X: Valet

(5) Valet, you stay with Magic (if earlier - 1)

"No, but why?"

I whined like a real little kid and realized too late how much disappointment I could cause others if I continued to behave like this. And by "the others", of course, I mean Hunter only.

"Because I said so"

He could compete with Seth in his intimidating tone and look. I immediately shrank like some forgotten raisin under a box of grapes.

"Do you understand everything?"

"Yes..."

I lowered my head.

"Don't worry, kid"

His voice became unexpectedly soft. He patted me on the shoulder.

"This is not the last outing in your life"

"Of course..."

"Come on, go to Magic"

While I was walking in the right direction, Hunter for some reason continued to stand in place, watching me go. I want to believe that he felt sorry for me. This may seem strange to you.

I was a little afraid of meeting Magic after the Barlow situation, but to my unspeakable joy, she was in a good mood when I appeared on the threshold of her magic chamber.

"And here he is again on my doorstep"

She said theatrically, immediately seeing me in the aisle. There was a huge book in front of her, and in her hands she held flasks, the contents of which she poured back and forth.

"What are doing here, Valet?"

I cleared my throat – I had no doubt that she wouldn't be thrilled with what I was going to say. On the other hand, maybe her irritation could have been suppressed by a wave of schadenfreude?

"Hunter decided not to take me with him"

That was enough for Magic to understand what I meant. Sighing noisily, she got up from her seat, setting aside all her inventory.

"And why is he so cruel to me?"

Magic looked at me and smiled venomously. At one point, I even got the impression that she was waiting for some kind of answer from me.

"Well, maybe..."

"Don't answer"

She raised her hand, and I realized that I would never learn how to determine what people wanted from me.

Magic put all her things in their places and went to the exit, beckoning me with her finger. I stomped after her like a real child. She led me through the second living room to the warehouse, where I was stealing bottles. A huge room littered with junk up to the ceiling, which has never inspired me with confidence. It would be more accurate to say that it did not inspire me with confidence about what I would have to do in it. A resigned sigh escaped from my mouth. Silent – otherwise Magic would have killed me.

"Here you go"

She handed me a small leather book.

"Look for which artifacts from those described in the grimoire are here. We'll have to find the rest somewhere.... I hope there won't be many of them. And in no case do not touch any of them!"

"Then how am I going to look for them?"

I said without a second thought.

"What a fool you are"

She rolled her eyes wearily.

"They won't just lie around here. They are in caskets or some kind of boxes. Just don't put your hands anywhere right away. And don't work blindly"