I walked through an empty side road watching waves of heat coming off the stone buildings which made the sweat dripping down my body more noticeable. I was a short 17 year old boy around 5’4 with short azure blue hair and feminine features that got me bullied growing up. My vision was getting blurry from the heat of the harsh desert sun bearing down on me and it was getting hard to focus.

“This city is like a maze, I need to find somewhere to rest soon so I don’t get heatstroke.”

As I looked around I could hear the faint sound of music and laughter and made my way in it’s direction until I came across what looked to be a tavern. Looking up I could see a well made wooden sign with a picture of a genie's lamp to match the golden letters of the establishment's name. ‘The Genie’s Lamp’.

When I entered the building the heat seemed to vanish as the heat was replaced with a pleasant temperature and I was blasted by laughter, music, and the smell of countless dishes that made my mouth water.

“Wow, this place is packed.” I took in my surroundings oblivious as a young man approached me from the bar.

“Sure is; the Genie’s Lamp is the best tavern around. I’m the owner, Arun, hot day out isn’t it? Can I get you anything to drink?”

The man, Arun, was tall, about 6 feet tall, and well built with handsome features. His hair was a honey blonde, and was on the long side for most men with the back tied up. He gestured to a couple empty stools at the bar and led me over to them with an arm on my shoulder before I could really say anything.

“Two Honey Ciders Rini!”

Arun sat me down at the bar with him and the bartender, Rini, a beautiful girl who was about 5’6 with black hair in a ponytail with side bangs and ruby red eyes, seemed to smile at me with pity briefly before it was replaced with a normal smile, leaving me wondering if I had imagined it. Rini grabbed a few bottles and poured the contents into a cup for each of us. Staring at the drink for a moment I turned to the man I had just met. “I’m not actually old enough to drink Arun.”

Arun downed his Cider before grinning at me “Who cares? My tavern, my rules, besides! It’s tradition here to have drinks with newcomers and for me to ask; if you had one wish, what would it be?”

I sighed as I took a sip from the cider, it was surprisingly sweet, not at all what I expected out of something with alcohol in it. “If I could wish for one thing, I’d wish the others at my academy wouldn’t bully me anymore. I’ve always had weak magic so they feel they can get away with anything when they harass me.” I stare into the tall glass and finish it after getting that out. I don't know why I said all that to a complete stranger; but it’s the truth.

“Well, I didn’t really ask for your life story.” Arun chuckles a bit before smirking at me mischievously. “But it’ll do as a wish, not bad kid, what was your name again?”

I’m not sure why, but as he’s been speaking I’ve gotten more and more drowsy, it must be the alcohol. “My name is Chi, Chi Terada.” The loud noises of the bar started seeming as though they were coming through water, and my eyes refused to stay open. The last thing I remember is Arun’s smiling face.

“Rini, could you get a room ready for Chi upstairs? I gotta get working on the kid’s wish.” Arun winked at Rini while she sighed.

“Poor thing, what are you gonna do to them? To, as you say, teach them about being specific with wishes.”

Arun chuckled as he looked back to Chi sleeping against the bar. “You’ll see soon, I think I’ll give them a bit of a break though and do a collaboration with Shael.” Arun had a big grin on his face when he finished speaking, and Rini could only sigh again and help the poor kid to a room.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Watching Rini carry Chi up the stairs to a room Arun couldn’t help but smile as he thought about working with Shael again, quickly pulling out a phone he stepped into his office and sent her a message. Shael, I have a wish I want to work with you on.

It’s been a while Arun, what did you have in mind?

A bit of a makeover, and the kid has weak magic, so I thought to balance it out you could give them a name.

What do I get for this? Something like this is more than you’d usually do, and seems like less your style.

Come on, we both know that this would be great for you, think of it as an investment, I think they're compatible, just come take a look and if you disagree then I’ll think of something else, and as for me, think of it as nostalgia.

fine, be there in just a second.

Arun put his phone away with a smile as he felt magic to his left, looking over to where a portal had opened as his old friend stepped through with a soft smile.

“Where are they, Arun? I only have a few hours at most before I have to go back.”

Arun gestured to the door and left his office with Shael and headed up the stairs to find Rini coming out of a room, when she saw the two of them she raised her eyebrows a bit.

“He’s in there, let me know when you’re done and I can get him back home.” Rini walked past Arun and Shael and headed back to the bar once she was done speaking.

Walking into the room with Arun Shael examined his body and tested the kids compatibility with her magic. After a few minutes Shael couldn’t help but be surprised, the kid had a very high compatibility, she looked at Arun and saw that he had a shit eating grin on his face while she sighed. “Alright, you were right, he has a high compatibility so I’ll help.”

Arun looked back at Chi and placed a hand on his head. “Well kid, be more careful with what you wish for. Although, never say I didn’t help you out, this should solve your bullying problems.” Arun began channeling his magic through Chi to fulfil his part and turned to look at Shael before smiling. “Well, go ahead and give them their name Shael.”

Shael nodded and raised her hand towards the kid in front of her and channeled her own magic towards them. Shaels magic entwined with Arun’s as it wrapped around Chi and flowed into them. “I give you your true name and make you one of my own, Elincia.” Once She named Elincia the magic wrapping around them glowed brighter as it seemed to turn into living vines that sprouted leafs and flowers.

After a minute the light faded and Shael turned to Arun with a smile. “This was more fruitful than I expected, your method of twisting the wish as much as you could is as amusing as always. I think I’ll leave Elincia a gift before you have Rini take them back.” Shael glanced at the cocoon of vines and flowers surrounding them with a smile and created a portal back to her home to grab a few things.

Arun sighed as Shael disappeared into her portal and waited a few minutes for her to come back. Once Shael came back Arun saw that she was carrying some white robes and a beautiful bow. After placing them down on the bed she looked at him with a sad smile.

“I have to get back, and since we’re done Rini should take Elincia back before they wake up.”

Arun nodded and looked at the cocoon the kid was in once more before saying his goodbyes to Shael and leaving to get Rini to carry the kid back home.