*****
The Astronomy Tower is the highest point of the castle. Not only the stars are clearly visible, but also the surroundings of the castle itself. Everything appears before you as if in the palm of your hand; it seemed to you that only one desire was enough to "grab and hold" these spaces.
Alas, I didn't get a chance to admire the starry immensity today. During the entire time that I stayed in the Hospital Wing, the rain did not even think of abating, but rather, on the contrary, it was only gaining momentum. The water, having fallen to the ground, gathered into some kind of streams, washing the entire earth, not leaving a single piece of space without its attention.
And let's be honest, I didn't really want to admire the starry sky (I'm not in the right mood, and the lead clouds are definitely not in the mood for this). On the contrary, at the moment, rain is precisely the factor that contributes to better thinking about the current situation.
I carefully sat down on the edge of the tower and dangled my legs into the abyss, exposing my face to the raindrops (normal weather has long ago ceased to be at least some kind of "threat" for me; of course, this does not include certain anomalies). The feeling of water droplets touching my skin gave me peace, although I didn't really need it.
Did what happened to Nev upset me? More yes than no. And here not only the fact that he is my friend plays an important role, but also my efforts spent on him. Perhaps to an outsider this might seem like blasphemy or something alien, but that's how it really is. My mind, my feelings, my soul - all of this (as far as possible in my condition) was more sorry for the effort spent than for the life of a boy, even my friend.
Why then all this game on people? How could it be otherwise, because for any significant (ha ha, I'm still very far from that) unit, in order to control them, you need someone (not necessarily a single person) with whom such a unit can "catch on." In other words, an anchor and a weak point. It's so convenient to know about the weaknesses of someone who, compared to others, is growing at incredible speed. And if this someone goes too far or crosses the line... well, a blow to his "weak" spot will be guaranteed. We don't need an uncontrollable toy, do we? After all, it won't be interesting. (Alas, this policy towards me will last for a long time. At least until the top level of the magician, and maybe even more.)
So why did I start all this? Well, here it would be more correct to remember the words of the teacher: "- Investment in the future, protection with a threat, unnecessary attention, distraction. Although the latter is very controversial." Perhaps it's worth looking into this in more detail.
I'll start with threat defense. Why did I call Grandma Neva (thanks to Luna), although I could have solved this problem quietly and peacefully with the teacher? Everything is simple here. The very presence of potions in Longobot's body indicates that he has already become a participant in the game. And also the fact that he is not considered in any way (such dirty work with potions and the absence of a ring... and only children are capable of this. Although, perhaps, that's what they are). By calling Grandma Nev, I achieved two goals: to show that he has a fairly strong and respected person behind him. And also to remind you that she still remains the Head of the Family (a very strong family, with many vassals, connections and finances), a Strong and Dangerous Magician who loves her family. It's almost as if she won't waste her time on trifles, after all, she's already lost her son and daughter-in-law, and to lose a grandson as well - well, no.
Extra attention is to point out to Nev's grandmother that some kind of game is being played around him. This attracted her, and therefore others, attention. They will be busy doing just that in the near future. This leads to another point - distraction. Yes, it turned out to be peculiar (after all, on the one hand, on the contrary, I attracted him to my person), but this does not negate the fact that most of the views will be transferred from me to Nev and his possible "enemies". I will fade into the background, let them look after me. But here two facts will play for me. First: Rod's interest in Longbot, as well as the power of my teacher (I noticed the looks everyone was looking at her...). So at the moment they will think a couple more times about whether to approach me.
And lastly, investing in the future. The first is the duty of Grandma Neva personally, as well as her family in particular. Augusta herself said that I can contact her, but from the family... Neville is the only heir, I think it's clear here. The second is the teacher's attention. Before, in her eyes, I wasn't someone who could play her game, but now... Poppy understands perfectly well that if I can't see the whole picture, then parts of it can easily. I hope this will make me more careful when creating the next "brilliant" plan with my participation (although here everything can happen exactly the opposite, but nothing can be done about it). And thirdly, the interest of teachers. Each of them has families, friends, vassals, and they may well mention me in conversation, creating a positive reputation around me.
Eh, why is everything like this? After all, initially I just wanted to study quietly, without attracting too much attention to myself, but... Most of my plans were ruined by just one unaccounted for (at that time) unit - empathy. Because of her, I messed up so much in my first year, simply playing too much, that I was afraid. Acquaintance with Flitwick (more deeply), apprenticeship, meeting Potter... But if the first and second can be forgotten for now (nothing is clear yet), then here is the last. It's coming back to me now. This is her attention, plus a brief scuffle in the Hospital Wing. It feels like the world itself has decided to oppose my original goals.
Because of this, I now attract so much special attention to myself. If I can't stop the already moving storm of events, then it's worth at least leading it and directing it in the direction that interests me. But there is still an unspoken struggle between clans for promising vassals. Here, too, something will have to be done (well, shouldn't you reveal to everyone the fact that they have no control over the home? Just the thought of this gives the Merya chills. There's no need to do this).
This is all somewhat complicated...
Extending my hand in front of me, I exposed the back of my palm to the raindrops.
Drip, drip, drip. Drops fell onto the open part of the palm. A fleeting desire and all the water within a meter radius of the hand freezes in the air.
Hundreds of drops floated around me, unable to reach their goal. The magic of Space does not allow them to take a single "step". A small, barely noticeable impulse of mana on my part, and they all freeze, turning into ice crystals. Now around me, right in the air, hung hundreds, if not thousands, of different ice crystals. It was as if time itself had stopped moving.
A light pass with your hand, and this whole picture begins to move, driven by purpose. In the blink of an eye, all the crystals gathered into two figures - an ice phoenix and an ice basilisk. Frozen in front of each other, they looked at each other as if they were alive.
Gradually, a light, barely visible fog from the cold air began to appear around them. With every second it grew, until finally its two parts touched each other.
Hissing, the snake rushed to attack the bird. She, without waiting for her opponent, flew up with a flapping of her wings. The chase began.
The snake inexorably overtook its enemy, but at the last moment it escaped from under its icy fangs. How long this "fight" lasted is unknown. But in an instant all this came to an end.
The ice phoenix deftly dodged and rushed to attack its enemy. Out of surprise, the snake was unable to react, for which he paid. Having overtaken him, the phoenix tore out his eyes with a single movement.
At this point the battle was over. The basilisk froze in a silent cry of pain, and the phoenix victoriously squeezed the eyes of its opponent in its paws.
A slight impulse and two figures explode into myriads of snowflakes, which, once caught in the rain that has once again penetrated here, melted, becoming water again.
-What do you say, Luna? — Without turning around, I asked the girl who had been standing next to me for about ten minutes. - Isn't it too cruel?
"It's beautiful," she said, looking fascinated into the abyss where the remains of this "theater" rushed. "I really feel sorry for the snake," the girl said quietly, looking at me with her magical eyes.
"Ha ha ha," I laughed, putting my hand on her head. - Believe me, you shouldn't feel sorry for her.
"Uh-huh," she nodded, closing her eyes slightly.
Silence. Not many people can appreciate it, but sometimes all you need to do is remain silent. But in silence there are so many secrets hidden...
Drops of rain, as if beating a rhythm, drummed on the stone surface of the tower. Great sound, better than millions of tracks and melodies. Although, like silence, not many are able to appreciate it.
- What do you think, Luna, what are we humans like? — I suddenly asked a question for a girl, looking somewhere up at where the rain begins. - And who do I look like?
Having made a thoughtful pug, the girl looked at me with her silver eyes that were filled with the radiance of molten silver. The magic in it is strong and even very strong.
— People are many beehives that have been united into one. Each "queen" pulls the blanket over herself. And ordinary people only choose the queen to follow. But there are thousands, if not millions, of these kings," she began, nodding importantly.
"Ha-ha-ha, I have never looked at our society from such a perspective," I answered with a slight smile.
"As for Kol," she began, as if I wasn't there at all. - You're like Sid...
"And you're in the same place..." It's definitely Astoria's fault.
"... just wrong," she finished, not paying any attention to my statement. — You collect knowledge, develop... But why? What motivates you? It feels like these are two pillars of yourself because of which you generally live, breathe, exist.
Drip, drip, drip. The rhythm carries thoughts further and further, plunging us into the abyss. But it's true, what motivates me? Why these two "pillars"? What is the reason? After all, there must be goals. And even if I have them, they only touch upon the themes of these "pillars"... To know the world? It's quite possible, but it's not enough. Explore the universe? Who knows?.. Or maybe - to experience the worlds...
And the rain continued, sprinkling our figures with drops of water. But the Moon is only in one mantle. She doesn't have the same abilities as me.
- Not cold? — I finally asked her after ten seconds.
"A little," she whispered, turning her head slightly to the side.
"Well then, let's go, we have to get up early tomorrow," I said, smiling at this animal in human form.
Rising to my feet, I waved my hand to shield us from the rain and dry my clothes. Now there will be no traces.
Taking the Moon by the crayfish, we went downstairs to our living room. At the very staircase I looked again at the leaden sky.
But we, people, are like this rain...
And why does this whole situation make me feel uncomfortable? Conscience? Don't think. What then?
Unclear…