The Azuin university: Professor’s exam
Darine Zoyar

Cover designer Marina Chemakina

© Darine Zoyar, 2024

© Marina Chemakina, cover design, 2024

ISBN 978-5-0064-2583-5

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

Professor’s exam

Prologue

Footsteps were heard in the gallery outside the door, and the heart stopped for a moment. The fear of being caught right at the scene of the crime responded with a tingling sensation in the spine and a whole horde of goosebumps on the back. Now, in the next moment, the round brass knob will turn and…

No, it’s gone… Whoever it was, he passed by, glory to the Dark One!

Wait a few more seconds and you’re ready to get down to business.

A tiny light flashed on the fingertips, illuminating a piece of the surrounding space. It’s hard to see, of course, but the Guards can react to something more serious. If they’re on display here at all. Meadowill was an old asshole, he could have lied.

Never mind, step by step…

Over there, in that corner, in the center of the map…

Closer… And a little more…

There is so much rubbish here: not the office of the vice-rector, but some kind of warehouse! You’ll catch something, you’ll knock it down… Everybody will run in at once.

A speck of light danced on the wall. The hand went higher, almost touching Lake Sol, so realistically depicted on the oak panel. Yes! It is here!

A small voice began to weave incantations, their ornate, sparkling paths following the movements of fingers over the glass waves.

After a few minutes, which seemed like hours, as usual, a shimmering greenish spot began to loom beneath the blue surface. With each word spoken, it took on a more pronounced form, and soon it lit up in an even pattern of tangled spirals and angles. The Stamp of Rennes! Here it is! So, it’s all true…

The heart skipped a beat.

The last sentence slipped from the lips almost inaudibly.

The Stamp flickered and went out, leaving a black hole the width of a fist in its place.

Damn it, what if there’s a guard inside?!

The palms were sweating, but there was no time for fear.

The hand quickly sank into the hole and immediately came back. The fingers gripped the small figure tightly, its sharp curves ready to cut through the skin.

However, the pain didn’t matter.

Got it…

Chapter 1

The second semester at Azuin-up-Farinech promised to be hot.

Yes, I knew very well that it was already the first month of winter, but for some reason I was sure that I would not notice the cold.

Hah! For some reason… We know why. More precisely, from whom…

Erchin Mavinus is our new professor of monstrology.

Cold, arrogant, snarky ass…

Yes… ass… His ass is what you need…

Here we go again!

I shook my head, pushing away the obsessive thoughts about the professor’s figure.

And why is the world so unfair?! Why couldn’t this guy be a lousy old man or a nice aunt like Ginnessa?

He walks around the faculty, smiling. The girls are just admired him. I wouldn’t be surprised if some guys are too…

I remembered our first meeting. It was impossible to imagine that it would have turned out worse than it actually was three months ago.

***

The noise outside the door caught my attention, and I went out to see who was making a mess on the first day of the school year. Jerry, the devil would have taken him away. Jerry missed the swinech again.

And, of course, who did this drooling and slime monster rush to? Naturally, to the owner of the chotta. To me, that is. What is it that attracts so many different animals to each other that even the smell makes them lose their heads? Who would have known? But the result is always the same.

With a screech and an excited grunt, the swinech flew straight at me, knocking down the gaping students.

I pressed myself against the wall, bracing myself for the inevitable. I was saved from the miserable fate of being licked from head to toe by someone’s brief call. The beast stopped dead in its tracks, just half a meter from my knees. It snorted and twitched loudly, looking annoyed, but it didn’t move.

Looking up from the blunt-eared gray muzzle staring at me, I finally got a look at my savior. My mouth parted, but I couldn’t get a sound out and just stared silently at the man approaching.

Saint Ignalia! I think I have a fever… overheated by the fireplace, no less…

Gray, no, silvery eyes under the whimsically curved arches of the eyebrows looked straight into the soul… And, I wouldn’t be surprised, they saw all my thoughts… very, very dirty thoughts, so that their…

His blue-black hair, styled in a smooth wave, and day-old stubble framed his chin and cheekbones. Broad shoulders, slim waist and endless legs. A well-tailored gray suit is also a rare phenomenon within the walls of our university. In general, I think I was not the only one whose mouth watered.

Speaking of drooling…

The handsome man held out his hand to me and said:

«Erchin Mavinus.»

…He took a step, slipped and fell under my feet, burying his face straight… right to me… In general, lower than the abdomen… ahem…

At the same moment, he abruptly pulled away and jumped up, leaving me with trembling knees and wet panties.

His convulsive apologies, as well as the laughter of those around us, I remember very vaguely. At that moment, all I could see was his head between my legs. Damn, this is something I’ll never forget.

To make a long story short, Jerry’s beast had a puddle of drool all around him. A puddle, leather boots, marble… Well, that’s how it happened. There’s nothing to blame my savior for. Except for my sexual dissatisfaction, yes.

It’s time to ban the keeping of swinechs as pets.

***

Yes, he apologized then. But it turned out that this was an exception to his usual behavior.

After that, he became a real headache with all his self-confidence and «I know how to do best».

However, despite his constant nitpicking and acrimony, condescending treatment of one and all, the university fell in love with him immediately.

Monster science has been chosen by many, but it has never been so popular. The auditoriums were now packed to the brim.

No, we have to give Mavinus his due: he was a genius in his field, and he delivered the material quite well. But he infuriated with his stardom nobly.

And also, by the fact that he paid almost no attention to me. Apart from my mistakes, he never missed an opportunity to poke fun at me.

Of course, I snapped, but let’s be honest, not too much. In fact, half of his remarks turned out to be quite relevant. And what are the remarks compared to the images that filled my mind every time we met. Very sinful images.

In itself, such enthusiasm for the professor did not bode well.

To make matters worse, I was a teacher just like him.

And even worse, I was his boss.

***

So, I’m Zulina Chimer, Dean of the Faculty of zoo-botany at the Azuin University of Magic. I’m twenty-eight, and a lot of people think I got this job at what they say was because of my great tits and cornflower-blue eyes. For some reason, everyone prefers to forget my almost decade-long contribution to the greenhouse cultivation of agmarats and «dragonbone». The fact that teleportation no longer turns the traveler inside out, and therefore has become very common, in fact, opening the borders, is also my merit. What would they do if the agmarats continued to be found only in the farthest thickets, eh? I deserve this place, period.

But what I didn’t deserve was frustrated nerves because of some guy, even if he was so amazing.

I turned the page of the log, made a few notes, compared the entries with the data entered into the system. The graph on the screen floating in the air above the table rose gently upwards. Not too intense, but at least no slumps. This means that our chances for the requested increase in the funding of the faculty have strengthened.

I needed at least a fifteen percent increase in the budget to launch the botanical garden project. The one that the university had now did not stand up to criticism: for example, it was more of a park for walking than a field for science. If we had annexed and cultivated the whole of Meadow, built greenhouses, put the existing collections in order, we could have competed with the Bergar Royal Garden in seven or ten years. I visited that reserve last year… No, "visited " – is too inaccurate a word… I admired, envied terribly, thought of chaining myself in a grove of Murney oaks in the center of the park…

We needed that money.

And some of them, by the way, I intended to earn by inviting Erchin Mavinus to join us. His arrival was supposed to attract new students to our faculty, as well as external listeners. For a fee, of course. And attendance is advertising, popularity. Rector Tahoni adored fame. Sometimes he went too far with this business, but when I look at his management as a whole, the university has gained a lot, and the town has also come to life.

In general, fame is a useful thing, and Erchin uses it to the fullest. As a result, not a day goes by that I don’t see him or hear about him.

So, what do you tell a girl with a vibrant libido to do in such a situation, who hasn’t had even the worst relationship for almost a year?!

Adiree suggests that we go to the Dark World, pick up an incubus. Young and inexperienced, so that you can get rid of him without any problems. Or she laughs and says that I can’t waste time on trifles and approach Saul himself, because he has had his eye on me for a long time. Really? Only the sex demon was that I miss, hah! And about Saul… he and I are friends, if we look for a definition of this, and nothing more. He’s an interesting man, in his own way. It’s only Sunny who flinches at the mention of him, as if the guy is the quintessence of evil. Well, not an angel, but not that scary. But in bed… No, no, no. I’m not suicidal.

However, the one I dream of is no safer.

Erchin is a monster tamer. Everyone knows him as such person. But for some reason, it seems to me, the main monster is hiding inside him. So why don’t I mind feeling his claws on my neck?

Maybe Adiree isn’t so wrong. We should get out as girls, have a party. There seems to be no shortage of men in the world.

There was a loud knock on the door, and it swung open before I could say a word.

«How’s my beloved dean?»

Well, of course, who else could break in so unceremoniously.

«Hello, Professor Mavinus,» I muttered, trying to sound a little friendly. «Both I and the faculty are fine, thank you for your interest.»

He grinned and, without waiting for an invitation, sat down in the chair across from me, unbuttoning his dark blue striped jacket and stretching out his long legs.

«There’s a conversation, I don’t know if I’ve interfered…»

I sighed: when Erchin looked at me like that – when he looked at me at all – I was ready to find time, no matter what nonsense he came with.

«Go ahead.»

«I have some idea for the project of a botanical garden. As I understand it, this is your brainchild?»

I nodded, but didn’t comment.

«Very well,» he moved closer, resting his elbows on the table separating us, as if to make the conversation more intimate, «I think there is something that needs to be reconsidered in it…»

I didn’t have time to hear what exactly he wanted to fix in my precious project, and I didn’t have time to be outraged by his impudence.

The half-closed door swung open again, hitting the wall, letting in a disheveled, panting Sunny.

Already huge, her eyes were almost popping out of their sockets, her cheeks were burning. To be honest, I’ve never seen her so thrilled. Bewilderment and horror were evident on her pretty face.

«The Emerald Azuin has been stolen!» My friend exclaimed, rushing towards me. «He’s free, Zulina!»

Chapter 2

«Holy God! Sunny!» I jumped up to meet her and hit my hip as I rounded the table, but I barely noticed the pain. «Calm down! You’re going to get sick now,» I wrapped my arms around her, forcing her to stop and catch her breath. «Here, sit down.»

We walked over to a couch against the wall of the office, squeezed between huge cabinets, and plopped down on it.

A moment later, a glass of water appeared in front of my eyes, held out by a man’s hand.

Erchin. For a moment, I completely forgot about him. But he was still there, and he was so calm.

Taking the glass, I pushed away my friend, who had already come to her senses a little.

«Here, dear, have a drink, you’ll feel better.»

Sunny drained the glass in two large gulps, not caring how she looked in front of us. Setting it aside, she exhaled, straightened, folded her hands in her lap in her usual manner, and looked at me.

«I’m sorry, Zu! I must have scared you. Maybe I was too worried, but you know… Azuin… I can’t believe it!»

I narrowed my eyes. No, she had no doubt about what she was saying.

«Are you sure, Sunny?»

«Do you think anyone would dare to make a joke like that?!»

«No, I don’t. I have no idea. Probably not. But how do you know?»

«Roginis and Tahoni are there… I mean, in his office, at the Vice-Rector’s. Tahoni is shocked: I’ve never seen him so shocked. And John just tears his hair out and screams all over the west wing. A crowd had already gathered there. Soon the wave will come here too, it’s just that I was the first to run to you… as soon as I heard it.»

«I mean… Did someone remove the protection installed by Roginis? The Stamp of Rennes?» I shook my head in disbelief. «It’s crazy! I didn’t think it was even possible. To open it, and even to extinguish the recoil… It has to be someone very skilled.»

«Level five or even level four, not lower,» Sunny nodded in agreement.

«So, someone with that kind of power infiltrated the university and the Guards were silent? But how?»

She gave me a confused look, then averted her eyes, bit her lower lip, crumpled the fabric of her dress in her lap, as if hesitating to answer.

«Sunny? What? You know something?!»

«No! No, of cause. Just… just… What if no one infiltrated here, huh? That’s why the Guards… While I was running… anyway, that’s the thought, you know?»

I stared at her, beginning to guess what she was afraid to say.

A deep male voice interrupted our silent glances.

«If it’s not someone else, then it’s a local, from university, that’s obvious.»

As if on cue, we turned to Mavinus, who was relaxed in his chair, and he continued.

«This, by the way, is more likely: to steal, you need to know about the object of the theft, where it is, how it is protected, at least approximately. A lot of people in Azuin know this. A symbol, after all.

«But then,» I met Erchin’s gray eyes, blinked, clearing my disheveled thoughts, ran my hand through my hair, brushing back a strand of golden-brown hair that had fallen on my forehead, «then… if he’s one of our colleagues and he was able to break the stamp, then he’s definitely not a student. Really, not all teachers have a fifth level! Sunny and I got ours just recently and…»

«And I have a third, as you know,» added the professor.

«Took the time to brag,» I snorted, and strangely calmed down.

«Ours…» Sunny’s voice trembled, «I can’t believe… it would be terrible,» she threw up her hands, nearly knocking the books off a nearby open shelf. «But, Zu, we don’t care who did it, as long as Azuin is free.»

I shook my head.

«No, no, no. Hang on. It was stolen, but what makes you think they let it go?»

«But why, then…» she wondered. «It’s too much effort for a simple statuette if you don’t release it.»

«For emerald statuette,» Erchin interjected again.

He managed to pull the chair a little closer, and now our company looked almost intimate.

«Not at all,» I said, glad to see the change in his face: I liked to besiege him, even if it was in small ways. «It’s just the name, The Emerald Azuin. Well, yes, it’s green, but it’s just ceramic icing on a stone. Nothing special in terms of self-worth. And from the point of view of art, it is an ordinary craft without frills, to tell the truth.»

The professor raised an eyebrow and looked at Sunny as if he doubted my words. What a dumbass!

She nodded in acknowledgment. Well, after so many years here, it would be unforgivable not to know.

«I see,» Erchin drawled, «thank you for your explanations, dean. But this means that the figure is not going to be sold…»

«It would be better if they were going to,» I interrupted him, «it would be better if it was an order from some dim-witted collector, yes. It’s much worse if the kidnapper doesn’t want the vault, but the prisoner. The devil himself will not say what this may lead to, or what it threatens us, or all of Enthuaria.»

«So, you think all the legends about Azuin’s serpent are true?!» He leaned forward, his hand touching my shoulder.

Devil! Despite the problem that befell all of us, I could not ignore it. The skin that felt the warmth of his hand through the thin fabric of my blouse prickled, hot sparks running all over my body. I suddenly found myself staring at his lips. I wonder how they would feel. I shook his hand off my shoulder, forced a wry smile and responded, trying not to look him in the face.

«Of course. How can you think otherwise?»

«We grew up here,» Sunny said, «and we all know it’s not a legend, it’s a reality, just a very old one. You’re new here, that’s why you’re hesitating yet,» she smiled softly and gently.

Erchin smiled back at her, making me twitch in anger. Well, of course! Everyone is glad to see our blonde darling. Who wouldn’t fall in those turquoise, lagoon-like eyes?! Okay, wait. What’s that… jealousy?!

I even turned away from the couple across from me.

What nonsense! Did I just get mad at my best friend because of some male?! Ugh, idiot. Jinx, we need to listen to Adiree and go to the Dark World. Wait a minute… A Dark World?

I coughed and they both stared at me.

«What is it?» Sunny was worried about me now, and she got up and went to fetch water.

«No, don’t, sit down. Just a thought came,» I tapped my finger on my temple. «If it’s not ours, which I hope it is, it’s most obvious to look for a thief in the Dark World. I can’t imagine that anyone here would decide to contact the power of the Azuin serpent, but over there… There’s a lot of… There are a lot of powerful demons and idiots who want to climb something like that. And it’s easier for a demon to break the Stamp of Rennes: there’s less chance of getting burned. We have to check it out!»

I jumped up, about to continue my tirade, but I was interrupted again. The door opened once more.

The second commandant burst into the room, a short man with a remarkable physical strength that was so incongruous with his cute image of a chubby.

Pulling up the greenish uniform that stretched over his vast belly, he said:

«In connection with an unprecedented event – the alleged theft of the precious artifact The Emerald Azuin – by the will of the Rector Tahoni, the university is declared a temporarily closed territory. Teachers and students are not allowed to leave its walls, meaning the main buildings and the territory of the college’s settlements, until further notice. Each of those present will be called in for an additional interview when competent specialists arrive,» he looked around the three of us, making sure he had been heard, and chuckled. «Sit in your seats, in short, and don’t set foot in the city until the rector and the investigators allow it, okay?»

After waiting for our nods, he left, slamming the door, as always, not commensurate with the effort exerted. Even the glass in the window on the opposite wall rattled with the bang.

Outside, in keeping with our mood, gray clouds crept over the university from behind the Ney Ridge, reflecting like dark shadows in the turbulent waters of the Farinech.

Chapter 3

It was a lousy morning.

More precisely, it was unpleasant: firstly, it was still pouring outside, and since it was already December, it could not be called a warm rain; secondly, we will obviously be interrogated today.

Yesterday, despite the fact that we sat in our offices until late at night, the investigators did not have time to talk to everyone, as well as to inspect the countless premises of the university. So now this confusion threatened to continue, and it did not bode well.

In the evening, Adiree burst in, snorting and growling in annoyance. She was so angry that her scarlet hair, which was so bright beyond belief, was ablaze. Someone had definitely managed to infuriate the Demonology Professor, who was usually quite unflappable.

«How dare he!» She said as she flew into the office. "Who let this bloodhound think he was in charge, huh? As if he thinks I’m some kind of tramp!» She sat down on the couch, snorted again, and said, «I need a drink. Do you have anything?»

I shrugged my shoulders and grinned knowingly: not that I set up a bar here, but I did stash some supplies in case I was in a bad mood. Getting up from the table, I walked over to the book-filled bookcase by the window, pulled out a couple of tomes from the middle shelf, fumbled with my hand in the vacant space, and pulled out a small bottle. A liquid as green as young leaves splashed in the frosted glass.

«Whoa!» Adiree leaned forward at the sight of the bottle and licked her lips in anticipation. «May absinthe? Wow, girl, I didn’t know you were into that.»

I giggled.

«No, not really. It’s just that the whiskey has long since run out. Well, remember, back then, about three months ago, when your Oris had evaporated and we were going to… console ourselves…» I winked at her, and she burst out laughing, remembering her recent follies. «And one autumn I was in the Dark World, hmm…» She stopped laughing and raised an eyebrow in interest. «One word led to another and Saul gave me this as a gift.» I plopped down beside her and poured a few drops of the drink into the small coffee cups on the table: for some reason I didn’t have any glass for shots.

«Yeah, Saul» Adiree’s eyes, green as absinthe, flashed like eyes of a cat scenting a bird. «Of course. Our darling, longing for you incubus…»

«Not at all, I’ve told you a hundred times. Nothing more, just a good buddy… well, as far as a demon of his level can be a buddy.»

«I don’t believe that Saul was just friends with a woman from the Core World! Nope… he’s just waiting for a chance to drag you into bed,» she tipped the glowing liquid into herself in one gulp.

«Ugh… don’t be like that,» I took a sip of absinthe, tart and sweet, gently enveloping my mouth, not feeling strong at all. «He’s not dragging you or Sunny to bed by the way.»

«I’m not sure he even knows the word ’bed’,» she smiled again. «As for me, it’s not surprising: demons don’t like demonologists too much, to tell the truth, they barely tolerate them. As for Sunny…» Adiree shook her head, but didn’t elaborate. «Nice stuff,» she reached for the bottle and refilled her cup, but now she drank more slowly, savoring it.

«So, what’s the matter with the investigator,» I reminded. The alcohol ran through my veins, causing a pleasant tingling sensation throughout body. A relaxing mist enveloped my head.

«Oh, yes! Screw him!» She leaned back on the couch and stretched, shaking off her irritation. «There are three of them, plus a dozen assistants, but one is clearly in charge. Captain Wolfrock, as he introduced himself. A donkey with a conceit!»

«Well, why don’t you leave the animal to conceit?» We both puffed and coughed.

When she came to her senses, she continued:

«All right, let it be. But not so inflated. Suspect everyone? Suspect me?! Just because I’m a demonologist… Of course. What kind of bias, tell me? He stared at me with those blue eyes and thought we would all go soft at once, huh.»

«So, they think it’s a demon too,» I muttered.

«Yes, yes… reasonably. But what made him think that I would help such a demon or, worse, summon him?»

«Summon? Did he say that?! " I was surprised. «Why did you summon a thief?»

«No, of course not,» Adiree grimaced, «he didn’t do anything like that directly. But how he formulated the questions! Hinted, bastard!»

«Come on, you just misunderstood. That’s their job.»

«His job is to piss everyone off.»

«In a way,» I agreed, «to throw people off balance, yes, to understand better, to make the criminal make a mistake. We had a couple of lectures on this topic in psychology.»

«Phew! You never know… lecture. I had them too, so what?»

«Well, you piss off both humans and demons professionally, there would be someone to complain about.»

«That’s always how you are. I’m me,» she shook her hair. «But some kind of policeman… not even a mage. How dare he?»

«You’ve taken it too personally.»

«You’ll get to him yourself, you’ll find out how he’s trying to turn you inside out, to dig out all the little things, all the dirty things.»

«I don’t think there’s any need to worry too much: our personal affairs are not in his competence, only theft.»

«And how do you manage to stay so calm?»

«It’s all absinthe,» I nodded at the half-empty flask, «we’re getting carried away, huh?»

Laughing again, we forgot for a while about the abductions and the investigators.

And today I had to go for interrogation.

It’s a piece of cake, if only my head didn’t spin like that. Yes, Saul’s gift does not let go for a long time. However, I slept like a baby. And the skin just glows now.

It’s okay, I can handle anyone with a big ego.

After breakfast, I quickly got dressed: a wool pantsuit the color of milk chocolate and a turtleneck the color of cream that looked austere and were practical and warm enough to get to the main building in the incessant rain.

Throwing on my favorite dark cherry coat, I grabbed my purse and umbrella and walked outside from my small cottage near the east wall of campus. Standing on a magnetic platform hidden under a canopy, I flew to work. An investigation is an investigation, but no one has canceled ordinary educational cases, especially for the dean.

Chapter 4

To be honest, the wait was infuriating.

From the beginning of the day, I managed to review and correct some of the documents for the upcoming inter-semester certification, hold a short but intense meeting with the heads of the graduation and pre-graduation groups, finish my presentation on crop production for the first year, and even fly to an experimental greenhouse to check the first results of using a new nutrient solution for agmarates. There, looking at the dark green of the curly bushes, I forgot the folder with the papers, so I had to go all the way from the university and back again. And all this under the rain that shrouded the entire town in a gray shroud.

I waited and waited again. The first to be interviewed today were all the teachers of my faculty. Apparently, they decided to leave the dean for dessert.

So, I didn’t even have time to take a bite of my little afternoon dessert, a chocolate cupcake the size of a ping-pong ball: just as I was putting it to my mouth, there was a knock at the door, and the assistant investigator came in to say that Captain Wolfrock was waiting for me in Vice-Rector Roginis’s office in ten minutes, and left. I shook the sugar powder off my fingers, looked regretfully at the cake, got up and walked over to the mirror. Satisfied with what I had seen – in the reflection I seemed quite confident and business-like serious – I went out, closed my office, and slowly made my way to the fourth floor.

Walking down the main gallery, I turned into a long gut corridor that led to the service staircase, narrow and old, and therefore ignored by many. I just didn’t like to make an extra detour to the central front door.

I walked this way so often that I didn’t expect a trick, and in the first seconds I didn’t even think to scream. Then it was too late: a strong hand clamped over my mouth, while the other dragged me into the darkness of the dusty curtained niche.

A moment later, I found myself in a tiny utility room, with my back against a large, warm body. The arms around me were definitely masculine.

As soon as I came to my senses, I jerked, trying to break free from the strange embrace, but it only tightened more. I shook my head, trying to open my mouth and bite the palm that wouldn’t even allow me to breathe normally.

The hot breath and the light touch of his lips close to my ear made me throb harder.

«Wait! I’m not going to rape you, Zulina. Just don’t scream, okay? It’s just me,» Erchin’s voice struck me so suddenly that I froze.

«Here we go. Just stand still and don’t say anything. Shh…» He lowered his hands, releasing me.

I immediately turned to face him, not hiding my indignation. But it didn’t matter in the darkness: we could only dimly see each other’s silhouettes.

«What the hell?!» I hissed, trying to move away at the same time, but I couldn’t because the room was too small. «What do you do, Professor Mavinus? What kind of joke is this?»

«Wait. Listen,» he put a finger to my lips, strangely finding them in the gloom, «I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, I just didn’t have time to think of anything.»

Struggling to resist the untimely urge to lick the palm pressed against me – now, knowing that it was him, I could not drive away the swarm of uninvited thoughts, especially when he was so close, almost pressing me with his body against the wall – I said again through clenched teeth, but with less irritation:

«What happened that couldn’t wait? What can’t be discussed in my office? Just ask in the hallway? By the way,» I suddenly remembered, «I need to go to the investigator, and you’re detaining me.»

«Yes, yes, that’s why,» Erchin removed his hand from my face and moved, obviously trying to give us some space, but the attempt was not very successful: it was easier to breathe, but our thighs were now almost rubbing against each other, "I needed time to talk before your interrogation…»

«Not really interrogation. Just conversation…»

«Oh, you shall believe me!» He snorted in exasperation. «The captain doesn’t waste time talking. Okay, it’s not about your interrogation, in the grand scheme of things.»

«So, what’s the deal?»

«It’s about me,» Mavinus sighed. «About Azuin, to be exact. More precisely, in their suspicions… against me…»

«Suspicions?!» I gasped. «Do they suspect you too?»

«Too?»

«Well, Adiree said she was hinted to, too…»

«Hah, they hinted! No more hints! They’ve already searched my office…»

«Like most of us,» I interjected.

«And now they’re on their way to my house to turn it upside down,» he growled in displeasure, moved again, touching my chest, which sent hundreds of hot lights through my body. «I have nothing to do with it. Why the hell are they going to get into my life?!»

«Ahem,» I shook my head, focusing on the topic of the strange conversation, «it’s just their job. They’re checking everyone, why are you so excited? You know,» I finally protested, «this trick of yours,» I waved my hand, circling the space around us, «it’s not in your favor. Why do you have this kind of behavior if you have nothing to do with it?»

«Do you think I…»

«No, I don’t think so. Why do you need such a headache as the snake Azuin? Only a crazy person will voluntarily make contact with it. But why did you drag me here?!»

«It was necessary that no one saw me talking to you before the interrogation. They may draw the wrong conclusions…»

«And so they’ll draw the right one, of course! Squeezing into dark, dusty corners is exactly the right conclusion that the dean and his teacher need, yes.»

Erchin shifted from foot to foot, wheezing strangely.

«No, of cause. Sorry… It was awkward. But you’ve already gone there, and… I did it faster than I thought…»

«Men… Pff…»

«I just… Anyway, listen,» he took me by the shoulders, «help me.»

«Help?! But with what?»

«Just don’t take for granted everything Wolfrock tells you. And remember, I had nothing to do with it. And you’re the dean, and…»

«Do you think,» I said, «that I’m going to help you get away with it because I’m your boss? What the heck…»

«Oh, no. Think so… More precisely, not to go out, but simply not to get bogged down deeper. You see, if my boss is going to have doubts, then these bloodhounds are even more so. It’s just that believe me, I have nothing to do with it.»

«We’ll see who’s what,» I stepped to the side, pulling back the curtain and shaking his hands off my shoulders. «I’ll draw my own conclusions…»

«I just wanted you to understand…»

With a grunt, I slipped out of the alcove, dusted myself off, and began to go up the stairs.

Perhaps it seemed to me, but at some point the professor wanted more than just understanding…

***

John’s office faced west, and the sight of the sun beginning to set shocked me. It’s not that I’m new to such sights, but as long as I’ve been studying and working here, I’ve never seen the windows and the whole this office so free of clutter.

Well, not garbage, just miscellaneous furniture – cabinets, chests of drawers, bookcases, tables, chairs, stools and stepladders, equipment – appliances, cones, sets of chemicals, artifacts of all kinds from different parts of the world, thousands of books and hundreds of gifts. Today, the holy of holies of Vice-Rector Roginis seemed almost empty. The carved three-dimensional maps of our Enthuaria, Bergar, and other states of the Core World, which occupied the entire far wall, were now especially striking: magnificent works of art, after all.

«Damn! I thought only the Emerald Azuin had been stolen, but I see it’s more serious. The thieves did their best,» the smile on my face quickly faded as soon as I met the man sitting at the huge desk. Yes, the joke failed, it seems.

The captain – evidently, he was – was not a bilious old man at all, but a young man of interesting appearance – not particularly remarkable, at first glance, but for some reason not allowing you to take your eyes off.

He was of medium height, as far as I could tell, with wheat-brown hair, a little longer than is customary for civil servants, a sharp, well-groomed goatee, and penetrating eyes as blue as mountain lakes. A blue shirt and a dark jacket… The guy was handsome, if you look closely: he was spoiled only by tightly pressed lips and strictly knitted eyebrows. However…

That «however» I didn’t think of: he finally deigned to introduce himself.

«Greetings, Dean Chimer. I’m Captain Christophe Wolfrock, Senior Investigator for Special Cases at the Azuin Office for the Supervision of Magical Phenomena. I am glad that I can talk to you.»

Neither «hello» nor «sit down» for me. He didn’t even deign to get up from the table. Yes, politeness is clearly not taught in these detective universities, or whatever it is. Pff…

Without asking permission, I sank into the chair opposite him, carelessly straightened my hair, and, putting on all the sternness of which I was capable, addressed the man who had so intimidated my friends:

«Good afternoon, Captain. I’m ready to answer your questions.» I wasn’t going to get nervous and take the situation too personally. To be honest, I hadn’t recovered from our little close encounter with Erchin yet, so I had a lot to worry about other than this question… or interrogation, judging by the stories.

He leaned forward slightly, looked at the papers on the tabletop, pulled out a small colored card, and pushed it toward me.

«Here. Do you recognize it?»

The photo was small and old, I did not take it in my hands, but only bowed my head a little lower, peering at the image.

«Yes and no,» I shrugged and looked directly at the investigator; strangely enough, he was silent, asking no further questions and giving me a chance to speak myself; knows how to play these games, ahem. «Yes, it’s Emerald Azuin, obviously. I’ve seen paintings – not photos, really, – and I’ve read something about the symbol of our university, like everyone else, I think, who has anything to do with it. No, because I’ve never seen him «live’, so to speak. That is, I did not see the figure itself, not to mention the snake…»

«A snake…» He slammed his fingers on the table. «So, you think the serpent exists.»

«That’s what I used to think. But, of course, I can’t vouch for it. The statuette is a little over seven hundred years old, you know. I’m a little bit younger,» I smiled, but Wolfrock was serious.

«Tell me what you know about this sculpture and about the dragon.»

«I’m sure you’ve already been told. As far as I know, you have already interviewed most of our teachers, including specialists in zoology, monster studies, demonology, and others. They’re definitely more competent at it. I’m on the plants…»

«I understand. But I would like to hear from you as well. I need to put everything in my head very accurately, without gaps, collect all the crumbs of information. Even in the capital, they are very concerned about what happened, as I was informed. It’s all pretty strange…»

«Oh, I see,» I nodded, «that sounds like an old fairy tale to a no-mage, doesn’t it?»

«Something like that,» he looked at me for the first time with real interest. «Will you tell me?»

«Of course, there’s nothing to hide. What should I start with… In general, about a hundred years after the foundation of our university – at that time there was only a tiny village here – a celestial serpent appeared in the area, that is a dragon named Azuin. The beast was as old as the world itself, and, as it said, tired of life, but at the same time its magical aura was so strong that it interfered with any practices of local sorcerers. It even directly undermined their health. And it, the serpent, lay down there on the hills,» I waved my hand toward the window, where beyond the waters of the Farinech I could see the waves of the evergreen foothills of Ney. «Well, it didn’t want to fly anywhere. Farther… the then heads of the university somehow came to an agreement with it. In short, dragon went into hibernation, hiding its strength, and the mages promised to keep it safe and peaceful. And the continuation of the practices in this place, next to the statuette, preserved its strength. Or even multiplied, no one can say here. So, it slept until now…»

«Do you think it’s awake now?»

«I don’t know that. It doesn’t feel like it, and if it does, it’s not here, it’s somewhere far from here, otherwise we would have felt it. But on the other hand, why steal it if not for liberation?»

«Will the one who frees it get something?»

«I don’t know. But he probably expects to get it. To be honest, the thief doesn’t bother me too much: he probably won’t be able to cope with what he’s done. As for the serpent itself,» I shook my head, «if the legends don’t lie, the entire Core World will be shaken.»

«But there are dragons now. Other…»

«That’s exactly what the others are,» I rolled my eyes, amazed at his ignorance. «The entire tribe of Azuin’s, the ancient primordial dragons, is gone. Just like it, to artifacts, to the Dark World, or wherever. And those that do exist are side branches. Drakens, of course, are similar to those first serpents, but smaller and nowhere near as strong. Again, they nest far from our cities and settlements, so there is almost no problem from them. Well, sheep are dragged sometimes. Minutiae. And the dracomen are pretty much like us. It is now believed that it is even possible to interbreed with humans, both magicians and ordinary people.»

Wolfrock grimaced at my words.

«Oh, come on. Are you really so squeamish? Compared to those found in the Dark World, the dracomen are just cuties, for example, the families of demons and mages are no longer much surprised. But the experts will tell you about it better. I guess, Saniel Bo – she teaches sociology, or Adiree Quintianu – she teaches demonology… You’ve already spoken, by the way…»

«Yes,» he pursed his lips again and strained, «Dr. Quintianu… with hair… hmm… scarlet, if I’m not mistaken.»

«She is.»

«And who is about the dragons? This is the diocese of your faculty, isn’t it?»

«Well… you could say that. Although, as I said, they are studied in different specializations. From a biological point of view in my department. There is also monstrology, anatomy of species, etc.»

«Monstrology is about the magical powers of various creatures, right?» His blue eyes sparkled.

«Yes, in general terms. Habits, habitats, strengths, weaknesses.»

«I see. And you have a new teacher of this subject, Professor Mavinus, don’t you?»

«That’s right. He moved from the capital this year.»

«Ahem… from the capital? Curiously.»

«Why is that?» I straightened up and narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out what he meant.

«Why would a successful scientist transfer from the capital to the provinces? What could have interested him so much? Not at all…»

«Money,» I interrupted Wolfrock, «a very tidy sum. Our accounting services are probably available to you. So, we chased him for three years and, believe me, when he agreed to cooperate, the offer was more than generous. And Azuin, after all, is not just a province, but one of the most prestigious universities in the entire Core World. Moreover, Professor Mavinus was given the entire department of monster studies here.»

«It’s clear.» He looked at me again. "I think you take his appearance at the university to heart?»

I tried not to blush.

«Me?! Well… Yes, to some extent. As a dean, valuable talent also adds value to my faculty by allowing me to take on projects that were previously difficult to tackle.»

«I see. Let’s change the subject. Where were you on the alleged night of the artifact’s theft?»

I squirmed in my chair.

«At home. In my cottage. Alone. You can check my locks – the opening and closing times are fixed, the data is stored for a week. And then there’s the cameras on the college grounds.»

«Good. Did you know exactly where the artifact was stored?»

«Of course,» I glanced behind him, at the map of Enthuaria in the lower left corner of the wall; the glass waves of Lake Sol cast small rainbows from the rays that penetrated the window, «over there, behind the map. It wasn’t a big secret, you know. Especially considering the Stamp of Rennes…»

«What is the Stamp of Rennes?»

«Oh, it’s a body of spells cast on a material base – here it’s that prism that depicts a lake – very complex, set by the strongest masters.»

«And it can’t be opened?»

«Most people can’t. First of all, it requires a high level of strength – not lower than the fifth, like mine, or even higher, secondly, knowledge of such security systems, thirdly… well, when opened, the stamp burns… on an intangible level. Few people have protection against this kind of influence.»

«Are there such people at the university?»

«Rector Tahoni, Vice-Rector Roginis, of course, of the other seven vice-rectors, I think there are five for sure. As for the teachers, I’m not sure. It’s a very, very serious and rare skill.»

«Can anyone who isn’t from the university possess something like that?»

«Some royal mages for sure, other scholars, I don’t know exactly. And demons, of course.»

«Demons?»

«Yes. In the Dark World, this is a common feature.»

«The skill…»

«No, this is really a feature there. We here have been learning this skill for a long time, but the inhabitants of that world have this innate property.»

«So, the demon…»

«I think so.»

«And why would a demon do that? Theft.»

«How do I know?! They’re demons.»

«No assumptions?»

I sighed loudly.

«Well, to hurt Azuin, university, I mean: we don’t have the best neighborly relations with them. To get the power of the serpent… Damn them.»

«Okay, I get it. That’s all for today. If I need clarifications, you will be called additionally. Try not to leave town unless absolutely necessary,» he stared at the documents in front of him again, abruptly ceasing to pay any attention to me.

Silently rising, I took one last look at the card still facing me, with a small, shiny lacquered emerald-colored figure taken against a plain white wall. The dragon seemed to wink at me with its round yellow eye. I nodded goodbye and left the room.

Chapter 5

Mixing the substrate in the experimental greenhouse the next morning, I went back to the thoughts about stealing. It’s the main news of the semester, or even the year, especially if Azuin will not found.

A chill ran down my spine. If the dragon will not be returned, even more so if he’ll manage to release it from this insignificant shell… devil, what will happen then? How will the force react to such tremendous disturbances in its field? And what if the prisoner himself will be «out of sorts», to put it mildly?

We all take it for granted that the dragon closed itself in the sculpture voluntarily. But what if it’s not? What if it was locked up, forcibly imprisoned? Too many years have passed for the available information to be indisputable. In fact, I have always doubted the explanations offered. Why would a monster shut himself up, limit himself, if he was satisfied with everything then? We are told that we have «agreed» or «come to an agreement», but these are all just words. No paperwork for you. For example, there is no stone stele with runes of the treaty and claw marks (or whatever dragons sign).

On the other hand, I wasn’t so interested in the symbols of the university to study all the sources. Maybe there’s something somewhere.

And what if, after all, it was imprisoned?

Oh!

He is able to destroy half the country if anger freezes his eyes.

Stop! Stop. Dragons are wise, aren’t they? Wise. Even the drakens are said to be very pleasant conversationalists, thoughtful and thorough if they deign to condescend to ordinary mortals. So, dragons even more so. But did Azuin keep that wisdom in prison? Maybe he has dragon Alzheimer’s.

I giggled and shook my head: stupid thoughts. Wiping the sweat dripping from my forehead with my hand – agmarates grew only in a real steam room – I stepped away from the mixer. Then the substrate will go along the distribution conveyor without my control.

I looked around the greenhouse. It was a small space – well, compared to the industrial greenhouses that grow raw materials for sale. However, it contained everything that was needed for primary research: tabletop and hanging containers, mixers, pumps, conveyors, a complex irrigation system, fans and heaters, a brand new control panel, a bunch of sensors and racks with countless flasks, jars, test tubes, and so on, with which I conjured up new nutritional mixtures. In a separate cool room behind the wall there are several microscopes, a file cabinet, a refrigerator with samples, a computer (though without a holographic monitor, as in my office) and, most valuable, journals with all descriptions of experiments.

The results of the work were pleasing. We have been trying to get agmarates to increase the juiciness of their foliage for a year now. It’s simple: more juice – more essence. More essence means easier and cheaper teleporter operation, i.e. the journey itself. More travel, more connections. Development, the economy, and all that, yes.

In principle, there has been progress: we have raised the thickness of the sap-forming layer by thirty percent on average. However, this is only the first or second generation of plants. For breeding, it’s not much. Stable fixation of the trait is what we wanted. And the new greenhouses that will appear if my plan for the botanical garden works will contribute to this.

From the garden, thoughts strangely switched to Erchin. Ugh!

Should he have pinned me down there under the stairs like that?! At night I dreamed of all sorts of things…

Oh no, my professor, I’m going to put you out of my mind today.

The girls and I decided to go to the Dark World and have fun. There is no shortage of attractive and always ready men at Saul’s bar. Not that I’m planning anything far-reaching, but it doesn’t hurt to snuggle up with some handsome guy in a dark corner, huh?

***

After lunch in the cafeteria – my favorite meatballs, as always – I got back to paperwork. The disadvantage of a managerial position is a bunch of reports that are not directly related to my practical activities. And it all takes so long! However, I was helped a lot by Olischka, my deputy, my right hand and in general an irreplaceable person. The methodologists didn’t mess around either, though all four of them were a long way off her. But for a week now, I have more work to do, because she went to the capital, have been improving her skills, comprehending the science of managing complex social systems (it seems so). And then there’s all these limitations… so bad luck to him, a thief, I mean.

The display on the selector lit up, the red light flashed briefly, and the connection automatically turned on.

«Zulina, come to me, please,» the rector’s voice seemed to me somewhat slow. «In ten or fifteen minutes. I’m waiting.»

The machine shut down before I could answer. Tahoni didn’t wait for an answer, though. Would I object?

With the last changes in the report saved, I got up, took a quick look in the mirror by the door, making sure I didn’t look like a mess, and walked out of the office.

Exactly at the appointed time, I stood in front of a tall, narrow door, old and shabby, but still beautiful because of the carvings that covered it. An extremely delicate work, seemingly very fragile – all these leaves, twigs, feathers – but somehow preserved from the very foundation of the university.

After knocking and hearing a short invitation, I entered.

«Close the door, girl. The conversation is not for prying ears.»

Sir Archibald Tahoni, a sturdy man of about sixty, in his usual gray checkered suit, a crisp white shirt buttoned at the neck, and a brown sweater for a waistcoat, was seated, contrary to his custom, not at a huge oak table, but in an armchair by the fireplace. His hunched back and reddened eyes betrayed fatigue.

With a short gesture he invited me to join him for tea, immediately poured a cup from a clay teapot on the table and pushed it in my direction.

Sitting down in the chair across from him, I took a sip of a fragrant drink that smelled of the woods – Tahoni loved herbs – and leaned back on the high back. It’s both comfortable and impossible to relax at all.

He had been Azuin’s rector for nineteen years, and it was hard to imagine what could be otherwise. And today, for the first time, his sunken face made me think that one day someone would replace him. I even put down my tea, suddenly feeling an unusual uneasiness. Tahoni was always dear to me.

Well, not a relative, in the literal sense, it’s just that he had been friends with my parents for a long time, or rather, first of all, with my paternal aunt. He has been to family gatherings and stuff like that. In general, I have known him since I was a child.

In fact, it was Sir Archibald who first noticed my serious interest in horticulture and recommended my parents to pay attention to it. And then, somehow, everything went well: he monitored my progress, helped me with my teachers, convinced me to enter Azuin, supported me in choosing a direction of research (as it turned out, not in vain: I more than met his expectations by taking up the agmarates), and got me a job. No, not the current one, don’t think about it. A simple assistant in the department. And I was elected to the position of dean much later, like everyone else, by a teacher’s vote (well, I do not rule out that the old man had an influence, but he did not drag me up the ladder, that’s for sure). In short, Tahoni wasn’t just a boss, but rather a beloved uncle, so I was worried.

He looked at me for a long time with his warm brown eyes, twirled an empty cup in his hands, sighed, but still did not start a conversation. I was the first to make up my mind:

«Archibald, are you well? You look haggard and…»

He interrupted me, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

«Me? Come on, girl. I’m as healthy as an ox,» he puffed out his chest and flashed his eye, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly in a smile, «no, don’t worry. A little tired, that’s right. And how not to get tired here… Just… you’re in serious trouble, Zulina.»

My eyes bulged out and I muttered awkwardly, too surprised by this turn.

«Oh, dear, and how did we get into this?»

Shaking my head, I finally froze, recovering from the first shock, and clarified:

«Am I in trouble? Really? But what happened? I swear to you, I don’t…»

«Oh, it’s not about you,» he waved vaguely, rubbed the bridge of his nose, then looked at me more intently. «It’s just that the decisions we made weren’t very successful.»

I didn’t interrupt, letting him finish telling what was going on, even though my fingers tingled and my palms suddenly got wet.

«That’s it, girl… You know about the theft. How not to know, eh? Christophe also talked to you – he’s an old acquaintance of mine, by the way, a very meticulous guy – and to everyone at the university. Inspected everything… In general, there are different versions, so far there are few specifics: this crook did not leave any evidence. Clean work. But here’s the thing,» he hesitated, «you had high hopes for this new professor of yours… Mavinus…»

I flinched, but I could only say nothing, nodding.

«Yes… I see it. He is a star… prospects… Your garden… But he played a dirty trick on us, of course.»

A scene in a dusty closet stood before my eyes. «Help…’, «Do not take it on faith…’. Huh, that’s an asshole.

«What?» I could only exhale, already seething with indignation.

«He was searched. His home. Like many. I’ve got it, you’ve got it.»

«Azuin?»

«No, unfortunately. On the other hand, Wolfrock’s men found a collection of books and manuscripts, reports and studies on dragons in general, on artifacts and the Emerald Azuin in particular.»

«Oh, he’s a bastard!» I couldn’t contain my emotions.

«Of course, he said that it was a coincidence, that he explored various aspects of monsterology in these collections, and not at all our symbol. But damn it, it’s a strange coincidence,» the rector snorted loudly.

«Oh, yes. But I…»

«Yes – yes, you have nothing to do with it… directly. But this will affect the entire university, your faculty, and your plans. Trust and finances are always difficult to deal with, you know.»

«Jinx!» I jumped up and down the room. «He’s going to ruin my project! My project! I shouldn’t have relied so much on his ranks. I’ll fire him today…»

«Don’t do that!»

I stared at Archibald, pausing for a moment.

«But at least to mitigate the consequences…»

«That’s the thing, girl,» he chewed his lip as he chose his words, «that’s why our situation is so difficult. No charges have yet been filed against Dr. Mavinus. All evidence is circumstantial. He had, indeed, the right to study all these treatises. Their mere presence in his home does not prove that he was involved in the theft. Although, as I said, it’s still a coincidence.»

«But how…»

«If he is fired now, he himself can accuse us of the illegality of our actions, of bias, of deprivation of the right to work… And then, there’s a chance that he’s really not involved.»

«Yeah,» I snorted. «Got closer… earned his trust…»

«Don’t jump to conclusions, Zulina. Just be on your guard, here. I just wanted to warn you, to prepare you. Also, I think, after a bit of reflection here, that if he’s involved in any way, it’s not directly. That is, he did not steal the artifact. There has to be someone else, it just has to be, I feel. So be careful for that as well. Who knows what kind of thugs the professor might have messed with?» He shook his head and sighed again. «I’d like to believe he’s out of business…»

«What if he escapes?» My brains started working in a practical direction. «How will this affect the university?»

«Don’t worry about that, by the way,» Tahoni smiled broadly for the first time in the meeting. «Wolfrock had it in mind and took care of it. Mavinus was given a tracking seal.»

I opened my mouth in amazement.

«He was indignant, of course, but he didn’t resist. But he can be not in the mood, don’t be afraid. That’s all right. That’s the way the world wags. I wanted you to know, honey. It’s about your faculty.»

«Thank you, Archibald. I appreciate your concern. Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will clear up and Azuin will be found.»

«If only we could do it before it was opened,» he said, looking up at me, and in them I read the real reason for his worries.

«Yes, if only we could make it in time.»

Chapter 6

The «dragonbone» flared up like a mesh in the texture of the universe, revealing a passageway.

The «bone» is not part of the skeleton of magical reptiles at all, as you might think, it is another plant that I am seriously engaged in cultivating.

Visually, it and agmarat are complete opposites: «bone» is a low tree, thin-skinned and snow-white after drying, agmarat is an herbaceous shrub with dark green fleshy stems and leaves. But, by a strange whim of nature, they are very close in purpose. Both are used for locomotion – agmarat essence to stabilize the body during teleportation, «dragonbone» powder to enter the Dark World.

Well, I also need to explain what the Dark World is.

To put it simply, it is a world parallel to the Core World, that is the world we are accustomed to, where we live our lives. Parallel, not in the sense of a «distorted copy», but existing alongside, behind an invisible veil, touching it, but never merging with it. Oh, well, it’s hard to imagine, really. It’s just that when you grow up with this knowledge, this whole structure is perceived naturally.

And yes, it’s not Hell. Neither it nor Paradise exists. Although, it can be said that the Dark World is their inseparable unity.

The Core World is inhabited by humans and mages… predominantly.

The Dark World is filled with demons and angels, ghouls and witches, fairies and unicorns, dwarves, dracomen, chimeras, water elves, flower elves, and the like.

By the way, in reality it is no darker than ours, you don’t have to imagine eternal twilight and lava rivers or whatever. It’s just that at the dawn of the development of magic by the people of the world behind the veil, they were very afraid of its inhabitants, their powers, they invented different things for themselves. And everything frightening is always painted in gloomy colors, and then it has become customary… All those goat horns, boiling cauldrons, sucking blood, and so on, are just from those times. The eyes of fear see danger everywhere, that can I say.

And so, here we are today.

The runes drawn with «dragonbone» sawdust brought us right to the entrance of «Elysium». A fitting name for a demon’s bar, huh? Saul always had a sense of humor… hmm… peculiar sense of humor.

The sign glowed a dull reddish-pink, not hurting the eyes, but somehow unsettling. Specks danced on the light gray stone walls, drawing strange patterns. I could have sworn they’re alive: one day after a party, I saw tiny dancing creatures with grinning faces among the reflections. Adiree insisted that it was just a hoax.

There were no queues at the entrance: after all, it was a bar, not a club. Although there were dances there.

With a nod to the bull-necked muzzle who stood at the door, keeping a watchful eye on everything around, we didn’t hesitate to go inside.

Immediately there was whistling and hooting.

Three girls from the Core World at a time… Pretties, what to be ashamed of. So, the shouts of the regulars can be understood.

I looked at my friends again.

Sunny, with her blonde curls, delicate shoulders, and pretty face, dressed in pale pink trousers and a white top, looked a complete stranger in this dark, brandy-and-tobacco-scented room.

Adiree, on the other hand, could easily pass for a local: a black jumpsuit with translucent inserts hugged her very remarkable figure, emphasizing her curves, and her scarlet hair in the dim light, it seemed, could burn with fire.

I… What about me? I’ve always been a kind of equilibrium point between them: no one would call me a cutie, but I didn’t look like a devil either. Today, my outfit consisted of a medium-length skirt, emerald like a stolen Azuin, with two high slits in the front, and a matching blouse that fell from one shoulder, revealing a bit on the breast. And shoes. Of course, enchanting shoes. Sunny and I borrowed ours from Adiree’s wardrobe again, fortunately, the size of all of us surprisingly coincided. Maybe we were friends because we could swap shoes. Shoes, you know, drive us girls crazy. Come on, just kidding… Not just because of the stilettos… but they complemented the friendship perfectly.

So… Whistling and all that… a common thing in «Elysium».

The bar, despite the lack of queues, turned out to be crowded. The entire long room, one hundred and twenty feet by thirty, was pierced by a worn stained oak rack that writhed like a snake swimming on water. Closer to the entrance, the space was occupied by open tables with simple benches, designed for large companies, then there were slightly more closed semi-offices for couples, and everything ended with a small rounded dance floor with a tiny stage in the corner. Well, we’ll get there later.

The walls, sheathed with wooden slats, should have looked smoky with eternal smoke, but no, the varnish shimmered in the light of the lamps, the polished wrought-iron decorations gleamed copper-pink.

Something exciting was playing, as always, interrupting the general hubbub and hum of voices.

We sat down on tall stools lined with old velvet. Neve, without waiting for the order, put a lemon shot in front of us.

Neev is one of the three barmaids. We preferred to choose her side of the counter. In fact, she is Neevennen, a relative of Saul’s, and a demon, respectively. I don’t know what she can do, what abilities and level she has, but something unearthly was immediately felt, as soon as you looked at her.

A thin, short-haired brunette with huge black eyes, all as if made up of only angles and broken lines, she nevertheless left a feeling of strength. Well, of course, after dragging all these tubs and beer mugs and eliminating the occasional mess the muscles will get stronger without any training. Not too talkative, she was always ready to listen to any visitor. And we, too, poured out our tearful drunken stories a couple of times. That’s right, a demoness in the role of a shoulder for crying… it’s hard to imagine. But at least she won’t talk in vain later. He won’t pat you on the head either, he’ll rather offer to burn the offender to hell, but sometimes that’s what you need. In short, Neev. In Saul’s absence, she seemed to be in charge.

We chatted and laughed, reinforcing the good mood with another portion of shots. We kicked off a couple of not too persistent gentlemen. We loudly cursed the Azuin thief, calling all the troubles on his head, and Nivennen rolled her eyes, as if amazed at our childish stupidity. Our curses, of course, must have seemed ridiculous to the demon. We drank again, something raspberry, but not sugary, and within an hour we had enough alcohol, so we thought it necessary to have fun.

After sending Neev a couple of air kisses at the end, which caused another snort, we walked to the dance floor. People were already jostling there, and the music had changed to a less jaw-dropping one.

The smells of alcohol and hot bodies… accidental touch… Not an accidental hug… whirling and transitioning… A little flirtation… whispering in an ear… silly giggles and a pleasant fog in a head… At a slow, drawling melody, we left our recent beaus in utter bewilderment, and began to dance the three of us, bending, swaying our hips, running our hands through our hair, hugging each other, and sparkling our eyes. So what?! Don’t girls like it when guys drool and imagine all sorts of frivolities? We’re imagining, too…

My legs were buzzing, but my body felt as light as a feather: the cocktails did not fail here. The scene floated before my eyes, and I decided to go out into the air for a while, to catch my breath.

Sunny chatted with the musicians, Adiree wrapped herself around a dark-haired, handsome man of gigantic stature, apparently expecting a pleasant continuation of the evening.

With a grunt, I walked towards the door with a slightly uneven gait, satisfied with the time spent and almost oblivious to the problem at work. What the hell got me to look at the dating booth closest to the exit?

At a tiny table, lounging and stretching out his legs, sat Professor Mavinus, alone. In front of him was a half-empty bottle of whiskey. A carelessly discarded jacket lay nearby.

Stunned, I stared at his trousers-clad thighs, half-unbuttoned rumpled shirt, disheveled black hair, hard jawline.

His gray eyes finally lifted, and he stared at me.

I don’t know… Anger about the project, alcohol, or something else stirred up fire in me… I just lashed out at Erchin.

«You,» I hissed, flying into the booth, «how dare you? The university trusted you! We all trusted! I was counting on… And you, damn it, took advantage of our trust, your position! At least you know what you’ve done?!» I almost screamed.

He glared at me, gritted his teeth, but didn’t say a word.

«I’ll see to it that you get the punishment you deserve,» I kept getting more and more angry. «When they catch you…» I pointed a finger in his direction and choked on the words as he grabbed my wrist sharply, pulling me towards him. I stumbled and almost fell, tried to wrench my hand away, but he held it in a stranglehold.

«Do you want to talk, dean,» he gritted his jaw again, «we’ll talk, but not here,» he stood up, got up from the table in one motion, and dragged me along. This unceremoniousness shocked me so much that for the first moments I was silent… The moment was missed.

Already at the exit, out of the corner of my eye, I saw blond hair in the crowd, Saul’s snide smile flashed, and Erchin pushed me out. Without stopping, he pulled me somewhere behind the bar, into a gloomy alley lit only by pale stars. Well, it’s good that it’s always warm in the Dark World, otherwise I would have frozen already in the Core.

Turning around, he pushed me against the wall and took his hands off. I immediately tried to escape, but Erchin caught me without giving me a single step, squeezed my wrists with one hand and covered my mouth with his palm.

«Oh no, my dear dean, you will listen to me. And don’t you dare scream: I’ll sew up your lips. Do you get it?

I nodded: he can. The spells of those who hang out with monsters are nasty.

The professor removed his hand from my face, but he didn’t let me go.

«Judging by your ’explosion’ in the bar, you’re already aware of some of my stuff. But you get it wrong. And so do they. They were written me down as criminal. The seal was put up,» and he slammed his foot against the wall so that I could feel it vibrating on my back. «I didn’t steal it, you know, I didn’t steal it!»

I squeaked, not daring to object. Like this, when he loomed over me in the dark, when I saw only a rough silhouette, felt the pressure on my arms, inhaled the pungent smell of whiskey and an angry man, I was really afraid of him.

«You… I thought we… And you immediately drew conclusions and rushed to blame. Did I give a reason?» He breathed noisily and pressed closer. «What have I done to you, dean, to rebel against me so violently? You invite me to come to university for months, and then you pounce… malevolently… peremptorily… What have I done to you, Zulina?» He whispered in my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine, my legs buckled. I couldn’t get a sound out of me.

Erchin nudged his nose strangely, as if sniffing, and buried his face in my neck.

«Hmm… What do you smell like? Something for the shower, huh? Sweetly… It’s always sweet. Like then, the first time…»

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