malicious magic or, at least, break the damn bracelets. A white shroud flashed before my eyes for a second, and when it had faded, all the unpleasant sensations disappeared at once.
"Not bad. Very good, actually!" the instructor's voice lost its threatening tone. "Fourth level on your first attempt. Now dismiss the Source!"
I gently released the Source—my feet had already been freed.
"What, is that all?"
"Yes," the instructor announced cheerfully, "but I have to remind you that you must not disclose to anyone the essence of the ritual. If our actions lose their surprise factor, we would have to go much further, up to the actual harm. Do you understand me?"
At that time I was ready to understand anything in order to cut and run. One of the assistants offered me water and energizers, and another advised me not to hurry, but I brushed off their help and broke through to the door. Already at the exit, I ventured to ask: "Why we are not allowed doing it ourselves?"
"If you hadn't noticed, a modulating spell is set on the room. It directed the energy of your call and helped create a secure channel for your Power. The first time the control is very important; after the Empowerment had happened, it would be almost impossible to change the characteristics of the Source. Don't worry! The ritual took place almost without deviations."
"Deviations?" I instantly tensed up.
"Judging by what I've seen, you will show one particular talent."
"Which one?"
"If you attend your classes regularly, I will tell you at the end of the year."
What a bastard! It must be a common feature for those who teach dark magic—the ability to drive a student into frenzy. Oh, yeah, I will be attending his lectures! And he will regret that.
That was it—no more secret rituals. Screw that! Having climbed the steep stairs, I literally tumbled out into the hall. I was greeted with ceremonious applause. Quarters smirked brazenly behind the backs of the university authorities. Who let him in on the event for the dark? Dean shook my hand; the instructor slipped me some sort of paper to sign and a numbered token that would be exchanged for a magician's seal upon graduation. I no longer had to fear wearing the shackles of deliverance .
The goblin in the uniform gloomily watched the process of my legalization. I smiled. A smiling dark mage is quite a sight! He couldn't do me any harm now! Officially, I had just been initiated; to prove the opposite he would have to bring the memory crystal and explain why he had not done that before. This subtle psychological point was taken into account by Uncle Gordon and me. Had the brave cop's sense of duty prevailed over his selfish interests, we would have found ourselves up a creek without a paddle. But the dark mages are quite selfish and measure others' corn by their own bushel. In short, we bet on his cowardice and didn't lose.
The goblin waved at me, calling me over. Others sharply stepped aside.
"How are you," I welcomed him.
"Fine... Captain Baer."
With some delay, I realized that the captain was him.
"What can I do for you?" I inquired politely.
"I... would like to offer you an apology."
"For what?" I replied lively.
"You know!" the captain-goblin cut me off.
I shrugged: "I forgive everyone!"
Goblin looked me up and down, and then pulled out a plain business card with NZAMIPS logo. "If you have a problem," he nodded meaningfully, "do not hesitate to contact me."
"Thank you, Officer!" I grinned.
He paused for a moment, thinking (I was prepared to use the instructor as a shield), then nodded and returned to his place.
I looked around, trying to determine what effect I produced on others. They all stared at me somewhat strangely. Assured that there wouldn't be any speeches given, Quarters took me by the arm and dragged away. I didn't have the strength to protest. Everyone wanted to lay a hand on me that day...
The assistants
"Not bad. Very good, actually!" the instructor's voice lost its threatening tone. "Fourth level on your first attempt. Now dismiss the Source!"
I gently released the Source—my feet had already been freed.
"What, is that all?"
"Yes," the instructor announced cheerfully, "but I have to remind you that you must not disclose to anyone the essence of the ritual. If our actions lose their surprise factor, we would have to go much further, up to the actual harm. Do you understand me?"
At that time I was ready to understand anything in order to cut and run. One of the assistants offered me water and energizers, and another advised me not to hurry, but I brushed off their help and broke through to the door. Already at the exit, I ventured to ask: "Why we are not allowed doing it ourselves?"
"If you hadn't noticed, a modulating spell is set on the room. It directed the energy of your call and helped create a secure channel for your Power. The first time the control is very important; after the Empowerment had happened, it would be almost impossible to change the characteristics of the Source. Don't worry! The ritual took place almost without deviations."
"Deviations?" I instantly tensed up.
"Judging by what I've seen, you will show one particular talent."
"Which one?"
"If you attend your classes regularly, I will tell you at the end of the year."
What a bastard! It must be a common feature for those who teach dark magic—the ability to drive a student into frenzy. Oh, yeah, I will be attending his lectures! And he will regret that.
That was it—no more secret rituals. Screw that! Having climbed the steep stairs, I literally tumbled out into the hall. I was greeted with ceremonious applause. Quarters smirked brazenly behind the backs of the university authorities. Who let him in on the event for the dark? Dean shook my hand; the instructor slipped me some sort of paper to sign and a numbered token that would be exchanged for a magician's seal upon graduation. I no longer had to fear wearing the shackles of deliverance .
The goblin in the uniform gloomily watched the process of my legalization. I smiled. A smiling dark mage is quite a sight! He couldn't do me any harm now! Officially, I had just been initiated; to prove the opposite he would have to bring the memory crystal and explain why he had not done that before. This subtle psychological point was taken into account by Uncle Gordon and me. Had the brave cop's sense of duty prevailed over his selfish interests, we would have found ourselves up a creek without a paddle. But the dark mages are quite selfish and measure others' corn by their own bushel. In short, we bet on his cowardice and didn't lose.
The goblin waved at me, calling me over. Others sharply stepped aside.
"How are you," I welcomed him.
"Fine... Captain Baer."
With some delay, I realized that the captain was him.
"What can I do for you?" I inquired politely.
"I... would like to offer you an apology."
"For what?" I replied lively.
"You know!" the captain-goblin cut me off.
I shrugged: "I forgive everyone!"
Goblin looked me up and down, and then pulled out a plain business card with NZAMIPS logo. "If you have a problem," he nodded meaningfully, "do not hesitate to contact me."
"Thank you, Officer!" I grinned.
He paused for a moment, thinking (I was prepared to use the instructor as a shield), then nodded and returned to his place.
I looked around, trying to determine what effect I produced on others. They all stared at me somewhat strangely. Assured that there wouldn't be any speeches given, Quarters took me by the arm and dragged away. I didn't have the strength to protest. Everyone wanted to lay a hand on me that day...
The assistants
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