minutes, your Majesty. And no, I have my own tools. But they… – before I could finish, I heard an echo of footsteps behind me.
The tall elf who stood at the door was carrying my bag. He held it out, winked and, in a whisper, wished me good luck, and went to his place.
In Dinah’s hand was a pigeon, whose head hung unnaturally.
One of the courtiers brought up a small wooden table that looked more like a stool. I took out my tools and laid them out. It wasn’t difficult to disassemble the bird. Inis was watching my actions carefully.
The parts that made up the bird were perfectly fitted, oiled and expertly carved. It was a kind of masterpiece. I carefully reassemble the pigeon and put it on the table on its paws. It looked at me with black beady eyes and seemed it was going to grumble.
– It’s done. Dinah, it’s your turn – I gave way to my friend.
She sighed and, plucked up all her courage and began. After casting the spell, several sparks of fire flashed around her. But nothing more. The pigeon hummed with the metallic squeak of gears, flew up, made the same couple of circles as the previous time, and landed on the table. Dinah dropped her shoulders in disappointment.
An unpleasant silence hung in the air. Peter smiled sympathetically at Dinah and me. The guardians didn’t even blink, they didn’t receive this order. Four short men with starched frills stared at the king who had come down to us.
– I was hoping you were one of them … – He clenched his teeth and snapped at the stupid bird’s brass head with displeasure. The pigeon didn’t react. It was looking through me into the space with an empty gaze.
– Of them? – I asked in bewilderment.
– There is a legend… – the father began, but the king didn’t let him finish.
– Nonsense! I shouldn’t have believed. This bird is an absurd accident, nothing more. And you know very well that even the Mechanics had magic! – the king remarked with displeasure and fell into thought. Apparently, he lost hope for a miracle.
Mechanics? Who are they talking about? Dinah cocked up her ears, too.
– But there was a chance – the father spoke in confusion.
– Phirin. I know that put high hopes on your son, but he is not a magician, much less a Mechanic! On planet Pyramid they all died out, like dragons… – he sat on the throne and said it with a sneer. – I promised that I would send him to study at the Academy of Magic, the faculty of Mentalistics. And I will keep my word. I think the boy will become an excellent diplomat. And lady Dinara… – he took thought – is a talented girl. Magic of fire, if I’m not mistaken?
– Yes, your Majesty – she sat down in a curtsy.
– The battle took away many of the warriors. The number of war magicians became smaller. Ruby doesn’t know about this, because we’ve fought them back. Demons – the king growled. – Therefore, lady, I invite you to study at our Academy of Magic with Nicholas. And then to the service.
Dinah was confused and timidly asked:
– But does the housemaid have a place among the elite magicians? – there was sadness in her voice.
The father answered for Pontiar:
– It doesn’t matter if you are a baker, a housemaid, or a daughter of a noble family, above all you are a magician.
– Yes, yes! The king hastily confirmed.
– I am immensely grateful, your Majesty! Sherida bless you! I will pray to her for your good health!
The king smiled contentedly and turned to me.
– Nicholas. Don’t be upset that you are not a magician. Study well, and I will take you to serve in the palace!
– Thanks for the honor. I will not fail!
Pontiar gave several orders.
– Peter, take the kids to the academy and ask dean Christian Dassay to assign them in the right faculties – he glanced in my direction. – And tell him… or, never mind, I’ll visit him myself.
Pontiar took my father aside. They exchanged a couple of phrases, the king once again looked at us with a studying look and disappeared behind the curtain. The retinue disappeared in a single file in the same direction.
– Nicholas. I need to resolve some issues now. I’ll see you later. I think we have something to talk about – the father smiled.
He looked tired and seemed disappointed. Again. But, nevertheless, he smiled…
I nodded. I didn’t want to talk. It seems that I need to rejoice, after all, I am now a student of the Magic Academy, and Dinah is with me, side by side. But… I had no illusions about my abilities, I had no idea about any mechanics. Are they special? I thought that everyone who fixes and crafts mechanisms – is mechanic. Probably, there is still a difference, and I have to learn more about this. Inis rubbed against my ear. Father bowed to Peter, then briskly left the throne room.
While Dinah was arranging an interrogation for the charioteer, I collected the tools from a simple table that stood alone in the middle of the luxury of the palace. Tools are in the bag. I ran my hand over the wooden surface and whispered: «Well, buddy, do you feel like an outcast? Well, I feel dazzle due to all this glitter in my eyes, and my stomach сoils into the knot. But look, you were useful to me. Thank you. Everyone has a duty. And yours is worth! Well, good bye.»
– Did you say goodbye to the table? – Dinah grinned.
– Aha! He’s an outcast here. As I am among you – I uttered an ironic answer.
Peter was politely silent about our dialogue.
– Are you ready to head to the Academy?
– Sure! – we answered in unison.
After leaving the throne room, Dinah picked up her huge bag. I looked back at the elf, who had wished me good luck.
– Thank you! You know, sometimes luck can manifest itself when you even don’t expect anything good, and in the most unusual way. Sherida bless you! And you! – I smiled at the nearby magician. His eyes flashed, as did the halberd in his hands.
– Same to you, Lodesco – he chuckled.
Well, yes, his politeness is not surprising. I am the son of Phirin, their Commander-In-Chief. I chuckled at my own thoughts. Father’s glory? No. I can handle without it! Soon you will hear about Nicolas Lodesco.
Chapter 4
We were approaching the walls of the academy in the air sphere.
– There is a powerful protection over the entire territory. Since, this is one of the places where war magicians are trained. They won’t let us inside by the air. The charioteer spheres disrupt the structure of the shield from within,
