Sorry for the wait, heh, but good news is I have other chapters ready(ish) hope you enjoy.
The train had started back up after the stop at Oshibana when Gajeel said he needed to get 'A breath of air'. Leaving Verna sitting in the cargo room, the dragon slayer left through the back door of the car. With a rattle of the door, Verna was left alone.
She sighed. She had known they would not be in a passenger compartment, but their employer still could have left a chair for them.
As a second thought, Verna decided a chair would have been a good idea as the train picked up speed, nearly throwing her off balance. She sat down deciding to wait for Gajeel. Within a few minutes she started creating little illusory figures out of boredom. Nothing that would leave her weakened, but something that would still entertain her. The door slid open, causing Verna to look up. Gajeel had not left through the front door. Three men that held more resemblance to apes or monkeys entered the compartment.
Verna dispelled her illusory figures and stood to face the three monkey-men. "Only officials are supposed to be here."
Two of the three pulled out handguns of some sort and the other pulled out a rifle, obviously expecting some form of resistance. What they didn't expect was a young girl in a green blouse and trousers to stand in their way.
"Heh, best if you move aside little girl. Else you might get hurt."
"I am a wizard of the Phantom Lord guild. I'll say it again, only officials are allowed." She said as she casted an illusion behind her, a vague and shadowy afterimage of herself.
The all three paled at facing a mage, and two of them started visibly shaking. Verna was tempted to look back and see her handiwork, but the rifleman took aim.
She felt her illusion shatter and a metal pole shot over her shoulder, slamming the rifleman into the door before anyone else could do anything. The pole retracted, dropping the unconscious man on the floor. One monkey-man dropped his gun and collapsed against the wall in terror. The other ripped the door open and bolted to the next compartment.
"I'll get him." Gajeel said, walking past like there was no hurry, "You deal with that one." Opening the door to follow the runaway, Gajeel disappeared through it.
"What am I supposed to do with him?" but Gajeel already left in pursuit of the other person.
Verna then noticed the remaining person trying to make an escape. "Oh no you don't!"
He bolted to his feet trying to make it to the back door. Verna knew he would get out before she could make it to the door, so she did something better.
The thug opened the door to see a creature of nightmares, he immediately slammed the door and spun away. More willing to deal with the mage girl, then what was behind the door, he made to attack.
As the thug lunged at Verna, she reacted, bringing her foot up. The thug dropped, clutching where her foot made contact between his legs.
"That's one way of doing it."
Verna whipped around to see Gajeel in the compartment, holding the last thug under his arm. Gajeel unceremoniously dropped the thug on the first one he knocked out and sauntered over to inspect the prone thug that Verna kicked.
"It's not like I fight often." She responded in defense.
"Obviously."
Gajeel looked at her, his gaze containing bemusement, but also a hint of respect. At least that's what Verna thought she read.
The rest of the hours passed uneventfully before they finally arrived at their destination. The thugs, who had been tied up and kept under watch by Gajeel, were handed over to the authorities, earning the mages a small sum in bounty . The two began to make their way back guild after being paid.
It was days later when Alex arrived back at the guild headquarters. Verna walked up behind him, trying to be sneaky. "So, how was your job?"
Alex sighed, "Look, if you're trying to follow someone, don't stare. It gives you away."
"I wasn't following you", Verna tried denying, "And you're not answering my question."
After a little bit more of Verna's nagging, he finally gave in and filled her in on the 'Babysitting' he did.
"Hmm, doesn't sound too bad." Verna said, contemplating the job. Alex snorted.
"And how were you and Gajeel?"
"He had us walk through the desert." She said deadpanned
Alex, knowing Gajeel would do something like that, started laughing. He could imagine the misery Verna had felt.
"It's not funny." She exclaimed in dismay. "I thought I was going to die!"
"On the contrary, I find it hilarious" He responded, trying and failing to stifle his grin.
Verna gave Alex a sly grin "I did get my revenge."
"What did you do?" He responded, all mirth gone from his voice as he looked over at his friend.
"Hm, we went on a little train ride." Verna said, proud of her achievement.
"Oh. Oh, so you notice as well." Alex felt a pit in his stomach. It was only Verna, but still.
"Notice what?" she said, while trying to discreetly grab a random members butt.
Alex lunged over the side of the table, grabbing her hand inches away from the rear. "You noticed that Gajeel gets a little... off after a few hours on a fast carriage."
"Or train" she quipped, watching her target go with a pout.
"Yeah, I wonder if it's going to get worse, or maybe it will fade." Alex mused, and realized Verna was wandering away to search for another person to harass. He rolled his eyes and left in a different direction.
Alex made his way through oak town, bored with nothing else to do, when he stumbled upon a large covered wagon. The mage was about to continue when the back opened up and an old man in a pointy green hat beckoned him in. Normally Alex would not enter a stranger's wagon, but he was curious and bored. He entered to see shelves of various potions and tinctures filling the space.
"Are you interested in anything you see?" the old man asked, as if Alex walked in a normal shop.
Alex was too curious to leave, so he played along "What are you selling?" He looked through the shelves.
"Funny you should ask young wizard, today I'm selling …" the old man droned on about the different products he had, Alex only half paying attention.
Alex grabbed a small, red vial off the shelf, the color catching his eye. "What's this?"
"Excellent choice. That is a potion that enhances a person's magical strength and amount of magical energy they can draw upon." He said sagely.
"How much?"
"85,000 jewels." The response was prompt.
Alex jaw dropped "the bottle is no bigger than my palm!" and that was about as much money he had.
Alex made his way back to the guild with the red vial in his hand and a lot less money in his pocket. When he remembered something
"Books!" he exclaimed, smacking his head, just remembering to return the books he borrowed from the guild. He ran back to his place before once again making his way back to the guild.
In the basement Tichus looked up, not bothering to mention how late the books were."So did you find what you're looking for?"
"Apparently the best way to deal with nullification is not to fight with magic." Alex dryly responded. Tichus nodded, not surprised. Then the look on his face changed and Alex knew his transgression had not been ignored.
After a brief discussion about how one should treat books and other documents, Alex retreated to his room.
Alex sat on his bed, contemplating his spur of the moment choice.
This could be the edge I need. He thought as he rolled the red vial between his hands. He already submitted the necessary work for an S class promotion. Now he just needed to pass the trial. He removed the stopper, and downed the potion without a second thought, grimacing at the bitter taste.
For a moment nothing happened, disappointment seeping into Alex's heart. The mage made to stand, sighing, but as he stood, agonizing pain coursed through him. Lighting seemed to be burning every nerve he had, setting his whole body alight in pain. He muscles spasmed uncontrollably.
He fell, trying to scream, but he couldn't, he couldn't even breathe. His lungs were uncooperative and his throat was tight. It was only then that merciful darkness replaced the pain. He then knew no more.
When Alex woke, he discovered he was in a bed. He looked around to see similar although unoccupied beds. He tried to sit up when a deep voice said,
"Don't try and move too much, you will aggravate your injuries." An older man stood nearby, going over a chart in his hand. Alex took note of the white jacket the man sported.
"So, you're a doc?" Alex asked, voice scratchy in his sore throat.
The man nodded, not looking up from his papers.
"How bad is it? And" Alex winced, rubbing his throat, "where are we?"
"Oak town medical clinic. You have one rib contusion, minor internal hemorrhage and many second degree and a few third degree burns."
"Eh?" Alex blinked in confusion.
"You have one bruised rib and suffered internal bleeding."
Alex pulled the bedsheet away to reveal his chest and other spots were wrapped in gauze. How he got them, he was unsure. Alex released the sheet.
"How long was I out?"
"Eight hours." The doc said as he finally looked up and approached the bed. "And how are you feeling?"
"Fine." He lied. "Can I get up?"
"If you feel like it."