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correct tone for a real lady» that you will climb the wall! And an apology won’t help.

      – This is unfair! Why should everyone be punished? Can’t I complain about them? I looked at Ismeralda, seeking her understanding or advice. I knew from her face that she was frightened. It seems that the threat to sit out on the day off for additional exercises was real.

      – Yes, I remember how on New Year’s Eve I rewrote «One Hundred Rules of Lady Conduct.» It’s a pity I don’t remember them. Or was it for Christmas?

      – I, as the headman, in turn will talk with Jamely and Matilda. I will forbid them to come near you. Good? Did you agree?

      I nodded. What can you do about it. I was new to this learning environment and could be wrong. And I also didn’t want to spoil my relationship with my headman, Suzanne. She calmed me down, took my side, brought an ice cream tube. In a word, I tried to help everyone I could.

      – Good. – I said so softly that I myself barely heard my own voice. And then all the weight of the resentment fell from my shoulders. I rubbed my eyes and noticed that the room was more welcoming and nicer than a minute ago.

      – I think it was Christmas. – Thought aloud Ismeralda. – Susie, don’t you remember, huh?

      – Ismerald, I don’t like being called that. You know.

      – Yes, sorry. I forgot. You are half French.

      – Right, half. And I’m proud of my French roots. And this «Susie» of yours sounds like a commoner from the English countryside. As if I were a laundress or some kind of cook!

      I laughed. Suzanne’s business tone and her comparison with the washerwoman struck me as funny. Suzanne turned to me and smiled too.

      – Hmmm. And I like that name. It’s so kind.

      – Ismerald!

      – I understand you. I will try to remember.

      – Yeah, try! – Suzanne snapped and in turn answered: – And buy yourself a new wand. This one is broken.

      – I like this. Ismeralda tossed her wand and deftly caught it. At the same time, she had to flop down on the feather bed.

      «This is how I feel the magic inside the wand. And I understand her better. Do you want to try?

      Ismeralda handed her wand to Suzanne. She pulled away:

      – Thank you, I am not eager. I have to go. I have a lesson in five minutes. I don’t want to be late. Suzanne fluttered out the door. Before she had time to close, Suzanne’s head stuck back into the room.

      – Check your schedule. Suddenly you too have a lesson now.

      It was already meant for me. I hastily unrolled the sheet I received from Madame Brutilde and frowned. Numbers, a bunch of incomprehensible words. It takes time to figure out the schedule.

      – Ismeralda, tell me what lessons I have today.

      – So-ak. Ismeralda dropped her wand and took the leaf. – Look, right here. Today is the second day of the school week. The first one has already ended. He was yesterday. So-ak. At ten o’clock you have the Wizard’s Water Course, the first Grant.

      – Thank! – I was delighted. My first lesson at a magic school. Great.

      – It’s time for you to go. – Graduated from Ismeralda.

      I looked at my watch on my left wrist. Twelve twenty, arrows pointed.

      – Lesson in fifty minutes.

      – It can not be. Look. Ismeralda slipped into her pocket.

      – What time is it now? – I turned to Ismeralda, fearing that I was in the wrong time zone. What if here time goes an hour ahead?

      – An hour of the day and five minutes. – Ismeralda glanced at the small gold dial and before hiding the watch back in her pocket, bent her left ear towards them.

      – What about? Is it already 1 pm? – I didn’t believe it.

      – And five minutes. Ismeralda repeated slowly.

      – You take it wrong.

      – Not. Today, after breakfast, I put them on the big clock in the main hall.

      Clock in the hall! I completely forgot. Madame Director, Brutilde, told me about this watch. The Nordlig school lives by the time set by this clock.

      I began to quickly take off my clothes. I had to change into school uniforms as soon as I came.

      Chapter 8. Introductory course of the wizard

      I never thought that I don’t know so much yet. My grandmother studied with me at home, I read books, and then I felt like a complete beginner.

      My first lesson

      I jumped out of my room onto the stairs and almost rolled head over heels down. I managed to grab hold of the window opening in the wall in time. So I just stretched out on the sharp steps and whined. My school bag flew further. It contained my new stick, my old grandmother told me to leave at home, notebooks and writing utensils. Plus a schedule sheet.

      I rose gently and cautiously walked down to the common room. An alarmed girl was waiting for me near the door from the tower. She knew my name and babbled quickly:

      «Suzanne asked me to wait for you. We ran quickly, otherwise we won’t have time! – And the girl immediately jumped out the door.

      I thanked Susanna in my mind and hurried after the girl. Her white hair was pulled back into a neat, short ponytail that bounced up and down with every step.

      – Wait! I can’t keep up with you! – I croaked, feeling pain in my knee after falling on the stairs. The girl stopped at the end of the corridor and shook her fists.

      – My leg hurts. – I complained, fearing that the girl would run forward again and this time leave me.

      – Hurry! – Begged the girl. – Cornelie and Bridget are probably already in class! And because of you, I’ll be late!

      – Do you know where we have a lesson? – I clarified, remembering the entry in the schedule.

      – I know. Come on!

      And the girl ran again. I hobbled along as fast as I could. And fortunately, the pain in my knee suddenly disappeared.

      In turn, I tried to strike up a conversation, make friends with my guide and somehow distract myself from fear, appear at the door in front of the full class and explain why I came later.

      – My name is Rosealynn. But you can also Rose. – Breathing heavily into the back of my guide, I whispered.

      – I know, I know! – Suddenly whispered plaintively «my guide» and slowly trudged off, listening to the sounds in the empty corridor. I took a step, realizing that my steps are loudly echoing throughout the school. There was no one in front of the class. And now a solemn, strict silence reigned around.

      To my deep relief, the door to the classroom was open. Perhaps we still made it?

      There were only three boys and three girls in the room. They sat at their desks and turned when we appeared. I counted, we only have eight students. I breathed a sigh of relief. I have never liked large groups. Sitting down at the desk right behind the black-haired boy, I noticed that my companion sat down in the empty seat on the left. And then I saw «her». Matilda, my co-abuser and friend of Jacqueline! She was sitting in the farthest row from me. I felt a surge of anger again. Matilda glared viciously in my direction. I remembered what Susanna said.

      And then I noticed the teacher. In a blue, seemingly airy robe, she seemed to float through the classroom and stopped

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