– Scary woman! – I admired, and Bea smiled.

“Uncle ordered Mika and his father to appear immediately, and then your cousin made a fatal mistake. From the doorway he screamed that he was not to blame, and that… Tada-a-a-am! You stole the focus.

– Focus?! “I pretended to be surprised, and goosebumps ran down my spine. – But…

– Right! Uncle Eric didn’t tell anyone what exactly was stolen, but Mikael found out about it from somewhere. And he even dared to denigrate you in front of everyone. Can you imagine how angry the ruler was? – Bea smiled contentedly.

She, like me, hated Mikael, and for good reason. One day he humiliated the dragoness in public. I walked over the girl’s pride with dirty boots, one might say. Bea did not forget or forgive.

“It looks like Mika set himself up,” I noted.

– Exactly! After all, Uncle Eric didn’t say why he was calling him and his father. That's why even Uncle Olaf was powerless. He had to put his son under house arrest, and their house is being searched secretly. Can you imagine?

– Beata, how do you know about all this?

– I have my own sources. – The dragoness winked.

– Oh, you'll finish the game! – I shook my head disapprovingly.

– Ethan, the Hyugels have protected the Derbergs from time immemorial, serving them faithfully. I want to do the same thing, that’s why I’m preparing. I have to be aware of everything, because sooner or later you will sit on the throne, and then get married. Your wife will need a bodyguard, and I will be ready to take on this burden.

I shook my head.

“Sister, I…” Even though we were distant relatives, by calling Beata that, I showed her the highest honor, thereby bringing her closer to me. “I am grateful for this with all my heart, but sooner or later there will be a dragon who will take your fancy, and you will get married and have children.” Maybe it would be better to devote yourself to your family rather than someone else’s?

– I don’t want to get married, Ethan! – The girl flushed. – Well, we got it right! I am a dragon and a battle mage of the highest category! – slightly embarrassed, she added: “The future.” And I want to be useful to the throne.

I just shook my head and hugged her tightly.

“Then go and look after the adepts.” Find out everything about them. Who knows, maybe my uncle is right, and my true one will really be found among them?

I grinned, as if I didn’t believe in this whole idea.

– Ethan? – She was worried.

– I just assumed. Anything can happen. That’s exactly why my uncle sent the girls here, to increase my chances, right? I selected only the best. The very best! – I spread my hands and smiled.

– So that's what you think? – The sister opened her scarlet mouth.

Several first-year adepts passing by immediately froze in place, staring at her in fascination.

– Why are you staring? Go away! – she growled at them, waving her hand imperiously.

The guys perked up, as if rising from sleep, and hurried on about their business. The park was getting crowded, and my sister came closer to me:

“Now I understand why uncle is so angry with Mika.” I probably wanted to give Focus to you so that you could try searching here. After all, Miki has a better chance of finding a bride, he is not locked in this male kingdom.

Bea's conclusions were very logical, although I simply made up stories about the adepts to fool her.

We said goodbye warmly, and Beata went to campus, and I went to my room to change clothes and take a shower. There was little time left before breakfast. Standing naked under the elastic hot streams of water, I was thoroughly soaping myself when I suddenly froze, staring at my own hands.

– I'm an idiot! – he cursed and threw the washcloth at his feet in anger.

I did not recognize the true one, simply because she was not among these adepts, otherwise there would have been a pair of bracelets on my forearm! But there was no bracelet, which means the ritual did not take place. So what now? Where to look for the artifact? The dream was cancelled. Until I find Focus, I can’t give up!

I got nervous again. If Bea was right, and Uncle Eric was going to give me the artifact himself, then I was in a hurry. And if I lose him, I won’t lose my mind! I will be accused of rebellion and other sins, and Mika will certainly rule the Onyx Rocks. I'm afraid that he will bully people and they will start a rebellion.

The artifact had to be found as soon as possible. It couldn't be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Having quickly gathered myself, I went after the guys, but there was no one in the rooms, so I had to act alone. I checked everything carefully at the main porch of the academy building and even attracted a couple of air spirits to comb the bushes and flower beds, but to no avail.

Thinking about what had happened and about the news that Beata had reported, I went to the dining room. There was always a center of attraction there, and if someone found a strange ball, they were probably already chatting about it left and right. The girls walked past me one by one. I had the opportunity to look at them, or even get to know them, but I wasn’t in the mood. And suddenly, already at the entrance, another one crashed into me from a running start.