Gaselirot: An excursion - part 7

A knock on the door broke the silence, leaving Ivan no chance to sleep. Barely opening his tired eyes, he got out of bed and walked to the door. Grasping the handle and turning it, he slightly opened the door, behind it again stood the maid with a tray of food.

-Can I come in?

-Ah, yes, come in ... - Ivan hastily answered her.

The guy stepped aside, letting the girl go inside his room. She put down the tray and bowed out into the corridor. After breakfast, Ivan decided to go down to the first floor and find the others. Opening the door from his room again, he looked out into the corridor. Suddenly, one of the many doors opened and the figure of a girl appeared from there. She looked around and, not noticing Ivan, went in his direction. "Wait a minute! This is Nero's room! What is this girl ... Leah ?! Yes, this is Leah! What was she doing in his room ?! What did she want from him? Maybe she was serving as a hotel employee ... But that's all. anyway, you need to say hello. " Ivan opened the door to the end and stepped out, standing in front of Leah, he stopped her advance.

-Ah ... hi ...

-Hi, did you need something from Nero? You didn't have to go into the room. Can you tell me and I will give it to him?

-Not worth it - blushing, she lowered her head and stared at the floor.

-Why did you come to him at all?

-I have to go, sorry, goodbye!

The girl hastily retreated into the distance along the corridor, finally disappearing from sight. "And what's wrong with her today? Although, maybe she was always like this ... Yes, and yesterday she also blushed ... And why does she constantly run away?" Ivan decided not to dwell too much on this strange behavior of hers. He went down the stairs and began to look out for possible acquaintances at the tables. Finally seeing Nero, Ivan walked briskly to his rich acquaintance.

-Hello Nero.

-Ah, Ivan, Barsik, hello.

-What, are you planning to do "important things" again today?

-No, today she's a little busy ... - Nero bowed his head.

- I see ... Then what are you going to do now?

-Let me think ... And you, after all, you have never walked around this city, except perhaps to the shopping district, right?

-Well yes.

-Then it was decided, today I will take you on a tour of this wonderful town!

Nero got up, left the table and headed towards the exit, and Ivan followed. So they left the hotel.

-First, you should probably show something.

-Okay...

Nero moved along the streets, deepening into ever narrower and darker alleys. Everywhere there is dirt, dust, mountains of debris and people lying around. The hideous picture was in stark contrast to the wealthy houses in the shopping area. It seemed that they were in a completely different city. Nero led Ivan along all these beggar hovels and wretched landscapes. Nero stopped.

-Nero?

-We don't go further.

-What? Why?

- Then the beggar region begins and we shouldn't be there. Every second person here is a maniac killer or a thief. From around every corner, at any moment, another slum dweller can run out with a knife and the intention to gut his new victim. This is not a place where you can be sure of your safety.

- So dangerous ...

- You just need to know about it. I showed you this part of the city so you know where you shouldn't go. Well, now let's go to a safer place.

Nero turned around and headed back towards the shopping area. "I will definitely not go there now ..." Ivan kept looking in the direction of the poor quarter. Finally they came out into a small, round square.

- You see that staircase. - Nero gestured towards the stairs that led to the upper part of the city. - these steps lead to a residential area.

- So you have to climb these steps to get to the residential area? But what about horses and carriages?

-Ha ha. You see, this city was built at the foot of the mountain, which made it possible to make a multi-level arrangement of the city's districts, this gives the guards a strong advantage when attacking opponents. At the very bottom there are two districts: commercial and poor, on the second level is the residential area, and on the third is the wealthy area. And, of course, paths for horses and carriages are provided. On the side of the stairs there are narrow passages with guard posts at the entrances, thanks to this, even if the enemies fall into this passage, they will not be able to build up their army normally, and from above, with the help of spears, the guards will calmly bridle the enemy. Moreover, there may be only a few defenders.

-I see...

- Okay, I won't bother you with all this nonsense, let's go and take a look at the residential area.

-Ah, yeah.

Accompanied by Ivan, Nero climbed the steps of the stone-paved staircase, after which they found themselves on a large, long square with small shops of various kinds, street vendors with stalls along the edges and a slightly modest alley, every now and then peering at the unusual goods and fancy clothes of some highly distinguished personalities. But Ivan tried not to lag behind Nero, they were only on excursions, but each of them, in addition to rest, had their own things to do.

They passed between rather rustic houses, of a rustic type. The main buildings here were made of stone and wood. The gargoyles looking out from behind the walls of the buildings looked quite simple and the houses had almost no decorations. The residential area was, in a way, poor for the modern world of Ivan and to him, it seemed a rather pitiful sight. "And most of them live in houses like this? I don't even feel sorry for them ... But what am I talking about? My house was not very sophisticated, unless my technologies are better developed ... But still ... It doesn't seem very good here. lives ... "

-I think you've seen enough of the surroundings of this area. To be honest, I don't know much in a residential area. Basically, most of the time, I am in the wealthy and commercial areas. It makes no sense for me to visit the lands of the commoners.

- So you don't even know what is here and where?

-It is, in this place, people do not have a lot of money and they cannot afford to buy my goods, and those who are looking for good goods go down to the shopping area, it makes no sense for my trade union to bring goods here and set up shops, it would only cause trouble and unjustified expenses. Come on, I'll show you the rich area! Things will go better there!

-Okay.

This time they came to a polished, marble staircase with a fence, sparkling in the sunlight and adorned with skillfully made patterns that create the effect of aristocracy and material wealth, as well as winding the atmosphere of antiquity. At the top was a long alley with tall, majestic trees. Many different, beautiful flowers, grasses, bushes and trees, having different, all kinds of colors, created a wonderful picture in the eyes of Ivan. Passing all these treasures of nature, they reached a high and stately gate. On either side of them were guards, their uniforms were of high-quality fabric, expensive trimmings adorned their frock coats, and their armor gave cause for envy. One of them walked over to Nero and nodded to the other. While one of the guards was opening the gate, the other was talking to Nero.

- Mr. Nero, I greet you. Excuse me, but who is this young man next to you?

-This is my good friend, he is with me.

-Excellent, enjoy your day, honorable gentlemen. - the knights bowed.

- Let's go - Nero turned to Ivan.

After passing through the gate, they entered a wealthy area. Tall buildings made of all kinds of materials and adorned with the most expensive precious stones and metals competed among themselves in their unique splendor. Aristocratic maidens and their husbands walked along the streets of this quarter, they looked like some kind of royalty. It seemed to Ivan that he was superfluous here. "I definitely shouldn't be here! I look like a poor man out of a gateway! Is it normal that I could even walk through this gate? If Nero wasn't here, would I be able to get through? Would they be addressing me so formally? Yes, for sure , they would chase me away like a stray cat! How influential is this companion of mine? "

-There's a lovely diner here. - Nero nodded in the direction of a three-story building with a small sign on which incomprehensible symbols were displayed.

The girl who was standing at the entrance to the diner, seeing them, immediately ran up to them. Red hair, white, short apron, green eyes, freckles on the cheeks and slightly tanned skin, created the image of a carefree girl.

-Mr. Nero! Would you like to visit our establishment? We will serve you at the highest level!

-Ha, ha, Eshulia, you look great as always, I think we will come to you for a little while. Nero smiled benevolently.

-'We'? - the girl slowly turned her gaze to Ivan, misunderstanding what could summarize people so different in status. - It...

-This is Ivan, my good friend.

-Ah! Forgive me, I did not assume that he is with you! Please come in, I will offer you the best food, as an excuse. - the girl blushed and bowed a little.

-Not worth it. Let's have a quiet snack.

They went inside. The smell of cooked pastries and various types of spices hit the nostrils of those who entered, teasing and whetting their appetite. The multitude of matte black tables and chairs suggested the hostess's profitability and good taste. They sat down at one of the tables next to the window. The same girl came up to them and put on the table a couple of glasses of drinks and a few snacks: plates with thinly sliced ​​bacon and cheese, small cakes.

-Sorry for the wait, accept this against my apologies to you.

- I said, it's not worth it.

-Do not hesitate, this is at the expense of the institution. Anything else?

-Then give us something stronger than this juice. - Nero looked at the glass on the table, filled with yellow liquid.

-Can then you "Laduarman"?

- I'll rely on your taste.

- Then I'll give it to you right now.

The girl ran away, hastily casting a nervous glance at Ivan. "She doesn't like me ... And what have I done to her?" Soon after they drank the juice and almost finished eating a snack, they were served a bottle of dark liquid and two glasses.

Seeing this bottle in the girl's hands, Nero cheered up with joy and a smile began to play on his face.

-This is not a very strong black wine, quite refined and allows you to have a good evening without getting drunk.

-Not strong ... - Nero was a little wary.

- Forgive me for my choice, I will serve you the strongest right now! - Eshulia instantly blushed and was already preparing to turn around and run back for the coveted bottle of strong wine.

-Do not worry, I am not a drinker, it will be too strong for me.

-Don't you like getting drunk?

-I never got drunk or drank anything strong.

-You never drank strong ?! - Nero was surprised.

- Forgive me if I disappointed you ... - Ivan lowered his head a little.

-No, I have to apologize to you. Nero also tilted his head.

Eshulia opened her eyes wide when she saw this behavior of Nero, she had never seen him so sincerely apologize to any male. She once again, very carefully looked at Ivan, still trying to understand who this young guy, sitting at the table of her institution, is. She had already put down the wine and moved away from this unusual pair of men. Having poured liquid into glasses, they took them in their hands.

-Well, hetarin!

-Hetarin?

-Yeah, wish for the future.

"Something like 'toast'? Another thing that's different from my world, albeit a little ..."

-Well, then come on! - Ivan was inspired

-To the prosperity of our kingdom of Guardion!

-Yeah! - no longer hesitating, Ivan agreed with any cries of Nero.

So they spent some time cheerfully sitting at the table with a bottle of black wine. Soon they left the building, having paid for the order in advance, and, not forgetting to leave a tip to the hostess for her friendliness and helpfulness, they headed down the street.

- And it really is light, I almost did not even get drunk. - Ivan wondered at the alcoholic liquid.

-Yes, great service, I would have chatted with Eshulia longer, but we have to go.

-Where now?

-We should see the best forge in this whole city!

-And where is she?

-A little further down the street.

-Well, let's go.

After walking for some time in a straight line, they stopped at a wide, but low store. The still unreadable sign with a scorched hammer and anvil caught Ivan's eyes. "So this is the same smithy? Isn't it too small?" Ivan looked at the building in front of him with a slightly incredulous look. After a while they entered the smithy. There was a small group of people inside, looking at the merchandise behind the counters. Ivan and Nero approached the alleged seller, it was a bald man with a brown beard and a nervous look, but one of his features was not immediately noticed by Ivan, his height was only slightly above the waist, at first Ivan thought that the seller squatted at the counter, but later it turned out that standing behind the counter you could only see a man's head .. "What the hell? He's so small! And how can he even work here?" Although the seller looked formidable, as soon as he saw Nero, his face immediately changed.

- Oh, Mr. Nero, welcome to my humble gun shop.

- Modest does not mean bad, Gyunet.

- Thank you so much for the compliment. - Gyunet bowed. - And what would you like to buy, this time?

-Today I came for an unusual purchase, I showed the city to this young man - Nero put his hand on Ivan's shoulder. - and decided to buy him a good weapon for self-defense.

- Weapons ... - thought Gyunet, looking at Ivan.

-Something wrong with the order? Nero stared at him questioningly.

-I'm a little surprised that he needs a weapon ...

-So?

-His belt blade is more suitable for thieves or archers, which is a secondary weapon for an ordinary warrior, he does not look like a strong and strong knight, he is a magician or a secretive assassin, but one more weapon, besides the blade, is hardly suitable if he certainly not a combat type, and a thief only if wielding two blades ... But his hands ... You are sure that he still needs a weapon, and his blade is not so simple. Many knowledgeable people would give a lot for the possession of such a weapon.

Ivan's face was frozen in surprise. "He said so many things based on what kind of hands and dagger I have? He's definitely not a simple salesman ..." Nero slowly nodded and looked back at Gyunet.

-What then should he buy?

-If relying on his physique, then you should take a couple of scrolls with spells in the magic shop or an enchanted weapon. Is he a battle mage?

-I have never used magic ... - replied a little drooping Ivan.

- Not once ... Maybe you have a talent, visit a magic teacher, I certainly don't know anything about this, but what if you are an ideal candidate?

-Then we'll go, thanks for your guidance. - thanked Nero.

-It's my pleasure. - said Gyunet.

-Come again. - he said after them

After they left the forge, Nero led Ivan through the richly furnished houses. "Magic ... What if I can really use it? Can I control the elements? Damn, I can't wait!"

- We're going to the magic shop, right?

-Yes, Dusiei's magic shop.

-And how long do we have to go? - Ivan could not wait to use this unknown power.

-Ha, ha, I see the magic interests you. - smiled Nero.

-Yeah, this is great! - Ivan excitedly walked down the street, after Nero.

- There she is. - Nero pointed with his hand in the direction of a high five-story building.

A tall, bluish-gray brick building with iron-studded lamps. At the entrance there are two guards, dressed in silver armor, behind which are a long sword and a steel, teardrop-shaped shield. Seeing Nero, the guards immediately bowed and he and Ivan calmly walked inside. On the walls there are many shelves with different types of flasks and stones of different sizes and all kinds of colors, some rolls of papyrus and all sorts of bags with something glowing inside. Different persons now and then come up to something lying against the wall and examine, or ask the man behind the original counter. He was dressed in a blue and white robe with a high collar that covered his chin, and also wore black-rimmed tinted glasses that covered his stern and serious look of dark blue eyes. Clean, white skin, thin nose and sharp chin made the girls' hearts beat faster. Nero went to the counter and called the above-described man:

-Merion, come here.

- Yes, Mr. Nero. - said the man in the white robe.

"Even he treats him like a master ... Although he looks like the one who usually commands others ... And his gaze, like some dictator's ..." - Ivan watched thoughtfully from the sidelines, at the conversation Nero and an incomprehensible man.

- Can I help you? - asked Merion and began to carefully examine Ivan and the beast on his shoulder.

- Yes, I need something - Nero answered.

- Is this young man with you? - the burning glance of Merion was still fixed on Ivan.

-Oh yes, this is Ivan, and he is directly connected with my arrival.

-True? - Merion was a little surprised.

- Could you help him with the study of magic?

-Help with magic ... And on what element is his magic based?

- I have never used magic ... - Ivan answered a little embarrassedly and stared at the floor.

-Never?! - finally indignant Merion, emotionally gesturing and continuously measuring the room with his steps.

-Ghm, ghm. - Nero covered his mouth with his fist.

-Em, sorry for my behavior. - immediately pulled himself together Merion.

-He would like to test himself for predisposition and, if possible, learn the basics.

-Well, we can arrange a check, but, of course, you understand that this is not an entirely simple operation ...

-Of course, we will agree on everything upstairs.

-Then follow me.

Nodding, Nero and Ivan followed Merion up the stairs. A new man, who had been ordered to do so by Merion, stood behind the counter. They went up to the fifth floor and went out into the corridor, walking a little along it, reached a door with metal inserts and an incomprehensible, for Ivan, a sign on it. Once outside the door, they found themselves in an office with a bearded old man at the table, his long, light silver beard descended just below the table, he was wearing a purple robe, the hair on the top of his head had long since fallen out and there was not a hint of even a small bunch of them. ... Wise eyes had gray pupils, deep wrinkles cut through his high forehead, his nose was long, and his sunken cheeks betrayed his deep old age.

- Mr. Dusiey, Mr. Nero has arrived to you.

-Hello, Dusiey.

- Welcome, Nero.

-I would like to test my companion for a predisposition to magic.

-Check for predisposition ... Money first.

Nero took out a small bag from under his cloak and, counting the coins, put it on the table. Merion, counting all the same, turned to the head of this store:

-Everything up to a coin is here.

-Then let him stretch out his hand. - said Dusiey.

Ivan stretched out his hand in front of him. Dusiey took this hand and turned it up with his palm. He put his palm on top and, after a while, a blue color appeared between them, seeping out and creating a mysterious atmosphere in this room. It was very bright and eventually the whole room took on a blue tint.

-Ho, ho, he has a clear high talent for the element of water! - croaked Dusiey.

-Just just in case I will check other elements, but hardly anyone can have two extra predispositions to elements, this is a rather rare phenomenon. - continued Dusiei.

This time, a bright brown color shone between the palms. Merion's eyes widened.

-He has a talent for land no less than for water ... - said Dusiey.

-Yes, you are lucky, Ivan, people like you are developing quite well in the future in the field of magic, maybe even you will become a teacher of magic elements!

-He, heh - Ivan gave an uncertain laugh.

-Then let's try the wind element. - whispered Dusiey.

The green light from the palms colored the room again. The eyes of Merion and Dusiey instantly widened and were the size of a large coin and almost popped out of their sockets.

-Yes, it can't be! - Unable to resist shouted Merion.

-What, is that something bad? - Ivan was worried.

-Bad ?! Yes, that's great! People like you are born once every 100 years! You can safely become the commander of a small army of magicians! Teach the children of high-ranking nobles and even have some of them subordinate! People like you are almost at the very top of military services!

-True?! - Nero and Ivan were surprised.

-Of course! Magic predictions from Dusiey have never been wrong!

-Just, just in case, I'll check the fire element ... - said Dusiey

A bright red color illuminated everything around.

-Yes, how is that ... - Merion's words broke off in the middle of the sentence, because Dusiey began hastily to check other elements.

Purple, pink, white, and black flooded the room in turn. There was complete silence in the room, tearing the ear cavities of all the people inside. Merion no longer dared to utter a word, he just sat on the floor with his back against the wall. Dusiey sat with a stone face, not moving and, it seemed, did not even breathe. Even though Nero and Ivan did not understand anything about magic, even so, now they were stone statues with open mouths.

-Ha, ha, ha ... - Dusiey burst into quiet chuckles.

-It just cannot be, it is impossible, I am dreaming ... - Merion swayed from side to side.

-What is the name of this gentleman, whose hand is now in mine?

-His name is Ivan.

-Mister Ivan, please, will you become my mentor? Dusiei asked.

-E ?! - Nero was very surprised.

-I have never met a person with a predisposition to so many elements at once! With such abilities, he can no doubt rule the country, while plugging others in the belt! This boundless power, if he develops each of the elements, then he will no doubt be almost omnipotent! Moreover, all of his predispositions are of the highest degree! Even I have only an extremely high predisposition to water and fire, and simply the highest to air!

-But I never used magic at all and that's why I came here ... I needed a teacher ...

-I will gladly become your teacher! Please do not forget my help! You will be my personal student!

-A personal student ?! cried Nero.

-What? - Ivan turned around.

-Dusiei's personal students have great respect, even from the nobles, he is the best spellcaster in this city! Even the lords listen to his words! - said Merion, still sitting in the corner of the room and swinging from side to side in the fetal position.

-Wow! - Ivan's eyes widened.

-I'll start your training immediately.

-Sorry, but my money is now in the main headquarters of the Eruon trade union, it will take me time to pay for your training.

-It's free! Just let me teach this young master! I want to see his progress!

-He, heh, heh ... - Ivan did not know whether to laugh or cry to him.

-Let's go to the backyard, and I'll personally start teaching Ivan magic.

-Em, yeah! - Ivan answered with optimism.

- Yes ... - with a devastated look, answered Merion.

-And I'll probably go, I have things to do.

-Farewell, Nero - Dusiey said goodbye, although it seemed that he did not pay attention to him and was thinking about something of his own.

Nero left the room and soon left the building, heading somewhere into the distance. Then Dusiey left the room, Ivan followed him with an energetic step and Merion dragged behind him. Going down to the first floor of the magic shop, they walked along the windows and shelves with goods towards the exit, visitors with surprised faces constantly looked at them, after all, Dusiey rarely left his office and this man next to him, who walked with an energetic step, was completely unfamiliar to any of those present, isn't this a new disciple of Dusiey? Could it be that they could see the new lucky one? Such events happened extremely rarely and for any average resident to see this moment will be happiness. Out on the street, they headed behind the building, where there was a passage to a large, open, backyard. In the courtyard there were several scarecrows for training magic, there were also walls and various types of test buildings. Dusiey stopped in front of one of the scarecrows and turned towards Ivan. The hare jumped to the ground and moved away to the wall.

-Now let's check how you control the mana flow. Try to concentrate and not move.

-Yes!

Ivan stood still, like a pillar and tried not to twitch.

-It's done!

-Now I will try to awaken the mana inside you, for those who are just starting out, it is usually difficult to do it on your own.

-So?

-Those who have never felt the mana within themselves are unlikely to be able to use it. It's like managing what you see for the first time, it's very difficult to learn how to fish when you don't know how to get the bait, what it should be, and how to work with a fishing rod.

Memories of how he fished on the lake flashed through Ivan's mind. "Damn, it really was difficult, though I wasn't using a fishing rod then ..."

-But magic is a much more subtle instrument than a fishing rod, and learning how to use it yourself becomes almost impossible for an ordinary person.

-I see.

Dusiey approached Ivan from behind and put his hand on her. Something began to pour into Ivan's body and spread throughout his body. Ivan felt a tremendous surge of strength. "What is this? As if the powers have been transferred to me, is this mana? How can I use magic? I can't wait to try it out!"

-Well, how do you like it?

-I feel my best!

Remember this feeling, when mana starts to activate, you will have to do it all the time when preparing spells, each spell requires a certain amount of mana. Mana is an astral entity that accumulates inside the body with a certain time, which depends on the disposition to magic of a person, for example, you quickly accumulate mana of all types of elements. The accumulation of mana depends on the surroundings. For example: in the sea you will accumulate mana of water faster, on the ground the mana of the earth and with a strong wind the mana of the wind, and in the forest you will have an advantage in the mana of fire, since the mana of fire is slightly different from all others, it is a kind of mana of nature that ignites when concentrated. There are also some special types of mana. These are mana of sound, mana of illusion, mana of light and mana of darkness. You also have a huge predisposition to all of them, which gives you an advantage in any conditions. Mana of light is best absorbed in light and darkness in darkness. The mana of sound and the mana of illusion are the most unexplored of all these types of magic, they come from nowhere and their use is also almost unexplored, only one person in a billion has them!

-Wow!

-Yes, you really are something, to have everything at once ... Okay, first try to concentrate mana in one place.

-Concentrate?

Ivan began to strain his back muscles, trying to bring all the mana together, but nothing came of it.

-You are doing everything wrong! Mana is not something physical, until you transform it, you have to imagine it in your mind, you have to enter a state of rest and meditation.

-Meditation and rest ...

Ivan sat down in the lotus position, closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, but again nothing worked. Noticing another failure of Ivan, Dusiey was a little upset.

-Wrong again! Clear your thoughts from everything, enter a state of deep sleep!

-But if I fall asleep, how can I study?

-Mana will help you stay awake and awake, just try it!

-Then...

Ivan closed his eyes again and tried not to think about anything, he tried to clear his thoughts from everything and forget about everything. He fell into himself. The darkness and complete silence, all the howling of the wind and distant sounds were gone. He found himself in pitch darkness. But he could move, he moved his limbs, but he did not see them. And now he felt something new inside himself, it seemed he could feel the color of what was inside him. He could control it. There was a liquid inside him, vaguely giving off different kinds of paints, but he could hardly distinguish them. He tried to visualize their movement and concentrated on it. And suddenly, he began to feel the movement of this fluid inside him. She slowly shimmered inside him.

He formed a small ball out of it in his chest. Now Ivan tried to open his eyes. A dim light hit them, the sound returned to Ivan and he immediately heard the howling of the wind, it seemed he teleported to a completely different world.

- I'm done ... I think I did it.

-Already so fast? Really? - Dusiey quickly walked up to Ivan and put his hand to his back. - Wow! You really made a ball of mana! Although rather vague, crooked, but a ball! Usually, just one entry into a meditative state for an ordinary person takes almost a whole day! And the feeling of liquid, and even more so, its movement takes weeks! Is this your first time using it?

-Yes, but then why did you ask me to immediately enter the meditative state, if usually it is not reached so quickly?

-Ah, this is part of training ... To show how far a person is from magic and how hard he needs to work ... But you! You are incredible! In total, something like nine hours!

-Nine o'clock?! - Ivan shouted in surprise.

Indeed, Ivan simply did not pay attention to the passage of time and did not notice the onset of darkness. It was already evening and the street was empty, only he was Dusiey and Merion.

-In a meditative state, time passes in a completely different way.

-How so ...

- Don't worry too much about it, now it's too late and we should go back to the shop, spend the night with us, you can't go outside at curfew.

-Well, yes, probably...

-Come after me.

Ivan together with Dusia, Merion and Barsik returned to the shop.

-Ivan, especially for you, we have allocated an apartment on the fourth floor, the door is on the extreme, on the right, today you will sleep there.

-Thank you very much, Dusiey.

-He, heh, you can go.

-See you tomorrow, then!

Saying goodbye, Ivan went up to the fourth floor and entered his room. A luxurious bed against the wall, next to it a bedside table, a wide window with doors and long curtains inside, a large wardrobe opposite the bed and several chairs with a table, all this very much reminded Ivan of his old apartment in which he lived, in that distant world. Having closed the sash on the window and drew the curtains, he, taking off his uniform with outer clothing, lay flat on the bed, his body by that moment was filled with a leaden weight and ached. After such a hard day, Ivan fell asleep almost immediately, as soon as his head touched the pillow, Barsik settled down on his soft stomach.

So Ivan began to comprehend the basics of magic!