NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Strolling Around the Market
Warlock Ch 35. Strolling Around the Market
Evelyn led him toward a cozy, dimly lit shop tucked away at the corner of the market. The sign above the door read "Faye's Potions & Herbs", and the smell of strange, magical ingredients hit Damian as soon as they stepped inside.
The shop was a blend of the mystical and the familiar, filled with shelves lined with bottles of glowing liquids, jars of dried herbs, and enchanted trinkets that shimmered under the soft, amber light. Damian glanced around, feeling a bit out of place in this world where even groceries felt like something out of a fantasy novel. He'd been getting used to the magical side of things, but places like this reminded him just how much he didn't know.
Evelyn, on the other hand, moved through the shop like she'd been there a hundred times before, completely at ease. She casually browsed the shelves, picking up small bags of herbs and inspecting the odd potion bottle as if it were no different from a regular trip to the supermarket. Damian admired how she navigated this world so confidently, while he still felt like a tourist.
A few seconds later, a figure appeared from the back of the shop—a fae with bright, mischievous eyes and shimmering wings that caught the light. The fae greeted them with a warm, knowing smile. "Evelyn! Back again so soon?"
Evelyn smiled back, waving a hand in greeting. "You know me, always running out of something. How've you been, Faye?"
The fae—Faye, apparently—glanced at Damian, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "And who's this?" she asked, her gaze flicking between them. It was clear she found Damian's presence alongside Evelyn intriguing.
Evelyn, with her friendly tone, introduced him casually. "Oh, this is Damian. He's Cassius' new apprentice."
Faye's eyebrows shot up, her wings fluttering slightly as she tilted her head in surprise. "Cassius' apprentice? Well, that's something you don't see every day. Cassius doesn't like people staying at his place. This one must be special."
Damian shifted awkwardly under the attention, feeling a bit exposed. He wasn't used to being the center of conversation, especially in a world where people like Cassius were apparently not too keen on company. The way Faye looked at him made him realize just how rare it was for someone to get close to Cassius—and here he was.
"Uh, I guess you could say that," Damian said, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure of how to respond. He glanced at Evelyn, hoping she'd steer the conversation in a less awkward direction.
Evelyn laughed softly, noticing his discomfort. "He's still new to all this, but he's learning fast."
Faye grinned, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, is he now?" She reached behind the counter and pulled out a small vial filled with a softly glowing blue liquid. "Here, try this one on for size. Careful, though—it's for beginners!" Her tone was playful, but the twinkle in her eyes made Damian question whether she was joking or not.
Damian chuckled nervously, staring at the glowing potion. "Uh, yeah... thanks, but I think I'll pass on that for now." He shot a glance at Evelyn, who was stifling a laugh behind her hand. That didn't help his nerves much.
Evelyn patted his arm, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't worry, she's just messing with you. Mostly."
"Mostly?" Damian muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a grin. He was starting to get used to the constant teasing in this world, but it still threw him off balance sometimes.
They continued to browse the shop. Damian watched how easily Evelyn interacted with Faye, their banter flowing naturally. He realized how well-connected she was in the magical world—everyone seemed to know her, and not just as a casual acquaintance. There was respect there, a kind of familiarity. Just like how he chatted with his regulars at the bar.
"You come here often?" Damian asked, half-joking as they passed by a shelf filled with strange, glowing crystals.
"All the time," Evelyn said, smiling as she examined a jar of dried herbs. "Faye's shop has a lot of the rare stuff I need for potions. Plus, she's always up for a chat." She glanced at the fae, who winked at her from across the shop. "It's good to stay connected. You never know when you'll need a favor or a rare ingredient."
Faye, overhearing, laughed softly. "Evelyn's a regular here. Always helping someone or working on her next potion masterpiece." She reached over the counter and handed Evelyn a small, tightly sealed bag. "Here's that rare root you wanted, by the way."
Damian watched the exchange, feeling more comfortable now that the focus wasn't on him. He was starting to see why Evelyn was so respected—she wasn't just a part of this world, she was an active participant, always lending a hand or sharing her knowledge. It was impressive, and he felt a sense of admiration for her growing inside him.
They moved toward the counter to check out. Damian leaned in closer to Evelyn and whispered, "Do you know everyone in the magical world?"
Evelyn smirked, not missing a beat. "Not everyone, but I try to stay connected. It helps when you're dealing with all kinds of magic." She handed the coins to Faye, who quickly wrapped up their purchases.
Damian couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, I can see that. It's like you've got a whole network going." He remembered they mentioned a lot of names in their conversation.
Evelyn shrugged with a grin. "It pays to know people."
With their shopping done, Faye handed Evelyn a small bag filled with herbs and potions, giving her a knowing look. "Don't be a stranger, Evelyn. And bring this one back sometime," she added, nodding toward Damian with a wink. "I've got a feeling he's going to need a lot of help."
Damian smiled, feeling a little more at ease now. "Thanks. I'll take you up on that," he said, half-seriously. There was a lot he didn't know, and he had a feeling he'd be leaning on people like Evelyn—and Faye—more than he cared to admit.
"Okay, next. I need to buy some groceries," Evelyn announced with that same chipper tone that somehow made everything sound like it wasn't going to turn into a marathon