Grinning, I began to talk about how we agreed on the exchange or sale of what I got in the forbidden forest and that only Ahelnskaya raw steel and the girl's behavior in response to my fluctuations in magic were suitable as payment.
- It's interesting, I didn't say anything in class, but the fluctuations in magic may become stronger, as does the magician himself. - Ni'Lim said thoughtfully, looking around wanting to make sure of something. - Use the fluctuations of magic, I need to compare it with the one I felt from you at the academy.
Watching the face of the professor who expected me to release the fluctuations of magic, looking around and making sure that there was no one nearby, I allowed the fluctuations of magic to be released.
Watching as the professor's face began to turn pale and her legs began to tremble, but at the same time a smile appeared on her face, which she showed in class.
Having canceled the fluctuations of magic, Professor Ni'Lim took a few seconds to come to her senses.
- Stufon Trey, your fluctuations in magic have become stronger, but you are releasing it without any purpose, look. - Ni'Lim turned to me in a calm voice and released her fluctuations of magic.
I felt an invisible hand squeezing my neck, trying to relax and not resist, it only made it worse, my vision began to darken, I felt my lips becoming colder and I was breathing more and more slowly.
Then all the heaviness disappeared, I found that I was lying on the floor and my whole body was trembling and a serious dark elf stood over me.
- Now you have felt when the fluctuations of magic are used specifically on you. - Ni'Lim said in a stern voice, extending her hand to me and grabbing it, I began to rise. - You tried to relax and let it pass like in class, but when the vibrations of magic are directed at you, you need to release your fluctuations. At the academy we will continue from this point on with stufon Trey.
The trembling throughout the body began to slowly recede, waiting for Keirin's return, the dark elf and I walked along the entire first floor and when we were about to go up to the second floor, a light elf came down from the top.
- I have the steel, but as the girl said, it is unprocessed and we need to look for a gnome who will agree to process it for us. - Keirin said with a sigh, showing the steel that was hidden inside the earth.
Nodding understandingly at the words of the light elf, I reminded her of Blafe with whom we went here in the caravan.
- Do you think he hasn't left Midgen yet? You can try, but I wouldn't be sure that he's still here. - Keirin said uncertainly, thoughtfully running her fingers along her neck.
The dark elf just shrugged her shoulders, leaving the auction house we were met by captain Alur who was looking for possible danger.
Having heard that we needed to go to one of the streets where, according to the gnome's notes, his forge was supposed to be located, the captain shook his head.
- I need to accompany your professor to the council of magicians; if you want, I can send two guards with you. - Captain Alur addressed us in a tired voice.
Shaking my head, I had a hard time understanding why we needed security if we weren't threatening anyone. Hearing my thoughts, Alur winced and called two guards who immediately approached us.
- You are no less dangerous than your professor stufon Trey. - Alur said with a sigh, looking at Ni'Lim who smiled at his words. - I've already been informed about the guard whose hands you cut off for saying something about saving the girls. - And if someone says something similar about your servant, I'm afraid to imagine what you will be ready to do.
I wanted to challenge Captain Alur's arguments, but I understood his fears about possible situations in which I would lose control.
- It's good, if you are afraid for the residents, let your people come with us. - I answered, agreeing with the captain's demand. -Where should we go after visiting the gnome?
Father Auel called out to two guards who moved away from their comrades and stood in front of the captain, having examined them, Alur chuckled and spoke about their tasks; at some moments he especially emphasized why the guards looked at me and Keirin with fear.
Putting their hand to their heads and repeating the captain's order, the guards stood next to us.
- They will escort you to the hotel where Professor Ni'Lim is staying. - The captain answered, ordering the remaining guards to surround the dark elf.
Looking at the guards who tried not to look at us and were tense, I shook my head, handing the gnome's note with the address to one of them and asking if he knew where this house was.
The guard took the note in his hand and ran his eyes over it, nodded and returned the note to me.
The one who looked at the address stood in front and the other stood behind and under the gaze of the residents we walked through the city towards the place that Blafe indicated.
Due to the fact that there were fewer guards, we moved faster, walking through the city I noticed that he was richer than Lenho. There were many shops selling various goods, from food to various unusual things.
Some residents, seeing me, began to retreat and covered their mouths with their hands; their gazes were focused on the part of my face that was burned; if before it was difficult to see me because we were walking in a ring of guards, now anyone could see Keirin and me.
Trying not to pay attention to the behavior of the city residents, we turned onto one of the streets where a lot of smoke emanating from different buildings stretched into the sky.
At first it seemed to me that there was a fire, turning my gaze to the residents who were walking calmly in such a situation, I turned my gaze to the guard who was walking ahead.
- Where is there so much smoke? - I asked the guard who stopped and looked back at us.
Looking at the smoke and then at us, the guard explained that the street where we were was allocated by the city council for master blacksmiths.
Due to the smoke and the danger of fire, it was decided to separate the blacksmiths from the rest of the city, and there were always water magicians on duty to deal with a possible fire.
Listening carefully to the words of the guard who pointed with his hand at some houses near which there were inscriptions that said that there was a water magician here.
Continuing to walk along the street, the smoke gradually added to the stuffiness that came from the buildings where the blacksmiths worked.
Near some houses, city residents or visitors stood negotiating with blacksmiths about work; many houses had only one floor, which was used as a blacksmith.
Some, seeing us, tried to draw our attention to their works, which they proudly displayed in front of their houses, but not seeing our interest, they stopped talking about their skills.
Of all the houses, there was one small one that stood far from everyone and near which there was a large queue.
Looking around the line, I was not surprised that the gnome was so popular in the city, his race has always been famous for its skill in working with steel and metals.
Everyone stood in line silently; it was clear that there were different classes of the city there, both mere mortals and representatives of the local nobility and rich families of this city and possibly neighboring ones.
No one paid attention to the fact that those who still wanted to take advantage of the gnome's skill came here; only those who knew about him came here; others used the services of other blacksmiths.
Looking at the house, I noticed that the smoke was rising not from the house itself, but from somewhere behind it, the line was slowly moving, those who were leaving were either glad that the dwarf decided to take on his order, and there were those who apparently did not get what they wanted and came out dissatisfiedly examining those standing.
Of those who came out with Blafe's refusal, they did not try to start an argument or fight with others who stood waiting for their turn, the day began to end and those standing in line began to disperse.
The man standing in front of us also began to turn when he saw us who continued to stand with no intention of leaving.
- You're out of luck, the day is ending and Master Blafe won't take orders until tomorrow. - The man said in a dejected voice. - I advise you to arrive early, otherwise you may not make it in time again.
The man looked middle-aged for a man, he had short black hair and a neat beard, his gray eyes looked at us and the guards who stood next to us with interest.
He was dressed in elegant clothes, which showed that he was wealthy, but his behavior said that he was not alien to communication with the lower class.
I did not see in his gaze the usual arrogance and arrogance that are faithful companions of the nobility and rich merchants.
- Thank you for such important information, sir. - The voice of Keirin was heard, who apparently decided to intervene, fearing that I might do something. - But the owner and I think that dwarf Blafe will accept us.
Taking another look at us, the man shook his head and walked to the side; for him, we were probably servants of the nobles or those who thought that all doors were open for them.
Gradually, everyone standing in line began to disperse and only we and the guards remained, who did not understand how we planned to persuade the dwarf to work after what the man told us.