"So you think you can master magic? And you're sure you can be a powerful sorcerer? Oh well, keep dreaming."
As soon as Master Ven'A'Sash entered the classroom, she took the bull by the horns, not waiting for the students to check the new teacher for weaknesses.
"And don't be late. Those who come here after me will be punished. No, not with community service in the form of cleaning the school grounds. Discipline violators will be dealt with exclusively by magical means. Such as this!"
She waved her wand, and the yusme boy who entered the classroom last was thrown out the door with a powerful telekinetic blow. He was afraid to go inside again, thus missing the class.
"That's not pedagogical!" Iwiel resented, and several of the students cheered her on.
"Unpedagogical?" the Master laughed wickedly. "Perhaps. But very intelligibly. Praise relaxes and punishment mobilizes forcing you to move forward. If you've had a good lash, you're not likely to want to try it again. You're lucky that Jelshakh School does not use corporal punishment. But other schools do, and a lot more than that! They range from kneeling on broken bricks to hanging on hooks, overnight staying in ice cold cell, spending a long time in complete darkness or, on the contrary, in a company of very bright lights, surrounded on all sides. Being left without food for three or four days is also, believe me, very conducive to correction."
"Yeah, I feel we're going to have a lot of grief with a teacher like that," Ri-Bo complained to his friends.
"Quite an ordinary drow teacher," Mez'A'Shib said indifferently. "In our schools anyone that talks or rolls from side to side in class gets hit over the head with a pointer. And if the teacher's in a bad mood, then a lash on his buttocks."
"And the earlier education begins, the better the results. Therefore from today you must memorize a few simple rules. Address the teacher only using the title 'Master'. If you want to ask a question, raise your hand and patiently wait until the teacher allows you to do it. In class sit still and listen carefully to what the conversation is about. Anything else will be considered disrespectful to the teacher and punished accordingly. As well as unpreparedness for the lesson: laziness is the mother of all vices! And don't delude themselves with the hope of scoring a thousand points in other subjects by ignoring Twilight Magic. From today, the Attendance Book will be kept, and absentees will face imminent and very harsh punishment. Who keeps the Attendance Book, you may ask? That's what the praepostor is for. And now we are going to appoint one. Anyone interested?"
"Can I try?" Shin'Ye'Het immediately replied.
"Are you sure you can do it? Well, here's a journal. Make a note of who's in the classroom. You do that every class. And I'll check your notes periodically."
"With a pleasure, Master!" with her tongue hanging out, Shin'Ye'Het began to work.
"That doesn't seem right to me," Naar-Tam said. "If you're interested, you'll attend anyway. If you're not, such measures can only cause an intense dislike for the subject."
"Drow teachers think otherwise," Mez'A'Shib remained indifferent.
"To be the overseer of your own fellows is terrible. I bet there are a lot of people who hate your praepostors."
"It goes without saying. But no one ever shows their true feelings about them out in the open. On the contrary, other drowes try to be friends with them."
"Why??"
"It's very simple: if you tell a praepostor that he's a bastard, he'll just stop putting your name on the list. And then go prove that you were present in class. The teacher is more likely to believe the praepostor than you. Or, more accurately, the Attendance Book."
"Our teachers themselves check the presence and note those who are absent," Tim said.
"And our ones simply memorize students' faces; those who truant will be asked stricter," Naar-Tam added.
"We can only sympathize with you, drowes."
"Such is our world," Mez'A'Shib sighed.
A huge soap bubble filled with water suddenly appeared above their heads. A second later it exploded, splashing the company of friends from head to toe.
"And another thing: distractions in class are strictly forbidden! On those who sleep or chat with their neighbors, magic will be applied without warning!"
"Damn that witch to hell!" Ri-Bo said in anger. Just in case, in a whisper, and not addressing anyone in particular.
'Witch', meanwhile, glancing around the momentarily hushed audience and making sure that the proper educational effect had been achieved, finally moved on to the topic of the class.
"So, Twilight Magic. The perfect magic for those who don't like to advertise their affairs. And those who prefer night to day. Therefore it hardly comes to taste to light elves and other creatures of light, but since it's a part of school program, you need to know its basics. Twilight Magic has three main sections. Those who are not going to practice it in the future can learn only Shadow Magic, the art of being invisible and moving silently. Those who like the secrets of truly dark magic can take up Necromancy or Destruction, Brown and Black magic respectively. But now is not the time to discuss them, and you don't have the strength to reanimate even a mouse corpse."
"Well, why not? For example, I can reanimate even a rat!" Kakh'I'Geg bragged. And immediately she squealed with fear: her grimoire went up in bright flame. Fortunately, it was only illusion but almost indistinguishable from the real one. Well done illusion, as Master Iskitt would say.
"Keep in mind, today it's only a warning. Next time your grimoire will be turned into ashes. Once again, for you and all those who don't understand the first time: if you have something to say, raise your hand and wait for the teacher to pay attention to you. And don't forget to add the title 'Master'."
"Absolutely, my Master, we shall do so!" Kakh'I'Geg said with a flattering smile.
"And now about your reanimation ability. It's an innate gift, isn't it? Unlike all other magic, it doesn't consume any mana, and the only limitation is that you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can use it again. If you didn't know that, it's unfortunate that your intelligence level is so low. Reanimation spells, by the way, consume an enormous amount of mana - not like drawing hearts in the air! Due to it the gift holder in such cases always would take preferences over others. Therefore I have no doubt you'll provide yourself with your own zombie-servant before anyone else!"
Someone's hand rose. It was the lycos boy named Ivliar.
"Excuse me, Master, but what's the point of employing zombies? They stink and decay, and they're stupid!"
That's right, they don't shine with intelligence, Tim thought to himself.
"Only dabblers in the art of necromancy can say so. With special spells, or alchemical preparations, whichever you prefer, you can stop the process of rotting, and then there will be no smell. They're not very intelligent, that's true. But there's no doubting their master's loyalty. If you want a bodyguard rather than a servant, suit him up in armor. Zombies have no sense of pain, and they are very hard to defeat."
Zur'U'Fes dared to ask his question immediately afterwards.
"Master, what is the difference between such armored monsters and Black Knights?"
"What do you think is the difference between an ordinary soldier and a gray-haired veteran? The difference is fundamental: no matter what you put on your zombie, whether it's armor, jewelry, or spells, it's still a zombie. He will only be able to follow orders, nothing more, because he doesn't have his own self. Black Knights are a different matter; you can't get them by reanimation, you'll need a special ritual. And they retain not only all the knowledge and skills they possessed while alive, but also their minds. But the distinction between the lower and higher undead is irrelevant to the topic of today's lesson. It would be a good start for you to learn how to do that!"
She waved her wand, and the audience was plunged into darkness. Tim, who had experienced Mez'A'Shib's magical gift, was not confused, but simply waited for the magic to work. But, judging by the moaning and frightened exclamations, it came as a complete surprise to some pupils.
"Did you like it? That's better. However, it's recommended to use this only if you're detected and you have to save your own skin. And if you need to sneak in somewhere, it's better to use invisibility. But don't relax with it too: in bright light your shade will be noticeable; besides it invisible being is reflected in a mirror. The spell Enhanced Invisibility allows correcting all these deficiencies but… may lightning strike me if someone of you can cast even a common one at least within the next year! By the way, it isn't necessarily to become invisible for penetration in places where access is denied. Sometimes it's quite enough to use Shifted Look consuming significantly much smaller amount of mana. The sorcerer remains visible but the people around lose the desire to look at him. This spell is a particular case of Defensive Spheres sorcery protecting those who are inside them. There are a number of very effective Spheres: Spheres of Horror, of Faintness, of Blindness and so on – nobody will be able to come close intending to do harm to you! And if someone is following you and you don't like it, put the magical barrier behind you. Depending on the construction it either will not pass through itself or give your pursuer some not very pleasant surprise. There are a lot of appropriate formulas in the literature; you will have plenty to choose from. You even may not to create high-grade barrier limiting yourself with magical mine. And then a surprise awaits the one who accidentally steps on it. What kind of surprise? It will depend on your fantasy."
Already for a minute someone's hand remained in the raised position. But the teacher pretended to notice it just now.
"You may ask."
"Great Master (Master Ven'A'Sash grimaced, but didn't punish for such primitive flattery), could you tell me for casting of what sorcery one can earn a lot of points?"
"What? Well, for example, by soaring over the audience. Or by breaking down the window bars and jumping out into the courtyard in one piece. Too hard? Well, then create a rain of fire or a rockfall! Not in the competence of Twilight magic? How about managing to leave the classroom without anyone noticing? You also can't handle it, right? Then no way. Though if you have something to surprise me, I'll think about it. Actually, the correct question would be: What is the easiest Twilight spell for a novice wizard to master?"
"Yes, yes, that's what I was going to ask!" Nhel'Yu'Min cheerfully confirmed.
Her impulse seemed so sincere that it was not punished. Master Ven'A'Sash only nodded graciously.
"Your teachers seem very fond of flattery," Tim whispered, turning to Mez'A'Shib.
"I think, yours also not without sin," the drow answered quietly.
Tim was about to object, but decided against it. Indeed, even on Earth one could find teachers willing to forgive 'pranks' and give higher marks to pupils who were flattered in time. And, on the contrary, to crack down on those who dared to have their own opinion and were not afraid to express it.
"Then start with Shadow Cover. This spell makes the outlines of your figure blurry and less noticeable. Here's the formula: zamshat duzgabr ooffk. And if anyone wants to know more about the subject, you can take a look at the manuscript titled 'Magic of the Night'. You might find a lot more interesting there."
The last phrases were said with a certain amount of irony - where have you ever seen that students read books, especially if no one forced them to.
Tim, though he had no intention of becoming an expert in Twilight Magic, was careful to write down both the formula and the title of the book. Not for praise, but rather to avoid giving reasons for punishment. Which might not be as unpleasant as it was embarrassing.
The teacher, meanwhile, remembered the Attendance Book.
"Filled it out?" she asked, and Shin'Ye'Het handed it to her, smiling beamingly.
"Hmmm... Dem'O'Sut... Kunfor... Ruum-Fib... Alkitmi... But what's that?? Two gorgons, four werewolves, three orcs..."
"There are four of us," Urgrot snorted, but Master Ven'A'Sash ignored his remark, concentrating solely on Shin'Ye'Het.
"Don't they have names? What do you want me to call them? Hey, you? Or something else?"
"Why do they need names? They are inferior races!" the drow girl smile grew even wider. But the teacher didn't appreciate her humor, tapping her on the head with her wand.
"You fool!"
"How dare you treat me like this! I'm the First Daughter of the Fifth House!"
"And I don't care about that," the Master grinned. "You are as much a pupil here as that orc over there. If you don't learn this simple truth, you're going to be in for a lot of trouble. The biggest of which is having one of your younger sisters become the Mother of the House instead of you."
"I will kill them all!" Shin'Ye'Het shouted angrily. And immediately after it she bit her tongue: you should not do such declarations if don't have the power to execute your plans.
"I don't doubt," the teacher commented her impulse ironically. "But not before you've finished school. And now, as I see it, you can't even do the simplest task. I'll have to assign it to someone else."
"No! Please don't do that! I'll definitely be corrected!"
"Okay, I'll try to believe it. By the next class, I hope you'll know the names of all your classmates. And just in case, also write down who came from where and what gift they have."
"What about those who don't have a gift?"
"Are there really such people here?"
"Oh yes, for example! " and she pointed at Tim.
All the heads turned in his direction. Most of them were bewildered or simply curious, but some looked with mockery or even contempt. Tim felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured down his neck.
"Is that possible?" one of the elves hesitated, and was immediately hit on the head with the wand as well.
"Silence, this isn't a circus! The lesson isn't over yet! And you," Master Ven'A'Sash's attention shifted to Tim, "tell us who you are and what world you've come from."
"I'm human, from the planet Earth."
"Human, you say? That's new. I've never heard of such a people. It seems, there was a prophecy about it... well, never mind. What kind of wind brings you here? Can you cast at least the simplest sorcery?"
"Yes," Tim said, licking his dry lips, and then gripping his wand with a sweaty hand.
"Xeroblinz exlelloto!"
A whole bunch of sparks exploded from the end of the wand. Though he wasn't aiming at anyone in particular, some of the sparks hit his classmates. Significant part of those sparks Shin'Ye'Het got and her magnificent head of hair was slightly spoiled.
"Watch where you're pointing your wand, you crooked idiot!" she shrieked, hurriedly fixing her hair.
"Believe me, he didn't do it on purpose," the teacher grinned again, clearly amused by what had happened. "I would advise you to be careful what you say from now on: there are some very touchy people among witches. The presence or absence of the gift does not play any role here. Everything about your current duties is clear? (the praepostor nodded her head in agreement). And about other things... well, why should I repeat twice? Those who do not understand at the first time, it is pointless to teach them. And now... you won't be of any use today, so you may be free! Class dismissed!"
How good is that he guessed to take the nearest to the door seat! Tim grabbed his things as soon as the last words were spoken and ran as fast as he could toward the door. And then he ran back to his room, where he flopped down on his bed and lay for a long time with his head on the pillow. He wanted to burst into tears but failed to get it although insult and anger at himself raged inside, over and over again bringing him back to the moment of public disgrace. Several times there was a quiet knock at the door, but he did not open it, not wanting to see anyone. And only when mental pain had calmed down a little he found the strength to let the visitors into the room.
They were Naar-Tam and Tiis-Mir.
"We are...," Naar-Tam began, trying to find the right words. "Well, it's our fault."
"It was more my fault," Tiis-Mir interrupted him. "I told Gook-Luk about you and she told her friends, including Kakh'I'Geg. And the drow almost certainly gave the information to Shin'Ye'Het."
"It doesn't matter now, because what's done can't be undone," Tim shrugged in a doleful tone.
"We understand that," Naar-Tam entered into the conversation again. "So we have come to ask your forgiveness. Can you forgive us?"
It was said so sincerely that Tim put all doubt aside.
"Sure. But be careful from now on: not everyone here has good intentions."
"We know that now. At our planet, Olmari, if someone behaves like the drowes (except Mez'A'Shib, of course), nobody will deal with him! Or he'll be driven into exile."
"It's a pity, we are not on Olmari." Tim sighed.
"Would you like to go there?" Tiis-Mir immediately became enthusiastic about the idea. "So what's the problem? Come visit us when we graduate, you'll be our guest!"
"First it will be necessary to go home. And then – why not? I'm afraid only it will be too hot for me there."
"It's nothing; you'll like it in the borderlands! If even the yusmes can live there, then so you are!"
"All right! I'll see your world with pleasure!"
On that they said goodbye to each other and pleased with successful outcome peirots went about their business. And after it Ri-Bo appeared.
"It was really cool when you had scorched that loathsome 'princess'! I couldn't do like that."
He wants to cheer me up, Tim guessed. And very delicately, without mentioning the unpleasant and focusing on the positive. Tim was even ashamed of his own doubts after the conversation with the anzimars. By the way, it's a good time to talk about it.
"What could they possibly want from you?" he inquired as he narrated about his visit to the library.
"I don't know," Ri-Bo said worriedly. "Yes, in our lands there are cases when the anzimars take what they like. Instead they give us all sorts of trinkets – you would think we are savages! If you start to resent, you are risking to get nothing at all. But I don't have anything that might be of interest to them!"
"So they just want to 'have fun' with you."
"I guess so," the tilfing sighed. "Such cases also take place, especially if there are a lot of them and you are alone. Well, I'll try to be more careful. Thank you for the warning! By the by, I had time to talk with the dwarves. They have a couple of flasks that we need."
"And what do they want in return?"
"Nothing. They said that the storehouse exists just for students' service. Although judging by their sly faces I am sure: sooner or later they'll present a bill to us."
"If anything, we can say that decided to walk in the woods longer than usually. And how can you do without water in a hot day?"
"That's exactly what I said. It doesn't matter did they believe in it or not, the main thing that the flasks will be!"
"So, it remains only to wait until the neutralizer for the trap will be in our hands."