– My name is Volt Paradox. Former high noble of the Volt family. But everyone just calls me Paradox, she said softly, her dreamy voice drifting into the evening air.
– And you? she asked, pulling out from her pocket a slim Italian cigarette – the kind you'd see hanging from the lips of a drug baron in old movies.
– Eh… me… uh… I'm Namory Igor. I don't have a family name, so… I'll let you pick one, I replied, smiling awkwardly, tension gnawing at me.
– Why don't you have a family name? she asked, exhaling a white puff toward the horizon.
– Well… my ancestors decided it wasn't necessary… back when race wars were still a thing.
Her eyes widened. She flicked her cigarette, then fell silent, gaze lost in the vast, majestic view before us.
– You're lucky… Here, a name means everything. It shapes your past, your present, your future. Be born with the right one, and your life soars. One mistake… and it all collapses. A name is a life, she murmured between drags.
Even though her voice was calm, I felt a trace of sadness seeping through that bright, charming shell. But it didn't last. After one more puff, her plump red lips curled into a dazzling smile.
– Hmm, Igor… I like it. From now on, you're Igor. And me? Just call me Paradox. Deal?
She held out her hand. My heart went berserk just thinking of touching it. Her hand – firm yet soft – nearly killed me on the spot, like an emotional short-circuit straight to my heart.
Praise be to whatever god created such a creature.
But something still bugged me.
– You said… former noble, Paradox?
– Hmm? she blinked, as if she thought she'd been clear enough. She took a long drag, then exhaled with a sigh. Yeah. My whole family was stripped of its title a year ago.
– Really? That's awful… If you don't mind me asking – why?
– Hmm… My father got involved in illegal dealings. It pissed the king off, and he decided to make an example. He was hanged. So were my mother and older brother. My big sister escaped by getting pregnant… courtesy of the prison guards. She took another drag, the smoke twisting into the wind along with her long silver hair. But honestly? I think she did it on purpose to survive. It's more like her. As for me, I got out thanks to one of my father's friends. That's the whole story. And the reason why I come here – to forget.
I stayed silent. I had just shattered her moment of peace with my stupid questions. She no longer smiled, just leaned on the cliffside terrace, smoking in quiet. I figured I should change the subject… but I had no idea what to say. Between my childish nervousness, the awkward tingling in my pants, and the sad tale she'd just dropped on me… my mind was blank. So, I mirrored her stance and stared out at the horizon.
Seconds crawled by like an eternity before she spoke again:
– So… you work here as a cleaner? Must be tough.
– Pffft… It's hell. And they didn't even ask my opinion.
– Really? That's illegal.
– Apparently, Homo sapiens don't have rights in this world.
– Wait… Homo sapiens? You're from another world? she asked, tilting her head.
– Yeah.
– Impressive… I've never seen one before. But…
She tilted her head further, scanning me from head to toe. Which was… not exactly comfortable.
– Hmmm… I thought you'd be a lot more impressive.
The disappointment in her voice stung. But deep down, I couldn't argue – she wasn't wrong.
– That aside… why don't you learn magic instead of scrubbing toilets? she asked, dragging again.
I froze. Was she mocking me? Everyone knew Homo sapiens couldn't use sorcery.
– They said I'm unfit, I muttered, burying my face in my sleeves.
Paradox exhaled a long stream of smoke, crushed her cigarette, and turned toward the door. But before leaving, she dropped a bomb:
– This school is the only magical academy in the world. Getting in isn't hard – you just need a recommendation. It's how they control the number of sorcerers, nothing more. But… to be or not to be – that depends on one's will.
Then she left.
– See you tomorrow, Igor.
I didn't get it right away. My mind clung to something else.
– Tomorrow?… So she wants to see me again? She wants to see me?!
A wave of spasms shot through me. I felt pathetic… and thrilled. Yes, I'd felt this before – for Jasmine. I swore my heart would beat only for her name. And now? One conversation, and my heart had converted.
Now it beat even louder. Not for Jasmine anymore… but for Paradox. I was trash… but a unicorn's trash.
– Haaa… No use brooding over it. I'll deal with Jasmine later. Just one month left and…
And that's when it hit me. My broom and bucket slipped from my hands. It was so obvious now – I felt like an idiot for not seeing it earlier. But no point dwelling on it.
– Of course… Of course! Ha ha ha! LONG LIVE PARADOXISM!!! I screamed, arms wide to the sky.
That girl didn't just mend my cracked soul. She handed me a new path. All that was left… was to take it.