Striving for Perfection

With a long exhalation, I put the last book in my bag and rubbed my eyes with my hands. The desire to overcome laziness turned out to be so strong that I read all day and even after dark. Although it became really dark about an hour ago. But this hour ago was the most difficult in terms of reading. I rubbed my temples with my fingers trying to process and tamp down all the information I received. In short, to break through the barrier, you need to complete two points:

1. Determine the type of barrier. It can be purely magical or belong to any element. Taking into account the fact that the barrier from the castle is transparent, this means that it belongs to one of three types. Windy, purely magical or luminous. Yes, the barrier can be made of light slightly condensed by magic. I thought it was weird too. In any case, the option with a wind barrier disappears because if it were so, my blows would pass through it and then the barrier would cause damage to my hands. This is the mechanics of this type. It is impossible to distinguish light from magic. We'll have to try countermeasures until it works.

2. Destroy the barrier using a suitable type of countermeasure. The light barrier can be broken by weakening with darkness. In principle, you can block the hole that I punched with an explosion with a wardrobe and then hit the barrier blindly. A purely magical barrier can only be broken through by strong magical tension in a short period. How do I do this with my stock of spells? Good question.

I closed the bag and got up from the bench and stretched. Crunching my neck, I looked around in the hope of seeing the musicians. Of course, they were nowhere to be found. A disappointed sigh escaped my lips as I sat down on the bench and looked at the sky. Judging by the position of the moon, it's about eight o'clock.

You're sitting down like you don't have anything to do. Go to the garrison and check how many cases are still left. NOW!

With a nod to myself, I got up and stretched again and went to the garrison along evening street. Along the way, I felt that the thestrals were walking in pairs far away from me. It's nice to know that they obey me. Or. . . are they afraid not to obey?

Did you really let that idiot make you think? What a pity.

I quickly shook my head from side to side and decided to focus on the road. Fortunately, the evening darkness protected my eyes from the pastry shop, allowing me to move on calmly. Every step I took was accompanied by a crunch of snow, which frankly is starting to get a little annoying. On the way, I noticed that the sellers from the market were slowly collecting everything not sold and going home. After briefly taking a look at all this, I continued walking towards the garrison trying not to think.

After crossing the red line separating the garrison from the city, I looked around wanting to find out how the soldiers were doing. Some soldiers were just sitting on the ground while others were animatedly discussing something among themselves. But when they saw me, they stood up and straightened to attention. I turned away from this and headed to the tower to see how many things were left and how Rising was doing. In a few long but slow steps I reached the door to the tower and opened it.

Inside the tower, I was greeted by a curious picture. There was only one small stack of papers left on the table, and Rising, was sitting at the table, who, judging by his closed eyes, was asleep. Interested in what had happened, I walked up to the table and slammed my palm on the table. Rising from this abruptly straightened up in his chair and, opening his eyes, began to frantically look around. When he saw me, he calmed down a little and smiled awkwardly.

"What happened to the papers?" I asked, pointing with my finger at the few papers that were left on the table.

"I thought it was better to deal with them as quickly as possible, so while you were away, I gave the soldiers some of them. I had to persuade, but everything worked out." Said Rising as if he expected praise for this act.

"Why is there only one stack of papers here? I left there." I asked, continuing the survey with disbelief in my voice. Rising looked slightly upset for a moment by the continuation of the incredulous survey, but still answered.

"Well, I distributed the first stack of small cases to others. The second stack of more dangerous cases was taken over by Flying. He wanted to do them so much that I couldn't refuse him. I left on the third stack here because I thought it was very important since the same names are repeated there. " Rising replied pondering every word.

Do you understand? When he found out that you needed to play the good guy card, he quickly realized why you took more difficult things for yourself. He puts a stick in the wheels. Now we have enemies in the rear. Excellent.

"Good job, Rising. You really did everything right." I said with a small grin, trying to abstract myself from anger. In response, Rising looked at me for a second, not believing what he heard, but in the end he beamed with happiness. For a couple of seconds I waited for him to say something, but not hearing a single word, I continued to speak, taking the remaining cases in hand.

"Okay, I'll go now, finish the remaining cases and return to the garrison. You deserve a rest so it's time for you to go to sleep, normally in the barracks. " I said before turning around and walking out of the tower.

" Wait, sir! " Rising said, jumping up from his seat and approaching me. I understood almost instantly what he wanted from me. He wants to come with me.

After a moment of reflection, I sighed and said, starting to leave the tower: " Okay, you can follow me. The main thing is not to interfere."

I felt his active nod, and quick steps following my slower ones. When I got outside, I stood next to the doorway and started looking at the papers to refresh my memory. Pinkie Pie. Lives in a candy store and is accused of trespassing on private property without permission under the pretext of throwing a party. Rainbow Dash. Lives in a house of clouds? Wait, how am I going to get there to hand over all the complaints? Okay, I'll think of something. In any case, Rainbow is charged for damaging private property. And finally Twilight Sparkle. He lives in the library and is accused of noise.

You know, you don't have to say accused. After all, they are not in court. For now.

After considering all the options, I decided to go to Twilight first. It's close, the route is familiar and most importantly - not a pastry shop. I started walking towards the library as it got darker and colder outside. The market has been already completely empty and it seemed that there were only two living people left in the city. I had hoped that walking to the library would take place in silence so that I could sketch my actions, but the sudden question of Rising destroyed these hopes.

"Ahem, sir?" Rising asked cautiously.

"What do you need?" I answered the question even without looking at Rising.

"I thought you were spending time with your band. Why are you here?" Asked Rising still cautiously. This question made me sigh.

I think it's time to admit it.

"Rising, have you heard the expression that as you name for a ship, so it will sail?"

"Yes, of course." Replied Rising after a moment of silence. I felt with every fiber of my soul that he was lying, but I decided not to catch him on a mistake.

" It turns out that the offensive is so crushing and fast that the commander was forgotten, but his finances were not forgotten. " I said, holding back my frustration and anger.

" You mean..." He started to say Rising, but I abruptly interrupted him.

" Yes. These assholes took all my money and disappeared in an unknown direction. Probably made a circle around the city and left here by train while everyone was busy. "

" How could they? How could they do something like that, especially after what you told them? " I asked Rising, who, judging by his voice, was saddened and greatly concerned about this issue. Although it's me who should be sad and worried.

"I don't know about you, Rising, but I realized one of many things a long time ago. The main thing is to do what you think is right, necessary, necessary or any other word that you like." I answered calmly while we continued to walk to the library together. Fortunately, the dialogue was able to distract me from the pastry shop.

"But they are thieves! We have to catch them!" Rising said, raising his voice.

I turned my head to make eye contact with him and said: "Firstly, it is too labor-intensive. Secondly, they could already spend this money or a significant part. Thirdly, I have more important things to do than revenge on specific people. Fourth, I don't know about you, but I would probably do the same in their place. "

After my words Rising was quiet for a few seconds and then quietly asked: " Is this really right?"

Just talk according to the manual.

"That's right, it's an extensible concept that I prefer not to understand. Look at it this way. What happened to me gave me a lesson and a benefit. First of all, it's time for me to learn not to trust strangers. It's funny that I'm already twenty years old and I can't do what every kindergarten student can, don't you think? In any case, my advantage is that, if I wish, I have a victim card. If things get really bad, I can make myself look like a victim. Although I want to tell you right away, Rising, that I will not stoop to this unless absolutely necessary. So that you understand, the threat of death is not a reason for me to make myself a victim. I got distracted. The answer to your question is: the main thing is to assess the ratio of losses and benefits. If the losses are much greater than the benefits, then you can be a little sad but continue to work. If the benefit is equal to or greater than the loss, then it makes no sense to get upset. Let's go time is not infinite." I said before turning around and continuing on my way to the library.

"I'll remember that. Thank you, sir." Said Rising with gratitude as if I had solved a very important question.

In response, I just nodded and continued walking towards the library with Rising on my tail. As I approached the library, I felt something I hadn't expected. I felt the presence of not one or even two beings, but as many as seven. With a gesture saying Rising will stop, I closed my eyes and began to analyze everything. In addition to the six ponies, there was something bipedal in the library. Who could it be?

A two-legged lizard. Do you remember him when you first came here?

I nodded to myself and put my hand to my chin and began to reason out loud: "Seven. There are claims to only three of them. There is a chance that everyone will cover for each other. Like the rotation of reserves to any point where they start to lose. Inconvenient. " What's wrong, sir? " The Rising asked anxiously, looking around as if looking for danger.

In response, I pointed my finger at the library and said: " There is Twilight Sparkle, who is one of those who has a ton of complaints. But the fact is that she is not alone there. There are six other creatures there, and with each of them, according to the little information I have, she has friendly relations. Plus, I also have complaints about two out of six. Do you understand what this means? " I asked, hoping for a quick positive answer to continue the speech.

Rising was silent for about ten seconds and then said with a sigh: "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand."

I sighed hiding my disappointment and began to explain: "This means that they will cover up and justify each other. And since I have claims on only three of them, the option of binding all of them with a fight does not work. I need to think about it. "

" I am ready to help in any way I can. " Said Rising almost immediately after I finished speaking. I looked at him thinking it was a joke, but when I saw a determined look, I grinned and continued to think with new possibilities.

Look, there are three most effective options. Option one: break in there, knock out anyone who interferes and have a two-on-three conversation. Option two: by abrupt and unexpected actions, confuse everyone and while everyone is confused, knock out a confession of guilt from them. Option three: Go to bed and do it tomorrow. In the current state, nothing more sensible will come up.

"Rising are you ready to hear your role in the attacking action?" I said after considering all the options at my disposal.

"Always ready, sir!" Rising answered, straightening up and making me grin.

I put my hand on his back and said: "Well, this is the plan. I go in first and start the conversation while you're standing behind and trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. If possible, try to find a way to provoke them. At the moment when you see that they start interrupting me or saying several things at once, you should abruptly and boldly enter into a dialogue using everything that you could learn. Your targets are a yellow Pegasus, a white unicorn, an orange earth pony and a two-legged lizard. I'll deal with the rest. Are you ready? I asked in a tone not suggesting refusal. I felt a slight tremor that went through Rising's body, but he quickly gathered his strength and nodded.

"Then let's go." I said, removing my hand from his back and heading to the library. I felt like Rising perfectly followed my instructions and following me kept at a distance and exactly behind my back. Approaching the door point-blank, I mentally repeated the plan myself and began to bang on the door very insistently. Ideally, this should scare them.

"Who's there?" A female voice asked, which was muffled by the door, because of which I could not identify the carrier. I decided to surprise the opponents even more and took a step to the side, pointing my finger meant Rising and then at the door.

After a second of reflection, he realized what I wanted from him and said: "This is the Lunar Guard. Please open it. "

There was silence on the other side of the door but then the answer came: " Come on. The door is open"

I nodded to Rising for a good job and started slowly opening the door. As the door opened, my eyes began to study everything they saw in the room. First the stairs, then books on all possible topics and in the final atk a gang of six ponies with a two-legged lizard that stood behind. I saw the shock reflected in their eyes, especially at the sight of me.

Not bad so far, crybaby. Continue in the same spirit and the secondary direction of the secondary front will collapse. So step by step you will make an Equestrian field of experiments. Unless you find a way to get out of here before that, of course.

I opened the door letting a draft into the house, but did not take a step into the house and asked, forcing politeness out of myself. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important. Can I come in?"

My eyes caught that everyone except Pinkie Pie was looking at me suspiciously, but after a couple of seconds Twilight cautiously replied: "Come in. And just curious. Why do you need all these papers? "

" About these? You see, the Solar Guard that used to be in this city left me and my dear soldiers a lot of work. You probably could see that we all work tirelessly or in their cases, tirelessly hooves. And these papers are the last thing left of what our colleagues left us. " I said, speaking wearily and trying to reinforce it.

" How does this apply to us? " Rainbow Dash asked, looking at me with narrowed eyes.

In response, I took several sharp loud steps to the table in the center of the room where everyone was sitting and loudly putting the papers on the table, I said, returning to my usual tone: "Refers directly to some of you. The charge of damage to private property in the direction of Rainbow Dash. The charge of trespassing in the direction of Pinkie Pie. And as the highlight of the program, the accusation of night noise in the direction of Twilight Sparkle. All these papers are complaints about you from residents of the city. "

" I assure you, Captain, my friends would never do anything like this. Rarity said, clutching her hoof to her chest as if it gave weight to her words.

"I assure you, a female civilian, that I don't care about your opinion and the accused were already adults who can answer for themselves." I replied, causing Rarity to snort and turn away.

I looked at the accused and asked: "Well? Do you have a refutation of these complaints?"

"Who cares?" asked Pinkie Pie, taking a few complaints at a time and starting to chew paper. I stared at her in shock, her "friends" repeated my gesture and I am sure that Rising is experiencing similar emotions.

What are you waiting for!? Now this worm will eat the resources for the offensive. Do something!

I quickly grabbed her by the scruff of the neck like a kitten and lifted her above me, wanting to intimidate. Instead of fright, she spread her hooves to the sides, dropping the papers from her mouth and said in a nasty squeaky voice: "Wheeeee. . ."

I opened my hand hoping that she would at least experience a painful fall. Instead, continuing her nasty squeaking, she bounced off the wooden floor like a ball and landed next to the table, but fortunately away from the papers. She was smiling even wider, which almost made me lose my temper. Almost.

Okay, you know what? To hell with the Discord deal. He offers too little to tolerate this. As soon as possible, kill her.

After a few breaths, I was able to regain my composure and continued the attack on the stunned ponies: "So do you have any refutations?"

"We are heroes! How could they complain about us for such a small thing after everything we've done!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. I opened my mouth to catch a mistake, but they started acting in a chain.

"I was just throwing a party. What's wrong with that if I want to surprise my friends?" Pinkie Pie asked, biting her lip for a second and making a plaintive face. Did you go to drama club too?

"I created noise, I admit, but I did it without prejudice just once! And there are simply not so many neighbors around me to write at least one tenth of these complaints. " Said Twilight, who seems to be trying to analyze the situation.

Deciding that the chain was over, I said before I was interrupted again: " Hero? Perhaps. But laws are for everyone..."

" Laws for everyone? Then why are you here in front of me now after your first appearance in Ponyville? Something tells me that for beating five ponies and many other things, people go to prison." Rarity said with a grin, as if she had checkmated. We need to answer somehow before it really becomes a checkmate.

Wait, I have to come up with an answer. You need to charge your phone and. . . and. . . just. I'm done, I don't have the strength. Back to plan number one. Fight!

"I do not know what the captain did, but that does not negate what you three did. Don't shirk the topic and tell us, do you, " heroes", have any refutations? " Rising asked with disdain in his voice, surprising everyone in the room, especially me. Oh, with what contempt he said the word heroes.

Not bad, not bad.

There was a deathly silence in the room. No one could come up with an answer and everyone was shocked by the abruptness of Rising. The accused began to slowly lower their heads, as if slowly accepting defeat. The third-party pony and the two-legged lizard were also shocked and unable to give a decent answer.

"I'm. . ." "Twilight said shamefacedly, but to my annoyance was interrupted by Pinkie Pie's loud intake of breath. By the time I turned to her, she had several wet papers in her hooves that she had been chewing on before.

Pinkie Pie solemnly picked up the papers and said: " I do not know more than one name here. And I know the name of every pony in Ponyville!"

Hearing this, my brain finally stalled. How to respond to this? What can I do in this situation if I am in this city for only a couple of days? I can't at least link random points of information into a web because there are basically no points.

Pretend that everything is fine. It is better to get into a draw than to be defeated.

I slowly walked over to the papers I had put on the table earlier and pointing at them asked trying to sound calm: "Do you claim that all these complaints are falsified?"

In response, Pinkie started nodding very vigorously, to which I strained coming up with an offensive plan and said: "You claim to know the name of every pony in Ponyville. So it won't be difficult for you to write them, right?"

Breaking up my plan, Pinkie took out a thick notebook from her mane and quickly flipped through many pages. The reaction allowed me to see a lot of names and what is the strangest information about some residents. Where they live, what they like, what they don't like and detailed information. To my even greater embarrassment, I was able to make out my name and, worst of all, a note about sweets.

Now killing her is a mandatory task. By the way, who do you think organized the setup? Maybe those guards held a grudge and decided to take revenge?

Thinking, I slowly approached the table and took the papers from it and said: "Keep the chewed paper for yourself. I will keep these papers and find the culprits. Let's go to the garrison, Rising."

In response to his name, he nodded and I went out with him. To my annoyance Rainbow Dash asked in an accusing tone: "So you just came to us, accused us, and just left as if nothing had happened?"

For the first time in the room, I paid closer attention to her and saw that she was flying indoors. Isn't it dangerous?

What do you care about her? If she loses control and breaks a couple of expensive things, it will make you neither better nor worse. On the path to Perfection, other people are no more than steps. DON'T forget that

"What do you want to hear? Regret? Do you want me to say I'm sorry? I won't say this because I don't feel sorry about it. Yes, I absolutely don't feel it." I said, stopping and feeling my chest with my hand as if I was looking for a feeling of regret about this. Nothing was found.

"Can you regret anything at all?" Rainbow Dash asked in an exasperated voice.

What's the point of regretting something?

"What's the point of regretting something if I can do more important things? I really don't understand. " I said sincerely. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to reply, but Applejack interrupted her.

"He's not lying. He really doesn't understand." She said, causing everyone to stare at me in embarrassment. After they didn't see or hear any words from me, their expressions changed to shock.

You can leave like this. Or we can get at least some benefit from this situation and weaken their vigilance. It's more profitable to attack an opponent who doesn't expect this from you, don't you think?

I took a deep breath, gathering my strength and said: "I think since you understand this fact, you will accept my offer. I offer mutual forgiveness. You forgive me for this situation and I forgive you for the past incident. How do you like the idea?"

They looked at me suspiciously while silence hung in the room. I noticed that Rainbow Dash bit her lip in anger, but for some reason did not dare to behave aggressively again. Eventually Twilight looked at her "friends" before looking at me again and saying, "We need to discuss this. Alone."

Alone translates as get out of here until we call you, no one needs you here.

I waved my hand telling Rising to come with me and headed for the exit. In a few long strides, I reached the open door and left the room, closing the door behind me. Once on the cold street, I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes to console my headache. I felt that Rising was standing next to me and looking at me in anticipation.

After a few seconds it started to annoy me and I opened my eyes and said: "You'd better go to the barracks and get a good night's sleep. After all, sleeping anywhere is not very useful. And of course I should note that you did well there."

Rising was silent for a few seconds and then nodded before slowly walking towards the garrison. Perhaps my praise made him more accommodating. After a few seconds, a thought came to my mind and, grinning, I shouted to him: "And always remember that the name of the band should be in honor of something static, slow or simply non-existent. Park, defense, nirvana, door, kiss, movie for example. And yes, I don't care about the exceptions to this rule. Remember that!"

Why did you say that?

By the time the eyes began to slowly close, the door opened. Looking up, a two-legged lizard appeared in front of my eyes, which beckoned me into the room with a hand gesture. He looked scared of me but suppressed it with all his might. Although I'm not surprised considering our height difference. On the flip side, he's more than twice as tall as me.

I took a step into the library and saw some small changes. There was a chess board and eight mugs of tea on the table. My attention was attracted by the chessboard, and I did not pay attention to the female muttering. Instead of a king and a queen, there were two alicorns, the second slightly smaller than the first. Instead of elephants, there were unicorns, instead of horses there were Pegasus, and instead of a rook there were earth ponies. The design of the pawns has not changed. Although I will still call them decent names.

It is more expensive to cut such figures than classical chess. I don't know about you, but I'm already tired of being angry about the pony's lack of ability to save.

"Are you listening?" Twilight asked irritably, raising her voice a little.

"No, I wasn't listening. My attention was focused on the picture that you have arranged here. Especially on the chessboard. Let's not waste a lot of time, you just say the result." I said, lifting my gaze from the chessboard.

Twilight let out a long exhale and finally said: "We forgive you and since you forgive us, we decided to do something to improve the relationship. I thought you might like a little game of chess and a friendly conversation."

Funny, don't you think? They lost so much in this conflict that they thank you so much for ending it. Your lack of sleep and fatigue is a blessing for them.

I smiled a little and nodded before sitting down at the table. I saw that the chessboard was turned towards me by white pieces. Deciding to give the pony a chance, I turned the board so that I could play with the black pieces. I propped my head on my fist and asked: "I intend to play only one game. Who will go first and only?"

Twilight sat down and with a grin, moving the pawn to e4, said: "Your move."

How are you going to win this in your current state, crybaby? Although you know better answer me another question. When was the last time you played chess normally? Six years ago? More?

In response, I silently moved the pawn to d5 and touched the cup of tea. Warm but not too warm. While Twilight was thinking about a retaliatory move, I took a mug of tea and abruptly drank all the contents. The ponies stared at me as if I had done something strange. But the main thing is that I was able to warm myself up and cheer myself up a little.

After a couple of moments, Twilight gathered her strength and moved her pawn forward again, placing it on e5. While I was thinking about the next move, Pinkie Pie started saying, "So what do you like, Dani?"

I looked up at Pinkie for a moment before moving the knight to c6 jeopardizing Twilight's pawn and replying: "Some like it, some don't. I don't have time to pursue hobbies and look for interests."

"Don't the Guards give you days off?" Twilight asked, making a pawn move from f2 to f4.

"Yes, they do. But I spent my weekend on outside business. I'll tell you ahead of time that I won't tell you exactly what those things were. If you're that interested, you can ask Celestia. " I said, without hesitation, moving the pawn a little forward so that it ended up on d4.

Twilight looked slightly surprised, but did not ask and made another move with a pawn from d2 to d3. While I was about to make another lazy move Pinkie asked the question again: " Are you staying in Ponyville for long?"

Does she want to distract you? Anyway, go knight on h6 I have an idea. If she doesn't notice with the second move we will advance the bishop and under the protection of the knight he will threaten the queen

"For an indefinite period." I replied instantly, making the move I was thinking about. Twilight almost instantly descended as a knight to f3, thus breaking off the idea.

Forget it.

That's how the chess game began, which was constantly interrupted by uninteresting questions.

"Oh." I said, realizing the mistake only after I made the next move. I took almost all the pieces from Twilight except the bishop and left her with only two pawns and managed to accidentally put her in a stalemate. It's a draw.

Even here, you didn't win. Are you going to fuck up all the plans today!?

With a slow exhalation, I held out my hand to Twilight and said, "Stalemate."

She jumped as if she had completely forgotten about my existence in the room. The hair on her forehead was tangled with sweat and the hair from her mane had escaped, giving her a wilder look. In the end, she still stretched out her hoof and I grabbed it for a moment. But when I felt the humidity, I quickly let go of her hoof and got to my feet and said: "Well, I have to go. And don't strain yourself so much when you play games. It's like you've run a marathon."

She smiled awkwardly and replied: "Okay, maybe we'll do it again sometime."

By no means.

"I doubt it very much." I said before quickly leaving the room without giving any pony time to respond. In a few long steps I reached the door, opened it, left the room and slammed it behind me.

It became even darker and colder outside, but despite this, I decided to do the last thing. Break the barrier. After warming up a little and throwing sleep out of my eyes, I went towards the castle. Along the way, I felt that the nearest thestrals were walking very slowly, as if they were very tired. In this regard, calculations began to take place in my head.

The approximate time of joining the shift is ten or eleven o'clock in the morning. So their twelve-hour shift will end at ten or eleven o'clock in the evening. Due to the lack of a watch, you will have to rely on the moon and its position in the sky.

Before entering the forest, I looked up at the moon and saw that it was not very high in the sky. There is still time. Having made sure of a large amount of time, I entered the forest.

After a couple of steps, my nose caught an unpleasant but familiar smell. Oh, yes, wolves. Probably they should be put away in the castle before they are devoured by scavengers. Did I waste my time killing them? Sniffing and enduring the unpleasant smell, I started to turn to the side before going to him. Because of the darkness, I had to move almost by touch, but my vision began to slowly adapt.

At some point, I felt my foot collide with something hard, fleshy and cold. Kneeling down, the smell hit me especially hard in the nose and I realized for sure. This is a place of wolf slaughter. Looking closer, I was able to understand that this is exactly the wolf that was torn or "cooked" by the explosion. Realizing that it was impossible to see the rest of the wolves because of the darkness, I decided to stop at one.

Taking the torn carcass of a wolf by the upper jaw, I felt the tree in search of moss and having found it, I built an approximate route to the castle. A couple more such visits to the castle and I will be able to walk into it with my eyes closed. Although considering the darkness, it's almost like that, huh.

After a few minutes of walking, I grabbed a branch of the nearest tree and started walking more slowly, feeling that I had almost reached the cliff. My guess was justified when I saw the river far below again. Releasing the branch, I took a few steps back and headed along the cliff, expecting to see the bridge to the castle at any second.

After a short walk, I got to the bridge, which was not damaged in any way. It didn't seem like it was necessary to jump. I looked first at the glazed eyes of the wolf and then at the castle. Maybe, just maybe. . .

No. No games.

Sighing, I lifted the wolf carcass off the ground and carefully walked across the bridge. This time the boards creaked even louder, but based on the experience of the last time, you can ignore it. At the end of the bridge crossing, a small breeze blew, but without paying much attention to it, I finished the crossing. Once again on solid ground, I took a few breaths before going forward to my goal.

After walking through the familiar corridors and between the familiar bookcases, I again looked at my barrier in the form of a barrier. I put the wolf carcass on the ground, put the bag next to it and stretched my shoulders, I started moving the bookcase. While pushing, various books fell out of it, but without paying attention to it, I continued to move. In the end, the closet almost completely blocked the hole in the wall behind which there was a barrier, but left a small gap so that I could squeeze through. After using it for its intended purpose, I quickly realized that a hidden room with a barrier is small in itself, so in order to somehow get in, I would have to stand right on the barrier. Swallowing and taking a breath, I hesitantly climbed onto the barrier and bent down a little so as not to bang my head against the ceiling. The last touch remained.

I shot a small magic arrow into the closet to make a tiny hole in it. Taking advantage of this, I stretched a magical tentacle through the hole like a thread and, catching on the outer part of the bookcase, pulled sharply on myself.

Instantly, the bookcase jerked, leaving me without light, and I felt the shield crack under my weight and disintegrate. Unfortunately, even before I had time to rejoice at the victory, my body collided with another barrier. I felt a growing rage inside.

YOU. MUST. WIN. HERE.

The rage became overwhelming and I started kicking in all directions. I felt my feet colliding with the second barrier, meeting an impenetrable barrier. The legs collided with something metallic that bent little by little from each blow. And a couple of times my legs collided with something that sent a shiver through my body in response. But that didn't stop me. Or I couldn't stop.

At some point, I felt something break under the force of my blows, forcing me to calm down a little. I pushed the cabinet a little to light up the hidden room and saw what I had broken. The silver pole that was sticking out of the black ball was broken in half and a golden crystal remained on the broken part, which slowly faded. I looked at the second unexpected barrier and began to analyze it. The blue crystal attached to the part of the silver pole that hadn't broken slowly pulsed in sync with the barrier. Unfortunately, the crystal was out of my reach as the barrier was created slightly above it. However, the pole was broken so successfully that a small part of it was outside the barrier.

Smiling, I grabbed the pole and spreading my legs, I pulled up. Nothing happened, so I grabbed the pole with another grip and before the second attempt I bent down to use my legs and arms at the same time. Mentally counting to three, I pulled the pole up. At first there was nothing, but after a while, when a vein had already appeared on the forehead, there was a click. Then the next one, then another, and finally six came out of the black sphere. The blue stone began to fade and the barrier dissolved, leaving me alone with a normal physical barrier.

With a sharp kick, I easily punched through it and found myself inside. Inside, I felt as if my magic was being actively sucked out. I didn't pay much attention to it, shook off the dust and looked at what was waiting for me inside. There was a large key that stood on a pedestal. And everything.

WHAT!?

I clenched my fists and approached the key hoping to get at least a hint to use. The key was about the length of a jump from my shoulder to the tips of my fingers and had a red crystal on its head that pulsed every few seconds. Nothing useful. I started taking slow breaths in and out to calm down.

Okay, I won't consider it your mistake, for now. Let's fix this as a withered in the mud offensive. We take the key, go to the garrison, wait for the right time, assemble a new shift and go to bed.

With a long exhalation, I grabbed the key and got out. Pushing the bookcase out of the way, I went to my bag and taking it tore off a piece of meat from the wolf to satisfy my hunger. While I was eating on the way out of the castle, I threw the key into my bag and began to sum up the day.

This is a failure on all fronts. The image of the heroes is not discredited, the efforts spent on opening the barrier did not yield results, and even the chess game ended in a stalemate. It's a shame, it's a failure, it's a defeat. Maybe I need to refocus my forces on something else?

Exhaling, I said to myself: "Pull yourself together, Daniel. This is just another test on the way to perfection. And this, as well as the past ones, will not stop me."