The Masked Magician. I’m not here by chance. Рамиль Латыпов

staircase. On it ran two children with small horns. Boy and girl ten years old. The boy danced a strange dance, and the girl clapped her hands and sang a song.

      – Peace will come and peace will go, but our savior will come.

      – What kind of savior is this? – I asked the girl. Her two yellow pigtails seemed ridiculous to me.

      – Savior that will change the world.– She said cheerfully.

      – Uncle don’t pester my fiancee. Your lady next to you stands her little or something, that’s what kind of bust she has. I do not understand what the ladies find in such freaks.– The boy said, covering the girl with himself. Well, the defender has been found. I noticed he had a reptile tail. The horns also stuck out of the hair. Three jokes.

      – I am not his lady. He is my prey.– Aralia said. Her figure is really lovely.

      – So it’s wonderful, you will become my second wife. It will be cool. Will you clean up the toys for me? Get jam from the top shelves for me, and for Masha too. The first wife in the harem. And you will be second. You will read scary tales to me. And then my grandmother only reads for children. And I’m not a child anymore.

      – No, I’m her prey and she’s my girlfriend, though she doesn’t know it yet. But I’ll get my way.

      Proudly puffing out my chest, I said. I used to inspire fear in the hooligans in the area. After all, he beat them more than once.

      – Oh sure. I won’t lie with this.– Aralia laughed. Just like children. And the most offensive lady dwarf Galina at the counter smiled maliciously.

      – Yah you.– I felt offended, and I went ahead and left them laughing behind. Something needs to be done about the outside. If this is the world of magic, then there must be an enchantment to cure the curse, either potions or decoctions. I don’t want to live the rest of my days like this. Although you can buy a mask to start. And this is an idea.

      Found the office I needed quickly. He asked a passing man in glasses and a robe, he pointed to the red door. He entered without waiting for his companion. Let the laughs continue with the children. Didn’t knock. May this world meet the new evil me. Near the window stood a demon with blue skin and two yellow horns. In a red military uniform. Three mugs on shoulder straps. He is clearly an officer. He stood not alone, but hugging an angel girl with white wings and the same white shoulder-length hair. Dressed in a loose white tunic. The lady is clearly beautiful, but painfully sad. Apparently it was not a rush of passion. The demon only consoled the lady. Although clearly with hidden intentions. I don’t trust demons. The room was simple. Large white writing chair, sofa and three chairs. Behind the table were folders with various documents. I remembered the offices in which I worked part-time in my youth.

      – You were not taught to knock, young man.– Said the angel all in tears.– We had a serious conversation here.

      – I don’t care about your conversation. I am a hero from another world. Lady Aralia brought me here. Wants to receive an award. I want to get out of this filthy world.– I said and unceremoniously sat down on a chair near the table. Very comfortable chair covered with velvet. I haven’t sat on these yet.

      – Okay, Alphonse, we’ll talk later. Tell me about your problems.– The lady said. The demon with a twisted face left the office. I looked at the lady who sat next to me in a chair at the table. That means who’s the mage here. Thoren third assistant mage

      At that moment, my companion entered the room by knocking. She bowed and sat down next to me. What kind of manners to bow to everyone. There was silence. I don’t like those moments.

      – Give me an angel award. My future lady wants money.– I said the first thing that came to mind.

      – You can’t talk to her like that, although she is the third assistant, she is a magician.– Aralia said, grabbing my hand. She doesn’t mind cutting her nails. Ripped off all the skin.

      – Thank you lady for such words. But the question is. How could a hero come into our world. We mages didn’t know about it. There were no signs, no signs. There are no major wars. There are no princes of darkness or self-proclaimed lords. All is quiet in the world.

      – My ex turned out to be a witch. That’s what kicked me out here. Thought I was cheating on her. But it’s not. So there is another hero in this world. The lady that I saved. Although she must be very far away from me. That’s what the witch told me. My ex Regina.– Saying her name sent a chill through my body. On the faces of the ladies, the same changes took place. There was fear. Even horror.

      – You slept with Regina Kostlyava, the destroyer of peoples. The scourge of mankind- Thoren said. She was afraid to speak.

      – Don’t say her name or she’ll curse you too.– Aralia said while covering her mouth.

      – Yes, I slept with Regina many times. And what is it? – I did not understand the meaning of the question.

      – She is five thousand years old and she is old. The elf hero Kalevan seduced her and tricked her into the portal hundreds of years ago. There are various rumors about her. That she will return to avenge us for this. Although I didn’t believe them. Her old king seduced and dishonored her in his youth. Then he gave it around to his soldiers. She fled into the woods, wounded. There she was looked out by the old witch Anna Crystal Eye. Regina became a strong witch. Got revenge on everyone. In place of that country is now the sea. Flooded it all. Here is such a legend.

      – It doesn’t matter. Will you give money to my companion?

      – Oh sure. Such information is valuable.– Toren took out a pouch and put it on the table.– One hundred gold. We must urgently notify the council of magicians. We need to gather people. Announce mobilization.

      – I love money.– Aralia happily took the money in her hand, then they disappeared.

      – Why did the bag disappear? – I asked, not believing my eyes.

      – I put it in the void. Isn’t it in your world?

      – We don’t have magic.

      The ladies paused and looked at each other. Toren visibly calmed down.

      – So Regina is in a world without magic. It changes everything. She went to great lengths to send you here. So there is no threat.

      – I will not return the money.– The lady eagle said menacingly, putting her hand to the blade on her belt.

      – No, keep the money. This news is even better.

      – I want to take the hero as my partner in the adventurer’s guild.– Aralia said removing her hand from the blade.

      – It’s your right. But I don’t see any magical powers in it. He is also not strong as a warrior. Although the mind is visible. Here are the numbers going up. Maybe an alchemist.– Toren bent down and pulled two blades of grass from a shelf. handed them to me- Here, try to make a potion out of them.

      – Good.– I took them in hand. Turned it over, sniffed it smells like mint.– What to do with them?

      – Here is stupid. Tell"potions get ready»and all.– Aralia said angrily.

      – Potions, get ready.– Then, after some thought, I added.– The most powerful.– The herbs in my hand shook, glowed, and a second later I had a glass vial with a red potion in my hand.– Here it is.– What a joy. First time I see this. I handed the potion to Thoren.

      – Here’s the oddity.– She fiddled with the vial in her hands. Then she opened it. I sniffed. She took a sip.– Strong potion. New. Restores strength and health. But I see such effects for the first time. I’ve only heard about them in legends. You really are a hero. Champion from another world. I’ll leave the potion for myself for experiments. Who sent you here?

      – You