The Dragon's Vow or the Stubborn Bride

– 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.

I even opened my mouth at such a statement and batted my eyelashes. Not only did my father unfairly accuse me, but it also turns out that he initially did not want me to be here.

– I didn’t receive any letter, dad! I don't know what you're talking about. I'm very sorry that I upset you with my arrival. Sorry. But I was so happy just a few minutes ago! So glad to get a glimpse of the academy. You…

Unable to control her emotions, she took a convulsive breath and sobbed, unable to hold back the tears in her eyes, and they rolled down her cheeks. I turned away and, staring unseeingly out the window, snapped:

– I’m not going anywhere, essher dean! I have earned the right to study here, and I will study. Dot!

– Well said, Adept Blackrock! I fully support you! – They applauded from behind.

I turned around sharply and saw Felsen Schwartz on the threshold. And when did he first come in?

Apparently, the father also did not expect a high visit. He managed to sink into a chair, but jumped to his feet again.

– Escher rector! And I… I… And here we are talking with our daughter.

– Yes. “I heard the details of your conversation and decided to intervene,” said Felsen Schwartz.

– Sorry, we made a little family noise. Ha-ha…” Dad tried to justify himself.

Judging by his confused chuckle, he was terribly embarrassed.

– Oh, this noise could be heard even at the stairs! With my dragon hearing, I understood every word.

My father turned red, and I felt a little revenged. At least we embarrassed ourselves together today. One one!

– Frankly, I was quite surprised. I thought you were worried that Mirrae wouldn’t pass the mark and were embarrassed by her weak gift. It turns out I misunderstood you?

“Yes,” the Duke agreed reluctantly. – Mirre’s gift is in order. I was afraid that she would receive unnecessary attention from the adherents. You know them, escher rector! – the father exclaimed in some despair.

Ignoring him, Felsen Schwartz turned to me:

– Do you, adept, think that you are here by right?

– I passed the selection test better than anyone else in the boarding house, escher rector. I suppose so,” I replied.

The rector looked reproachfully at the duke.

– You see, Blackrock. What else do you need? Let Mirre study in peace. You came here to study, right, adept?

– Yes, essher! At the boarding school we were taught only to tame magic, but I want more! – I couldn’t resist complaining.

– Blackrock! – Felsen Schwartz sighed reproachfully. – As far as I know, your daughter had no magic at all, and when she appeared, you forced the girl to pacify her? If I were her, I would bite your head off for this!

Dad and I even looked at each other at such an unexpected statement, and the rector continued.

– Imagine that you just learned to walk, stood on your feet, took your first steps, and they forcibly sat you back down and forbade you to get up. Or you were blind and then regained your sight, but were forced to wear a tight bandage. How would that make you feel?

“I didn’t think in that way…” the Duke responded dully and glanced guiltily in my direction.

– Think about it! Adept Blackrock, while the dean is thinking, you can be free. Go, get settled, and we'll talk a little. If any problems arise, or someone begins to offend you, please contact me directly. Always happy to help. – The rector smiled at me warmly.

My heart jumped with joy. Now even daddy won't be able to get rid of me!

– Thank you! – she thanked the rector with all her heart and headed for the exit.

– Wait, Mirre! Who is Simka? – Felsen Schwartz suddenly asked.

I even felt hot, but I didn’t dare lie.

– Simka is my simuran. He accompanies me everywhere. But don't worry, escher rector, he won't cause any problems. You won't even see him. Simka is very smart and independent, and he also carries my mail to the Ancient Forest and to the north to my sister… – I blurted out in one breath, realizing that without Simka I would be very sad.

– Won’t he chew your shoes? – for some reason Felsen Schwartz asked.

“No,” I said in confusion, not expecting such a question.

– Well, fine! Then let him live, just don’t catch the eye of Ashsheri Krieger. She doesn't like animals.

– Thank you! – I exhaled again, feeling imaginary wings growing behind my back.

I had just nearly been thrown into the abyss of hopelessness, and the rector gave me a helping hand and encouraged me. I got much more than I expected. Official permission to leave simuran!

– Escher rector, but this is an animal! – the father did not let up.

“He’s almost your daughter’s familiar, as I understand it.”

– But the rules of the academy prohibit keeping animals!

– The rules of the academy have become mossy! The time has come to reconsider each one, which is what I decided to do. We will create a fresh code that corresponds to new realities,” said Felsen Schwartz.

Now that everything was resolved and all I could worry about was studying, I could relax. But there was one more important point. I still had the Dragon Focus in my coat pocket. I didn’t know whose it was, but who, if not another dragon, could tell me what to do? My father didn’t even let me open my mouth, so I had no desire to talk to him about the find.

– Asher rector, I…

– There is no need for thanks, adept.

“But I… There on the street…” I made another attempt.

“I already realized that you were simply lost with joy.” It's okay, forget about this little incident. He's not worth a damn. We won't mention this in future. Really, Duke? – the rector said with emphasis.

– Of course, of course, Asher Schwartz! – the father agreed.

He seemed relieved too. Apparently, he was seriously worried about my mistake.

– Thank you, escher rector. Then you can…

I wanted to say: “Can I talk to you in private?”, but Felsen Schwartz interrupted me again:

– Of course, go! And hurry up, or you'll miss breakfast. Go straight to the dining room, it is on the first floor, along the corridor to the left of the main entrance. Don't be confused, there are signs there.

It was inconvenient to insist, and I decided to look at the rector later. Moreover, he himself said to come in if problems arise. I think I have a good reason.

– Thank you. Have a good day! – I said goodbye to everyone and left my father’s office.

The rector did not bend his heart; navigation in the academy turned out to be excellent. As soon as you thought about where this or that place was located, the necessary sign, or even a whole sign with a map, was found nearby. And everything is so fresh, as if it was recently updated. Maybe they did something better before our arrival? I don’t know if this is true, but I found the dining room without difficulty. Having turned into the desired corridor, I soon found myself in a spacious, bright room, where it was crowded, a little noisy, and delicious smells were in the air. The stomach immediately reminded me that the last time I ate food was yesterday and demanded that this be corrected immediately.

The huge hall was lined with large round tables for about ten people, at which the adherents had breakfast. At the very entrance there was a dressing room where you could leave your clothes. She was received and given out by a real elemental! Air. Dad wasn't lying when he talked about this at home.

– Hello! – I greeted a little confused.

I have not yet had the opportunity to communicate with such creatures.

The elemental instantly moved to the counter, blowing a cool wind over me, and immediately I smelled the sea. I pulled off my gloves and put them in my coat pocket, unwound the scarf and handed it all to the elemental, not knowing how to act correctly. Another gust of wind, and all my things were neatly hung on hangers.

– Wow! How amazing! “I clapped my hands and, succumbing to impulse, bowed: “Thank you!”

So, with a smile from ear to ear, I turned to the audience. Vilde waved to me from the table by the window on the right.

– Mirre, we are here! – she announced to the entire dining room, which attracted everyone’s attention to me.

The guys shamelessly began to turn around. One even winked as soon as I accidentally met his gaze. Before that, I lived in a castle and was friends only with the courtyard boys, and even then on the sly from my mother. Then I was imprisoned in a boarding house where there was a women's kingdom. And now I suddenly clearly realized what my father was so afraid of, and I was embarrassed. Trying not to look at anyone else, she hurried to the table where the girls were sitting and, once in their circle, felt calmer.

– How did it go? – Khvoyana asked.

– Differently. At first my father almost sent me home. More precisely, back to the boarding house. But then he changed his mind and allowed me to stay.

– Horrible! – Yumi squeaked, pressing her palms to her cheeks.

“I didn’t think the Duke of Blackrock was so strict.” And how did you manage to talk him out of it? – Vilde asked curiously.

– I didn’t succeed. To the rector. He stood up for me in front of my father, and also allowed me to keep Simka! – I shared the great news.

– What are you talking about!

– Can't be!

The girls started vying with each other. Everyone had already fallen in love with my little simuran, so they were happy.

– How great, Kyari! One less headache! – Ada embraced me in a friendly embrace.

– What will you eat? – Khvoyana asked.

– All! – I answered passionately. – I'm hungry as a wolf! How does everything work here?

I turned my head, but I didn’t see the usual distribution anywhere.

– Look, it's simple. Here's the menu. – Lisel handed me a plump book with a worn red cover. – Look for dishes in the “Breakfast” section, and then touch your finger to what you like.

“Don’t just touch it, but hold it a little so that it works,” Volde added to her instructions.

– Understood! – I nodded and began to study the menu.

It turned out to be rich, even breakfast took up at least five pages. Divided into categories, there were dishes for even the most demanding taste. For example, national breakfasts. Ada was able to order northern raw fish and ate it with pleasure, snacking on crispy croutons.

Having chosen porridge with fruit, tartlets with peach jam and herbal tea, I did as the girls suggested. A few minutes later, another air elemental lowered a tray covered with lamb onto the table in front of me. However, he took the lid with him so as not to interfere.

– How amazing! – I was happy.

– Yes. In our boarding house there were often fights at the checkout. One pupil will knock over the tray, then another… – Vilde said thoughtfully.

“And it’s all about someone with whom the world doesn’t agree,” Volde added sarcastically.

The twins were clearly talking about something painful.

– Here you go. And here you don’t have to go anywhere and you don’t have to stand in line. A complete time saver,” Lisel summed up.

I suddenly realized that not all the girls were gathered at our table. Two places were empty.

– Where is Beata and… That blonde? Ricci, I think?

“Beate said she had breakfast at home, and Mallory is sitting over there with her sycophants.” – Lisel pointed her eyes somewhere to the side.

Indeed, the blonde preferred the guys to our company, and now she sat like a princess surrounded by ladies-in-waiting.

“We are not the right company for her.” – Zikki grinned.

– Well, okay! The guys are nothing but trouble,” Khvoyana noted. – You need to be on your guard. They will take on us again, mark my words.

I even stopped chewing and asked:

– What do you mean?

– You see, Mirre, we are like an irritant for them. Or a challenge,” Lisel explained. “Sooner or later they will try to put us in our place.”

– What for? – I frowned in bewilderment. – We don’t touch them.

– That's it for now! – Vilde broke into an insidious smile.

Khvoyana shook her head disapprovingly.

“We don’t have to touch them, Mirre.” It is enough that we exist. As soon as school starts, we will have to prove our worth every day,” Lisel explained.

Hvoyana nodded in agreement, and Yumi covered her face with her palms and squeaked:

– Mommies!

“But I can’t wait to put someone in their place.” For example, that curly one over there. Look how he's staring! – Zikki said, and then added louder: “What are you looking at?” Your eyes will fall out!

“Zikki, if anything happens, I’m in,” Ada phlegmatically supported her.

– Girls, why are you here? – I moaned.

I didn’t have enough problems this morning, and I also didn’t want to make enemies among the guys casually.

– Don't worry, Kyari. You just don't know men's habits. Their friendship often begins with a good fight. Never show them that you are afraid. They feel fear and uncertainty like animals. They will chase their prey until they catch it.

–Where will they take you? – I batted my eyelashes.

Adalbjorg did not answer, she just said something inarticulate, rolling her eyes to the ceiling.

– To bed! It's clear! – Zikki explained for those naive like me, which made half of our company blush.

Even Lisel's cheeks turned pink.

Today no one was in a particular hurry; there were no classes. But this did not mean that we could sit still. It was necessary to have time to look into the library and get a textbook. View the schedule, prepare for the start of classes and settle into your room. Otherwise there won’t be any time because of lessons.

– Is everyone finished? Maybe we should go? – Lisel suggested.

– Mirre? – Ada turned to me.

– I finished eating. Thank you for waiting.

Rising from her seat, she followed the others towards the exit. A small queue formed at the locker room. I was the last to receive my coat, but didn’t put it on. Remembering that she had left the Focus here, she belatedly became afraid for its safety. A whole treasure trove lay unattended in my pocket while I calmly ate my porridge! What a fool!

He instinctively grabbed me by the waist and barked right in my face: Succumbing to panic, I climbed to check if the artifact was in place, but when I felt a hard round ball through the thick woolen fabric, I exhaled with relief. The girls had already left, so I hurried after and at the door ran into the same guy I had seen earlier. I literally encountered it. You could say I ran into him with a running start!

– Be careful!

– Sorry, essher. “I accidentally…” I stammered in surprise. And then I remembered the girls’ instructions.

“You can’t show fear and uncertainty…” Ada’s voice rang out in my thoughts.

“To bed! It’s clear!” – followed by Zikki.

I blushed and said:

– And, in general, watch where you are going!

It didn't turn out as confidently as I would have liked. Yes, it was rude, but it was still pathetic, which made it even more awkward. Ugh!

I had never been so close to a stranger, and just the fact that I was pressed against his body in an inappropriate way was enough to make me burn with shame. At the boarding school we were taught not to allow this to happen. As far as I knew, this is only permissible with a husband; in all other cases it causes irreparable harm to the reputation of an unmarried eshsheri, especially if everything happens in front of witnesses.

Judging by the fact that the dining room was almost full, and we were among the first to leave, there were plenty of witnesses to my fall. It seems the damage to my reputation has been fatal. I even felt dizzy from shock. From shock, I say! And not from the look of eyes the color of molten gold, a little stern and somehow appraising. And not from the sight of perfectly defined male lips, which are so close to mine that… This is unbearable!

– Let me go! This is not appropriate! – I squeaked in despair and tried to free myself.

Useless. Only the grip on my waist became stronger, and the guy’s muscles seemed to turn to stone. He leaned down slowly and I closed my eyes, frozen like a rabbit in a trap. For some reason, I thought that he was going to kiss me, but instead a hot whisper scorched my ear:

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

It would be better if he kissed me than listen to this!

Unable to bear it, I found the strength to push him away and, crimson with shame and indignation, jumped out of the dining room. From behind I heard the friendly laughter of the guys, giving me acceleration.

Chapter 7

Ethan Derberg, onyx dragon, adept of the Academy of Wind and Storms. Border of Onyx Rocks and the Steppe of the Seventeen Winds.

We approached the building where the new ones were supposed to live. The small terrace for relaxation was littered with all sorts of rubbish. There was only a small passage to the door.

– What a mess! – Kayu grimaced with disgust.

And Freckled kicked the leaky bucket, and it rolled with a roar along the wooden flooring. I winced, reacting to the unpleasant sound, and asked:

– Don't be demons! And so my head hurts.

We didn't have to wait long for the girls.

– Hey, guys! They are coming! – Aze stated the obvious when the delegation of adepts turned onto the main street of the campus.

–Who is it with them? – Kayu asked suspiciously.

Human vision was inferior to that of a dragon, and he could not see details at such a distance.

– All the creatures of the Ancient Forest! It's the Ogre! – I cursed at the sight of the dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

No one at the academy liked Estella Krieger.

– If she sees us here, she will deduct points! – Having lost all his bravado, Freckled became worried. “I almost got expelled that year because of her.” The father was very angry and did not want to listen to anything!

“But we’re not doing anything bad.” “We just came to meet you,” said Kayu, not too confidently, whose charm turned out to be powerless against this woman.

– And when did Estella need someone to do something to take off points? – I grinned.

– Stop talking, guys! Let's hide! – Ezeroth commanded.

Without hesitation, the malachite prince jumped over the balustrade and disappeared into the bushes. It never occurred to any of us to make fun of him. Without talking, following his example, we dashed there.

– Move over! – Jed whispered.

– Don't push! – Kayu snapped.

– Are there not enough bushes for you? – Aze hissed with displeasure.

The guys began to push each other, getting more comfortable. The bush really turned out to be too small for four, but it was too late to hide, and it was not worth using magic at all. But if you sit quietly, it’s unlikely that the dean will think of looking for someone here. She is still a household magician, not a combat one, and this difference in thinking often helped us avoid her attention.

– Stop it! They're close! – I hissed at my friends. “The Ogre has hearing like a dragon, so don’t even breathe!”

Estella Krieger also noticed this, judging by the unpleasant smile that played on her thin lips. A few minutes later, the girls, led by Ashsheri Krieger, were nearby. They began to look around in confusion at the housing provided to them, and almost everyone had a look of bewilderment on their faces. Of course! They had no idea where they were. They probably believed that everything here was made entirely of precious stones and silks.

– This is where you will live for the next year. In the attic there is a storage room, where you will find everything you need: bed linen, mattresses, spare furniture. In the basement there is a laundry room and everything you need for cleaning. Yes Yes. You'll have to clean up yourself. You see, the renovations have barely finished, and it’s still a mess, but I’m sure you can figure it out easily, you’re girls,” she added in a tone that made me cringe.

In fact, if adherents were removed from the academy, it was in two cases: as punishment and out of love for art. How will the new kids feel when they find out about this?