- A-ha-ha-ha-ha, - the man in robes laughed heartily, holding his stomach. He did it so zealously that his long hair swayed in different directions. - I'm going to die laughing, a-ha-ha-ha. What's it like, what's it like to go through a portal? I thought you'd lose consciousness, and not sweep the entire forest with your skinny body. A little broom - tell anyone, everyone will give you such a nickname. A-ha-ha-a!
Psychologists conducted an experiment, gathered a lot of people and showed them how two planes collide. It is a very ancient experiment, almost several hundred years old, but it opened our eyes to human nature. The subjects felt delight when they watched the catastrophe of two planes. They subconsciously rejoiced that they were not in the place of the unfortunate ones. And this vile guy laughs, feeling comfortable, because he is not in my place.
I slowly crawled up to the tree, a long trunk, and then pressed my back against it. My tired gaze turned to the sorcerer, who continued to burst into laughter.
- Actually, - completely hiding my anger, I tried to explain my actions. I went through the portal, almost instantly finding myself on the other side. But my insides seemed to be twisted through a meat grinder, terrible pain and weakness rolled in on themselves, I almost lost consciousness. It can be compared to how a person is twisted in a centrifuge. The device spins the astronaut at an inhuman speed in a circle; unprepared people will hardly survive a couple of levels out of ten. I went through the eleventh, only thanks to the chip I retained consciousness.
"Did you really like it?" He chuckled at the end of the question, wiping his chin of drool. A disgusting picture.
"Even the forest needs someone to sweep," he shrugged with effort, slowly raising his palm to his forehead to wipe away the sweat that had appeared.
- Oh bitch, how interesting, - he came up to me, looking at me with a sly look. - Marcus, huh? You're not as simple as you seem, and I like complicated things. You're still a thing, not a person, you'll become a sorcerer, we'll reconsider your status. So, thing, you care too much about survival. Let me guess, you were holding back your vomiting with all your might? Why?
- I can't remember anything, so I don't know how to find food. Mushrooms can be poisonous, berries can be dangerous, and I don't know if there are things in the forest that are scarier than animals... There's a hole in my head.
- Haaa? - He gaped childishly. - In the forest, monsters, animals - that's a rarity. So, you're not even lying... You really don't know about, say, werewolves? All the kids know about them.
- Big wolves? - He stared at him, uncomprehending.
— For whom I vouch… — he scratched the back of his head, and then waved his hand. — Exactly! For a friend. Since we are friends, then I will give you an important piece of advice. We are a few kilometers from the Ban Ard Academy — one of two educational institutions for boys. There is also an academy for girls — Aretuza, but you can't go there. Do you know what that means? Hint, the training lasts twelve years.
From what I understand, we are in the Polish Middle Ages or something similar. A turbulent time, possibly the early Middle Ages, but there is not enough information to draw any conclusions. It is useless to ask the chip, you need to visit the city first. Kurwa is something in Polish, if I am not mistaken, a curse word.
- Twelve years in an all-male company, what could go wrong? - he spread his hands, making the most serious expression on his face. It's better to hide the sarcasm, otherwise he'll suspect something. I can feel the grief from the mind, I want to talk normally, but I can't. It's better to continue to play the unusual Child after the ashes. In a couple of days, when the thread of trust is established, you can show your real side. But gradually, a big and sharp change in personality will immediately catch your eye.
"A lot," he sighed heavily, realizing that he was dealing with a child. "They recruit students from all walks of life. Including foundlings, children from the gutter, noble sons and other scum. Annual tuition costs 1,200 crowns, orphans don't have that kind of money, just like you, many take out a loan from Vivaldi or Cianfanelli. Over twelve years, a slave contract of the same length of time accumulates. I am quite rich, so I will pay for you, and then we will settle up. I am your guarantor-bodyguard for the duration of your studies. And if anything happens, I will say that you are the bastard of a minor baron. You will have no problems among the perverted professors - others will take the rap - I give you my word. You know, for a sorcerer I am inordinately kind."
"Analysis," Alice mentally allowed himself to throw in a summary about this man.
[This person is most likely looking for an apprentice for his experiments. One of them was in the village where the previous owner of this body lived. Probably, the talent for magic awakened after your resurrection, otherwise the sorcerer could have discovered the boy much earlier]
I completely agreed with the chip.
He looks like a professor at the Academy, he probably practices something forbidden, so he needs a talented student who can be trusted. It is better to raise such people almost from the cradle, and if the experiments put pressure on the psyche or morality, then the puzzle comes together. This is the most reasonable explanation for his generosity. There are no good people, except fools, and he cannot be called a fool. This individual very quickly gains my trust, any boy in my place would be imbued with sympathy for him. If I am not mistaken, he must be a very evil sorcerer, he is usually feared. He needs to secure my loyalty before getting into the academy, where all sorts of rumors about him are circulating.
And yet, I once read a story about a magic academy, but I never read how the main character has to protect his dignity for twelve years. And all because the sorcerers here are such perverts. Of course, there is the option that he is scaring me and trying to motivate me, to strive for magic for his own purposes, perhaps looking for a successor or someone else. I don't even know his name, let alone his motives. It is important to maintain vigilance.
— Are you a professor?
- Why so serious? - he chuckled mockingly. - I teach necromancy. The Brotherhood has forbidden the practice of this art elsewhere, but you are lucky, you will be introduced to one of the dark arts. Superficially for now, otherwise you will be expelled, and believe me, being expelled from Ban Ard is a stigma for life. For now, we will limit ourselves to the basics. I expect a lot from you. You are overflowing with power, I can see it.
"Are you like other professors?" I decided to ask after studying his character.
- What? Don't compare me to these freaks. I practice necromancy, and only that, - he asked a little angrily. - Enough, time to go. The way is short, and it's better to finish before the full moon.
The professor of necromancy surprised me by saying that there is a full moon in this world. This is a parallel universe, not some place in space. There are too many similarities with my world. We also had a moon, although now only half of it remains. Who knows, maybe I will have a chance to see a full moon in this world? I have only seen this phenomenon in pictures before.
"Why can't we just teleport to the academy?" I asked, emphasizing my uncertainty. "Based on the rules or other restrictions?"
- You are either good at pretending to be stupid, or you are really stupid but talented, - the man laughed. - Try not to stand out among the wizards. The main rule is not to jump over your elders. Never, remember, never surpass them - openly. Do not demonstrate your intelligence and talent so much as to attract the attention of envious people or people of high position. You will be in the same class with many guys, but always try to remain at an average level for those around you. This is the rule of survival in Ban Ard.
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