Foreign skies by Gregory_Gauss

— Oreta awai tsubasa

Kimi wa sukoshi

Aosugiru sora ni tsukareta dake sa

I sang along, tapping the strap of my bag to the beat of the music, slowly stomping through the streets of the gradually awakening provincial town.

— Mou dareka no tame ja nakute

Jibun no tame ni waratte ii yo

— Ha-a-a... How good! — I said blissfully, stretching, slowly walking down the street.

What a fine morning it is today. The birds are chirping merrily, a cool summer breeze is blowing on your skin, and there are practically no people on the street.

But the excellent mood is slightly spoiled by a lecture on history, which I dislike so much. And it had to be held on Saturday, and especially last. Sometimes it seems to me that the schedule is made in such a way as to make fun of the poor students. Especially knowing what a cruel teacher we have, who understands perfectly well that the overwhelming majority of students don't really care for history.

But no one has cancelled the tests for this subject, so this old man - who, apparently, lived to see Lenin alive — is having fun with us.

I exhaled heavily, imagining what would happen in class this time.

Last time, a couple of my classmates — typical empty-headed "Instagram models", as they call themselves — came up with the idea of arranging a photo shoot right during the lecture, personifying the phrase "feeble-mindedness and courage", although, in their case, "feeble-mindedness and feeble-mindedness" would be more appropriate.

Thankfully, the rest of the class behaves more adequately. Mostly.

"Heh-heh... Maybe after three essays on the topic of medieval Europe they'll realize that they were wrong," — I laughed maliciously in my thoughts.

Although... What am I talking about? Such girls are almost incorrigible. On the other hand, do I really care about them? After all, my communication with such a contingent is limited exclusively to the university, which I'm only glad about, actually. But what I really care about is...

— That I'm going to the cinema with my sister tomorrow! — I exclaimed joyfully in the middle of the street, for which I was awarded a couple of sidelong glances from passing folks.

It's been so long since we've been there. Either studying, or exams, or fulfilling certain duties, as well as training, waste a lot of time, and therefore there was really not enough time for desires and hobbies. After all, a full-length anime based on one of my favorite universes has appeared in theaters, and I just can't miss such a miracle!

— Life is a good thing, after all, especially if there is anime in it!

A smile appeared on my face, which if it could glow, would be like a spotlight, illuminating an already bright street.

So I stomped about a third of the way to the university, and suddenly felt a slight pressure fall on my shoulders, as if a cold dumbbell was placed on me.

I stopped and turned my head slightly to the side, looking into the distance, and just wanted to change course, a few seconds later the chill and pressure disappeared without a trace.

— Someone turned out to be faster than me, — I chuckled, shrugging my shoulders.

It's good that the problem was gotten rid of so quickly, but I could use a warm-up in the morning.

I walked for another fifteen minutes, humming my favorite tracks, when suddenly I felt this feeling again, and it began to intensify.

"Another one?" — I said in my mind, a little surprised by the new source of pressure, but nevertheless hurriedly walked to the nearest alley, putting the wireless earphone in my pocket along the way.

Hidden from prying eyes, my hand quickly dove into my bag, pulling out a simple-looking copper bracelet covered in Old Slavonic letters, which was immediately put on my left hand. A barely noticeable wave ran through my body, like from a weak electric discharge.

Emerging from the alley, I dashed, deftly running around the townspeople, who were constantly surprised by a strong gust of wind that came from nowhere, rushing past them, not even suspecting that I was its source.

Boom...

I heard an echo, as if something heavy had fallen — a lamppost or something like that — as well as the hubbub of people who were clearly scared.

I had to hurry.

I concentrate. A pleasant warmth appeared in my legs, which tingled a little and gave a feeling of incredible strength.

Monk's Step

The landscape instantly blurred, a small swirl formed in the place where I had just been, and the noise of the wind that was hitting my ears became many times louder. The source of the pressure began to rapidly approach, although, no — it was I who became much faster. I felt that there was very little left to the goal, and then suddenly...

Bam!

A rather loud sound of crushed metal, broken glass and stone chips hitting the asphalt, as well as the screams of people sounded. It seemed that another lamppost had been knocked down or a kiosk had been crashed into.

Having flown out of the alley, I saw the following scene:

A red-haired girl of about twelve years old was being chased clumsily, but surprisingly quickly, by a muscular, pale-scarlet monster of about two meters in height. Humanoid, with two blades that replaced its hands, which it waved like crazy, destroying everything that the blades could reach.

— No-o-o! Go away! Leave me alone! — the girl screamed at the top of her lungs, running away from her pursuer.

Instead of a face, he had a white mask with a simple black pattern, as if carved out of bone. It was the skull of a monstrous macaque with a mouth consisting of two rows of sharp teeth, devoid of lips as such, and from the slits of the mask poured acidic yellow light, replacing the eyes. And the picture of the unreality of what was happening was completed by a black hole in the monster's chest.

It was a hollow. An evil spirit, whose only desire and goal is to kill and devour their victims.

On the go, I grabbed a long knife from my bag, decorated with similar writing as the bracelet, concentrated, ran my palm along the blade and said the activator phrase:

— Spread your wings!

The knife immediately responded with a pleasant warmth on its blade, as if anticipating the battle that was about to begin, and then a couple of small bluish sparks flared up on it. Then more and more, until the sparks began to pour out in a continuous stream, and after a couple of seconds, a long, sky-blue saber blade burst out from the base of the knife handle, as if pulsating.

A barely noticeable grin appeared on my face as I headed towards the freak in the mask.

I make another dash and the world instantly blurs, and the monkey gets much closer. The abrupt stop hit my eardrums and head unpleasantly, but this will pass in a few seconds. With my left hand, I carefully push the girl aside so that she does not get hurt and does not interfere with the fight. I swing and then strike.

The blade inevitably flies straight at the monster's neck, wanting to cut off its head. When suddenly...

Ding!

The saber meets with a clang the bone blade of my enemy, which has sharply changed direction, striking out a whole waterfall of sparks.

— Gui! — the creature cackled cheerfully in a vibrating voice, as if mocking me.

— Gui?.. — it tilted its head to the side in bewilderment, examining me, trying to understand who I was.

In response to this, I pushed the blade of the hollow away, and jumped back a few meters and, putting my hand in front of me, immediately began to speak:

— O Svarog, the lord of flame! — the spiritual power invested in the spell began to smoothly move towards the palm and take the form of scarlet sparks that danced aggressively. — Give me strength so that I can burn my enemies to ashes with a fiery arrow! — the spell sounded with respect and some trepidation in the ancient language of Rus'. A small clot of flame formed in the palm of my hand, which did not burn me at all, but only gave me a pleasant warmth.

The macaque watched with interest as I read the spell, scratching the top of my head with a blade-hand, making strange guttural sounds, not even suspecting what was about to happen.

"Fly," — I gave a mental command.

The fiery arrow whistled off, leaving a long trail behind it, and instantly hit the macaque's neck, which only at the last moment figured out how to dodge, but as expected, it didn't have time.

"Damn, missed," — I complained in my thoughts. I wanted to send the flame to the head, but there was nothing I could do about it.

There was a squeal full of pain, and the place where the arrow hit literally charred and made a hissing sound from burning flesh. The smell was appropriate, to which I made a disgruntled face.

While the creature was hysterical, I used a dash and found myself to its left, raising my spiritual sword in order to cut off its head.

The spell and the blow took only a few seconds, however...

The creature was clearly against losing its head, and still considered me a threat to it. Therefore, at the last moment, I have to quickly pull the blade away in order to have time to block a wild blow with both blades at once from the enraged monster, which knocks me a good ten meters away.

— Khy... — a wheeze escaped me after I finally slowed down, finding myself on the territory of an abandoned construction site. — Ha... You turned out to be a little stronger than I thought, beast, — I said with disdain, feeling my hands go a little numb from the blow.

— Gui... — the monster cackled with cold fury, shaking from pain. Increased spiritual pressure fell on its shoulders, in which the thirst for murder was clearly felt.

And the creature was not going to wait for an answer from me. Having slightly bent down, it breaks away from the spot, letting out a furious cry, hoping to deprive me of my head.

The blade approaches, but I use the Monk's Step, letting the creature pass by me, simultaneously giving it acceleration with a kick, wanting to send it into the steel balk.

— Gooey! — the creature screeched angrily, thrusting its blades into the ground in order to brake as quickly as possible, leaving impressive furrows on it. Having finished braking near a concrete fence, the hollow one takes off from the spot, but I am simply faster.

Monk's Step.

The world blurs again, and I find myself behind. A swift and strong horizontal blow flies straight at the neck, but the creature, purely on reflex, managed to jerk to the side, turning around and raising its hand to strike.

The sword met the forearm instead of the neck. But nevertheless, without much effort, it cuts off the hand, causing it to spin several times in the air, abundantly splashing drops of blood, and then scattered in the wind like ash.

— GUI-I-I!!! — the hollow screamed and began to wave his only hand wildly and madly, like a top spun to the limit, spraying even more blood from the stump.

It is quite dangerous to approach him now, so I jump back a few meters, bend down slightly, raise my hand slightly to the side and begin to read:

— Oh, great all-father Perun! Lord of lightning! Give your son the strength to drive out the unclean force, turning it into ashes with a deadly spear of lightning!

In response to my words, a small lightning spear formed in my left hand from spiritual energy, which crackled aggressively, which I immediately threw at the hollow's head.

However... At the last moment, the creature jerked again to begin the attack, and lightning hit the shoulder, tearing off the second hand with a loud bang. Pieces of smoking flesh began to fly around the area, but dissipated before they reached the ground. There was a simply deafening vibrating screech, from which my ears began to ring.

"Shut up, creature!" — I hissed irritably and, making another dash, found myself near the hollow one. I raise my saber and…

"Die!" — I bring it down on the monster.

The blade met no resistance, and the head separated from the body.

— Gui... — the hollow howled weakly at the end, disappearing as the head turned to ash, and the rest of the body followed suit.

— That was a good warm-up, — I said contentedly, stretching my shoulders and cracking my neck, after which I pompously twirled the knife in my hand, deactivating the spiritual blade.

— You gave him a good beating with your lightsaber! He'll know better than to hurt me! — the red-haired girl I had just saved wailed energetically, even brazenly, putting her hands on her hips, not taking into account the fact that she had recently been running away from an evil spirit in tears.

The girl was short, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and some flip-flops. Her eyes were green, her hair was of medium length. The face, which had sharp shapes, was abundantly decorated with freckles. But the most remarkable thing about her was that her voice echoed just a little, she was slightly translucent, and a piece of chain was sticking out of her chest.

It was the ghost of a girl who had recently died in a car accident, about whom I had read in the local news. Some drunk in an old Lada crashed into a car that was parked in the yard at a crazy speed, and as a result, three people died, and the culprit survived.

— Tell me, grandpa, what is your name? — she asked with an innocent smile, but too straightforwardly.

— Grandpa?! Hey, I'm not that old! — I was deliberately indignant. — I only recently turned twenty-two!

— You're lying! You have gray hair, which means you're a grandpa! — this little ulcer unceremoniously pointed her finger at me. — You can't fool me!

"What am I, a gray-haired alcoholic mutant from Rivia?" — I said in my thoughts.

— Only half of my hair is gray. See? — I corrected her, pointing to my head. — That means I'm not an old man! Besides, I don't have any wrinkles, and my body is full of strength!

— Grandpa, come on, don't lie? Young people don't have gray hair, which means you're an old man! — she said with a hint of sarcasm.

I considered in my head whether there was any point in arguing with this ulcer, but in the end I decided that it was pointless.

— …Okay, you win, — I sighed pretendingly and gave up, metaphorically waving my hand at the attempts to prove to the petty nastiness that I am not an old man.

Seeing that I had given up, she again put her hands on her hips and snorted, turning up her nose, showing her superiority.

"What kind of children are these…" — I shook my head and said:

— By the way, before asking names, no matter from whom, you need to introduce yourself, right? — my tone was deliberately displeased.

— Oh, right! — the redhead remembered. — Mom told me the same thing! My name is Vika. They named me after my grandmother.

— That's a different matter, — I nodded contentedly. — And my name is Karas. Let's get acquainted, Vika.

— Karas'? — she asked in bewilderment, blinking her eyes, but after a couple of seconds, without waiting for an answer to her question, she cheerfully exclaimed: — Karas'! Ha-ha, your name is just like the fish! Ha-ha! — she laughed heartily.

I sighed heavily and massaged the bridge of my nose. Calm down, Karas... This is not the first time you have been teased like this, you might as well get used to it by now.

— No, not like the fish. My name means "Raven" in one language, — I explained to the girl in a reserved manner, leaning my back against the concrete fence and lighting a cigarette. Such a good thing...

— Why a raven? Do you like birds? — the girl asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion. — I like fish. They are funny and cool to the touch.

— Let's put it this way. As long as I can remember, I have always been a white crow in society, — I said, blowing out a thick cloud of smoke.

In general, it's better not to smoke in front of children, but the redhead next to me is a ghost, so it won't harm her health.

— So, a white crow? Because half of your hair is gray?

"What a curious one," — I said in my thoughts. On the other hand, I'm still smoking and catching my breath, so why not answer her questions.

— No, not because of the color. Well... Maybe partly, — I corrected myself. — The thing is, I was different from most people. Since childhood, I can see ghosts, like you or that macaque I killed. Ordinary people can't see ghosts, sense their presence or interact with them.

She thought for a moment and asked:

— And how can you cast a spell? Mom told me stories about how old women-whisperers perform all sorts of miracles, but I always thought that was fiction.

— It's thanks to my spiritual power. It's called the Od, — I opened my palm and without much effort created a bright small bluish ball on it, which rhythmically pulsated in time with my breathing. Vika's face was simply surprised and stunned by such a sight.

— Thanks to the od, I can not only cast spells, but also run and jump quickly and hit very painfully, directing it at my arms or legs, — I told Vika about my abilities, not without pleasure. — Moreover, I can make my body durable.

— Cool! — the girl almost jumped on the spot. — Grandpa, you are so cool! And tell me, can I do that?

— Of course you can, — I encouraged her, — but for this you need to study very, very much, — I said deliberately seriously.

— I love to study, — she answered joyfully and, judging by her face, understood something. — Wait, it turns out that because of this very od you were able to find me, right, Grandpa?

— Yeah, — I nodded, — as soon as I felt the presence of the spiritual power of that creature, I immediately rushed to her.

— And if you hadn't managed to run to me? — she reasonably noted.

— Then you would have probably been saved by another soul guide.

I was sure of that, since I sensed at least two guides in this area. But why they didn't come to the rescue first, I didn't really understand.

— A guide? Like on a train? — she gave a rather unusual analogy as an example.

— Not quite. If very roughly speaking, the task of a soul guide, or as we call ourselves — a magus, is to protect people's souls from hollow ones.

— Bah, what a complicated word, it's enough to break your tongue, — Vika winced, demonstratively sticking out her tongue.

I smiled slightly. It was understandable, since the name of a guide is a pure archaism that only appears in history textbooks.

— Are there many such guides? — the next question followed, seasoned with sincere childish curiosity.

— Many, and very many, — I chuckled. — The city is big, and if I were alone, I simply couldn't keep track of it, even taking into account that hollow ones don't appear often. Besides, you also need to keep an eye on other cities in this huge country.

— Exactly, I didn't think about that, grandpa, — she scratched her head guiltily.

— It's okay, it happens to everyone, — I consoled the redhead.

— Do you know many such guides? — another question was immediately asked.

— Mmm... Let me think... — I said thoughtfully, putting my hand to my chin. — I personally know about ten people, and I've been told about many more. I'm on good terms with some of them, and I can't stand others.

— I see, — she drawled and, looking at me, perked up. — Oh, grandpa, where did you get those scars? They don't look very nice. Did you fight with the cat? — she pointed her finger at my forearm, where rather deep scars were visible.

— Fell off my bike, — I said laconically and slightly sullenly, not wanting to talk about this topic, and, blowing out the last cloud of smoke, I put out my cigarette on the concrete fence.

— Okay, Vika, I think it's time for us to say goodbye.

— What do you mean, say goodbye? — pushing off the wall, I headed towards the girl.

— W-what do you want to do? — she sensed something was wrong and began to back away, but I hurried to calm her down.

— Don't be afraid, I won't do anything bad to you. I promise.

— Then why do you need a knife, grandpa? — she blurted out angrily.

— To send you to the Soul Society, also known as the Covenant.

— Where? — she did not understand.

— To the world where spirits like you live. There they find their new home, family, friends, and the meaning of life. There you can live as an ordinary girl, without fear of being attacked by an evil spirit, like here, — I calmly explained to her. — Or you can even become a guide if you go to study, so that later you will not let other spirits be offended.

I was lying a little. According to my master words, hollows come to the Covenant from time to time, looking for easy prey, but usually it ends with the magus cutting off the monster's head before any of the peaceful souls suffer. But sometimes, alas, there are casualties.

After my explanation, her gaze softened.

— You... aren't lying, grandpa? — the red-haired hooligan said with a little skepticism.

— No, — I shook my head, — sending ghosts to the Soul Society is another of my duties, so you can trust me. Besides... did you really think that I would hurt you after I saved you? — there was a little offense in my voice. Feigned, of course.

She frowned and demanded:

— You were there, and can you guarantee that I will find a home there, new friends, and... mom and dad? — at the end, a note of sadness appeared in her voice.

— No, — I honestly admitted, — I personally have never been there, but my master works there, so I can vouch that you will find your parents, — I confidently answered her, coming closer. — They've probably been waiting for you there for a long time and are wondering when their sweet little daughter will come to them

— Then... Then send me to them faster! Please, Karas! — she blurted out decisively.

— Okay, — I knelt down in front of the girl and, smiling at her one last time, — Good luck to you, Vika, — I poured some spiritual power into the knife and carefully put the end of the handle to my forehead. A second's flash, and instead of the girl, a black butterfly flew into the sky.

These butterflies are called hellish, if I remembered correctly what the master said, but no matter how much I thought about it, I still couldn't understand why. However, it doesn't matter.

— And you, as I see, are still playing at being a real guide of souls, Raven. Although, you've been messing around with this hollow one for too long, — someone behind me said with boredom in his voice. — Honestly, I don't understand why they even agreed to teach you our craft? After all, you are clearly not our equal — the real magus.

The voice of the arriving magus immediately broke my mood.

— And I was wondering whose od is pressing so unpleasantly, as if someone had put rotten fish on my shoulders, and it's only you, Bogdan, — I answered thoughtfully and with palpable hostility to the uninvited guest, whose presence I had previously felt, turning in his direction.

The owner of this voice appeared before me. A long-haired, handsome-looking, brown-haired guy of about the same age and height as me, dressed in a bizarre, or rather, pretentious cassock, decorated with gold and silver patterns. A richly decorated saber in a dark silver scabbard hung from his belt, and sapphires sparkled on the guard and the butt of the hilt. The presence of an excessive amount of various jewelry — rings, gold chains and other trinkets, clearly indicated that he was from a noble family, which my master once told me about. In my humble opinion, it all looked eye-catching and simply impractical and was done with only one purpose — to show off his position in society.

— And I'm glad to see you, — he said with palpable sarcasm, putting on a smug smile.

— And I'm not, — I answered his question too coldly. — What do you want from me? —

— Me? From you? — he asked, feigning surprise. — You probably think too highly of yourself to think that I want anything from you.

— Tsk... Then why did you even show up here, huh? — his eye twitched slightly from his pomposity. — I thought your job was to shuffle papers in a stuffy office, and not to keep watch in the World of the Living and pester me with your presence. Although... Heh, I get it, — the irritation gave way to a sarcastic grin. — You seriously screwed up in something, and you were sent here as punishment, — I said, looking at the magus.

— Snark as much as you like, your words don't touch me at all, half-breed, — the brown-haired man snorted, taking a straight and proud stance. — Actually, I didn't come here to argue with you, but to deliver a message. And the sooner I do it, the better, — he winced, as if he had eaten a lemon whole. — Tch, seriously, why did they choose you?.. — he sighed heavily and, scratching the bridge of his nose, said:

— In general, you're interested to my superiors, and they personally want to meet with you and discuss something important, — he said vaguely.

— And what exactly did I interest them with? — I asked, putting a fair amount of suspicion into my voice.

— You'll find out at the meeting, — he said shortly.

— Hm... It's strange that the Old Men's Council asked you, and not Helavisa, to convey the message to me, — I said with a fair amount of skepticism. — Besides... — I was interrupted mid-sentence.

— You didn't get me, little Raven. My superiors want to see you, not the Old Men's, — the seriousness of his tone surprised me slightly.

— Your superior... Ah-ah-ah, so you mean your squad, — I realized belatedly, snapping my fingers. — You should have said so right away. No, I'm not interested in this, — I waved my hand negatively. — I already have a master whom I trust completely, and I am not going to go and bow to someone I don't know, — he said firmly, lighting up again.

— Are you sure?

— Absolutely, — I nodded.

— Okay... I will pass on your words, — the magus nodded evenly. — The main thing is that you don't regret them later.

— Is this a threat? — I asked coldly and with palpable aggression, releasing a little spiritual power.

— No, just a warning, — Bogdan answered too calmly, not reacting to my ode in any way, but his gaze was completely different. — Goodbye, Raven, perhaps we will never see each other again.

— Yeah, that would be nice, — I answered shortly. After my words, he slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at me, but after a couple of seconds he chuckled and disappeared, leaving only a small swirl of dust in the place where he was.

— And what the hell did all this mean? — I muttered into thin air, scratching the back of my head, blowing a small cloud of smoke out of my mouth.

Why would the bosses of this peacock meet me in person, and what was it about me that interested them? It's unlikely that I, being a living person and not a spirit, am a guide of souls. People like me are generally not uncommon in the Region of Rus.

This was the only explanation for their interest that came to mind, because there were simply no other options.

— Kso, as if that weren't enough problems, — I muttered, kicking a pebble. — Ha... Okay, never mind, — I shook my head, and then flicked my cigarette butt into the air.

Realizing that I had nothing else to do here, I turned around and continued on my way to the university, with mixed feelings about what had happened. There was still enough time before the first class, so I didn't even have to take a shortcut by climbing over the roofs of buildings, and I arrived at the university like a normal person, meeting a group on the way to eliminate the consequences of the appearance of a hollow in the World of the Living. After a short report on the battle to the group commander, they let me go.

***

— Despite the successes achieved in industrial development, Russia lagged behind the developed countries of Western Europe and the USA in technical equipment and energy availability… — the history teacher was pontificating, while I was trying hard not to fall asleep, propping my chin with my hand, lazily scratching a sheet of paper with a pen, writing down the most important points of the lecture.

Damn it, only twenty minutes have passed, but it feels like at least two hours.

"Oh, Kami-sama... This is real torture," — I complained in my thoughts.

— The peculiarity of the Russian bourgeoisie was its close connection with the state, on which it depended in many ways economically: it received large orders, concessions, subsidies, loans…

— Like all of us, — he shook his head understandingly. — However! — he snapped his fingers. — I know what will cheer you up in that case. A detailed essay on the development of Russian industry during the 20th century. And that you write it yourself, and not rip it off the Internet, — he threatened.

— Got it... — the guy lost heart, realizing that he was in trouble.

Poor guy. I almost feel sorry for him, because I once screwed up too. Only I didn't sleep, and I was late for class. A whole hour...

And all because of some incredibly dodgy snake-like hollow, who was, nevertheless, as weak as could be. I spent more time catching up with him than on the battle itself.

Yeah, after all, fulfilling the duties of a soul guide and eliminating hollows is still "fun". However, I am in no way complaining and certainly not regretting, because I chose this path myself, and the master gave me wings with which I rise higher and higher into the sky.

Another plus or minus half an hour of the lecture passed, during which I kept thinking over the words of that pompous idiot, simultaneously writing down the study material. When I finished scribbling another sentence, out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a book lying next to me, and raised an eyebrow in some bewilderment.

"Huh?.. Where did she come from?" — flashed through my mind.

Strange... I clearly remember that besides a notebook and writing utensils there was nothing next to me, as well as my classmates, by the way. Okay, let's write it off to the fact that I was too absorbed in my thoughts when I sat down in my seat, which is why I lost sight of the book.

There is just one small but very important "but". It looks suspiciously familiar...

It was a thick, well-designed book with a very old, one might even say ancient, cracked cover of dark brown color, on which was depicted some kind of ornate pattern, inside of which was a blot of an incomprehensible color. You can't tell right away what color it was. Green, red, blue or something else. As if several shades of paint were simply poured onto the book and mixed. The author of this work was not indicated at all, but the title...

"The World That Was Forgotten"

After I read the title, I immediately remembered what kind of book it was, and that it was not the first time it fell into my hands. Moreover, it always fell into my hands under strange circumstances. For example, it ended up in my bag, among other textbooks and notebooks. Or in the library next to the textbooks that I took.

The first few times I ignored the book, thinking it was just a trivial coincidence, but when it appeared for the fifth time, it became obvious that the book was clearly enchanted to pursue a specific goal, which was me.

Then I put it in my bag and contacted the master so that she would hand over this potentially dangerous book to the scientific department so that they could study it. However, when I reached into my bag at a meeting with the master, an accident occurred. The book was gone. It seemed to sense that I wanted to hand it over to the soul guides for experiments, and disappeared. Helavisa was then wary, because she had never seen such artifacts, and told me to be careful. Few people could enchant this book.

And now this volume is in my hands again, yeah...

There is just one nuance. When this book fell into my hands the first time, it was... New and beautiful. No, not even that — she looked luxurious and was more like a one-off piece that was made to order for very rich people. And now it is just a pale shadow of its former beauty.

"Burn it maybe?" — a reasonable thought came to mind. Since it was impossible to give the book to the magi, it would be easier to get rid of it altogether. Fortunately, I knew the fire spell very well.

Nodding to myself, I put it in my bag, continuing to try to absorb knowledge about history and scribble small notes, simultaneously making plans for tomorrow. When the class ended, I almost flew out of the classroom, almost using the Monk's Step, unspeakably happy that the torment was over.

***

The first thing I did after leaving the university was breathe a sigh of relief and stretch my body, loudly cracking my neck.

— How glad I am that this torture is finally over, and I can go about my business! — I said joyfully.

— That's not the word, man, — a classmate who passed by supported me.

— Putting history as the last class was a complete mockery... — someone growled angrily, passing by me.

— It would have been better if I had gone home and played Dota... — another irritated voice passed by me.

— Hey, Raven, will you let me copy the English lecture, huh? — the same Vlasov called out to me when I was lighting a cigarette, who was no longer so sleepy. — Because I didn't write anything down last time. And give me give me a cigarette, please, I'm out of them today.

— Why is that? Drooling on the tabletop again? — I reproached him sarcastically.

— Well, you see... I met a girl, then here and there, a café, a movie, and then we were at my place, and then...

— I understand, — I interrupted this mini-Casanova before he could get carried away, handing him a cigarette. — You, again, tumbling with some babe until the morning, and came to the party without having slept properly. And what do they see in you? — I said reproachfully.

— Thanks, — he nodded gratefully, and then lit a cigarette. — Well, that's it... I'm still a handsome man, and I have a lot of strength! — he began to brag, striking a bodybuilder pose.

— It was a rhetorical question, — I muttered coldly. — You're a womanizer, not a handsome man. Watch out, you'll stick your dick in one day, then some yandere will pierce your liver, and you'll be gone forever.

He waved his hand casually and said with a stupid smile on his face:

— No, girls love me and will forgive a little prank.

— A little prank, of course, — I chuckled skeptically. — Just don't hear me say "I told you so" when you're in the next world. Where is it... — I rummaged around in my bag and found the notebook I needed.

— Here you go, love athlete, just don't forget to return it on Monday, otherwise you'll have to rewrite everything from scratch from memory, — I said with emphasis.

— Don't worry, I'll return it safe and sound! — he smiled stupidly and gave a thumbs up.

— Yeah, you told Kostyan the same thing and then successfully lost his philosophy notebook, — I reminded him.

— No, no, this time everything will be fine, and I won't lose the notebook, I promise! — he swore, hitting himself in the chest.

I answered him with some distrust, blowing out a cloud of smoke:

— You try, — after which he flicked the cigarette butt into the trash can. — Okay, I have to go, Khlebych. See you on Monday.

— Yeah, see you on Monday! — he answered cheerfully. We shook hands, and I went about my business, and before I could move even ten meters, my classmate was already chatting on the phone with some girl. And yet, I probably shouldn't have given him the notebook...

***

I take the knife with a reverse grip, drive it up to the hilt into the mask of a disgusting hollow, resembling a huge cockroach, which I had previously stunned by kicking it into the wall of a multi-story building. A vile squeal full of pain was heard. I immediately duck, letting the second creature pass over me, which looked like a toad, and an uppercut flies after it in the belly, which slams the hollow into the wall, after which it loudly flops down on the asphalt and begins to howl in pain.

I pull the knife out of the carcass of the first monster and immediately plunge it into the back of the other and twist it. The second hollow floundered for a while before dying, but, like the first, it fell silent, and then scattered in the wind.

After cleaning the blood from the knife, I hid it in my bag and reached for the book, because where else but in an empty alley can you get rid of it. But only...

— Empty? — bewilderment was evident in my voice when I found nothing but my personal belongings.

I rummaged again, but it was gone.

— Kso, did this book sense my intentions to burn it? — I said irritably.

— Ha... Okay, I'll deal with her later somehow, if of course I come across her again in the future, — I said to myself, taking a breath, putting away the bracelet and leaving the alley.

The entire battle with a couple of creatures took a couple of minutes at most, and the enemies were so weak that I didn't even have to activate the spiritual blade. However, something else worried me more than the damn book:

— Why are there so many hollows today? — I whispered thoughtfully under my breath, walking down the street.

Suddenly the phone rang, tearing me out of my thoughts, and when I saw who was calling me, my smile lit up the street.

— Leah! Glad to hear you! — I happily greeted my beloved sister.

— Hi, Karas, — the voice, distorted by the telephone connection, answered me in the same manner. — You're probably free already, since you're stomping along so contentedly?

— Of course! You understand that this story is a real torture, so I'm walking along contentedly. And how about you, have you finished your business too?

— Nope, — judging by the sound on the other end of the line, she yawned heartily. — I still need to finish two illustrations. This will take another hour or so, unless of course there are unexpected edits. Sometimes I regret that I took on drawing for this writer, — she complained.

— Got it, — I answered, crossing the road at a crosswalk and looking around. — Some clients themselves don't really understand what they want to see, and then blame the artist for not doing the final project right.

— Yeah, that's right. But she still pays very well, so I have no reason to complain. By the way, ni-chan, did you remember to pick up something for me? — she hinted at the errand I was already doing.

— Onee-chan, who do you think I am? — I feigned offense. — I would never forget to pick up the manga you've been waiting for several years!

— He-he, I'm just reminding you, because sometimes you have bouts of amnesia, — she teased me.

— You're talking, — I retorted. — Should I remind you about how you once burned a whole pan of macaroni...

— Shut up, then I'm completely and utterly absorbed in my work! — a roar was heard from the other side, — And anyway, you could have learned to cook yourself after all these years! — she said, clearly puffing out her cheeks.

— Actually, I can cook, I just don't like doing it, and besides, I wasn't home at the time! — I retorted.

— Not an argument!

— What do you mean, not an argument?! — I was indignant. — I was chasing a hollow!

— You could have taken the pan off the stove first and then run!

— I couldn't, I was in a hurry! Every second counted! — I continued to press my point.

— Donkey! — Leah decided not to stand on ceremony with me.

— You're the same! — I retorted.

— Baka!

— Brat!

— Nerd.

— Hikka!

— Gr-r-r… — she growled on the other line, showing that she was pretty angry with me.

— Okay, okay, we've had our joke and that's enough. Otherwise, I'll come home and you'll bite me.

— And I'll be right, because there's no point in making me angry and calling me a hikka! — she said proudly, chuckling.

— Oh, how scary, I'm shaking all over, — after which I laughed, and a ringing laugh was also heard on the other line.

— Since you'll be busy for a while, then I'll also stop by the library, after the bookstore, — I said, having calmed down my laughter.

— Did they give the name of some ancient, like a mummy, textbook again, which is only available in paper form? — asked Leah, judging by the clicking sound, putting the kettle on to boil.

— Yep, — I nodded mechanically. — However, I don't think I'll be hanging around there for long.

— A couple of months ago, you also said ... — a grumpy voice was heard on the other side.

— Well, then the hollow one prevented me from finding the right book, that's why I'm late, — I answered with a shrug, switching to Japanese. It was not for nothing that I studied with Leah. In situations where you need to hide the essence of the conversation in a crowd, it is ideal.