was wearing a hood that hid his facial features, and he was definitely using some kind of magic. It seemed that this type simultaneously stood out among the others, and at the same time seemed invisible. It felt as if his gaze was slipping away from him. I had to make an effort to see.
I tugged at the northern woman’s sleeve, intending to show her this strange guy.
– Do you see him?
– Who, Chiara?
But the stranger was not in the same place.
“There’s no one anymore…” I said disappointedly.
“Eshsheri Dean, I could also use magic, but I didn’t even use my skills so as not to hurt the girl!” – Curly continued to make excuses.
The dean's wife waved her hand, and the stopping spell subsided. Zikki got off the defeated Curly and walked aside with a dissatisfied look. Harvey also rose from the floor.
– Adepts, it seems to me that you have a lot to do. Go. Adept Glin, show yourself to the healer. Escort your comrade,” Eshsheri Krieger commanded his henchmen.
Ada and I looked at each other meaningfully. Yeah…
– Thank you for your concern, eshsheri dean, but what could this girl do to me? Everything is fine with me. – Curly smiled.
Zikki started to jerk, wanting to hit him, but she stopped, and it suddenly seemed to me that the symbols on her jacket had darkened. It looked like she was trying her best to contain the flames right now!
– Well, as you know. All. Disperse! – Estella Krieger commanded, clapping her hands twice.
The performance was over, and the audience went in different directions to go about their business.
– And it's all? – Volde asked quietly.
It seems that my cousin is seriously upset.
– Don't worry, little sister. We will take revenge on them all,” the unusually quiet Vilde whispered in response.
– Ashsheri dean! – Zikki suddenly called out to our curator.
Estella Krieger turned around and, raising an eyebrow, looked at the firewoman with bewilderment.
– Did you want something, adept?
– Yes. I apologize if my question seems stupid to you, but I haven’t seen the academy code yet. So, please tell me where it is acceptable to use combat magic? It is advisable that the place be adapted to the fire element.
– Adept…
– Splash. Zikkaera Splash,” Zikki introduced herself.
– So, adept Splash, for this there is a training ground and an arena where competitions are held, as well as duels. This is all?
– Yes. Thank you, ashsheri dean. – Zikki turned and shouted at Harvey, who was heading towards the exit: – Hey, Glynn! Let's find out in the arena which of us is the weaker sex?
Curly turned around and grinned.
– It's covered, baby! Tomorrow at seven pm. I'll be looking forward to it. Wear your best. “He winked and saluted her with the air of a winner.
And I suddenly became interested in how the dean would react to what was happening. What if such behavior is considered unacceptable? To my surprise, Ashsheri Krieger had a nasty, but definitely satisfied smile on her lips, which she hid when she noticed my attention.
Hmm… What could this mean?
Estella Krieger, giving me a promising look, immediately knitted her eyebrows sternly and headed towards the stairs. And suddenly her path was blocked by the same guy I saw at the column. Now he was without a hood and stood closer, I was able to get a better look at him. The symbols on his clothes resembled those of Zikka. Artifacts or decorations in the form of crosses glittered in the ears. Snow-white hair, at first glance, was disheveled, but such a torn hairstyle gave charm. I couldn’t see the color of the eyes, but I noticed the tattoo on the neck. Is it really a dragon too?
“Eshsheri Dean, it’s unfair to punish only new students.” “Both sides are to blame in this conflict,” the stranger stood up for us, and I thought that I liked his voice. Soft, somehow even enveloping. I wanted to listen and listen to him. – You should deduct points from the guys too.
– Adept Dimma, will you tell me who to take points from and who not?! Leave your tricks to fool girls. Minus point!
The guy just shrugged and said:
– It was worth a try. Have a nice day, eshsheri dean, and may all good things return to you a hundredfold. – Bowing gallantly, the guy threw a loose hood over his head, which immediately hid the upper part of his face.
All the girls looked at the unexpected defender as he walked past. He moved smoothly and leisurely, like a large predator. When he caught up with Zikki, she reacted somehow strangely. It seemed to me that she instinctively wanted to follow him, or intended to ask him something, but seemed to change her mind.
– This is what I wanted to show you. So, Dimma? So he's from the royal family of mist dragons? – I expressed my thought out loud.
“Yeah,” Ada confirmed.
Slightly shaken by the incident, we retreated to one of the vacated seating areas to talk calmly there, rather than jostling in the middle of the hall.
– Girls, we need to do something! – said Lisel. -Have you seen the list of items? This is no good!
Everyone started making noise, expressing indignation.
– I think we need to fight for our rights! – said Willde.
– The rules must be the same for everyone! – supported sister Volde.
– Let them give us another curator! – suggested Khvoyana.
– And to whom should we go with such a request? – Ada grimaced skeptically.
– You need to go to the rector. It’s unlikely that anyone else will be able to help,” said the same enveloping voice.
The same guy was sitting on the sofa, crossing his legs. He was watching us from under the hood, and it was unclear how long he had been here?
Volde came closer and, placing her hands on her hips, asked:
–Are you spying on us?
Zikki stood next to her.
– What do you care about us anyway? – she asked.
“I don’t like injustice,” the guy answered.
– Asher, we are grateful to you for your advice and attempt to help, but, perhaps, we will sort out our problems ourselves. You’ve already lost a point because of us, whatever that means,” Lisel entered the conversation.
The guy stood up:
– As you know. Have a nice day eshsheri! And keep your eyes open. Not everyone here likes your presence.
