n

n

nEvan and Rosa finally got to the Mossy Vulture. The sun was already high in the sky, illuminating the land.

nThey were allowed inside without any problems, which surprised both Evan and Rosa. They thought they would, at least, be asked the purpose of their visit.

nEvan thought it was all thanks to Zak, who had warned the guards to let him in. The girl, on the contrary, thought it was her brother, who had solved this problem.

nOnce inside, Rosa quickly said:

"Mr. Evan, my brother lives nearby. You can get your reward there.

" Rosa's voice was quiet and slightly sad.

nEvan jumped off his horse and asked:

"Can you ride a horse?

"

nRosa nodded confidently in response.

nThe young man smiled weakly:

"Well, go ahead, then.

"

nClap.

nAnd at the same moment, Rosa rode off somewhere in the distance. Evan didn't take any money from her, only because he had already found something much more valuable. He also couldn't wait to start learning magic. So he decided a few coins weren't worth his time.

nHe was partly right. Of course, he had yet to find out the true value of the root in his bag.

nAfter parting with Rosa, Evan went to the only place he knew in this town besides the Tower of Magic, namely the stable, where his horse should still be.

n...

n

"Oh, it`s really here.

" Just as Evan had expected, his horse was there. Realizing all was well, he approached the caretaker and asked about where Zak was.

n

"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Zak is resting in his mansion right now. I don't know why, but for the last ten days he's been so angry that all the servants are afraid to go near him.

"

nEvan was politely explained and shown everything. The man's last words made him wary. After all, he was the one who had broken the crystal ball in a rage ten days ago and left the town.

n

"Thank you

".

nAfter getting all the information he needed, Evan headed for Zak's house.

n...

n< Is Zak a warrior or a rich man of unprecedented heights?> Evan looked at the huge mansion, the size of half a soccer field. The area around the mansion itself was ten times its size.

nHe didn't understand how a warrior, even such a strong one, could have so much money. Evan simply didn't fully understand how high the status of magicians is compared to ordinary people.

nThe young man didn't know how to get inside, so he decided to just go to the main entrance. It was a big, black, metal gate.

nAs soon as he got close, the guard stopped him immediately:

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Zak isn`t receiving guests right now.

"

nEvan doubted that Zak was really doing anything. So he decided to try again, only more convincingly.

n

"Are you sure? Maybe, I can come in?

" Speaking, Evan looked directly at the guard with his amethyst eyes.

nHis voice was calm and steady. Seeing Evan's gaze, the guard seemed to remember something and began to examine Evan.

n

"Excuse me, what`s your name?

"

nEvan simply answered,

"Evan Lynch.

"

nThe guard quickly opened the gate and stepped aside.

n

"Please, come in. Mr. Zak is waiting for you.

"

nThe guard's attitude to him changed at once. Evan went through the gate and found himself on the grounds of the mansion.

nTo his right he saw a small pond, and to the left of the building there was a training ground, where Evan headed. The sound of non-stop blows could be heard from that place.

nWhen Evan reached the right spot. He saw Zak training and two maids, standing on the side.

nEvan did not call out to the owner of the house. Instead, he walked over to one of the girls and took a cooling drink from her tray.

n

"What are you doing!

" The maid didn`t expect this. But Evan paid her no attention.

nHe took a sip and looked up at the sky slowly said:

"You have a good taste, Commander Zak.

"

nIt was only at that moment that Zak realized someone had come. When he heard Evan's voice, he turned around immediately.

nBut, his reaction was quite unusual. Without saying anything, he gripped the hilt of his sword with force and threw it directly toward Evan's head.

nWhoosh.

nThe young man quickly dodged the sword and took another sip of his fresh cocktail.

n

"Mr. Zak, please calm down.

" The maids were frightened and tried to calm him down.

n

"Come on, get out of here. I need to talk to this idiot, one-on-one.

" His voice was loud and his tone harsh.

nThe girls quickly ran away in silence.

nZak also grabbed a cocktail and took a seat at the table.

n

"Sit down.

"

nEvan sat down silently, putting the glass aside.

nZak was the first to speak:

"Why the ** did you break the **ing crystal ball? Do you even know how much trouble I've had because of that?

"

nIt was obvious to the naked eye that as soon as he remembered that fact, the anger engulfed him at once.

n

"I admit, I had a temper, but it`s worked out. I`ve got into

"Nirvana

".

"

nThose words were like a thunderbolt out of the blue sky. All of Zak's resentment and anger evaporated in an instant.

nHe asked uncertainly:

"Evan, are you sure? If what you say is true, it changes everything.

"

nZak nodded satisfactorily, took the glass in his hands and then took another sip.

nHe did not think Evan would lie. But magic was too serious a thing to be taken lightly.

n

"What did you see in there?

" Zak stared at Evan as if he wanted to examine every millimeter of his body.

n

"A round sphere, white in color, nothing else but boundless emptiness.

" Evan didn't mention that his

"Warp

" was crimson, and he certainly didn't mention the black scythe inside it.

nA wide smile appeared on Zak's face and he laughed out loud,

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, I` ve known it! Boy, you are a miracle! Just to go there, crash everything like a wild animal, and then to come back and say you`ve got into

"Nirvana

". I certainly wasn't wrong about you.

"

nEvan didn't interrupt Zak's joy and just waited for him to calm down on his own.

n

"Boy, since this is the case and you have a talent for magic, would you like to enroll in the Academy of Magic? One of them will begin recruitment in two months and it's located not too far from the Mossy Vulture. What do you think?

"

nEvan wanted to bring it up himself, but Zak was the first.

n

"I don't mind, but what will I need to do to successfully qualify?

" Evan didn't want to spend so much time on his way to school and then to go back in a bad mood because he failed.

n

"You don't have to worry about that. They take everyone who was able to get into

"Nirvana

". It proves the talent for magic.

"

nZak drained his glass in one fell swoop and continued:

"There will be a selection process and each apprentice will be divided into two types - Outer Students and Inner Students. I think you see by yourself which is better and harder to get into.

"

nEvan listened to Zak carefully, and thought about every word he said. After all, a lot could depend on his performance in the selection process.

n

"So, we're leaving in two months?

"

n

"Yes, and until then, you'll be training and learning. There's a whole library in my mansion with quite a few books on magic. I think you'll find them useful. As for your physical training, I'll take care of it myself. Who knows, maybe you're like me.

"

nEvan smiled and replied,

"Great plan

".

n