He introduced us to the teachers and deans, then we introduced ourselves one by one. By this moment, adherents had gathered on the square near the statue of the founder, on the side of the idle fountain and on the side of the porch, looking at us with interest. Trying not to be distracted by them, I listened carefully to the rector.

Perhaps this would have continued, but I noticed that Asher Schwartz was talking to us, but was now looking somewhere to the side. Following his gaze, I came across a group of guys walking along the driveway past a stagecoach. They hardly paid any attention to us, they just glanced at us with indifferent glances and headed towards the park.

So bright and different, they stood out among other adherents!

One is blond with long hair as gorgeous as that of one of my friend’s northern dragons. The short fiery red hair of the second played with tongues of flame in the breeze. This one of them all smiled at us, as if he was unable to maintain a serious expression on his face for long.

A brown-haired man with wavy hair combed to one side looked from under his brows with squinted eyes, latently evoking a feeling of anxiety. Completely inexperienced in romantic relationships, I instantly realized that it was better to stay away from people like him.

But most of all I was impressed by the brown-haired, gloomy guy who walked with them, but seemed to be on his own. He didn’t even turn his head at us, and I experienced mixed feelings. Slight offense and interest. Offense because he didn’t consider us worthy of attention, but interest because I didn’t have time to see his face and eye color. All that remained was to admire the spread of the shoulders, covered with a uniform jacket, and the neck peeking out from the collar.

I didn't think so, did I? Does he have tattoos there similar to those of Beate Hügel? Is he also a dragon from a junior branch of the ruling family?

Stealthily looking at the broad backs and stately figures, I got distracted, and suddenly something forcefully poked me under the knees! It all happened so suddenly that I almost fell and, in order to maintain my balance, I stepped forward, finding myself out of line.

– Ashsheri Blackrock, did you want something? – Felsen Schwartz immediately drew attention to me.

– Y-yes, escher rector. I… I forgot something on the stagecoach. And now I remember. A very important thing, dear to the heart…

The rector grinned condescendingly, and my father stared at me with disapproval. “Well, since you’re so dear that you decided to interrupt me, so be it.” Go and get it. We will wait.

– Simka, why did you set me up like that? – I hissed at the simuran angrily. “Thank you!” Excuse me… – I stammered, blushing, and hastily disappeared inside the stagecoach. There, as I expected, the culprit of the incident was hiding. That's who pushed me out of line!

My friend looked at me reproachfully and, wagging his tail, placed a ball that had come from out of nowhere on the floor in front of me.

– Do you think now is the right time for games?! – I was indignant.

No! It wasn't a ball! This was something different. A ball as black as darkness itself, covered with orange dragon writing, which suddenly flashed and glowed. In surprise, I stumbled back and grabbed the wall.

Dragon Focus – that's what it was like!

Having survived the first shock, she stretched out her hand to pick it up, but at the very last moment she stopped, without touching the precious surface.

– Where did you take it? – asked Simka in a whisper.