Mechanic. LaaiA

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, making it weaker. – Peter lowered the air transport at the forged gates.

      This time we didn’t feel sick and we were standing almost firmly on our foot. Dinah embarrassedly looked at Peter.

      «Did she fall in love? She is blushing… Humm».

      Inis pecked my shoulder. And then it dawned on me. Dinah was all crimson, even her ears. And Peter pursed his lips, shaking his head. I covered my eyes with hand. It’s a shame. Stupid, stupid habit of speaking out loud my thoughts.

      – Dinah, please, forgive me… I am… – I was truly sorry. I didn’t even know how to justify myself. – I’m sorry. I admit. I am fool.

      – Fool, – she screamed huffily. – And no, I didn’t fall in love… – she said, and she blushed even more, glancing furtively at Peter.

      The magician embarrassedly straightened the dark strand of hair and, holding Dinah’s bag, turned to the gate. Faint sparks of small lightning were visible in the air like a veil.

      – Peter Orro and two new arrivals, to dean Dassay! – he said loudly.

      The gate swung open and we entered. I trudged a little behind. Inis looked around in silence, as did Dinah. She opened her eyes, which were already round, like two saucers, wider. The academy was pretty far away. The gate locked behind us and Peter stopped.

      – Are we waiting for someone? Are there carriages here too? – I asked and stopped, contemplating a light cloud of dust that arose in front of us.

      I rubbed my eyes. Dinah coughed slightly. Only our attendant didn’t budge.

      A female figure emerged from the dust.

      – Pete! You have completely abandoned your trainings. Does the ruler want you to remain an ignoramus? – the voice of a dark-skinned girl about Peter’s age rang out. She threw herself at him. – I had a presentiment of your appearance.

      – Aha – the charioteer squinted slyly. – Or rather, you’ve interrogated the dean…

      The interlocutress waved him off and snorted.

      The girl’s hair was strange: curly, most of it was braided in pigtails in several partings.

      Snub nose, sensual lips, chocolate color of skin, this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing. There were holes in her earlobes. I’m not sure, but it looked like golden washers or rings glittered in them. I couldn’t find out.

      And her clothes! A brown, almost black scarf on the forearm, with iridescent splashes of gems. A form-fitting shirt in a strange fabric with a stitched diamond pattern. Long sleeve with thumb slits and high collar that covers the neck. The girl also wore black men’s trousers, by the way, also form-fitting. Holy cow! I looked up at Peter embarrassedly.

      – This is Eris. She is a magician of earth – Peter introduced us.

      The girl lifted her chin proudly.

      – Well, and your outfit. Pete, you urgently need to change! And what kind of country bag do you have? Did your grandmother give this gift? – she clicked her tongue.

      – Eris, you know perfectly well, I don’t have a grandmother… – Peter