From what I understood, there weren't any strict restrictions on trips to Belozersk, especially on weekdays. If someone had an urgent reason to go, they could do so without any trouble. No one would stop them. After all, most students could afford a taxi or had their own drivers, and those who had already turned sixteen were eager to show off their driving skills.
That said, students generally avoided trips to the city during the week because of their packed schedules. Weekends were reserved for that.
Besides, unless you were cramming for exams, there wasn't much to do at school then anyway.
As for my first trip to Belozersk, I had been planning to take the bus. My father had left me fifty rubles, convinced it would last me the entire month, but I had no real sense of how much things cost around here.
Even though I didn't need anything at the moment, I couldn't rule out the chance that I suddenly might. The only thing I knew for sure about money was that fifty rubles wouldn't get you far in Moscow.
"You're coming with me," Alexey said when we talked about the trip the night before.
"It's okay, really. I'll take the bus."
"Why?" he asked, puzzled. "What's the point of us meeting in Belozersk if I'm still heading there? I'm kind of responsible for you now.
So don't argue, Max. We'll go together."
I shrugged. There was no point in arguing.
In the morning, right after breakfast, a flurry of activity broke out at Kitezh. It felt as if the entire school were suddenly and urgently heading for the exit all at once. I was surprised to realize just how many students we actually had.
The parking lot was packed to capacity, filled with vehicles of every imaginable kind — bikes, taxis, limousines, sleek sports cars... Anything you could think of. The more luxurious cars flaunted coats of arms on their hoods, just to make sure everyone knew exactly who they belonged to.
Alexey's car had a coat of arms too. The interior was high-end, though the design wasn't exactly to my taste. The vehicle itself was comically large, with a separate section for the driver and a back seat spacious enough to fit ten people comfortably. Still, I had to admit, the built-in candy compartments and hidden stash of chocolates were a clever touch.
By the way, Alexey even had his own apartment in Belozersk. He could stay there overnight if he wanted, as long as he gave the dorm supervisor a heads-up in advance.
Many students from noble families had similar arrangements. After turning fifteen, they were allowed to live in their own apartments with their servants, provided their parents approved and the teachers agreed. Staff attitudes varied, after all, and some younger students with rare, unique, or potentially dangerous Gifts required constant supervision.
By their final year, though, young aristocrats usually no longer needed anyone's permission. With growing confidence and independence, they simply chose for themselves where and how to live.
"Is the city that interesting? Why is everyone rushing there?" I asked Alexey, watching the traffic jams that had formed on the road from school to Belozersk.
"Ah, you know... A bit of shopping, catching a movie, a meal at some nice restaurant..." He shrugged. "What did you do in Moscow?"
"I read books, I suppose."
"Not every day, right? I enjoy reading too, but sitting in a room all day gets tiresome. Plus, my eyes start hurting after a while, like they're full of sand. By the way, I'll show you a really cool spot on Tverskoy Boulevard. They have the best cherry-filled pastries there! You've never tasted anything like them before!"
"Pastries are always welcome." I smiled and popped a candy into my mouth. "By the way, where can I sell the crystal?"
"I told you — I don't know. I don't deal with that kind of stuff."
"And that's unfortunate, because now I'll have to figure it out on my own."
"You won't have to. But it would be pretty funny to watch you try.
What are you gonna do, hand it over to the first beggar you see? Even if you manage to find the right place, do you really think someone's just going to buy it off you?"
"Why not?"
"Think about it." Alexey looked at me with a hint of a smirk and tapped me gently on the head. "Use your head. Who's going to believe that the crystal is truly yours? They'll think you stole it."
"And what? They'll tell my parents?"
Honestly, I'd rather not drag my family into this mess. They'd be bombarding me with questions. Nobody would believe I simply found the crystal... I wouldn't be surprised if I were accused of actual theft and forced to tell the full, honest truth.
"Highly unlikely," Alexey scoffed. "The folks involved in such dealings tend to keep a low profile. They won't tell anyone, no, but I guarantee they'll try to pull a fast one on you."
"What do you mean?"
"They'll steal it."
"I'd like to see them try," I said confidently. If need be, I could always show up with a skeleton disguised as a grown man, just to boost my status a little. Add my curses and Dorian to the mix, and I was pretty well covered. "By the way, do you happen to have any Bear in the North in those compartments next to you? I'm not a fan of these liqueur-filled chocolates."
"No, I don't."
"What a shame. If we're going to be spending more time together, I'd really appreciate it if you told your men to stock up on those. Just saying, they're my favorite."
Alexey chuckled.
"Duly noted."
"So, what's the plan? I already figured you had one," I said, curiosity getting the better of me. "Spill the beans. How's my crystal going to turn into cash?"
"Be patient."
I really hated it when someone started a story by saying I wouldn't have to handle it on my own, only to suddenly clam up. What was with all the secrecy?
Still, we didn't talk about it any further and stuck to small talk instead. For instance, we chatted about the students heading into the city from the dorm. As it turned out, most of the guys preferred to stay in the dormitory, even though they could afford to rent their own apartments. Be part of the school and stay close to your classmates. That was how Alexey put it.
Everyone had their quirks. What could you do?
"And you?" I asked him as our car rolled into the city.
"What?"
"Where do you plan to live after your second year?"
"I honestly don't know. I haven't given it much thought. The year's just begun, after all. For now, I'm doing okay in the dorm, but we'll see how it goes," he replied, then tapped on the partition between us and the driver. "To the Old Square."
"Yes, Your Highness," the driver responded politely.
"Anything interesting there?"
"It's a beautiful spot. We'll start our tour there."
"I see."
Alexey wasn't lying. The Old Square was truly captivating. The entire neighborhood had a quiet, timeless charm. It probably dated back to the time of Tsar Gorokh. Nothing seemed to have changed since the square was first built. Even the cobblestones looked just as they had back then.
Well, perhaps not entirely untouched. Some things had changed. The old wooden houses had been replaced by sturdy stone buildings. Still, they felt just as ancient. With their weathered facades and sense of permanence, they looked like they'd stood for at least a century.
From the square, several roads wound down into the city. One of them led to the old piers. According to Alexey, they were no longer in use, but a rather charming promenade now stretched along their length.
"I can smell shashlik nearby," I said as we strolled along the promenade. "Maybe we should grab a bite?"
"Actually, that's exactly where we're headed," Alexey replied with a grin. "Best shashlik in the city. Though I'll admit, the place isn't exactly the trendiest spot."
"Hmm..." I murmured as we continued walking.
Alexey was right about the place. The promenade, while pleasant enough, showed clear signs of neglect. The piers were worn down, the boats looked grimy, and the fishermen... Well, they seemed a bit shady. Or maybe they really were just fishermen. Who knew?
"They're giving us the stink eye. I feel like we're about to get shanked in some alley," I whispered to Alexey. "It's like they don't like us..."
"That's their problem," Alexey replied with a shrug. "But I highly doubt they're actually going to try to take our money or cause us any problem, even if they really want to."
"Why's that?"
"First and foremost, Belozersk is under the protection of His Imperial Majesty. His personal protection," Alexey declared, fixing the fishermen with a commanding gaze. "And rightly so, the streets are often filled with young aristocrats, heirs of the oldest and most noble families. If anything happens to any of us, the entire town will be upheaved. Everyone will pay the price, those responsible and those innocent alike. So, the local bandits don't dare to trouble us. They've got enough of their own conflicts and disputes without poking their noses into ours."
"I understand."
"Besides, we're all Gifted. Most likely, crossing someone from Kitezh will be the last mistake they ever make. Why would they bother with us anyway? We've got nothing in common. They'd rather go after the locals. If I were you, I'd be more worried about Bubnov."
"To hell with him." I waved a hand dismissively. "Isn't that one of our seniors sitting over there?"
"Yeah," Alexey said with a nod. "Konstantin's a fourth-year. And he's not just sitting there — he's waiting for us."
A fourth-year at Kitezh? That would make him around seventeen. I couldn't help but wonder why he was waiting for us.
We approached the table, situated quite close to the water's edge, enclosed by a fence fashioned from dry reeds. The young man was sipping coffee. As soon as he saw us, he nodded politely in Alexey's direction.
"I've been waiting for," he glanced at his wristwatch, "half an hour.
We agreed to meet at eleven, and now it's nearly noon. If it were anyone else, Alex, I would've left long ago..."
"Saturday, traffic jams, you know how it is." Alexey shrugged casually.
"What matters is that you're here." The young man's tone softened as he shifted from stern to friendly. "So? What's new with you?"
"I want you to meet my new friend." Alex nodded in my direction.
"This is Maxim Temnikov."
"Pleased to meet you," the guy said, extending his hand with a confident smile. "I'm Konstantin Sobakin. Count, if you need to know."
"Maxim," I responded, shaking his hand. "Viscount, if you please."
"Temnikov? Is it true what they say about you?" Konstantin suddenly asked, narrowing his eyes with curiosity.
"What do you mean?" I shot back, intrigued.
"There's a rumor that you entered a Distortion and destroyed the Curse. Is it true?" he repeated.
I glanced at Alexey, who leaned over the table and said:
"I've known Kostya since we were kids. Our families are close friends; we used to visit each other all the time. I trust him." He looked around cautiously. "You asked me about the crystal... Well, he's into all sorts of stuff. That doesn't mean I approve of everything he does, but if you're asking about acquaintances, at least he's someone you can rely on."
Just then, a waiter approached our table to take our order. My stomach was already twisting from the fragrant aromas, so I ordered two servings of shashlik and a glass of juice. Alexey ordered the same and Konstantin didn't want anything.
"So? Are they telling the truth, or are they lying?" Konstantin asked again once the waiter had gone.
"I'll tell you this — I definitely killed a few enormous rats there," I said with conviction.
"And you're not pulling my leg?" Konstantin smiled, eyes glinting with curiosity.
"Why would I lie?" I responded simply.
"I don't know. In just a week, you've become quite the legend at our school." He took a sip of his coffee and cast a glance at Alexey. "I'm starting to envy Alex. Twelve years old, and already wandering the Distortions on your own. It's almost hard to believe..."
"I'm not lying." I reached into my pocket and pulled out a pale orange crystal, placing it carefully on the table. "This is what fell out of the third rat."
"Christ almighty... You weren't joking..." Konstantin's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Of course I wasn't!" Alexey frowned, a little annoyed.
"It's not that I didn't believe you..." Konstantin looked uneasy. "It's just... He's only twelve."
"Almost thirteen."
"Still just a kid. What would he possibly know about Distortions?
Even if it was a weak one, with a convenient monster and a simple Curse, it's hard to believe he actually went in and destroyed it. Honestly, I'd have believed it if he just took a look, saw what was going on, and ran straight back. But this... This is the real thing."
"There were three monsters," I said. "But only one disappeared after it died, crumbling into dust, and left this behind."
With those words, Konstantin reached out his hand toward me once more.
"You've got balls, Temnikov. I respect that."
"Thanks."
Konstantin finished his coffee, then picked up the crystal, spun it gently between his fingers, and asked me with a keen expression:
"So, I take it you're planning to sell it?"
"Yeah. Do you think they'd pay a good price?"
"Let's have a look... Orange... The lowest rank... Pale... Small..."
"What do you mean by pale?" I asked. "It's clearly orange, isn't it?"
"It is," he replied with a grin. "But it's... How can I put this? The color shows the type of energy, its density, and sometimes a few additional traits. Orange belongs to the weakest group, with red being the strongest within it. Green and blue are part of a stronger category, and then there's black and white — they're in a league of their own. But it's also important to remember that there are different shades within each color. Some orange crystals, for example, burn like fire. That means they're packed with an incredible amount of magical energy and are highly prized. Energy swords powered by those are much harder to defend against. The paler the crystal, the less valuable it is. And naturally, the smaller it is, the less it's worth. It isn't exactly rocket science."
"Damn," I said with a hint of regret. "So if it were brighter, and maybe a different color like red, it would have been better?"
"To get a brighter crystal, the Curse must be more serious than just a monstrous rat, you see? But generally speaking, yes, red crystals are more expensive. If you're truly interested, just hop online and read about it.
There's plenty of info out there."
That was a smart idea. Funny I hadn't done it already. I really should have taken it more seriously. I'd told myself I'd look into it when I had the time...
"As for your bad luck, that's not entirely fair," Konstantin continued. "A crystal's a crystal. It's worth a pretty penny. I don't know exactly how much I could get for this one, but I'd say no less than five thousand."
Five thousand?! That much? Wow! That was an enormous sum of money! I'd never had that much in my life! Incredible...
"Hm, I wonder where I could keep it... Maybe in my room, hidden under the bed?"
Are you actually stupid? Dorian suddenly asked. Did you already forget about Tenedom? You'll take what you need and leave the rest there.
"Oh! That's a clever idea! No one's getting to it there. And if they try, Hornborn's got an ax ready for anyone who dares lay a hand on my money..."
"Hello? Earth to Max! Hello?" I heard Konstantin's voice, apparently asking me something.
"Sorry. I didn't catch the question..."
"I'm asking if you're okay with me taking the crystal from you, and then bringing the money in the evening?"
"Actually, I thought we'd go sell it together," I replied.
"Sorry, Max, but I'd get asked too many questions about you," he interrupted. "People don't usually appear at such places with a kid. At least, they warn you about that beforehand."
"Rest assured, Kostya won't deceive you," Alexey added with a smile.
"I don't doubt it. I'm just curious..."
"I see..." Konstantin smirked knowingly. "First time you ventured into a Distortion, and your hands started itching already? Until fourth year, such unhealthy curiosity isn't exactly encouraged." At that moment, he leaned over the table and confided in us with a conspiratorial tone: "By the way, I've already chosen my specialization, and my old man signed all the necessary papers, so very soon I'll be officially permitted to venture into Distortions."
"Someone told me two months ago that you've already been there," Alexey said.
"That's a different matter altogether. Now I'll start making a name for our family and earning some serious money! So I fully support Temnikov's interest in the matter."
"Nonsense." Alexey waved dismissively. "You can make a name for yourself in other ways. No one will remember you when you one day don't come back from a Distortion."
Just then, the food arrived, and the heated debate that had been brewing quietly fizzled out. Konstantin took my crystal and headed off, promising to bring the money by evening if he managed to sell it. If not, he would return the crystal.
Alexey and I turned to our meals. The meat was superb. I truly enjoyed it. We lingered for a while, letting our stomachs settle, and then Alexey took me on a fascinating tour of Belozersk.
The town turned out to be fairly modest, with a population of around two hundred thousand. Based on the neighborhoods he showed me, it felt even smaller. Still, I had to admit, it had a certain charm. I genuinely liked it.
Tverskoy Boulevard turned out to be the most magnificent spot in the entire town. A wonderfully long pedestrian street lined with all kinds of attractions. Shops, restaurants, cozy cafés, a cinema — it had everything.
And those cherry pastries Alexey mentioned? Absolutely exquisite.
We each devoured four, and I was already eyeing a fifth. I held back, worried it might come right back up.
The day slipped by before we knew it. We didn't even manage to see everything we had planned. Alexey had wanted to treat me to lunch and show me his apartment, but we simply ran out of time. Besides, we were completely exhausted. The town might have been small, but walking it back and forth was more than enough to wear anyone out.
*** Konstantin found me at school late in the evening. I was just about to go to bed when he knocked on my door.
"Calling it a day already?" he asked, eyeing me in my underwear.
"It's barely bedtime. Mind if I come in?"
"It's already eleven," I said, stepping aside with a yawn. "I'm exhausted from all the walking. Look, my phone's pedometer shows nearly twenty-six thousand steps."
"Wow, that's impressive." Konstantin nodded appreciatively, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, holding it out to me.
"Here you go. Five thousand two hundred. Want to count it?"
I took the money, flipped through the bills, then tossed them casually onto the table.
"No need," I said with a grin. "Alexey said I can trust you."
"Glad to hear it," he replied, giving my hand a firm shake. "Well then, good night, Temnikov. I'm sure we'll cross paths again."
"Thanks for your help."
"No problem at all. Just give me a shout if you need anything," he said with a wave and headed out of the room.
I plopped onto the bed, glanced at the bundle of crisp hundred-ruble bills held together with a rubber band, and let out a yawn.
"Probably best to stash these in the closet before I head to Tenedom..."