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Once I looked into her eyes, I found myself opening my mouth in surprise. I imagined an older woman, strict and prim, dry, like yesterday’s baguette, but in no way the same age as my mother. The corrosive gaze seemed creepy – maybe because of the different eyes? The left one was light brown and more like a cat, and the right one was light gray, with a wide black border.
Dark hair and sparse silver reflecting the light from the lamps. The clothes were a multi-layered complex outfit. A light, flowing floor-length dress in the style of an ancient Roman toga was partially hidden by a brown jacket made of stiff fabric with leather inserts. It looked more like a corset, but at the same time hid the shoulders and neck, had a high, diverging collar and a wide belt at the waist – with a gold oval plaque.
A slight, subtle hint of a smile appeared on Madame Pelisay’s lips.
– And here are my best students. You guys are just in time. I see you have already met Salaman. She is new and from now on will be a first year student at our academy. I…
Without hearing what the director wanted to say, the blond decided to leave. He walked confidently, calmly, and angrily. I barely had time to step aside, otherwise, I swear, he would have simply knocked me out of my place like an insignificant nuisance. His elbow touched my shoulder on the edge, beyond which only one flash would be enough for my restraint to crack at the seams.
“Monsieur Becriv, don’t you think it’s impolite of you to just up and leave when someone is talking to you?” – the woman loudly turned to the guy’s back, narrowing her eyes angrily.
Only these minor changes betrayed her dissatisfaction. It seems that someone was hired for a pencil, and for some reason I was sincerely happy about this.
But she didn’t dare turn around. He ran away – and that's fine. I still needed a spider to accompany me!
Apparently, thinking that the blond’s action had somehow offended me, the woman smiled softly at me.
– Never mind, Sally. Persidy is sometimes out of sorts. But Monsieur Darkwood will probably not refuse to show you the academy and generally help you settle within our walls for the first time. I would tell you everything and show you everything myself, but I’m already in a terrible hurry, in fact I’m late. How will you, Monsieur Darkwood, cope with the task entrusted to you?
“It would be an honor, Madame Pelisey,” the brunette responded, slightly bowing his head in agreement.
“Then I have one more request for you, Nirel.” See that your friend behaves decently in my absence.
“Of course, madam,” the student agreed easily.
Although if I were him, I would be careful about making such promises. Yes, he’s crazy – this blond! Like a savage who fell from a branch! Just think, I sat outside the window for a few minutes. Didn't fall apart!
True, I still felt shame. It was somehow inconvenient. But you can understand me: before my eyes, spiders did not turn into people.
Noting that the parent had not left the office, I became worried, trying to look into the secretary’s room:
–Where is my mother?
“She will write to you once a week, Mademoiselle Dragon,” Madame’s voice became enveloping, soothing.
But I was not going to calm down!
“My last name is Evesey,” she said angrily.
“Not here, Salaman,” the woman objected sternly. – In the Academy of Midnighters you are registered as Dragon – on your father’s side.
Shaking my head to get rid of the question that immediately arose in my thoughts about the second parent, whom I had never seen, I returned to the main topic. I tried not to look at the unwitting witness of our conversation. My voice was firm and expressed determination:
“Madame Pelisey, I don’t want to stay here.” And what should I do at the academy?
The director of the school smiled softly. Her gaze showed condescension, as if she knew in advance that my reaction would be exactly like this.
“In my academy you will learn to live with the one who sits inside you, my dear.” In each of those born at midnight lives the Dark Side, the so-called gift of the ancestors. Your mother said that your abilities have not yet manifested themselves, so within the walls of this educational institution you will have to find them and curb them.
“I don’t have any gift,” I said dryly, without even lying.
There were unusual abilities, yes, but there was no gift.
– And we still have to find out, Salaman. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. This is what happens when you are in a hurry,” the woman realized with a smile. – Madame Noshli Pelisay. Welcome to the Midnighter Academy.