73. Convention

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Since I had time, I started replenishing my Mana storage again. Moreover, when restoring the Dagger of Ek Chuaj, I spent a lot of money.

This time, I did it a little differently. I realized that I did a little wrong last time, when I left 70%. It didn't make sense. Well, we all make mistakes.

This time, I left 99% mana in my body. And all the Mana that was regenerated was sent to the storage. And so constantly.

As for increasing my reserve, I will deal only after the story with Zs'Skayr. I don't want to take any more risks.

When I finished, I went back to watching local television.

Grandpa woke up half an hour later. Since there was nothing to do, Max ordered breakfast with coffee in the room and joined me. The coffee, by the way, was disgusting.

The TV was talking about the Shadow again. Last night he stole another treasure in Caracas.

Everything was, as always, got inside, took the value, left a note and dumped into the shadows, in the literal sense.

This time, it was not a museum, but the home of a rather influential Venezuelan general. Apparently, his private collection was not quite clean, since the Shadow visited him.

This time, not only the police were there, but also the private army. The general did not stint, and hired pretty cool guys. But all, again, in vain. It is unlikely that ordinary people, even if they are professional soldiers, will ever be able to catch the Shadow.

Shadow's next target, by the way, is in Mumbai. Another rich man and his private collection. Well, he has a week to say goodbye to his treasure.

There was nothing else interesting on TV. Television in this world is also not very well developed. What can I say about the series. I feel sorry for the local people, they will never understand what a really good series is.

But, I'm too lazy to change anything, so it remains only to feel sorry for them.

Although, there were some good and even original talk shows here, but I'm not a fan of this. And here is Grandpa, an ardent fan of the local Oprah.

In the past, I have several times caught him watching TV with tears in his eyes. What a spectacle, I tell you. Here is the legendary hero of space. I never want to see this again.

Before the girls woke up, I decided to check the Internet on the topic of the Legion. There was nothing interesting. Only theories. People wonder where I'll show up next.

Skye, by the way, still listened to me and did not restore the site. But, this did not stop other enthusiasts from continuing her work and creating similar sites.

I'm lucky that there are no more talents like Skye and I'm basically not in danger. For all the time, they were able to recognize a couple more of my transformations, but that's it.

At eight in the morning, the girls finally woke up. When they saw me sitting quietly, they were obviously surprised. Still, I almost always disappear in the morning, minding my business.

- Did you go anywhere today? - Gwen asked, holding back a yawn.

- Went. But I quickly finished my business. - I said honestly.

- And what were you doing? - Ashley asked as she sat down next to me.

- I'll tell you later. By the way, today we are likely to meet our old friend. - I said, pointing at the laptop monitor.

On the screen was an article about today's prison break, which is two hundred kilometers from Las Vegas. It was not said who escaped, but everything is clear to me.

- Prison break? Who escaped? - Gwen asked, tilting her head.

- Hex.

- Hex? The same sorcerer you took Bezel's Charms from? - Ashley asked.

- Yes. It looks like the police tied him up that time and put him in a local prison. - I said. Well, this was already clear, but the girls were not in the know.

- And you think he's coming to town? - Gwen asked.

- Yes, I'm 100% sure. And with our luck, we'll meet him almost immediately. But this time, it's all yours. I won't even interfere. Hex is the perfect opponent for you and you can try out all your techniques and skills on him. This is a very good chance for you. - I said with a serious face.

- But will you cover us? - Ashley asked.

- Not. Generally. I found out that he has one artifact that does not belong to him. As soon as Hex shows up, I'll pick him up and leave. Then it's yours. Also, you will have to make sure that people do not get hurt. Consider that this time, you are alone. - I said, still maintaining a serious expression on my face.

It is high time for them to become independent. And stop relying on me all the time. During this time, I will also be able to talk to the Charmcaster.

When they heard me, the girls were quite surprised. They didn't seem to expect me to leave them alone. But they need it.

And apparently they understand it too. They looked at each other for a moment and nodded their heads.

- Okay, you can rely on us. We'll manage. - Gwen said with confidence in her voice.

- Yes. We are not little girls. Besides, we are strong. No wonder you trained us so much. Hex can't handle us. We'll put it up quickly. - Ashley exclaimed, raising her hand.

- The right attitude. — discarding all the recent seriousness, I said with a smile.

- Do you know where Hex will go? - Ashley asked.

- Yes. Right here. - I said, and brought up an advertisement for the Wizard Convention on the monitor.

- This is ... I just wanted to go there. - Gwen said surprised.

- Well, I told you that with our luck, we will definitely run into Hex. Even if I hadn't found out about his plans, we would still have met. - With a smirk, I said.

- How did you find out about his plans? - Gwen asked.

- Well, let's just say I have a spy. She wants to get rid of Hex, so she asked for help. - I said honestly.

- She? And who is 'she'? - Gwen asked, narrowing her eyes.

- I'll tell you later. If everything goes well, she can become our magic teacher. After all, you won't get far with two books and magic constructions. - I said, trying to calm the growing conflict.

- She wants that artifact you want to take from Hex? - Ashley asked.

- Yes. Well, since everything has been discussed, go get dressed, it's time for us to leave soon. - I said.

Gwen and Ashley wanted to say something else, but decided to leave me alone. Thank God.

When they went to get ready, grandfather came up to the sofa, who heard the whole conversation and asked:

- Do you really think they're ready?

- Yes. It's time for them to get real combat experience and test their skills in real combat. - I said smartly.

- You're right, no training can replace a real fight. But I'm still worried. - thoughtfully, said Grandpa.

- Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll leave a clone to look after them. And besides, we have the Charm of Resurrection. And honestly, Hex isn't all that dangerous. Right now, his Staff only has half the power. Everything will be OK. - I said reassuringly.

- Well, if there's going to be a clone there, then I don't need to worry. - with a sigh, said Grandpa.

Well, that's good. I warned the girls, and reassured the grandfather.

After 15 the girls were ready, so we went to have breakfast.

Despite the fact that the hotel was pretty cool, the buffet was poor. And the products were so-so. Good thing we're not picky.

After breakfast, we went to the Wizard Convention. This event itself took place in one of the five-star hotels, which has a casino.

In such places, such conventions often take place, so it's not surprising.

Since we arrived quite early, we decided to take a walk and see what there is of interest.

If you don't know that magic really exists, then it's very cool here.

But, unfortunately, we have all seen real magic and technologies that are difficult to distinguish from magic. The same Omnitrix, an example of this.

Therefore, we were frankly bored. At least me and Gwen for sure. It's hard to tell from Grandfather what he thinks.

I'm sure he wasn't impressed either, after all he'd seen a lot in his life.

But Ashley here was interesting. She liked all those conjurer, fortune-tellers and fake paraphernalia.

Gwen was clearly unhappy with this place and soon broke down.

- There is nothing real here. Some fakes. I thought there would be real magic here. It would be better not to come here at all. - Gwen puffed indignantly.

- What else did you expect from Vegas? - I asked.

- But I thought that since magic really exists, there would be at least something magical here. Since there's nothing real here, why would Hex come here? - Gwen asked. And she knows how to ask questions.

- A place like this convention is not where any true magician will come. So, logically speaking, this is the perfect place to hide something magical. - I said.

- Here you are right. And what is Hex looking for here? - Gwen asked thoughtfully.

Instead of answering, I pointed at one of the counters. Gwen turned and looked where I pointed.

The same gypsy woman sat behind the counter and sold her knick-knacks.

At first, Gwen didn't understand what I meant. But then she finally noticed the bracelet.

- That's… - Gwen muttered.

- Yes. Bezel's Keystone. It's just the same and looking for Hex. - I said. Of course, Gwen knows what that thing is. She did read the Archamada Book of Spells, after all.

- He is real?

- Not. Of course, it's fake. Tonight, I used a search spell and found the stone, and then replaced it with a fake. Do not leave such an artifact in the hands of ordinary people. Besides, who knows what crazy magician might accidentally find him. - I said.

- And what did you do with the stone? - Gwen asked.

- For now, I've hidden it. Then, when I have time, I will study it. Most likely, I will keep it for myself and will use it. - I said thoughtfully.

- Well, yes, it turns out honestly. We each have two of Bezel's Charms. - Gwen muttered.

- Right. Go ahead. Hex should be coming soon. - I said and led Gwen to walk further.

Like I said, Hex showed up ten minutes later. And again, without too much pathos was not done. Breaking through the upper window, he flew into the room, shrouded in red smoke.