Surprise

"So let me get this right, my name is on a hit list and a group of mercenaries called the Red college is coming for me," Hunter said.

"Close. Red college is the name of the mercenary community. There are several groups in the College," Jade explained.

"How many groups?" Hunter asks.

"More than a hundred," Jade replied. "Well, I guess I have that going for me. How much is the bounty? Is it at least more than a hundred million?" Hunter queries.

"That's ... Not the point. You have to be careful from now on," Jade stated. "I'll have more agents monitoring you," the vampire added.

"Er ..."

"You'll also have to stay in your school at all times," she continued. "Also, your phone would be --"

"Alright, calm down miss, I think you're overreacting. I'm more than capable of protecting myself," Hunter said.

Jade sighs, "Maybe I am overreacting but there are some crazy groups in that community," Jade stated. "You have to be extremely careful," she added.

"I'm always careful," Hunter replied.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

...

"Hunter! Hunter!" A familiar voice called. The sprite turned to see Martin Clay, one of his partners from the study tour.

"Martin," Hunter smiled, "how long has it been?"

"Too long," the conjurer stated. "Are you just resuming today?" He asked.

"Yes," Hunter nodded, "I meant to resume Monday but things have just been out of my control," he stated.

"Ah, I'm heading off to class now, wanna catch up over a cup of coffee after?" Martin asked.

"Of course," the sprite smiled. "See you later then," the conjurer waved before walking away.

Hunter continued to make his way to class but the sight of a red-haired girl drew his attention. "Sof?" He said confused.

The red-haired girl turns to face him. Her skin complexion was now stone blue and she had a piece of cloth covering her eyes. "Hey," she smiled.

According to Waleed, while the resurrection did not cause any psychological change in her, it not only gave the former human mystical powers but also caused a change in her appearance - changing the color of her skin and causing her newly formed eyes to glow brightly, hence the cloth.

"W -- what are you doing here?"

"Jade suggested I join a school of mysticism to help understand my abilities," Sophia stated.

"And you didn't tell me?" Hunter frowned, pretending to be ill-tempered.

"Don't cry you big baby, I only wanted to surprise you," Sophia said softly.

"Oh you called me baby, problem solved; everything's fine now," Hunter stated with a smile. "Seriously though, how are you feeling ... About everything?" He asked.

"Well," she started, leaning her back on a fence close by. "It's a huge change for me ..." She stopped and look up at the sprite.

"Do you hate the new skin?" He asks.

"I don't know, it gives me an edgy look --"

"Well ..."

"Don't you dare!" She frowned. "I can also turn my skin back but only temporarily and I get exhausted afterward," she stated.

"What about the eyes?"

"I'll certainly miss those ... These aren't too bad though. I can see you clearly even with my eyes covered, I can also see your energy --"

"Don't forget the unlimited battery power flashlight that it becomes once you take the cloth off," Hunter chipped causing Sophia to laugh. "That too," she agreed.

"Do you think the old eyes are the reason I didn't die? I've been thinking about it lately and all I can remember is my vision going dark and then all of sudden I'm alive and well again," said Sophia.

[Remember Hunter: she cannot know that she was brought back to life]

'I know, I know, you and Jade have only reminded me like a thousand times.'

"Sof, you know we can't talk about this out in public like this," Hunter said, his voice becoming low. "Someone might try to dig up Merlin to take the eyes. Let's talk about this later, alright?"

Sophia sighs before giving the sprite a small nod. "So what is your order?" Hunter asked.

"No one knows, they said I'm a wild talent and asked this gorgeous woman to train me - she looks like she's either the same age or just a bit older than you and I," the stone blue-skinned woman stated.

Hunter's eyes widen, "Zoe's your trainer?" He asked.

"You know her?"

"Yeah. You might not like her at least but she's really cool ... Don't tell her I said that though," he added.

"I don't know, I like her already. She says things as they are without sugarcoating it, that's exactly who I'm trying to be," Sophia stated.

"Nice," Hunter smiled but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. 'Two Zoes might be too much to handle, don't you think?'

[You'll be fine]

"Noodle hands, what do you think you're doing?!" Zoe's voice cut through the silence.

'Speak of the devil.'

Hunter raised an eyebrow, "Noodle hands?"

"I can't punch for my life," Sophia whispered to him.

"I said to keep running until I say stop. Quit slacking off and get back to it!" The fiend barked at the red-haired girl who nodded and began her run.

"Oh hey Hunter, I didn't see you there," Zoe said to the sprite, her scowl turning to a small smile.

"Hey," he smiled back, "how was the break?" He asked.

"It was great. I um ... I missed you," Zoe said.

"Er ... Same. At some point, I was getting my ass kicked and just started remembering you," Hunter stated.

"During the fight you had with Merlin?" Zoe asked.

"I see news travel fast in the mystic world," Hunter said.

"Only if you actively seek it," she replied, her gaze shifting to the ground beneath them.

Hunter raised his eyebrows, "are you okay?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" Zoe said in a soft tone.

"I'm not sure ... You're just ... How do I put this ..."

"Hunter!" Another voice interrupted. The sprite turns to see Mr. Daniel. "Sir," he greeted.

"Someone's here to see you. Come with me," the man said before turning on his heel and going the other way before the sprite could even respond. "I'll see you later," Hunter said to Zoe before chasing after the teacher.

Mr. Daniel led the sprite to the vast green fields inside the school environment just behind the main buildings. Hunter looked up, and though it was far away, he could see the giant tree with pink leaves and grey flowers.

"Where are we going?" Hunter asks breaking the silence.

"We're here," Mr. Daniel says coming to a stop next to a tree. Hunter looked just behind the tree to see a wooden bench on which a portly, white-bearded man, wearing a long red coat with white collar and cuffs, white cuffed red trousers, and a black leather belt and boot was seated.

Hunter's face falls. "Santa."

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