– Sorry! – I whispered, not knowing where to go.

Well, Simka! Well, I'm friendly! Couldn't wait? Now I will remember this until the end of my studies!

“Nothing, nothing, Adept Blackrock.” We are all interested in making you feel comfortable with us, right? “He turned around and looked sternly at the deans.

They vaguely agreed with him, and only my father silently glared at me and walked with red spots.

– Thank you, escher rector. “You are so kind…” I stammered, bowing politely.

And in shame she stared at the toes of her own shoes, clenching her fists so that she could feel her nails even through her leather gloves. I was lucky that I put them on so prudently, otherwise I would have definitely cut myself to the point of bleeding.

The rector continued:

– Well, since we are done with the official part, I propose to feed our new adepts and show them the place where they will live. For any questions, please contact Ashsheri Krieger or me. Everyone here is ready to make your stay at the academy comfortable.

“But don’t forget about studying and the rules,” Estella Krieger put in, smiling at us coldly.

For some reason it seemed to me that she didn’t love us all in advance. And it was not in the words spoken, but in the look. She didn't like us, period!

The delegation led by the rector returned to the building, and the dean of the Faculty of Household Magic came down the steps and, having examined us, remarked:

– It’s good that you don’t have much stuff. It will be easier to get ready if they expel you. “She laughed merrily at her own joke.

The girls and I looked at each other.

– Why should we be expelled? – Vilde asked.

Ashsheri Krieger looked at her as if she were a worm.

– Despite what the rector said, don’t expect any favors, eshsheri. The rules are the same for both boys and girls, is that clear?

– Of course, eshsheri dean! Rules are rules, we understand that,” Volde answered her almost reverently.

Vilde made a face at her sister from behind the dean's back, but remained silent for once.

Zikki stared at the ground, but I noticed a predatory grin on the fire girl’s face. The dragon Beata, on the contrary, tilted her head slightly to the side and raised her eyebrows. She didn’t even think about hiding her reaction. She really doesn't seem to care about any rules. And on eshcheri Krieger too.

Estella Krieger understood this. She pressed her lips into a line and ordered:

– Take your luggage and follow me!

We obeyed, except for Beata and Mallory. The first one didn’t have any luggage, the second one didn’t have it here. But as soon as we had moved a few steps away from the porch, a shout lashed the Utar driver from behind with a whip:

– Adept Blackrock, to my office!

I even cringed in surprise. It was the first time I had seen my father so angry.

– Wow… Your daddy seems upset. I sympathize,” Vilde supported me.

– Still would! She interrupted the speech of the rector himself. This is against the rules! – Volde noted.

– Give me the bag here, kyari. Good luck! “Ada took my bag.”

– Thank you. I hope it will work out…” I sighed.

“Adept Blackrock, don’t keep daddy waiting!” – Ashsheri Krieger sarcastically hurried me.

Without answering her, I hurried onto the porch. At first I hurried, but then I remembered what I was taught at the boarding school and slowed down. She straightened her back, straightened her shoulders, raised her chin and, with a “royal gait” from the hip, as our teacher of graceful gestures at the boarding house called it, walked toward her father, who was shifting impatiently at the door.

– Hello father! I'm terribly glad to see you! – She greeted the Duke in a whisper and smiled disarmingly.

The father's face flashed with adoration for a moment, but then returned to a stern expression.

– Let's go. Let's talk in my office. “The Duke opened the door for me.

We found ourselves in a spacious hall with high ceilings and giant crystal chandeliers. The noble polished stone, still gray, intertwined with black here, sparkled with gold veins and seemed warm to the touch. The tall lancet windows were decorated with colored stained glass windows depicting scenes of magicians training. Busts of famous scientists stood along the walls, and gilded plaques under them told about the achievements of these glorious men. The solemnity and pomp of the hall was brightened up by many plants in large tubs and seating areas on both sides of the massive staircase. Adepts sat and chatted on leather sofas. They followed us with curious glances.

I didn’t have time to read the inscriptions on the signs under the busts or look at the guys, barely keeping up with my father. We climbed up a massive antique staircase and headed down a wide corridor, on both sides of which there were doors. They differed only in the inscriptions on the bronze tablets, and my father chose the one where the inscription read: “Richard Blackrock, Dean.”

“Come in, Mirre,” he invited me inside the office illuminated by magic balls.

I carefully stepped over the threshold and began to examine the situation. A large table on which documents lay in neat stacks, next to an old tome with a leather cover and many protruding bookmarks. The writing instruments were neatly put away in a special box. Behind him stood a bookcase filled with books, and to the left was a window with heavy, deep blue curtains.

And there was such a familiar smell here! This is what my father smelled like when he came home. My heart immediately warmed and, smiling, I turned around and threw myself on the Duke’s neck.

– Daddy! How I miss you!

“Me too, my girl.” Me too…

My father hugged me back, stroked me on the back and sighed heavily, and then seemed to reluctantly push me away. He walked behind the table and sat down in a worn leather chair that creaked under his weight.

– Sit down, Mirre. We need to have a serious conversation.

I sat on the edge of the visitors' chair and folded my hands in my lap.

– I’m listening to you, dad.

The father winced.

– Mirre, I was against your candidacy from the very beginning, but I didn’t think that problems would start so soon. What do you allow yourself, daughter?

– Uh… Dad, but this is an accident! I didn't mean to interrupt the rector. Just Simka, he…

I wanted to explain that my simuran had discovered an artifact somewhere that one of the dragons might have lost, but my father suddenly jumped to his feet, slamming his palms on the table so that all the things jumped, and I closed my eyes and pulled my head into my shoulders.

– Simka?! – the father growled. “Did you bring this animal here too?” I closed my eyes when you tormented their mother! It was necessary to get rid of him even then. But no, you dragged him to the boarding house! But I won't allow…

For the first time in my life, my father scolded me like that and was so unfair. Jumping up, I raised my voice in response:

– Dad, stop it! Simka didn't do anything wrong! On the contrary, he…

– Do you think that if I hold a high position, you can behave as you please? – my father interrupted me again.

The Duke of Blackrock was furious. I knew how much he valued his reputation and even understood him to some extent, so I tried to speak more calmly:

– No, dad, I didn’t even think…

– That's it! You weren't thinking, Mirre! “The Duke of Blackrock was not going to give me the right to speak.” “You didn’t think about what you were agreeing to when you accepted the offer to come here!” You should have refused! I asked you about this in a letter, but you ignored my request! You should have stayed at the boarding school, Mirrae, and completed your studies as befits a noble ashsheri of the Blackrock clan. But no! You did it your way and now I'm disgraced! I failed to raise my daughter properly! All. Tomorrow you are going back to the boarding house. Be ready for the morning.