Today the Main Hall looked nicer than ever: it was, after all, the final school championship for the title of the best pupil! True, the third round and the semifinals were required first, but apparently they had decided to create the scenery in advance. It was as if their classroom was inside a giant aquarium - sand and pebbles underfoot, tufts of seaweed along the walls, and occasional exotic fish - ethereal but beautiful - swam by. The illusion was worked out in detail - the slight ripples on the surface of the water high above, algae gently swaying to the beat of weak water flows, the air bubbles occasionally released by the fish. Some pupils tried to catch them by their tails as a joke, but in vain.

  Despite the exotic surroundings, everything else was serious. The teachers' faces were solemnly stern, and even the goblin tried to look as businesslike as possible, even though it made him look like a dirty dog who was plotting another mischief. There were only twelve fireflies left in the ball, and Fluppy was a dark blue. And there are no fish or seaweed around the pedestal in the center, nothing to distract the duelists from each other.

  Master Ven'A'Sash was in charge of the tournament this time, and the parting word turned out to be appropriate.

  "I hope the previous rounds have taught you something. Given your level of training, they were more of a warm-up, a game in a sandbox for the little ones. In real duels, held in high schools of magic, the loser often ends up in a hospital bed. Or even a tombstone - quite logical ending, if you are a complete dunce, unable to either reflect the blow or evade it. Of course, it's unlikely to come to that today, although you'll have to sweat a little."

  The tasks did become more difficult. In the first round, a stursh, beast resembling a rat, appeared next to each dueler - it had to be "persuaded" to climb the pedestal. In the second round, there were two wooden skittles on it, and you need to knock one of them down with a Magic Fist strike (tricks like attraction/pushing away or directed wind flow didn't count). But the most interesting was reserved for the third round: a ball the size of a fist rushed chaotically back and forth at a height of about three meters; the one who first hit it with any attacking spell won. And since it moves quite quickly, you can’t do without Super-Abilities - shooting from a wand like a machine gun, hoping that at least one of the shots will hit the target, is still an unaffordable luxury for them.

  Gillmir and Eliavel were the first to fight each other. Since they were both elves, they didn't have much trouble with the sturshes. Gillmir did a little better with the skittles, but Eliavel was lucky to be the first to hit the ball and thereby win.

  Her twin brother, on the other hand, was much less fortunate - he had to fight Drega. He managed to win the first round (the anzimar girl looked as if she was about to send her animal flying with a kick in the ass), but the rest was not pretty - Drega's Magic Fist was so powerful that both skittles rolled across the floor with a deafening thud. And she hit the ball first - to the great chagrin of those who wanted Eliavin to win (and such turned out to be the majority of the class).

  The turn to demonstrate their talents went to Tiis-Mir and Alkitmi. Both were equally bad at controlling animals and equally good at using their Fists. However, Alkitmi's accuracy turned out to be better: he immediately hit the target, although he lost the right of the first move to his opponent.

  Rumara and Iwiel were next. The orc girl was once again well prepared, even finding common ground with the stursh without any problems. The second round ended in a draw, but in the third, Rumara kicked the ball so hard with the Ice Arrow that it flew to the ceiling.

  And again the goblin makes some notes in his sheet. Even after the second round, someone from their company came up with the idea to purchase an invisibility potion from the kobold and sneak behind Pulsok's back to see what he was scribbling. They even allocated crystals from the common pot for this purpose, but then they changed their mind - if any of the teachers has an amulet of detection of hidden entities, the idea will go down the drain, and they will be disgraced in front of the whole class and sent to clean the school toilets. So Tim didn't even know if Mez'A'Shib had bought the potion - there were more serious problems on his mind right now.

  When the next morning after the unsuccessful (albeit not quite, they still got to the minus fourth tier, but you always want more) expedition they gathered again, it turned out that the door with the image of an arrow pointing down was tightly locked. And it was made very cunningly - without lock and keyhole, so Ri-Bo's gift was useless. Worse, even the dwarves didn't know why: none of them had seen anyone go near the door, much less do anything with it. The kobold suggested it was Magic Glue (there were other locking spells, but much more complicated) and promised to make a potion to dissolve it. At the same time he advised not to rush to organize a new expedition - things from the dungeon will not go anywhere, and the passage there had been blocked for a reason: someone suspected something. Most likely the goblin, but it could also be one of the teachers.

  As a result, Naar-Tam had to take the wand for himself, which they found in their first expedition - he failed to call on the one remaining on the minus fourth tier, because he chose it according to the principle: 'which is more beautiful, that one is mine'. And if anyone asks, the explanation is simple: he broke it by accident, intending to test its strength. Knowing the adventurous nature of the Peirots, this was easy to believe.

  That same evening, Tim ran to visit Selkise and was even drunk with tea - a tincture of herbs collected in the forest, and, according to the yusme, very good for health. By that time most of them had managed to acquire a simple dinner set of cups, spoons, and plates - the dwarves gave them out, grudgingly, but still. And in order not to drink cold 'tea', Selkise adapted to put cups with it on a brick stand, whose surface was pre-heated by magic. According to her, their world used 'firestones', or simply cobblestones in which fire elementals were imprisoned, for this purpose.

  "The Peirots are masters at making them," she explained. "We need them less, but sometimes we do. Like now."

  Selkise heated her cup, too, more for company, since she didn't feel uncomfortable with cold drinks. They got to talking, and Tim casually wondered if she knew anything about the Lords Khalid-amga had mentioned. Alas, she had not heard of any of them except Fire and Water ones, but she did not exclude their existence.

  "If there are many worlds, why shouldn't there be many Lords? How did you know about them?"

  Tim had to show her the book he had borrowed from the library. Selkise immediately started leafing through it, looking at the pictures with fascination. She was especially interested in the pictures of the stepped pyramids.

  "We have them too! Not exactly the same, but very similar. They were built long before the appearance of the first Peirots and Yusmes, but scientists are still arguing about who built them. Most are of the opinion that they were built by the Forerunners."

  A familiar word - Tim found it in some fantasy novels. It seemed to be the name of a mysterious race, which launched the process of evolution on the planets where there were suitable conditions. Sounds a lot like the Eazens, maybe it was them. It all ended with Selkise begging him to read a book, promising not to show it to anyone.

  Willy-nilly, the conversation slipped to a discussion of their latest expedition. As it turned out, Selkise had nothing against going to the dungeon again. But not because of the crystals, which they managed to collect not so many, and not even for the excitement of research, but rather to solve the mystery associated with that strange inscription.

  "Whoever made it didn't go back to school, but went to the lower tiers. At least he made it to the minus four tier for sure."

  "How do you know that!?" Tim was amazed.

  "He left a trail of blood, almost indistinguishable on the stone floor in the twilight of the tunnels. But I felt its presence empathically.

  "It's cool to have that ability!"

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  "You're stubborn, though," Selkise grinned. "Well, maybe I can help you awaken your ability. But not right now."

  " By the way, since we're talking about it," she went on after a few seconds, "I have a suspicion."

  "What about?"

  "Rather about who. Although no, I’d better not express it, suddenly you will be offended. You say that I'm slandering."

  "If you already started a conversation, come on, continue. I give you my word I won't be offended and I won't tell anyone."

  "All right, I do. Have you noticed anything strange about Ri-Bo lately?"

  What Tim heard made him think a little.

  "I did. But who hasn't?"

  "The problem is something else - he suffers from doublethink."

  "What's that?"

  "He says things he doesn't mean. Of course, we all often cunning when communicating with each other, but within reasonable limits. And here there is a clear discrepancy - as if you wish your interlocutor a long life with a smile, but think to yourself: “May you drown in the lake!”."

  "Funny. However, no one on Earth is surprised by this kind of doublethink. So you can read minds after all?"

  "No, I just feel it on a subconscious level. That's why I'm not jumping to conclusions. I just decided to warn you, just in case."

  Tim nodded his head in agreement. The tilfing was clearly hiding something from them, stubbornly unwilling to admit it, and that was troubling. Maybe follow him? No, that would not be friendly. It is better to call for a confidential conversation, as an opportunity presents itself.

  Applause from across the hall distracted Tim from his thoughts. It turned out that the squad members had welcomed the 'princess' into the arena. Almost immediately, however, there was clapping nearby as several of the girls decided to support her rival Chilajt in return, and Tim and his friends joined them.

  It's hard to tell what exactly Shin'Ye'Het was about to command the stursh, as it shied away in horror and got lost under the feet of the spectators. There were chuckles and sarcastic remarks, the 'princess' fiercely looked around, looking for who exactly 'does not show respect'. Too bad Chilajt didn't take her chance - her pet ran up to the pedestal, but didn't climb on it.

  The skittles were struck at the same time, they collided with each other and fell to the floor. Not bad, Tim thought, if the gorgon manages to survive the third round, he will almost certainly reach the semi-finals. But his gut told him that the 'princess' wouldn't give up easily, for sure she had a surprise in store. And so it turned out.

  Deciding to improve her chances, Chilajt used her own gift, pulling the ball closer to her. But she didn't consider her opponent's deviousness: when the moment was right, the drow struck the ball so hard that it hit the gorgon's face. With a deaf scream the gorgon recoiled, dropped the wand, and began rubbing her skin where it had struck her.

  "Are you all right?" Tiis-Mir ran to her friend.

  "Disqualify the Drow!" Yantau shouted across the hall, and many cheered him on.

  "Silence!" Master Aerg barked. "Come here, I'll put a healing spell on you!"

  The ball, though it was composed of pure magic, caused rather painful burns when it came into contact with the body.

  "You've been very unkind," Master Nimikel remarked, referring to Shin'Ye'Het.

  "It wasn't friendly at all!" Master Saag-Kof seconded her.

  The goblin had the last word, however.

  "Formally, the rules of the tournament weren't broken since the blow was directed at the ball, not the opponent. The fault here lies rather with the gorgon - why did she pull it to herself? Therefore, I believe Shin'Ye'Het is well worthy of the title of semifinalist."

  The response was a deafening whistle, and Yantau was sent to the disciplinary cell to cool off a bit. The other lycoses left the hall in protest.

  "Continue with the tournament!" the goblin commanded, not letting the situation get too far ahead, and the last pair, Germeht and Ruum-Fib, stepped up to the 'barrier'.

  Germeht, without thinking twice, telekinetically lifted the stursh into the air and carried them straight to the pedestal. The frightened beast immediately jumped off and, with a piercing screech, darted away.

  "I protest against this treatment of animals!" Master Nimikel said in a voice that was cracked with indignation.

  "But the stursh ended up where it was supposed to be, didn't it?"

  "But not in the same way!"

  "It's only an animal," Pulsok said with sarcastic indifference.

  "I don't want to hear any more of that sort of thing! Have the tournament without me!"

  And she disappeared in a flash of teleportation.

  No one expected such a thing from the elf teacher - she was considered a silent person with no opinion of her own. Tim immediately began to respect her more - probably others, too, because the hall became noisy. Master Iskitt had to use Pacification, only after that it became possible to finish the third round.

  As a matter of fact, it ended almost instantly: in response Ruum-Fib enveloped his opponent in an aura of Crimson Flame - it looked as if Germeht was surrounded by darkness pierced by lights. It did not deal any damage, but its use was considered 'unsportsmanlike behavior' and punished accordingly.

  Then the hourglass appeared on the teacher's table, and Master Aerg turned it over, announcing: while the sand is poured from the top to the bottom, you can rest for a while, and then the tournament will continue.

  Many immediately rushed to the exit, and not all of them returned to the hall afterwards. Tim, after some hesitation, decided to stay anyway - it's interesting, after all, how the matter will end. And at the same time he noticed the squad members discussing something enthusiastically among themselves, and with a look more characteristic of robbers who were about to rob a bank. That's where the potion of invisibility could be useful, but ... the back of his mind is always strong.

  As soon as the last grain of sand fell down, the blow of an invisible gong announced the beginning of the semi-final. Instead of a pedestal, an almost transparent wall, visible only through the faint reflections of reflected light, now stood in the center of the stage.

  "And now there will be something that many people have probably dreamed of, but now there will be no punishment for it. On the other side of the barrier, a ghostly double of your opponent will appear in front of each of you. The task: hit him three times with magic and miss no more than two strikes back. The first one to do so will advance to the final."

  "Excuse me, Master, but what's the purpose of the barrier?" Alkitmi asked with a puzzled look in his voice. "We're not going to get into a hand-to-hand fight, are we?"

  " It weakens the effect of magic by about ten times. So instead of a burn you get just a sensation of warmth. Otherwise someone's definitely going to have to go to the infirmary!"

  It was unclear whom exactly Master Ven'A'Sash had in mind, because she did not continue the thought, and no one dared to ask. And the first pair, Germeht and Alkitmi, entered the 'battlefield'.

  Wasting no time, the anzimar immediately attacked the ghostly yusme with Electroshock; his own doppelganger tasted Sticky Mud. Then something unexpected happened: Alkitmi was pensive in the middle of the fight. And those with good hearing could hear him mutter under his breath, "I think I forgot the formula...". That was enough to cause him to miss three strikes, and the yusme was out of the game. His supporters were disappointed, particularly Gillmir who had made a wager with Mez'A'Shib to see which player would make the final. And now he had to give the drow one of the pieces of a mosaic, whichever he wanted for himself.

  "Shin'Ye'Het and Eliavel!"

  Few believed in the elf girl's victory, but still they hoped - especially the elves, who were heartily rooting for their countrymen. Alas, there was no miracle: no matter how hard Eliavel tried, she never hit the drow doppelganger. Her own doppelganger was far more accurate, hitting the target twice. But he himself was hit three times.

  The elves were dejected, but the squad members cheered noisily at the success of their 'princess'. And a third pair, Drega and Rumara, entered the ring.

  Will she succeed, Tim thought - the orcish girl has a stronger character than the elf one, she definitely won't miss. But alas, disappointment awaited him again as Rumara acted as if she had no idea why she was here and what was wanted of her. And she quite naturally lost.

  A sigh of disappointment swept through the hall. The last hope had faded - only the squad members made it to the final. I bet they were, with Sir Pulsok's support!

  And show them all a master class, Tim's inner voice whispered sarcastically. Activate your gift - let them see what real magic is. And take the paper away from the goblin, too - who'll know where it went? By force of will, temptation was overcome - there was no point in showing off his gift. And Master Ven'A'Sash would hardly approve.

  "Friends," Elsingor rose as the hourglass flipped again. "Somehow it seems we're all superfluous here. And since nothing depends on us anyway, I'm leaving. Whoever agrees with me, join me."

  In the end, more than half the class left, including our friends. And, as it turned out later, they didn't lose anything.

  Before the final began, Master Saag-Kof left the 'panel of judges', though he didn't speak out loud. Nevertheless, the competition continued, and the victory conditions were almost the same: hit your opponent three times (and with different spells), and take no more than two hits. With one exception: no doppelgangers, only opponents.

  But if anyone was expecting a showdown, they were sorely disappointed: first, Germeht and Shin'Ye'Het spelled Drega in unison, and she didn't even try to dodge them. Then they got busy with each other, exchanging a couple of shots (Germeht missed both times, but Shin'Ye'Het has both hits right on target), and the 'princess' ended the duel with a direct hit from the Colored Splash spell.

  "I've never seen such an unimpressive final before," Master Ven'A'Sash commented with almost undisguised disgust. "But the tournament is over, and congratulations to you all."

  She declined to award the prizes, however, leaving that to 'Sir Pulsok'. And he, with a pleased look on his face, presented the amulet of Charm to the victoriously smiling drow.

  It's just like on Earth, Tim thought wistfully when he heard about the outcome of the tournament. It's not the strongest that finish first, it's the most unscrupulous. Is it possible that even here, millions of light-years from his home planet, there is no escape from this?