came to a slight point meaning he wasn't very old. The older elves got the pointier their ears were. Their ears don't start getting pointy for a good few hundred years, and when they had wrinkles it showed their wisdom.

The man lifted his glasses higher up on to his face as he looked the three over with his light grey eyes. His strawberry blonde hair was spiked up, and he had on a plain, lightning blue tunic.

"I am Gene and this is my apprentice, Damon," the elf informed as he motioned toward a Warlock that looked to be seven. The three stared at Damon, dumbfounded.

"How old is he?" Iris asked, voicing the question they wanted an answer to.

"Damon here is six," Gene replied and they gaped at him.

"We literally just put our lives in the hand of a six year old," she said at a loss for words.

"He got us here safe, so there's no need in pondering the what ifs," Zander said snapping Iris out of her thoughts.

"You have a point, and to be able to open a portal is an amazing feat for someone his age," Sophia said with a small smile and Damon smiled up at her. Sophia noticed one of his teeth was missing, and she patted his head and ruffled his dark blue hair. His dark eyes shined with excitement at her praise.

"Your mother had me prepare something for you three," Gene said and he turned and stalked off. They listened as he rummaged through stuff. He came back into the room carrying a small box that was a bit bigger than his hand. "It's a first aid kit filled with fast working elixirs." He held it out to Sophia.

"Oh, thanks," Sophia said as she grabbed the box from him.

"Marissa's always prepared," Iris commented and Zander nodded in agreement.

"Of course she is. She's been in so many different situations, she has to be prepared. Her experience is what gives you three leverage," Gene replied and Sophia smiled.

"We have some of our own contacts too, you know," she replied and Gene chuckled.

"I suppose." His eyes held a glint of fascination in them. "I get the feeling your team is gonna have an even bigger adventure than your mother's."

"What do you know about my mom's team?" Sophia asked, leaning against the wall.

"Everyone knew your mother when she was on missions. Her team was everyday talk."

"She was that well known?"

"Well, yeah. I could go on and on about the stories I've heard, but you three have somewhere to be. I'm sure this won't be the last time I see your team. Now, get going. I have to open my store." Sophia let out a small laugh as she tucked the box in her bag.