a seat. Fire away. What’s new?»
«I have practiced once for the joust. I fought an experienced magician. I am proud to declare that our duel ended in a draw».
«Did it? Not bad. Was it him who decorated your face like that?» – asked Mr. Spencer.
«No, it was…»
«Ted said he had fallen down,» – Mom interrupted him.
Ted got embarrassed.
«No, I didn’t fall. Just got involved in fist-fighting. Defended a girl from some hooligan».
«Well, this is a praiseworthy act!»
«Dad, you misunderstood,» – Lily pronounced insidiously. «Ted was defending his fiancée».
«Lily! You promised not to divulge my secrets!»
«But not this one».
«Lily, you weren’t supposed to act like that! If Ted doesn’t feel like sharing with us, he isn’t obliged».
«C’mon, Mom! I have no secrets from you. She isn’t yet my fiancée though. We only dated a few times and that’s it».
«Where did you get acquainted with her? In the Museum?»
«No. this is my ex classmate Alice».
«Alice? A daughter of the Second Master’s personal assistant?»
«Yes, right».
«Well, I don’t mind – go on dating her. But please be careful».
«Why careful, Daddy? She is a good girl. I have known her since the first form. What’s wrong?»
«Ignore my warning. I am a little biased against the Second Master and his entourage. He is a filthy guy».
«Yes, I know. But it doesn’t apply to Alice».
«Providing that you fancy her, continue dating her. Invite her over. The most important part here is your being happy».
«Thanks, Mom!»
Ted spent the entire Sunday at his ancestral home, as usual, and in the evening he transported himself to his flat.
Chapter 6
A new working week began. During the intervals of time free from visitors Ted continued to explore the books and documents. He compiled a catalogue, arranged all the papers in the closet. What was left was to study everything in a proper way. After all, if Roderick had recorded some mystery somewhere, he must have applied magic. Ted had to pinpoint this record down. Given that such a mystery had ever existed at all, a fact that Ted started to doubt. But Roderick was gone. Where? Providing that he had not fancied his work at the Museum, he could have just quit and that would be that. In the same sequence, the way Ted had been making up his catalogue, he decided to explore the available books to find the secret records and magic. He took «The Magicians’ Code».
«Just fancy! We were forced to learn this book by heart! Terrible!»
Ted opened it up and checked whether there was any magic involved – he pointed his wand at it and pronounced,
«Quesemto».
Had this book been enchanted, it would glitter green. But nothing of the kind happened.
«Hmm… Maybe, Roderick didn’t use any magic. Had he concealed anything from the magicians, he had to know which incantations had been allowed to say, in order to find this thing. As for me, I have no clue what exactly I have been looking for. Hopefully, some records».
Ted started to leaf through the book.
«Laws, laws. I have always laughed at Law Number Fifteen which runs as follows: „In case of implementing a death incantation the Magistrate is eligible to make a magic wand of the one who implemented it null and void“. But what is the sense of doing that, I wonder? The user can purchase a new wand (after having served his prison term, of course), whereas the one who experienced the incantation on his own skin will never ever resurrect». Ted thumbed through the entire «Code» but it yielded zero outcomes. He returned the book on the shelf and grabbed the next one. He pointed his wand at it as well and uttered,
«Quesemto».
There was no radiance. Thus, having looked through the whole volume, Ted found nothing. Then he proceeded to do this with several more books, yet they provided no results, either.
«Ted,» – he heard someone calling his name from the hall.
«I’m coming».
Ted put the next book back on the shelf and went into the hall. There he saw his friend.
«Jeffrey! Did you come to see me? I am so glad to have you here!»
«Hi Ted! How are things with you? So, this is your realm, isn’t it?»
«Yes, would you like me to guide you around?»
«I’d love to!»
«I always begin from this very exhibit. Look, this is a portal signet-ring of Gottfried the Magician, the one who founded our school. With the help of this portal one can circumnavigate and not just travel around Britain, like we do».
«Cool! Is it possible to use it?»
«I reckon it’s in a proper working mode. However, it is strictly forbidden. Each and every exhibit is under surveillance of the Magistrate. The moment you use any of them they will immediately come to know about that up there. I shall hardly be patted on my head for such behavior, you know».
«That’s right. Troubles are the least thing you’re in need for. But if someone enters and tries to apply it when you aren’t around…»
«No one will. They are sealed up with a magic password. Even I am unaware of it».
«Clear».
«Look, this is…»
«Ted,» – Jeffrey suddenly interrupted his vigorous speech.
«Yes?» – Ted stared at his friend. Jeffrey was standing still, gazing somewhere faraway. «Jeffrey, what’s the matter? Is it the reason for your today’s visit? Did you come to talk to me, but didn’t know what to begin with?»
Jeffrey glanced at his friend.
«Right you are. Where can we talk?»
«Let’s go to the archive».
They entered the archive. Jeffrey sat down on a chair, while Ted perched in front of him.
«Shakkat,» – he said. «So, now I may leave the door open and nobody will be capable of eavesdropping us. What happened?»
Jeffrey looked around the room.
«So, have you been
