Chapter 15 (1/2)

Draco was really excited about his first magic lesson. He had been looking forward to it ever since he had sat with Gizel after breakfast talking about what to see in the city. As it turned out, the elven maiden knew an unusually large amount about the attractions offered by the city of mages. Throughout, she mainly advised him to stick with his friends on his first visit and try not to get lost. She also tossed around a few ideas for places to visit.

Now, however, Draco was waiting in his master's study until they started their first lesson. Darius had brought some thick leather-bound books and placed them on the table in front of the dragon.

-I think these will be adequate as a starting point.- The mage said and took a seat opposite his apprentice.- Let's start with some basics though.- He smiled and encouraged Draco to sit more comfortably.- Any magic is essentially a form of energy manipulation. It doesn't matter if we're talking about elemental power, the power of light, or Azgardian silver magic. Each of these comes down to the principle of mana manipulation, and the incantations from these systems provide support in creating an image of the end result or are a sub-image imposed by the particular field of magic. Often the incantations are long and intricate, so they are shortened by replacing words or even whole sentences with patterns, geometric figures, runic signs from extinct languages or symbols known only to initiates. For this reason, there are many forms of spell writing, but they can be divided into three basic categories.- With every word Darius spoke, the mage began to speak with greater devotion, as if he was only just finding out for himself how much joy the transmission of knowledge could bring.- The first type, being the simplest and weakest, is thought magic. It is based on the use of one's will to manipulate mana. Despite its many restrictions and very limited power, it is the basic type of combat magic spells. Every soldier must master spells of this type at the level of reflexes. Do you suspect why?- The mage raised his eyebrow slightly while looking at the dragon investigatively.

-If they don't require incantations and runic circles they should be the fastest,- Draco replied uncertainly. He wondered if he'd answered correctly, but he didn't need to remain unsure for long. The satisfaction burning in Darius' eyes was enough for all his words.

-Yes, they are the fastest.- The mage nodded.- Even considering that they are relatively weak they make up for it with their casting speed, which is only limited by the mage's reflexes. The second type is word magic. Incantations give more strength to a spell and make its image clearer. They may take longer to cast, but the power is incomparable to thought magic. Everyone tries to shorten the formula as much as possible while not reducing the power. These types of spells are the most commonly used. They strike a balance between power and the skills needed and focus required. The third basic type is runic magic. It is based on creating circles from runes and requires the most focus and skill from the mage. Most high-level spells are based precisely on the runic system.- Bleist suspended his voice for a moment pondering something.- These are the three basic types of magic, but there are three others in addition to them. One is racial magic, which is specific to particular beings, such as the ability of Seers to perceive past events strongly associated with objects. The other is syncretic magic which combines two or all of the basic types together. For example, what you did at Matheo's was an example of syncretic magic. You used your will to give a spell a form and runes giving it power.- Draco became slightly embarrassed and lowered his gaze for a heartbeat. Seeing this reaction Darius smiled slightly.- The last type classified as separate is healing magic. It mainly falls under the usual division, but often some of its rules contradict the laws governing the other types of magic,- the mage breathed a little and made an apologetic face.- About the latter I can't quite comment, as I lack knowledge in its field. You will learn more about healing in Solvein.- Draco twitched when the bulky building in Dagos stood before his eyes, but the image quickly disappeared. I'm not going back there anymore. I'm going to go to school on Atlantis now. Mentally he quietened down a little.- Back to the present moment,- Darius took up.- The books I have prepared for you talk about the basics of mana manipulation. I think you will come to learn these laws quickly.- Such a statement would once have sent shivers down the dragon's spine, who would have expected something bad, but now he merely smiled and nodded eagerly. Gaining knowledge had always been a remarkable task for him, allowing him to understand more about the world around him. - Now, alas, I must excuse myself and get on with my work.- Darius did not look thrilled at the vision of returning to his duties and Draco could have sworn that his master was just waiting for an excuse, even a not-so-good one, so that he could get away from them. The dragon quickly claimed the heavy books and bowed to his master. He still had plenty of time until lunch and wanted to at least browse through the volumes. He almost ran to his room and immediately set about reading.

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Draco was so busy studying his books that he paid no attention to the servant until the latter put his hand on his shoulder. Dinner time came really unexpectedly. The dragon shuddered and thanked that the butler had come to ask him to eat. He marked the spot where he had finished reading and went down to the dining room. Outside the door he met Gizel, who looked as if she had just returned from the city. She was dressed in an airy gown and wore light make-up. She smiled gently when she saw him.

-I see I won't have to eat alone.- Said the elf as Draco opened the door for her.- Your master hasn't returned from the Palace yet.- She explained reading the surprise on the dragon's face.- He was summoned shortly after you finished your first lesson, and he didn't want to disturb you, so he didn't say anything to you.

-Thank you for telling me.- Draco nodded, refraining from bowing. He suspected Gizel wouldn't react too well to such formality.- I thought I'd see master some more before I leave.- He added sitting down at the table.- I wanted to ask a few things....

-The intricacies of magic, isn't it?- The elven maiden squinted slightly, so the dragon only nodded briefly, sensing that it was not a topic she would be interested in.

-Unfortunately, young master will have to wait until tomorrow with his questions.- Oscar appeared out of nowhere, silently like a phantom.- It is possible that the earl will not return until night. So I advise you to be patient.

-Don't worry, Darius is probably wondering all the time if he should come back and help you with something. Even if he looks calm he rarely really is.- Gizel seemed somewhat amused. The elven lady was amused every time she had the chance to put a pin in her friend's head, but surprisingly she knew a lot about him really and, despite her behaviour, she cared about him. In her own way. Draco was beginning to suspect that they weren't such ordinary friends. The glances they exchanged with each other always hid something behind them and, too often for the dragon's taste, they made Darius look away or his face flush. It was possible that they had some feelings for each other, quite deep ones. However, they both tried to hide this fact. They seemed not to know themselves what they should do with them.

Draco was getting thoughtful. He still didn't know what he should really think about the elven beauty. On the one hand, every word she spoke seemed balanced, thoughtful and lined with at least one subtext. He had no idea how to read what she was saying, but her tone and her eyes betrayed many of the emotions she was trying to cover up. On the other hand, however, he had managed to really like her. Just for this unpredictability, for her often painful honesty and for some unusual charm that her personality exuded. Although she seemed unemotional it seemed that everything she did, she did with others in mind. Selfish, yet surreptitiously helping others. Brash and cool, yet charming and intimidating at the same time. Draco felt somewhere deep down that it was her complexity that made her so interesting.

-I ordered a carriage to be prepared for the young master.- The dragon looked at the majordomo in surprise. He did not know if he had heard correctly. He was already about to speak up and say that he didn't have to bother, after all Matheo's workplace wasn't that far away, but he remembered that it had taken him almost two hours by carriage to reach the estate, even skipping seeing the passing attractions. The next thing he noticed was that the maid was just serving dessert. I must have drifted off. He embarrassed himself. He hoped Gizel wasn't offended.- Please don't worry, young master.- Oscar must have misread Draco's expression.- It's not a problem, in fact it's my duty.- The old man smiled friendly.- Even Lieutenant Eghart insisted on it. He also chose an escort for the young master.

-Escort...?- Draco choked on his tea and looked at Oscar in disbelief.

-Surprised?- Gizel giggled.- I guess you didn't think that after last night's display and not knowing the town they would let you go alone?- She looked as if she had expected his reaction and even looked forward to it .- You see, Darius isn't the only one who can be overprotective.- She added looking at the majordomo in a draughty manner.

-The Duchess deigns to insinuate.- Oscar lifted himself with pride sophistically ignoring, not so much at all, the veiled remark.

-The Duchess...?- Draco choked on his tea again and with a shaking hand set the cup down. He looked at Gizel and felt himself burn a blush. I had no idea. He thought again while looking at the elf. The dragon knew that he had heard the surname laVerture before, but until now he had not associated it with the elven aristocracy. Now he suddenly remembered how they had discussed the power structure of the Asati kingdom in one of their classes at the Academy. At the very top stood the king, theoretically wielding absolute power over all his subjects, but in fact his every decision was influenced by the opinion of the three Grand Dukes holding the entire Council of Nobles in check. In addition, the king's brother had married the daughter of one of the Grand Dukes and inherited the title after his death, so not only was he a contender for the throne, but he also had real influence over power. One might have thought that he could have reached for the throne, but it was rumored that the truth was more complicated. Rumor had it that it was his wife who held the real power, not him, and she was supposed to emphasize this by not taking her husband's name. Draco swallowed when he realized that Prince Veletoun had died childless a few months earlier and the title of Grand Duke had been inherited by his wife. And now he stared at that very person calmly sipping tea with a gentle smile on her face.

-Oh, did you really only realize now?- The woman laughed.- I was already about to bet with Darius, when will you realize.- She took a sip of tea.-Oh, well don't look at me like that. You really don't have to stare at me like that and turn red.

Draco, a bit confused, muttered some kind of apology without quite knowing what to say. Somehow he couldn't get himself to look her in the eye. He suddenly felt awkward sitting at the same table with one of the most important people in the magical world. The dragon lowered his gaze and stuck it in his cup.

-Draco?- He felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. He lifted his gaze and encountered emerald eyes that caught him off guard. He couldn't look away from them. Just like my aunt. It flashed through his head.- What happened?- Her voice was not much louder than a whisper.- Why are you running away with your eyes? Oh, you're sweet when you don't know how to behave.- She affectionately stroked his cheek, and Draco felt himself blushing.- Tell me, my dear, what has changed in me from the beginning of dinner until now?

-I don't think there's anything...- he mouthed after a while. All the time he couldn't take his eyes off her eyes.- I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to...- He really didn't know what to say and only realized that he had de facto behaved childishly.

-My dear, do you remember what I said at our meeting at Othis?

-That I should call you by your first name, or you will get angry.- He muttered, still uncertain.

-Do you think ,did I know what I said then?- Her gaze was really piercing, as if she wanted to see the thoughts swirling in the dragon's head. She did not wait for his answer.- If I really did not think so then I would not have said it. Anyway, you shouldn't care about something like titles. She tore her gaze away from Draco's eyes and perched gracefully on the edge of the tabletop.- A title is something that can be gained and lost, so attaching too much importance to it is not... Hmmm, proper. Of course, one should be respectful of one's position, but true respect should be earned for oneself by everyone's own efforts. Because it is not our position, but our deeds that prove who we are.- She looked into his eyes again.- Do you understand?

Draco was lost in her emerald irises again for a split second, and then looked around the dining room. Somehow he couldn't fix his eyes on anything, so he focused on the elf again. He himself wasn't sure why only when she told him this did he understood her.

-Yes, I understand,- he nodded.- I... I'm sorry.- He carefully grabbed her hand when she wanted to put her finger to his lips so that he wouldn't say anything more.- I shouldn't have behaved like that, I...- He looked at Oscar, who was standing behind him.- I never had the opportunity... Not really... I...- He looked into her eyes not knowing how to formulate his thoughts. Just a few days earlier he would have simply said that he never really had the opportunity to talk to someone and often simply has no idea how a normal person should behave. However, now he somehow couldn't admit it. He felt some kind of embarrassment about how he had lived his life so far.

-Shh, it's okay my dear.- Gizel gently stroked the dragon's cheek.-I understand.- She smiled a little sadly, but nevertheless her eyes shone with warmth and caring. For a while she did not take her eyes off him, and Draco slowly felt himself relax, and the recent embarrassment ceased to be so acute. Even though he was well aware that the elf often gives double meanings to her statements and hides her true intentions, for some unexplained reason he was absolutely sure that she spoke sincerely and really cared about him.- And now we should probably finish dinner and finally go to the city.- Gizel lightly turned on her heel and moved towards the door.- Are you coming?- She looked behind her when Draco did not move from his seat. The dragon momentarily reacted and in the blink of an eye was at the side of the elf giving her arm, as his aunt had taught him.- A true gentleman.- The duchess bestowed a warm smile on the boy and accepted help.

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Draco felt a little uneasy leading Gizel toward the palace exit. The fact that he hadn't happened to behave this way before was one reason for this uneasiness, and the other was what was waiting for him outside the door. He was sure that now there was not the slightest chance of wriggling out of taking the carriage to Matheo. Oscar was only a step behind him, and the elf held his hand tighter than he might have guessed from her delicate build. When they reached the exit, the door opened by itself and lieutenant Eghart appeared on the threshold.

-Oh, I was just about to go to the young master.- The officer looked pleased for some reason.- The carriage is ready, and the escorts are waiting.- He made an innocent face well reading the somewhat frightened look of the dragon.

Draco sighed as quietly as he could and summoned a calm expression on his face, or at least he hoped so. Trace stepped back with a slight bow and let them pass. The first thing the dragon noticed upon leaving were the mounts harnessed to the carriage. Large, powerfully built beasts that looked like a combination of wolf and horse. The wolf heads were equipped with strong jaws armed with long and sharp teeth. The heads of the mounts were set on long, flexible necks, which were crowned with stiff manes. The creatures' bodies were covered with short hair of a slightly iridescent color. However, the most remarkable thing was that they had six legs each, and each equipped with five razor-sharp claws.

-Besses?- The dragon stared as if captivated at the beasts docilely standing in front of the carriage.- Real besses?- He repeated looking at the lieutenant.

-Yes, the real ones.- Trace tried to hide his smile, but it did not quite work out.- These are still young, so so far they have not chosen their riders. We hope that their choice will go to someone from our troop, but in this case you never know.- He shrugged his shoulders. Draco remembered how a few years earlier everyone at the Academy had gossiped about besses. They were creatures that were very rare and difficult to breed, and therefore extremely valuable. Few could afford to own such a mount, especially since they only allowed themselves to be ridden by a select few. Their choice often did not fall on their owners, so the naive tried to tempt the beasts with secretly given treats or flattering words. However, the truth was that the besses could not be tempted or bribed. The mounts chose only those they deemed worthy, mainly soldiers and warriors. For this reason, the riders of these beasts were highly regarded among the military and easily found occupation in the army or mercenary units.

-Darius' father insisted on his own breeding.- Gizel also looked at the ashen and rusty beasts.- He spent most of his wealth so he could take care of the besses. At the time it really seemed like madness, but it soon turned out that not only did the investment pay off, but the besses he bred were somehow more willing to choose his soldiers, so he soon made a sizable cavalry unit. As you can see, Darius followed in his father's footsteps.- The expression on her face was quite mysterious. Slightly nostalgic and longing, yet satisfied.

-Yes, he certainly went.- Trace stood in a pivotal position and spoke somewhat stiffly, but it was clear that he was trying to behave normally. Draco also noticed how he glanced at Gizel every now and then, and judging by the expression on his face, he had already had the pleasure of listening to a lecture on how to behave in the Duchess' company. He rather took the advice to heart.- The cavalry is stationed at the Japanese estate as there is more space there.- He added seeing as the dragon took a breath to ask about it. They had only just met, and he was already beginning to understand the dragon.

-We also want to see if they would choose us!- Kei appeared out of nowhere. He was wearing a uniform, and at his side was a broad sword that perfectly matched his strength. Animorph gushed with energy, and his wide smile spread optimism.- Then we can be promoted faster!- He added suddenly patting the dragon on the shoulder.

-Kei!- An urgent whisper somewhere off to the side belonged to Ari. When Draco looked in the direction of the elf, the latter stared in horror at Gizel squeezing the dragon's arm.-Kei! Calm down!- His voice indicated the beginning stages of panic. Vi and Forth, standing behind him, exchanged uncomprehending glances. It seemed that of the four of them, only Ari recognized the duchess.

-Hm?- Kei threw his friend an indifferent glance and was unlikely to take his remark personally, as he bared himself to the dragon again.- The lieutenant said that you were going to the city, so we volunteered as an escort.

-Thanks.- Draco reciprocated the smile and friendly gesture.- It's always better to have someone familiar next to you in a new place.

-So these are your new friends, my dear.- Gizel seemed pleased. Ari went pale when the elven maiden spoke up.

-Yes, this is Kei,- the dragon patted the soldier on the shoulder.- Next, Ari, Forth and Vi.- One by one he pointed to the young guardsmen.

-It's a pleasure.- Animorph waved Gizel, and the vampire and dwarf bowed. Only Ari fossilized in an upright position with a face pulled down by fear.

-Do you have some kind of terrible reputation?- Draco turned toward the duchess. He was sure that a slightly mischievous smile appeared on his face.

-I don't recall.- Gizel looked up at the sky and pretended to be thinking intensely.-Although one or two gossips might have been found.- Now it was the elf who smiled somewhat diabolically.

-How come you guys are acting the same way?- Oscar pretended not to say it out loud and turned around when they both looked at him.

-You can see that the boy is quickly learning good standards.- Gizel stroked the dragon, and the majordomo groaned heavily.

-There's a rough future ahead of us.- Oscar bowed slightly and disappeared behind the door mentioning something about dinner and complaining that he can't cope with such a trio of characters.

-The old man always has to complain.- The elven lady turned toward the carriage.-We have wasted enough time. Matheo is probably already looking forward to it and will complain that we are so late.

-Is he aware that you are in town?- Draco moved toward the vehicle pulled by Gizel.

-I arrived last night, so we still had time to see each other.- She gently shrugged her shoulders.- Everyone was rather surprised, but I won't say they didn't expect it.

-Somehow I'm not surprised.- The dragon suspended his gaze on the besses as he helped the elf into the carriage. Pale Ari only at this point moved and began to perform his duties. Once the duchess was inside Draco lightly grabbed the older boy's arm and pulled him closer.- Be careful with the title, because she dislikes it terribly.- He said in a conspiratorial whisper, which could be heard by the other three soldiers and, as he suspected, also by Gizel.- In addition, I advise you not to try to call her per madame. I've already had to hear about it lately.- He grinned at the surprised Ari and nimbly jumped into the carriage. The dragon plopped down on the seat opposite the elf, who sent him an amused look. Draco only smiled in response.