Chapter 8

Eli sat down on the couch as Ash brought over a stack of papers and an old leather book.

     "So I assume you already know some basics about yourself, like how to activate your magic?"

Ash asked as he sat down beside Eli.

     "Yeah, I know I need to make a wish, and picture what I want to happen in my mind."

     "That's a good start, but I'm afraid you're underdeveloped in your magic. Even a young genie is considered one of the most powerful beings in the magical realm. It's why everyone's after your magic." Ash said thoughtfully.

     "About that, why are you helping me?" Eli asked uncertainly. "Aren't you after my magic as well?"

    "Of course I am." Ash admitted simply

Eli stared at him wondering why he'd be so open about his ulterior motives.

     Seeing the surprised look, ash sighed, "I'm not trying to be a jerk about it. Magic power is everything, especially in my family. I just figured it be easier to build decorum with you since there's not much else I can do right now."

     "What do you mean?" Eli knew he shouldn't trust someone he had just met, but he felt like Ash didn't harbor any ill will towards him.

     "A genie's powers are unique from others. Just as the legend goes, they can grant wishes for others, and be imprisoned in ancient magical artifacts, like the lamp in the story." Ash explained as Eli took in the new information.

     "Unfortunately, it takes a tremendous amount of magic power to perform the ritual to imprison a genie, which is why the higher-ups have brought you here. They can keep tabs on you while they try to gather the necessary resources, and give their children who attend the academy a chance to gain the genie's powers for their family." Ash said this in a bitter tone, and Eli was pretty sure he was speaking of himself and his own family.

     "That doesn't sound good. How long do I have before I need to worry about this 'imprisonment' thing?"

     "Like I said, the person trying to bind a genie must have a serious amount of magic power, so only the most powerful high-tiers are a concern for you. They must also have an ancient magical artifact capable of containing such power. Only a few exist and were forged by ancient gods."

     Eli only grew more concerned as Ash talked. It was clear he had done his research, and Eli wondered if he could truly see Ash as a friend when he knew what his intentions were.

     "Luckily for you, those artifacts are nearly impossible to find, and guarded by powerful protection charms. So as of now they're of no threat to you." Ash reassured

      Eli breathed a sigh of relief. The threat was still very real, but at least it wouldn't be easy for anyone capture him. Then he thought of his fathers letter. Was that what he meant? Was he trapped in some artifact?

      Ash continued talking of the king history of genies granting wishes, apparently many of the high ranking creatures that held positions of authority had at one point had power over a genie.

     "What happened to the genies that got captured in the past?" Eli asked

      "Well only one genie I know of has died. Normally genies are immortal once they reach maturity, but one time a fire wizard captured one and made such a powerful wish that it drained the genies magic completely."

     "What was the wish?" Eli asked intrigued

     "For the fire mage and his descendants to hold the ferocious power of dragons." Ash said darkly

     "So Alexander...?"

     "Is the descendant of the fire mage that killed a genie." Ash finished for him.

     "Thank you for this information." Eli said, a shiver of fear running down his spine.

     "I need some time to sort through my thoughts. I'm gonna go for a walk." Eli said quietly as he stoop up.

     "Understandable, let me know if there's anything else I can help you with." Ash said with a smile.

     Eli walked out of the room, and into the hallway. Taking a deep breath to calm himself after the onslaught of information he just received.