The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons

Book 3: Chapter 19

Go away! Stella hissed at Mervin and flew to the other side of Vurs head, landing on the shoulder opposite the genie king.

A miniature flower blossomed out of thin air, appearing over Mervins waiting palm. He flew over to Stella, but she flew back around Vurs head. Vurs eyes flitted back and forth as the fairy queen and genie king repeatedly passed through his field of view.

Stella, wait. I made this just for you.

Dont call me by my name! Stella said. She circled around to the back of Vurs head, but Mervin was waiting for her there. She flinched and scrambled backwards, nearly tripping on air. She circled around to the front of Vurs face before flying up into his hair. Go bother someone else!

Vur ignored the two miniature people and asked Alora, What happens to a genie after you make a wish? The last one went back into the genie bean sprout, right?

Thats right, Stella said, peeking her head out from behind Vurs ear. She scanned the surroundings before whispering, Hurry up and make a wish so he disappears.

Its up to the genie, actually, Alora said. Her hand flashed, and she snatched Mervin out of the air, holding him by the neck with two of her fingers as if he were a puppy. He kicked his legs and flailed his arms, but he was too small to do anything. Some genies go back to sleep because granting a wish takes up a lot of energy. But hes a genie king. If your wish is small enough and he doesnt feel like going to sleep, then hell stick around.

Does that mean I can wish for another cake after the first one? Vur asked, tilting his head.

Tafel pinched his waist. No. You cant even wish for the first cake. She turned towards the pouting genie. But can you grant more than one wish?

One wish per person per genie per each time were awake, Mervin said, placing his hands on his hips. Thats the genies code of honor. That means if I grant you a wish and go back to sleep and you find me again, I wont grant you another wish.

Oh great, Tafel said, her voice bland. Another code of honor. She gave Vur and Alora a dirty look. Did you hear that, Vur? You can only get a wish from this genie king once. He can grant you anything you want, so dont waste it on something you can easily get, okay?

Vur furrowed his brow and lowered his head. His gaze landed on the necklace made of souls that Lindyss had given him. He blinked once. I know what to wish for. He freed Mervin from Aloras grasp. I wish my mana regeneration was faster. Can you do that?

A wrinkle appeared on Mervins forehead. Thats a tough wish. Let me check. His body dissolved into motes of white light that disappeared into Vurs chest.

Stellas eyes widened as she chased after him, entering Vurs chest as well. Who said you could enter my house without my permission!? Vur! What if he steals my stuff? You cant let random strangers enter you like that!

Genies dont steal things! Were honorable, Mervins voice said from a flashing white dot on Vurs sternum. A purple dot chased after it. We only sometimes trick people when they make vague wishes, but thats part of the genies code of honor, so its honorable too. But its really nice in here, wow. Can I live here too?

No! Stellas voice said from the purple dot. I spent so much time furnishing this place! This is my home, not yours.

How long are you planning on living inside of Vur? Tafel asked the two flashing lights.

Until he dies, which is never, so forever and ever, Stella said.

You know hes my husband, right?

And hes me house, so what? Stella asked back. Vur let me stay here when he chose to accept my birthflower.

Tafel looked at Vur. And what are your thoughts on being turned into a mobile home?

Vur scrunched up his forehead. Is it possible to live inside of myself?

Tafel sighed, but before she could respond, Mervin spoke up, Its possible!

For him to live inside of himself? Alice asked, her eyes widening. She glanced at Mr. Skellys helmeted face, but all the armored skeleton did was shrug.

Not that, Mervin said. I meant your wish is possible, Vur. I can increase your mana regeneration.

Can I change my wish to being able to live inside of myself?

No, thats impossible.

Hm. Fine, Vur said. Then I wish my mana regeneration was faster.

A white light flashed as Mervin exited Vurs body, reappearing in the air in front of his chest. Alright, the genie king said. Lets get started. He rubbed his hands together, and a fairy-sized spear sprang out of his palms. The tip of the spear rotated like a drill, making a small whining sound. You ready?

Vur and Tafel stared at the spear. Tafel raised an eyebrow and bit her lower lip as she crouched down to get a better look at the genies weapon. Youre increasing his mana regeneration, right?

Thats right, Mervin said.

Tafel pointed at the spear, which had smoke coming out of its tip due to the friction between the spearhead and the shaft. And youre going to use that.

Uh-huh, Mervin said with a nod, his face completely serious.

How?

Ill use this special mana-regeneration-increasing spear and poke some holes in him, Mervin said, his eyes lighting up. You see, mana is everywhere around us, right? And if you want to increase the rate at which mana enters your body, all you have to do is poke a few holes for the mana to flow through, see? He gestured towards one side with his spear. Skin and muscles block mana flow. He gestured towards the other side. Removing skin and muscles unblocks mana flow.

Tafel resisted the urge to swat the genie king and gritted her teeth. Doesnt that mean the mana will flow out of him if theres more mana inside of him than his surroundings?

But it also means hell never run out of mana unless the world runs out of mana, Mervin said, tilting his head to the side. Whats wrong with that?

This operation cant fail? Tafel asked.

Mervin snorted. Trust me; Im a doctor.

Are you really? Alora asked, butting into the conversation.

No, Mervin said. I just wanted to say that at least once.

Surely Vur cant be the first person to make a wish like increasing his mana regeneration, Tafel said, stopping Mervin from stabbing the spear into Vurs chest. How come Ive never heard about anyone with a body like this?

Oh, thats because they bleed to death unless they patch the holes. Or sometimes things crawl inside of the holes and lay eggs or feast on their innards, Mervin said, but if they patch the holes, then they dont have the increased mana regeneration anymore.

Tafels face darkened as she snapped the spear with her fingers. You were right, she said to Alora. You really do have to be careful about what you wish for.

Then were not poking holes in my body? Vur asked.

Dont sound so disappointed! Tafel said. You should be angry at the genie instead!