STORK

Introduction

A power that does not have light or darkness. Only people who depend on how they will be used, the power received by them. Wealth, power, glory. It was possible to achieve everything with one small feature in the blood. Magic, magic, mana, ki. At all times it was called in different ways. Now, "He Sonder", in translation means "predisposition" or simply "Sondera".

It happened 8 years ago. At that time, I and Miley, only entered the elite academy of the art of light and darkness, or abbreviated STORK. The largest repository of Altair's knowledge, hidden secrets and much more, was hidden behind its walls.

It is located on the Glastonbury Hill, built in 1531 by Lewis Hederson 700 years ago. It was not just an academy with ordinary, economic or technical professions. It taught alchemists, spellcasters, necromancers, and many other things to which ordinary people are not predisposed and not able to learn.

There are 8 specialties in total: spell, alchemy, chivalry, manipulation, exorcism, demonology, medicine and grimoire.

The enrollment of students was based on one of two criteria:

1) The student must be from a noble family.

Basically, these are children of rich parents, highly esteemed and respected on the streets of Altair, with a special predisposition.

2) The student is not from a noble family, must pass an annual exam, demonstrating their skills. 80 of the best of them will be accepted, that is, 10 people were selected for each specialty.

If the copy does not meet these criteria, then the road to the STORK is closed to it. Exceptions in the Academy did not allow, because The rule is immutable, since the days of the founder.

In 2231, the 700th annual entrance exam was held. It gathered 1647 participants. All of them, commoners and beggars, having no noble predisposition, and among them was me.

A man, without her at all, that every one of them despised, and she was called "Cat of the trash." With this, thank God, there were no problems on the exam. Everyone could come and apply.

In Glastonbury, fanfare thundered, fireworks were beating all over the square, tents were set up with different trinkets and rarities for sale. Dancing songs, masquerade. In general, on the streets of the city reigned holiday.

Entering the hall of the Academy, I went straight to the registration desk. Sign up for the exam. In the building, many statues, portraits, rock inscriptions. A large crowd of people so much so that it was difficult to get to their destination. Given that all who were there - these were participants who also wanted to get into the academy.

Squeezing through the crowd. Finally, I stood beside her. There were 2 women sitting in an office uniform. They were wearing a white blouse, butterflies around the neck and skinny, black pants.

One of them is a blonde with a sweet smile, well-groomed, just the same fashion model, who led the recording of all those who came to the selection. The second, an old hag with dark hair and a terrible character, asked the main questions for the registration of applicants.

"Welcome to the reception. Tell me please what is your name?" 

"Ain." 

"And the name?" 

“I don't know her.”

The consultant is an old hag, lifted her head and asked outrageously.

“How do you not know her? What are you ignoramus? All people have a surname."

Pretty annoying statement in my direction. After all, I had no relatives, no adoptive parents, neither home nor relatives. This can be determined by my ragged, to the state of clothing rags. The people even noticed. They look at me, with a despicable look, every single one, and the couple on the right is generally drilled from and to. Although, in fact, that was how it was, because I am just a “trash cat” in comparison with others.

"Not. It so happened that..."

And at this moment, the consultant-old hag interrupted me, without giving me the opportunity to negotiate.

“Okay, where are you from?”

“With Glastonbury.”

"Please tell me your house and apartment?" 

“I don't have one either. I live on the street." 

Hearing these words, the participants laughed ...

"Ahhaha. Look, yes, we really have a "trash cat" without predisposition."

I don’t care that everyone laughs and thinks it is garbage, but the expressions on their faces are like a knife to the heart. At such moments I always ran away and hid in the back streets of the city, but now it is impossible to do. It was necessary to complete the registration.

"Desired specialty?" 

"Chivalry." 

"You recorded." 

The consultant said and gave the keys with a sign.

“Now get out of here. I don’t want a person so low standing next to me. I can not imagine how you managed to appear here."

After the words heard. I went to a remote corner where no one was. Yes, and no one came closer than at a distance of at least 20 meters. When all the participants signed up. The director came out on the podium to greet everyone.

"So, I will be glad to greet everyone who gathered today in our beautiful hall. The exam lasts 3 days. Exactly in 3 stages. During this time, you must show the maximum of their capabilities. They will begin tomorrow at 06:00 in the morning. While you can go to your rooms and get ready. You have exactly 12 hours left. There is a sign on the keys, and the number is on it."

After the inspirational speech. Everyone wandered away, each in their own rooms.