“Sister, I…” Even though we were distant relatives, by calling Beata that, I showed her the highest honor, thereby bringing her closer to me. “I am grateful for this with all my heart, but sooner or later there will be a dragon who will take your fancy, and you will get married and have children.” Maybe it would be better to devote yourself to your family rather than someone else’s?

– I don’t want to get married, Ethan! – The girl flushed. – Well, we got it right! I am a dragon and a battle mage of the highest category! – slightly embarrassed, she added: “The future.” And I want to be useful to the throne.

I just shook my head and hugged her tightly.

“Then go and look after the adepts.” Find out everything about them. Who knows, maybe my uncle is right, and my true one will really be found among them?

I grinned, as if I didn’t believe in this whole idea.

– Ethan? – She was worried.

– I just assumed. Anything can happen. That’s exactly why my uncle sent the girls here, to increase my chances, right? I selected only the best. The very best! – I spread my hands and smiled.

– So that's what you think? – The sister opened her scarlet mouth.

Several first-year adepts passing by immediately froze in place, staring at her in fascination.

– Why are you staring? Go away! – she growled at them, waving her hand imperiously.

The guys perked up, as if rising from sleep, and hurried on about their business. The park was getting crowded, and my sister came closer to me:

“Now I understand why uncle is so angry with Mika.” I probably wanted to give Focus to you so that you could try searching here. After all, Miki has a better chance of finding a bride, he is not locked in this male kingdom.

Bea's conclusions were very logical, although I simply made up stories about the adepts to fool her.

We said goodbye warmly, and Beata went to campus, and I went to my room to change clothes and take a shower. There was little time left before breakfast. Standing naked under the elastic hot streams of water, I was thoroughly soaping myself when I suddenly froze, staring at my own hands.

– I'm an idiot! – he cursed and threw the washcloth at his feet in anger.

I did not recognize the true one, simply because she was not among these adepts, otherwise there would have been a pair of bracelets on my forearm! But there was no bracelet, which means the ritual did not take place. So what now? Where to look for the artifact? The dream was cancelled. Until I find Focus, I can’t give up!

I got nervous again. If Bea was right, and Uncle Eric was going to give me the artifact himself, then I was in a hurry. And if I lose him, I won’t lose my mind! I will be accused of rebellion and other sins, and Mika will certainly rule the Onyx Rocks. I'm afraid that he will bully people and they will start a rebellion.

The artifact had to be found as soon as possible. It couldn't be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Having quickly gathered myself, I went after the guys, but there was no one in the rooms, so I had to act alone. I checked everything carefully at the main porch of the academy building and even attracted a couple of air spirits to comb the bushes and flower beds, but to no avail.

Thinking about what had happened and about the news that Beata had reported, I went to the dining room. There was always a center of attraction there, and if someone found a strange ball, they were probably already chatting about it left and right. The girls walked past me one by one. I had the opportunity to look at them, or even get to know them, but I wasn’t in the mood. And suddenly, already at the entrance, another one crashed into me from a running start.

The girl would have fallen, flying off like a ball, but I instinctively grabbed her by the thin waist and barked before I realized who I was dealing with. She trembled and tried to free herself, looking at me like a rabbit at a boa constrictor. It seems she even babbled something, but the meaning of her words passed by. The delicate aroma of the body caressed the sense of smell. Plump lips, slightly parted in surprise, attracted the eye. Large eyes of an interesting gray color stared at me in fear from under fluffy eyelashes, the shadow of which lay beautifully on delicate porcelain skin… Long silk hair, styled in a travel hairstyle, hung below the waist. Perfection!

Most likely she is an air mage, but I haven’t seen her among the adepts before. And she definitely wasn’t there at the porch. Then where has she been all this time?

– Let me go! This is not appropriate! “The girl once again tried to free herself, but I didn’t even think to listen to her.

Our short dialogue only amused me. Oh, those boarding school girls! They are not taught life at all there. Or they teach, but all sorts of nonsense. Allegedly, men like shy women, so then every second woman pretends to be hard to touch. Oh well.

Having dropped the veneer of charm, I admitted that I had given in a little. I really liked this Shy One. Watching her pour paint was a special pleasure. Yielding to an impulse, he decided to embarrass her even more. Slowly he began to lean towards her lips, pulling her a little closer…

It worked! The girl instinctively closed her eyes in anticipation of a kiss and trembled in my arms.

Here you go! What did I say? She decided that she was more cunning than everyone else, and could so easily get into my pants, and then down my aisle? Attacked the wrong one, Shy One!

I still remembered Mallory’s arrival and her tricks when she tried to get to know me on the first day. But this girl did not have such outstanding charms, so she decided to take me with her virginity?

“You don’t know what’s indecent, baby.” It would be indecent if you and I were without clothes right now,” I whispered obscene language in her ear.

The girl couldn’t stand it and, turning into a hurricane, escaped from my hands. She ran away from the cafeteria to the approving cackling of the guys, and I threw my jacket to the elemental in the locker room and headed to my table, where Jed and Kayu were already sitting.

– What a walker you are, Derberg! Already squeezed one! The account is open! – one of the guys admired when I passed by.

– Don’t repeat it, it’s dangerous for life! – I answered him.

– Why so? – asked his neighbor.

Probably, the dragon spoke in me, which did not recognize competition, but I suddenly realized what needed to be done. Not paying attention to the guys' indignation, he unceremoniously jumped straight onto the table where Curly was sitting and addressed everyone: And I suddenly got thinking. And really, why? But looking at the curly-haired earth mage with protruding incisors, I realized that I didn’t want someone like him to even stand next to my Shy Girl. Only I have the right to embarrass her. That's all. Dot!

– Listen carefully! New times have arrived at our academy. Now girls study with us.

Not everyone, but many, attended the breakfast. Nothing, they will certainly pass everything on to the others. The people started talking. Cheers and whistles were heard. But what they all expected from me was not exactly what I was going to say. Leaning my head forward, I looked around the room at the dragon. My irises have now completely turned yellow, and my pupils have become vertical. I knew what an impression it made.

“So, if I find out that one of the new guys has offended someone, or dared to let go, I won’t spare anyone.” It is clear? – I spoke insinuatingly.

I knew that such a tone was more frightening than a scream.

– Hey, Ethan, why can’t we talk to them now? – someone drawled disappointedly.

– Well, why? Talk as much as you like. Communicate, be friends, but treat with respect. No “squeezing” or other nonsense. If someone has romantic feelings, mutual, naturally, I will not interfere. Just remember, these are not tavern girls, these are noble eshsheri. Act like it, guys!