When he drove through the third district around two hours before, Trevor was originally a bit too stressed with his new situation, he didn't pay too much attention to his surroundings, but now he was feeling more relaxed. This led to him watching what was going on on the streets. He saw people using their powers on the streets.
Few street food vendors were using fire magic to heat up their products. Some sold ice-cold drinks with frost on the cups created by their spells. There were levitating people, zooming through the sidewalk with air magic, and many, many more.
It wasn't overwhelming, but there were at least two or three people manifesting their powers in the open wherever he looked, and the others didn't pay attention at all like it was a normal thing.
- As I said. Things rare in the fourth are quite normal here - said Martin, as he carefully observed the boy mesmerized by what he was witnessing.
- Yeah... I can see.
They were changing directions so many times, that Trevor couldn't really follow, but eventually they parked alongside a few other cars, in a parking lot, in front of a big set of stairs with a handrail in the middle, in addition to the one on the right and left side. Both were mounted to the walls of the elevated terrain, which were connected, or a part of two buildings in a longer chain that was surrounding the area from the direction they just arrived at.
The puppet killed the engine, and the professor immediately left the car. For Trevor, it took a bit longer, since he was paying too much attention to the world behind the window, and needed a moment to catch up.
He noticed that the teacher didn't lock the car as they left it, and immediately pointed at the vehicle.
- You are not gonna lock it?
- Why? The puppet is inside. He not only drives but also protects what's mine - said the man and smiled. Then he also added, pointing with an open hand at the stairs - Let's go. There is much to see there.
Trevor nodded, and in silence followed Mister Winchester. They climbed the stairs, joining a few other people who also were making their way to the top. With each step, a view was unrevealing itself before Trevor. A view of a plaza, surrounded by buildings from each side, with pathways leading even further.
There were many colorful signboards with fancy names that didn't tell the boy a thing, and also a lot of people walking around, clearly shopping. Not that many chose to sit down on the benches around the fountain in the very middle. It was special, as the mermaid holding a jug that the water came from, was giggling, waving to people, and moving. Spraying the liquid around.
Each shop had something for itself. Brooms danced around, sweeping the dirt in front of the establishment they were sold in. In another place flashes of colorful lights, fireworks, and more weird things like shapes drifting in the air were happening. Luring clients inside.
He saw toys playing with themselves, ominous signs over a dark establishment with black windows, and a magnificent exhibition of wands and scepters. All clearly magical.
There was so much, that he just couldn't grasp everything.
- Welcome to the Morfeus Bazaar - said the professor, as they reached the very top.
Trevor didn't respond, as he was too busy trying to look at everything. This made the teacher smile, as he in silence observed the boy. At least until a point when he finally managed to realize that he is just staring at everything.
- It's understandable. Such a thing as this place doesn't exist in the fourth, so you might be a bit overwhelmed. Nevertheless, we should go - the teacher added after a moment.
The boy just nodded, and they began walking.
- Why don't we start over there? - asked Martin, as he pointed at a rather simple-looking shop with a big sign hanging over the door.
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As it said, the place's name was: Wishmore's Glorious Goods. There was also an exhibition window displaying the goods one could acquire inside. Mostly tools, like chisels and hammers.
- You will need some tools and materials for your enchantment class - explained the teacher.
They went inside, and Trevor quickly realized how little space there was since most of it was occupied by crates, filled with equipment.
- Good morning mister Wishmore! - the teacher shouted loudly.
A bit further, behind the counter, with a cash register and everything, was a back room, and some noise came from over there. Soon after a short balding man with a majestic, sticking-out belly, round nose, and blush on his both cheeks came out.
- Oh! Professor! That's a rare sight! Good morning indeed! - he said with a jovial mood.
- I brought a student with me. This is Mister West - the man pointed at the boy with quite a grand gesture and an open hand.
Trevor for a moment thought he was going to knock something down, considering all the items piling up around.
- G-god day - he said, mustering up a smile. - I'm looking for some supplies for school.
- Yes - Martin agreed. - We will need a set of chisels, a few hammers, a weighing pan, a cauldron, a set of basic enchanted inks, the calligraphy supplies, with some nice quill pens, none of those terrible cheap ones. Something a bit better, so he can actually use it. The set of weights for measurements, basic alchemy ingredients, and of course a discount.
He finished with a smile.
- Ho ho ho - chuckled Mister Wishmore. - With that much, you will get even that discount of yours. Let me add everything up...
He started pressing buttons on the cash register, which took him a moment.
- And it's done! Time to pay Mister West! The items of course will be delivered tomorrow to your room, for your convenience. I just need the number of the dormitory and the number of your room.
- Thank you - Trevor nodded, took out his card, and went to pay. - It's the first dormitory, room hundred and fifty.
The price was quite big, but nothing too much considering the number of things he bought and also the money his parents gave him.
- Good. Thank you mister Wishmore. I would love to stay and chat a bit, but it's time for us to continue our little journey.
- Good luck to you then - said the shop owner.
- Good day to you too, mister Wishmore - Trevor said.
The two of them left the shop and headed deeper into the bazaar.
The boy quickly noticed that they were heading straight to the ominous-looking shop he spotted previously. He instinctively stopped upon that realization.
- Don't worry - said Martin, and chuckled a bit. - It's a safe place. They sell components to alchemy. A bit more advanced ones. You will need a few things from there. Not to mention the fact that I have a bit of my own business there.
- O-ok - Trevor squeezed out of his mouth, and he resumed his walk, but it lacked the previous elasticity as he still was a bit scared.
It brought back memories from 'The Grand Library' when he was struggling to find his way out there, and also was chased by some magical creature between the bookstands, with the floor covered by mysterious black mist.
They got in, which was announced by the bell hanging over the door.
The shop was quite big inside, but a long counter was cutting off a large portion of it from the customers, leaving them only with a narrow space. There were a few crates, bags, and cages piled up in the corner at the end, which even further limited the space.
On the other side on many racks with even more shelves was a display of small jars, bags filled with colorful powders, tied-up herbs, and a bunch of really weird stuff. Trevor spotted bat wings and rat tails, which made him not want to look anymore.
Soon the owner appeared - a short, hunched-over man wearing a black vest over a white shirt, with a monocle and a large, hooked nose.
- Yees? - he asked with a very calm voice. - How can I help you?
He was speaking quite slowly, which for Trevor was very unnatural. That only further escalated his bad vibes about the place.
- Good day. I've ordered a few things here... Martin Winchester.
- Oh, mister Winchester. Yes... I do remember. Please wait... - he said, and turned around, to vanish further inside the shop.
It was hard to tell exactly where, because of everything blocking the view.
The two waited patiently for a moment, but he was not coming out. Trevor out of boredom eventually approached the pail of things in the corner. As he came closer he heard some noise from it, which even more fueled his curiosity.
He started to look around, trying to peak what was behind the stuff at the front, and eventually even moved some things, after confirming that nobody is watching him.
There was a bigger cage behind the smaller crates and bags at the front. He managed to reveal it slightly more. Then a lizard-like creature with a large flap of skin around its neck, dark blue in coloration, jumped at him, hitting the bars of its cage while screeching painfully for the ears.
The boy jumped and fell tripping over his own legs, as a gasp escaped his mouth. The professor was discreetly peaking at him during all this time and now started laughing.
Trevor picked himself up, embarrassed, and went to the other side of the shop. Shortly after the shopkeeper returned with a small crate, and placed it on the counter. He put the price in the cash register, and the professor paid.
Then the boy had a chance to do his little shopping of items recited by the teacher, and they finally left the creepy establishment.