LITMIR.BIZ

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you have the same problems with fire that Yumi has with water.” You also seem like a southern version of Ada to me. There is something of Mirre in you too. I wouldn’t be surprised if I find traits of one of us in you,” Khvoyana unexpectedly declared.

      The southern woman shrugged her shoulders and replied:

      – You know better. I don't know you at all.

      Khvoyana smiled.

      – Nothing, let's get acquainted. We still have to study together,” I said.

      – Zikki, you’re from the Burning Desert, am I right? How did you get into the academy? – asked Adalbjorg.

      “I suspect the same as you.” You are from the Coast of Sharp Blades, am I right? – Zikki retorted.

      Ada laughed contentedly.

      – And I like you!

      “You’re all nothing at first glance either,” the new girl didn’t bother to say anything.

      The girls giggled, and the awakened Simka opened one eye.

      – Can you tell me how you got into the academy? – Zikki asked Ada.

      – Well, what can I tell you? I was sent to one of the boarding houses in Onyx Rocks, in the hope of making a worthy future wife and a noble eshsheri. But the material could not be cut. I turned out to be too much for the boarding house of noble eshsheri, so they simply got rid of the problem pupil at the first opportunity. Do you know what my mentors called me among themselves? Headache! – Ada shared and, in turn, asked: – What is your destiny?

      – Ha! I have a slightly different story, although similar. “I ran away from an imposed marriage,” Zikka responded with frankness for frankness.

      – You have a fiance!

      – Is he handsome? – The Dustrasse twins were seriously excited.

      – I have no idea what he looks like. I’ve never seen him and I don’t want to see him! That's actually why I'm here.

      Vilde began to furiously twirl a curl of hair around her finger.

      – Well, in vain! I should look at him first before running away,” she blurted out.

      “I’m afraid that after we met, I would have become his wife that same day.”

      – Are your rules so strict? – Lisel was surprised, raising her beautiful eyebrows.

      – Something like that. There are too many ancient traditions and conventions in the south. Don’t bother,” Zikki waved it off.

      – But how did you end up among the best students? You are not from the boarding house and, in general, not local. This is against the rules! – Volde noted.

      – Absolutely not according to the rules! In general, I am a fan of breaking rules and traditions. Especially those that I don’t like,” the fire girl agreed with her and winked dashingly.

      – So you also acted through connections, like Mirre? – Vilde frowned darkly.

      – I’m not through connections! – I exploded.

      – Sorry, cousin. I forget all the time.

      This chatterbox made a guilty face. And she really forgot, and didn’t blurt it out to spite me, but I still got angry.

      – But I’m definitely through connections. I swear by the sands! An influential acquaintance helped me,” Zikki said without a twinge of conscience, which completely shocked Wolde.

      – Is it just me, or is there some kind of romantic story behind this? – Khvoyana narrowed her eyes.

      “I don’t think so…” Zikki began and stopped short, but then finished firmly: “No, I don’t think so.” I'm going to study. I want to become a magician of the first circle, and so that no one dares to dictate to me who to marry and who not to marry. Then no. No romance. Only cold calculation.

      The twins looked at each other meaningfully.

      “And we’re going to look for suitors.” Granny said that studying is a secondary matter, and you need to think about the future first,” Vilde unexpectedly said.

      “She even suggested what rules to use to look for suitors,” Volde added.

      – No, yes. What a granny, such a future… – I couldn’t restrain myself from teasing.

      Here even the silent Yumi could not stand it and smiled.

      – Like this! Some are running away from marriage, while others are looking for it. How different our lives are! – Lisel sighed.

      – Zikki, who helped you get in? – Vilde asked curiously.

      – Let me keep this a secret. Maybe someday I'll tell you later. If we become friends…

      –What did I say? This is in you from Mirre! – Khvoyana exclaimed joyfully.

      There was a knock on the roof of the stagecoach, and Uncle Alan's voice was heard:

      – Chatterboxes! You should calm down, you have to get up early tomorrow!

      Heeding his words, we began to settle down for the night. They straightened the pillows in dark blue pillowcases with an embroidered gold wheel – the sign of the Travel Bureau. We wrapped ourselves in thin blue blankets and tried to sleep.

      Well, well… For some time there was snoring, the girls were spinning and sighing. Only Adalbjorg almost immediately began to breathe regularly. The northern woman knew how to fall asleep as if on command in any conditions and position.

      – Ada? – Zikki called in a whisper, unmistakably choosing the only person who was actually asleep.

      – M? – the northern woman answered her, waking up sleepily.

      –Where are the other two?

      The answer was silence. The other girls also held their breath.

      – Who are you talking about? – Ada asked when the silence dragged on.

      – Well, there should be ten adepts, but there are only eight of us.

      “They will arrive on their own,” Lisel answered instead of Ada.

      It seemed like both she and Zikki knew a little more than the others. How interesting!

      We arrived at the academy early in the morning. The stagecoach, hovering above the ground, did not make the usual sounds of wheeled transport, and only the paws of the wolves rustled barely audibly on the pavement, and their heavy breathing could be heard. The last part of the journey was constantly uphill, and the animals were quite tired. We entered the tall gate in almost complete silence. Only a huge raven croaked deafeningly as it flew up from the wrought-iron fence. A fine autumn rain was drizzling, and the wind hit the wall of the stagecoach in gusts, causing it to sway.

      “It’s a bit gloomy…” Zikki drawled, looking out the window.

      “Just like home,” Ada sighed with nostalgia.

      The girls, who were sitting at the ready, reached into their bags in search of warm clothes. I didn’t move, I managed to dress properly right away. Another hour before arrival. Ashsher Nett warned us, so I pulled myself together and pushed the sleepy Simka out of the stagecoach.

      We soared past dark gray, squat buildings that formed an entire street. Water dripped from the gable roofs, flowing down the drainpipes. Crows sat here and there, and the cries of seagulls could be heard from afar – the Academy of Wind and Storms was located above the sea. Once upon a time there was a castle in which the founder of the educational institution lived. Later, both the castle and a small village nearby were converted into an academy, and people moved a little further away so as not to be at risk. Living next to inexperienced elemental magicians is still fun.

      The stagecoach stopped in the driveway of the tallest building where the academy was located.

      – Eshsheri, let's go out! – Uncle Alan commanded.

      I

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