Striving for Perfection

POV Ahirata

Humiliation. Disappointment. Pain. Rage. It's a creature. It broke into my abode and brought only destruction. Stole one of my mighty eyes by shaming me in such a despicable way. He also had the audacity to refuse to remove the curse!

Reflexively, my new paw, taken from a random griffin, clenched into a fist and hit the wall of the cave. I looked at the wall out of the corner of my eye and sighed in disappointment. The new body is incapable of anything. It's slow, weak, humiliating. The only way to compensate for this is to strengthen the muscles with magic. And then with such a load, the new body literally burns up. It is not even able to accept my native eyes normally. It was necessary to take away the habit from the inhabitants of Tartarus. However, as well as the rest of this pathetic body.

I rested the back of my head against the wall of the cave in which I am and replayed the latest events in my head. For an eternity, I was paralyzed and chained to my throne. All I could do was feel my body slowly decomposing into pieces and at most look around. Then I felt the presence of the creature. And my greatest creation, Tartarus, reacted to the threat despite the fact that I did not want it. In the end, the creature got to me, and despite all my attempts to stop it, nothing happened. However, the creature performed the greatest heroism possible. From the remains of the inhabitants of Tartarus, I was able to assemble a body and move my soul into it. And then. And then I was defeated. And for the last week I have been doomed to wander and hide in caves.

The look of my new useless eyes fell on a kind of staff. It was made from the skeleton of a snake that I found dead in the woods near my property. Just a natural death. Without the excuses of the damned in the form of justice or ideology. Killing for survival. My native eyes were inserted into the eye sockets of the skeleton until better times. Someday I will figure out how to remove the curse imposed by an unholy force on my native body and then the simplest part will remain. Rejuvenate my body and return my soul to its place. Elementary.

Grabbing the staff from the ground, I got up with a groan of pain but both hind legs. My gaze moved for a moment to the main sources of pain. A hole in the chest and leg. All I could do was replace the torn pieces with stones and fix them with magic. But when I looked at the losses, a hiss still escaped from my mouth. Not only did these so-called Alicorns use the unholy power many times, they also found it funny to place a whole monument to the curse right behind my back. And in order to further annoy me, they chose the indestructible copies.

Along with another hiss that escaped from my mouth, my paw rose ready to hit the cave wall. But she stopped a couple of claws away from the target. Sighing, the paw is light on the staff on top of the other. With some longing, I looked at the dead snake, which now acted as nothing more than the keeper of my eyes. The animal existed and ended its existence. On the other side of the scale are we, the damned. Doomed to lament under the weight or to flee from the truth. The end is inevitable. Even "immortal" beings cannot exist forever. Their minds will fall apart and become clouded. An immortal body will not save you from this. Even the soul will have to go into oblivion sooner or later. Even my greatest creation, Tartarus is not eternal.

Therefore, it is my burden to cleanse the world of the curse. The truth cannot be undone in any way. But if you don't realize it, you can at least happily exist without unnecessary conflicts. Anything is better than running from the truth. I can at least make people happy.

Clenching my fists, I restrained the moans of pain and began to walk to the exit from my shelter. As I moved, I directed magic to the staff, preparing to open a passage for myself further. Standing in front of a stone wall, I raised my staff and closed my eyes and concentrated. Let the magic flow in all directions, wait for it to soak into the stones in front of you. Take a deep breath. With difficulty, I began to pull the magic along with the stones in opposite directions. A few seconds later, a sound comparable to a tiny collapse rose into the air. Opening my eyes and seeing the result, I tiredly stopped using magic. An absolutely ordinary cave wall turned into a thin corridor allowing me to exit. The old entrance to the cave was similarly completely erased. Only this already allows you to use this cave as a shelter that no damned will ever find. But I need a warmer place. Much warmer.

Walking down the corridor and supporting myself with a staff like a cane, I shook my head in disappointment. What a humiliating position. To be forced to leave your abode. To be forced to live in an awkward body assembled from different pieces. And to be put in a position where sooner or later I will have to create a normal vessel for myself. This body will sooner or later just go at the seams. I planned to just quickly deal with the brazen creature and take his body. Who would have thought that it would be so stubborn and lost.

Sighing, I shook my head and as soon as I got to the street I glanced at the sky. The sun is almost up. Everyone will start waking up any minute now. A dangerous time. Before I set off, I repeated the procedure in reverse order to close the passage to the cave. Sighing, I lightly stroked the sore spot and tried to restrain a painful groan. But despite this, I began to carefully make my way forward through the forest in search of what I needed. In any case, sooner or later I will have to create a new workable body for myself. And in order to achieve the cherished vital goal, I need to find lava. In normal times, it would be possible to create a canyon without any problems. Or just use my abode, Tartarus. But it's too dangerous right now. In the current state, this weak body may not just be overcome. He can be crushed. Therefore, there is only one option left. Run south. There were a lot of lava lakes there in my time. I hope nothing has changed.

Just in case, after looking at the sun again, I made sure that I was going in the right direction. Each step, despite the full support of magic, was accompanied by painful suffering. Periodically, a hiss desperately tried to escape from my mouth, but I suppressed it with willpower. Whenever possible, I leaned against a tree every few minutes and scanned the area ahead. Despite the fact that I'm in the woods now, it's still better to be as careful as possible. It's even scary to imagine how I will wade through the desert plains. It remains only to hope that during my imprisonment those lands were finally emptied. Otherwise. . .

Suddenly, I felt like I stepped on something cold and squirming. The next moment, a piercing hiss was heard behind it. Looking down, I saw an interesting sight. The yellow snake raised its head high and hissed at me. However, when she saw my staff, she closed her mouth and blinked several times. Then she lowered her body back to the snow-covered ground and tried to crawl away, but was doomed to failure.

At such a time, they should be groveling in burrows. Have even the animals changed during my absence? Or is it something else?

Removing my right hand from the staff, I grabbed the snake and removed my paw from it to take a closer look. With a sharp movement, I raised the snake to the level of my eyes and began to examine it for any strange details. Half-open eye, possibly damaged. No other defects were found. Hmm. Maybe he came out of the shelter to warm up.

After looking around, I leaned my staff against the nearest tree and slowly stroked the snake's head with one claw, saying: "Shh, don't worry, my younger brother. There is no need for your release. For you were born and you continue to be free. Your ruin makes no sense to me."

The animal seemed to calm down slightly, but not completely. It continued to keep its teeth red-hot and sluggishly tried to get out of my grip. Shaking my head, I smiled slightly and took the staff to continue on my way. That's the beauty of free creatures. They cannot be manipulated by inherently rotten words. Only time can convince them.

Continuing to walk, I slightly loosened my grip on the animal's neck, but continued to keep it close. After all, I need to apologize to him for stepping on him. Free beings should not be put in such danger. I think as soon as I find food so that this weak body continues to function, I will share it with the animal. No, wait.

Snakes should eat meat. And I have no desire to kill free creatures. Only the same free creatures have the right to kill at this level. But if I kill a pony, for example, it will create a noise. And they can find me. Moreover, the snake may simply not want to eat something in pieces. Hmm.

Leaning against the tree once again, I put the staff next to him again and stroked the snake's head with my claw. After a few seconds of contact, I barely audibly but harshly whispered: "YOU're coming with me, free. I have to make amends for the harm I've done to you. And it's not up for discussion. "

The snake opened its mouth and prepared to hiss again, but I instantly tightened my grip, not allowing it to take even a breath. Before relaxing my grip, I whispered even more firmly: " This is not up for discussion, free. Not in the least."

As soon as I relaxed my grip, the snake creaked slightly, but did not hiss. Satisfied, I nodded slowly and before continuing the hike to the south, I said: "I am grateful to you with every fiber of my soul. Thank you for letting me atone for my sin. You're making the right choice, free."

Unlike many.

With a sigh filled with disappointment, I continued on my way again, constantly stopping to hide behind the trees. The path ahead is hard and stressful. But only one thing remains clear.

"My work is good because it is necessary and doomed to success. So it was, is and will be forever and ever."

POV Daniel

Well, I can rejoice in exactly one good news and one bad. The good news is that the doctor's examination and measurement of my head to make glasses turned out to be so long that Luna decided to go to sleep. The bad news is complete humiliation. I've had excellent eyesight all my life. Even better than their peers. Probably because instead of a computer, they always gave me nothing for my birthday under the pretext that I didn't deserve it. Okay, something has passed. In any case, I could only make out the uppermost letter unmistakably. And the optometrist boldly stated that my vision is minus three and a half. Fuck.

My exhausted body was resting on one of the chairs in my room. Considering that it is impossible to sleep and there is not a single book nearby, it remains only to walk and count the walls. One, two, three, four. Plus a window and a door. A very interesting room. Not a single moment of boredom. God, how many hours have I been doing this?

Sighing, I got up from the chair with a groan and raised my left hand up and stretched. Couldn't you have just given me the books? What do princesses think I can do with books whose text I can't translate? That's right, nothing. And if they gave me books, then I would at least have the opportunity to do at least something. But no. All I can do is stare at the ceiling. Or to a muddy street.

Suddenly, I caught the rapid movement of the lines. As with every approach of the princesses, the lines went incredibly far. Finally! Getting rid of tedious boredom and lack of business is coming. At a fast pace, I went to the door and stood two steps away from it. With each passing second, the sound of hooves hitting the floor became louder and louder. Judging by the sounds, it's only one pony. I hope it's Luna. In advance, I slightly lowered my head down so that as soon as the door opened, I looked into the eyes of the interlocutor.

Eventually the door opened. But instead of a calm face and blue eyes, I was greeted by a neck covered with white fur. I shook my head irritably and looked up until I was looking straight ahead. Right on Celestia's face. Behind which, surrounded by her magic, a stack of papers hovered.

"Oh, did you come to give me the papers I asked for? Great, it's about time." I said, stretching my good hand forward in an attempt to take a stack of papers.

Only for the papers to start levitating back, and Celestia cheekily smiled and replied: "No, no, no, my little human. We need to talk first."

A little human? I'm the same height as you, bitch.

"First of all, never use this address again. Secondly, how about you just shut up and give me the papers?" I asked, accompanying each sentence with one raised finger.

Celestia showed no signs of annoyance and shaking her head politely but firmly said, "No, this treatment is too funny not to use it. And no, I won't give you the papers until we talk. So I politely ask to be let inside."

Politely asking = ordering.

Sighing, I took a few slow steps back until I reached the bed and sat down on it. Celestia calmly entered the room, continuing to hold the papers in the air and put them on the windowsill. So close and so far away. Then she grabbed the chair with her magic and pulled it towards her before sitting down across from me.

After making sure that I was looking into her eyes and paying attention, she cleared her throat before saying, "Okay, let's get to the most important thing. Luna told me about your idea. Do I have to say what was my reaction?"

Before I answered, I squinted to see Celestia's face. But her face showed no emotion at all. The eyebrows are even, the eyes are calm, the mouth is closed. Not a single clue. Damn, she should be playing poker.

I crossed one arm and said: "Most likely extremely negative. But I don't care. I still think the idea is great."

Hearing this, Celestia sighed in disappointment and said, "Very good. In this case, in order to convey my position to you, I will ask only one thing. Imagine that your idea will be fully implemented, but with a slight correction. In your so-called shock brigades, there will be not ponies but representatives of your species. Just imagine."

What has changed?

I rubbed my chin lightly, wondering what the point of Celestia's plan was. Does she think I have more empathy for humans than for ponies? How stupid, how pathetic. Grinning, I looked at Celestia and replied: "Nothing changes. What were you hoping for, Celly?"

Celestia's eyes widened slightly and she asked in embarrassment, "Celly?"

I smiled and nodded quickly and said, "Yes. It's formed from the word silly just with the first two letters of your name. Do you like it?"

“No. " Celestia replied quickly before crossing her hooves. It looks like... strange. Okay, whatever.

" Well, well. This appeal is too funny not to use it. " I said, crossing my arm in response to Celestia's crossing. Hmm, I wonder if Celestia finds my gesture as strange as I find her?

A small laugh escaped from Celestia's mouth, which was instantly suppressed and becoming serious again, she replied: "Okay. But your idea is absolutely terrible and immoral. Even the few ponies who have committed murder do not deserve the fate that you want them to do. What you're suggesting is the death penalty."

Damn morality. Well, let's get to plan B.

Leaning my head on my left hand, I calmly asked: "Tell me, Celly, how many creatures live in Equestria?"

For a moment, Celestia looked confused, but after a moment, she reluctantly replied: "About thirty-five million. Why do you ask?"

Ignoring Celestia's question, I asked my own: "And how many of them are murderers?"

"One hundred and fifty," Celestia said with some sadness in her voice. I don't see any reason to be sad.

"One hundred and fifty in the sense of one hundred and fifty thousand, right?" I asked, wanting to confirm the information. It can't be that there are only one hundred and fifty murderers for a multi-million population, right?

“What? No! How could you even think of such large numbers? " Celestia asked, startled, confusing me. Instead of answering, I closed my mouth and closed my eyes trying to count. Fifty million. And of these, only one hundred and fifty are murderers. This means that the percentage of murderers per population is equal to. . .

This means that less than one percent of all Equestria residents are murderers. About 0.0003% to be exact. I studied mathematics at school for a reason. I always knew that I would need this to calculate the percentage of killers in the society of ponies from another planet.

I chuckled a little, but Celestia's clearing of her throat brought me back to reality. So the question is. Yes, in fact, I originally had to assume that one hundred and fifty thousand is a bit much. Well, okay. The word is not a sparrow.

Taking a deep breath, I finally answered: "How could I think of such large numbers? Very simple. I used something that you have obvious problems with, Celly. I used my brain. "

Celestia snorted loudly expressing her indignation in response to which I rolled my eyes and continued to say: " In any case, since the final decision on my idea was not made, I am ready to propose an adjustment. Among one hundred and fifty people, there should definitely be people who voluntarily want to serve in the army in exchange for release or at least a reduction in prison time."

Celestia stared intently for a few seconds before nodding cautiously and saying, "This is more or less satisfying. But! You will personally have to inform the prisoners of all the dangers by giving an offer. No embellishments. And if no one agrees, then you will never offer such an idea again. Is that clear? "

For several seconds, without answering, I pondered all these inconvenient conditions, to put it mildly. In the end I reluctantly nodded in response to which Celestia cleared her throat and changed the subject: " As you can see the papers on the windowsill. As you asked, I have provided you with entries about competitions, the best graduates of colleges and some newspapers. The lowest sheet is empty, they need you to write the names of those you have chosen and we would contact them."

Shaking my head, I turned my attention to a more important thing. There is no pencil or any other thing to write anywhere near. Shifting my gaze back to Celestia, I asked: "How do you think I should record, Celly?"

Without saying anything, Celestia activated her horn and with a bright flash, a pencil appeared on the windowsill. Nodding, I got up from my seat and waved my hand and said: "There are no questions. Now I'm asking you to leave me alone. Your presence is only annoying."

Celestia sighed irritably and got up from her chair and walked out of the room. Standing right before leaving the room, she turned her head in my direction and said: "You definitely need to start changing your behavior, my little human. For your own good. If you want help, just ask."

I raised an eyebrow slightly when I heard this and replied with embarrassment, "What are you talking about? There is no free relationship between us. I don't attack ponies and follow orders and in return you make me stronger. Although lately it seems to me that you forget about your part of the deal. "

Celestia sighed in disappointment and before leaving the room said: " Just remember that I'm ready to help. Maybe you don't understand yet, but I can see that you need it. I hope you'll understand sooner or later."

As soon as Celestia left the room, I shook my head and took the papers in my hand. Before I started studying them, I glanced at the door. What does this horse think of herself?

No matter. Cooperation with her was initially considered as temporary. If it were planned to be permanent, then we would become dependent on it. And addiction is the exact opposite of Perfection.

Nodding to myself, I sat down on the bed and concentrated on the papers. The first, topmost sheet turned out to be a long table. At the very top of which was written "the annual Manhattan Magic Contest. The prize fund is five thousand bits!". A little below was written, what information is stored in which column. Occupied place, name and number of points. First place, Starlight Glimmer 398 points.

Taking the first sheet, I put it on the bed and focused on the next one. And Starlight Glimmer took the first place again. Surprised, I put the second sheet on top of the first. And once again, the first place was taken by a certain Starlight Glimmer. Squinting, I quickly began to take one sheet after another in disbelief. The same pony can't always take first place, right? She couldn't have achieved Perfection before me, right?

Fortunately, the answer is yes. No, she couldn't. Judging by the records, Starlight participated only in contests with a cash prize. She also failed to take first place a couple of times. And what is even more interesting, in one magic competition, Starlight received zero points. Judging by the inscription next to it, her glasses were reset because she was accused of cheating. In this case, a question pops up. Do I need a magician who has been accused of cheating as a sidekick?

Considering that she is the best candidate, then probably yes. Of course, I could have chosen someone who took first place in another competition. But who is more effective? A pony with one win or a dozen? The question is rhetorical.

Keeping a note about Starlight in my head, I began to put aside the papers related to magicians. When all the papers with the magicians were put aside, to my own surprise I saw a newspaper clipping. After quickly running through the article, I rolled my eyes and put it aside. Some inventors Flim and Flam have created a train project that they think will be faster than usual. But the company producing trains on an industrial scale abandoned the idea. The enmity of big and small businesses. Nothing new.

Returning my attention to the papers, I saw the newspaper in front of me again. And again it mentioned Flim and Flam. Only this time they developed quote: "The brightest, most incredible and improving any party fireworks." Hmm. Wait, fireworks!? "

Yes, exactly. If there are fireworks here, then ponies know how to produce gunpowder. And that means what? That's right, guns.

My face slowly broke into a grin as I thought about it. It's one thing to kill a bastard. But I would be happy to arrange a real execution. Let's test it for strength. If he is riddled and he stays alive, then he will suffer enough before he dies. If the bullets still kill him instead of me, then well. A little insulting. But one important question remains.

Why haven't ponies switched to firearms yet? The Chinese, contrary to myths, began using gunpowder for military purposes in the twelfth century. So the fact that it didn't make a pony is very strange. I don't believe in such things as peacefulness. Maybe ponies are just afraid of what the mass use of gunpowder can lead to? Well, the main thing is that I see this opportunity. Who knows? Maybe when all this is over, I can start my own weapons manufacturing company. I hope there won't be any problems.

Sighing, I continued sorting through the newspapers. Periodically, between the news about the next inventions of Flim and Flam, there were news about other inventors. For example, some unicorn begged the princesses for money for some experiment. As a result, there was an explosion in the city center and the unicorn was put on the wanted list. Still not found. Wow. That is, they can give money to a random unicorn for an experiment, but they can't give me the necessary transformations?

Don't whine. The world is inherently fair. It's just that sometimes people in it really want to make it unfair. But having achieved Perfection, we will not allow this.

Nodding resolutely to myself, I continued sorting through the newspapers until they were replaced by something much more interesting. For certain industrial companies in the Equestria economy. Taking the sheet in my hands, I saw that under it was a small list of ordinary blacksmiths. Did it get here by accident?

"Well, the world is inherently fair." I said with an evil smile before starting to carefully study the countdown. A circle appeared before me, divided into parts like a pie. Thirty percent is marked in gray and signed as foreign companies. Forty percent of the market was occupied by the so-called "Pan-Equestrian Railway Company.". What an impudent name. In any case, fifteen percent of the market was occupied by a company called Cheap victory. A bad name in my opinion. And the remaining fifteen were signed as others.

After looking at all this, a picture slowly began to form in my head. Judging by the small list of individual blacksmiths, she wants me to choose among them. But I would prefer that new means of protection for soldiers be made in large volumes and quickly. I don't think the railway company will help with this. But I hope that Cheap victory will help with this. After all, the name hints at the fact that they at least understand something about cheapness. I hope.

I closed my eyes and despite the pain took a deep breath, thinking about the plan. As Celestia said, there won't be enough money. So it is unlikely that you will be able to pay the company. But what if I use all the gold that the dragon I killed had? Hmm, sounds good. Even too good. We need a plan B if even with the dragon's gold there will not be enough funds. Some kind of super-fast source of income.

I was just sitting there looking at the spot trying to come up with something. We need something as fast as possible and preferably cost-free. Of course, you can do theft. But for a person who claims to be Perfect, this is too pathetic an occupation. Or I can use my hunting skills to massively sell the skins to fashion designers. Judging by my coat, which has white fur, the ponies don't mind letting animals on clothes. But with my failing eyesight, hunting will become much more difficult. Of course, sooner or later they will give me glasses, but it will be inconvenient to run around the forest hunting animals with them, to put it mildly. Trouble.

At some point, my unsuccessful reflections were interrupted by another movement of the lines. Assuming the second worst option, I quickly began to put some papers on top of others until a stack similar to the worn one was formed. During the process, I managed to find and pull out one blank sheet. Stretching out my left hand towards the pencil, I pulled out the magic tentacles with difficulty and pulled the pencil towards me with them. Slightly twirling it in my hands, I crossed one leg over the other and began to write down those with whom I had definitely decided. Of course, such a rush was not needed for this. I don't want to give away the economic countdown that so successfully fell into my hands.

While my left hand was struggling to write, the door to the room opened and a dark figure stood in the aisle. Assuming who it was, I grinned slightly and said, "Well, does the training part two begin?"

Luna took a few steps forward so that I could see her properly and said with slight displeasure: "How many times have I asked you to start a conversation with a greeting?"

I shrugged my shoulders and calmly replied: "I didn't do the counting. If you order, I'll start counting right from now on. "

Sighing, Luna shook her head and said, " No, don't. In any case, we are not here to fight your infantile behavior. I'm here to return your things to you. And then start your training as you suggested."

When I heard about things, I looked up slightly and arched an eyebrow in embarrassment without seeing anything. Before anything could escape from my mouth, Luna lit her horn and with a blue flash, a coat, trousers and a bag appeared next to me on the bed. When I got up to start getting dressed, Luna said with a little excitement in her voice: "Open the bag. There's a gift there."

I hope you've done something useful. I don't need trinkets.

Opening the bag and seeing its contents, my eyes widened in surprise. There were two things at the bottom of the bag next to the phone and the knife. The first is glasses with a round frame in black. The second is a cube that almost perfectly repeats my drawings. I took the cube with my left hand and began to study it from all sides. On the side, just like in the drawing, there was a large rectangular hole on top and a small one on the bottom. Seeing this, I frowned slightly. They just copied what they saw in the drawing and didn't pay attention to the notes about the problems? Shaking my head, I continued studying. A crystal was inserted on top of the cube. Without any props, it is simply inserted into the smooth surface of the cube. The first difference from the drawing. Turning the cube to the opposite side, I saw something that was not indicated in the drawing. On the opposite side from the holes, right in the center, there was a small ring and a down icon.

Grabbing the ring with my middle finger, I pulled slightly on myself and the side of the cube opened up like a mini garage. Along with this, a square fell to the floor on which the full arrow rune all the circles was carved. I must admit, the idea of a sliding wall did not occur to me right away. However, the problem with the loss of efficiency and the use of only one rune at a time has not disappeared. Seeing my thoughtful expression, Luna smiled faintly and said, "I showed the drawings to the royal blacksmith and told him to fix all the flaws. He worked for an unusually long time, but he did it. Honestly, I want to see what he did. And you've already been discharged from the hospital. "" Are you suggesting a test drive? " I asked, picking up a square from the floor and inserting it back into the cube. Just in case, I pulled the ring again and the side of the cube closed.

At first, LunaLuna raised an eyebrow, but in the end she just shrugged and nodded. Putting the cube on the bed, I grabbed my pants and looked at her out of the corner of my eye and said: "Wait until I get dressed. It's cold outside."

Luna nodded slightly in response, but at the same time remained standing in the room. I thought for a moment. An adequate person would ask a woman to leave the room while he is changing clothes. Especially considering that this woman is a magic horse, a princess of the kingdom and in fact my boss.

But who said that you are adequate?

I shook my head slightly and slowly began to put on my trousers, which was difficult to put it mildly because of only one working hand. You try to pull the left half up to the waist, the right half falls. And vice versa. After looking around, an idea popped into my head. Pulling a chair towards me, I propped up the right half of my trousers with it so that it would not fall off and calmly lifted the left. After that, I faced a much more serious problem. Belt.

"Help?" Luna asked with a little giggle.

Throwing an irritated glance in her direction, I quickly replied: “no. I can handle it myself. "

" Of course, of course. " Luna said while I was thinking what to do with the belt. A chair won't help this time. And you definitely won't be able to do it with one hand.

A dog's mouth is like a human's hands.

As soon as the idea appeared in my head, I quickly figured out what to do. With my left hand, I carefully moved all the things from the bed to the floor. Then I lay back on the bed and looked at the belt, which fortunately was dressed in advance. All that remained was to pull it through the buckle and fasten it. Taking a deep breath, I gripped the cold metal buckle with my teeth and began to pull the belt through it with my hand. My back hurts, part of my mind is insanely ashamed, but I must continue. She won't enjoy helping me. As soon as the belt stretched out enough, I removed my mouth from the buckle and grabbed the end of the belt with it while my left hand fixed it in place. Eventually the belt locked and I was able to uncouple the jaws.

After taking a few breaths, I got out of bed, lightly rubbing my back and reached for my coat. Fortunately, there were almost no problems with him. Well, except I can't reach my right arm up my sleeve. Okay, let's call it, cooling the wound, not weakness. While I was putting on my coat, my ears caught the suppressed laughter. Realizing who was doing this and why, my teeth reflexively clenched trying to restrain a growl.

In the end, the coat was put on and a very simple thing remained. Boots. Easily slipping my feet into my shoes, I glanced at the very last touch. Glasses. Bending down to the bag, I grabbed the glasses as carefully as possible and slowly put them on. When the glasses were hooked on my ears, I noticed two things. First of all, seeing normally is fine. Secondly, it is inconvenient to wear glasses. Just standing still, I already had a desire to take them off. And I'll probably have to fight them. Yeah.

When Luna saw me looking around the room in the new or rather old world, she smiled a little wider and asked: "Well, are you ready?"

Grabbing the cube and putting it in my pocket, I nodded with a small grin. Luna nodded in response and turned around on the spot and headed for the exit of the room. Just in case, holding the glasses in my left hand, I followed Luna, continuing to enjoy normal vision. Seeing that a pony doesn't turn into a blur a couple of feet away is so comforting. It was as if everything had returned to its place.

Remember, going back to the past is bad in most cases. And the question of glasses should be solved. Maybe it is necessary to accept the change and learn to live without using glasses?

Pushing this thought to the back of my mind, I just continued walking forward and at some point even stopped holding my glasses. My shoes clattered softly on the marble floor of the hospital. Out of the corner of my eye, looking out the window, I saw that evening had already come. I was so deep in my thoughts. Although knowing yourself is not surprising.

Passing by the reception, Luna opened the door with her front hoof, letting the cold hair wash over both of us. Outside, I took a deep breath despite the tingling in my chest. My face tried to break into a grin, but the ugly sight sabotaged this attempt. Damn, fiercely hated by me a castle. While I was holding back my irritation Luna pulled ahead and seeing that I was slowing down, said: "You could have gotten used to the castle by now. Considering that you live in it."

Shaking my head, I slightly accelerated to catch up with Luna and said pointing my finger at the castle: "Yes, I could get used to it. But the realization that IT was built with money that could be sent anywhere really pisses me off. Medicine, education or the army in the end! But no. The money was spent on a useless palace. "

Luna sighed in disappointment and calmly asked: " Will it comfort you that most of the castle has only a thick gold dusting?"

"Most of it." In other words, somewhere in the castle there are places made entirely of gold.

Shrugging my shoulders, I replied. : "Not really. But it's a good attempt."

Sighing once more, Luna focused on the road ahead again and said nothing more. Continuing to walk next to her, I began to hold my glasses in my left hand and began to look around the evening city. Unlike small Ponyville, there are relatively many ponies on the street in the capital even at such a time. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that no one was looking at me at all. At most, some people glance at Luna, but not at me.

Here's a vivid reminder of how everything works. People don't care only about what poses a real threat in the future. Fame by good deeds can perhaps be earned but retained? No, it won't work. Sooner or later people will come up with something to pour shit on you for.

Slightly furrowing my brows, I continued to look at the city while I was thinking. In fact, I didn't try hard to make myself famous. For now. Who knows? Maybe good deeds can provide fame? At least for the first time?

For a moment, I really seriously considered this idea. Then a short laugh escaped my lips. It's just so stupid and delusional. I just can't imagine how it could work. Have you done one good deed and being remembered for a long time? Yeah, of course.

My thoughts were interrupted by a bright red light at the edge of my field of vision. Turning my head towards the light, I saw in front of me a long alley with many buildings from which the red color was breaking through. No, it can't be. We urgently need to make sure.

Lightly tapping the back of Luna's head with my hand, I attracted her attention and, pointing to the alley, asked: "What is it?"

Luna turned her head to where I pointed and looked there for a few seconds. When I was about to repeat my question, she gave a slow and cautious answer: "This? This is the quarter where all services to meet the needs of citizens are concentrated."

Is the need of citizens lust?

Frowning, I asked an equally important question: "Why didn't I notice this before?"

Luna looked slightly annoyed by the stop for such a question, but still answered: "According to the new laws, such establishments are concentrated only in one particular quarter. And all these establishments have the right to work only on Monday, Friday and Sunday. "" I wish I hadn't seen or heard that," I muttered softly, holding back my irritation. Luckily the alley is far enough away that I couldn't feel its lines. I couldn't stand it if I felt the ponies doing " this".

Don't whine.

"Don't whine." Luna said, lightly hitting me on the knee with her hoof. I was about to jump back from the blow, but not feeling any strength in it, I calmed down. Seeing that I almost jumped away from a simple touch, Luna raised an eyebrow in embarrassment and stared at me.

"Forget it. I just assumed the worst. Let's just move on," I suggested, sighing and pointing with my left hand in the direction of the ugly castle.

In response to the offer, Luna rolled her eyes and turned away from me and went forward. With a slight nod, I put my hand in my pocket and followed her. Fortunately, I didn't find any more vile things until the palace itself.

In the end, the two of us reached the gate to the castle, next to which there were two unicorns in golden armor. Not my guys. Seeing the princess, both soldiers briefly bowed and with the beginning of the glow of their horns, the gates began to open. After about half a minute, the door opened almost completely and we entered the castle.

After a few turns through the unpleasant-looking corridors, I began to hear and feel the presence of some ponies. There were no loud noises. No laughter, no shouting. Just calm, quiet, even to some extent mourning conversations. And even they are so quiet that not a single word was not understood by me. Frowning, I looked around. There is something familiar in this corridor. There are no crystals on the doors here, unlike the rest of the lock.

Your room is close. But the presence of a pony next to her? This is unusual.

Turning to Luna, I asked suspiciously: "Why is there a pony next to my room?"

Luna looked at me in surprise and after a few seconds of silence replied: "First of all, your room is around the corner. It's amazing that you could hear and feel that someone is there. Secondly, there was almost no one in this wing of the castle. So we decided to put the soldiers next to their most beautiful captain. "

The last sentence was uttered with a fair amount of sarcasm in response to which I rolled my eyes and asked another question: " Was it really impossible to get to the garden some other way? "

" First of all, yes, but we would have to make a detour through the entire palace. Secondly, aren't you happy that your subordinates are next to you? " Luna asked with a slight indignation in her voice as we turned the corner. Now there was a corridor in front of me in which I had already noticed the door to my room.

Sighing, I shook my head and said: "I'm glad. I just feel like I've completely failed on all fronts. I have a feeling that now the soldiers will not agree to work at all. The death of one third of the personnel most likely shook morale."

"Considering how actively you are looking for problems for yourself in one place, it seems to me that you like to solve them." Luna noted with a shrug.

"On some subconscious level? Maybe." I replied, not wanting to come up with counterarguments. Luna's eyes widened slightly after such a quick and peaceful retreat. And really, why did I retreat so quickly?

Surrender of positions, crybaby, surrender of positions. You just degrade and move away from perfection. However, nothing unusual for you.

Quickly shaking my head, I continued walking side by side with Luna and began to think what to do. A constant decline is bad in itself, and now even more so. You need to use every second as efficiently as possible. Wait, did I happen to bring a sheet and pencil with me?

Returning my hand in my pocket, I quickly began to feel for the cherished thing. So, the cube is in place, a piece of paper and a pencil too. Wait. Did I forget my knife, phone and securities in my room? Damn, I'll have to go back.

Restraining my own irritation, I pulled the paper and pencil out of my pocket. The names Starlight Glimmer, Flim and Flam were already written there. Before I started thinking about how to write and hold a piece of paper with one hand, Luna said, "Hmm? When did you manage to improve your handwriting?"

I looked at her in surprise. Then I looked at the names I had written. The handwriting of the left hand is insanely undeveloped. To such an extent that the handwriting has no inclination and I had to write taking my hand off the sheet. In the end, I looked at Luna raising an eyebrow and asked: "Are you kidding?"

"No, no. Can't you see?" Luna asked, stopping in place and pointing with her hoof at the leaf in my hand. No matter how hard I looked, nothing was found. The handwriting of my left hand is just ugly. It's just wrong. This is something that shouldn't exist.

In response, I slowly shook my head from side to side, trying unsuccessfully to look away from the handwriting. Luna started walking forward again and after making sure I was following her, she said: "Let me explain what I see. Your usual handwriting is overloaded. Strong slopes and curlicues in almost every letter. Why you're doing this is still not clear to me."

"This is a perfect verified handwriting. And this is the only thing in me that fully meets the requirements. The fact that no one can make out my handwriting is already a problem of other people." I said abruptly interrupting Luna.

She gave me a look full of anger and she growled: "NO more interrupting US."

Note: Luna doesn't like being interrupted. Dossier: Princess Luna. Will be involved: Operation: "Inner Empire".

After my slow nod, Luna took a deep breath and together with the exhalation said: "In any case, the handwriting of your left hand is at least possible to read. No tilts and strange curlicues. You really should write with your left hand. "

I just stared at her for a moment until I grinned and answered: " That's not going to happen. As soon as my right hand heals, I will write as usual again. "

" I could just order you to write with your left hand. " Luna noted with a slight shrug.

Rhetoric, threats, or anything else. You HAVE to defend your positions. HERE AND NOW!

Taking a deep breath, I defiantly replied: "No you can't. As the terms of our deal state, the order cannot restrict my freedom of speech. Since writing is the same way of transmitting data as speech, you have no right to restrict it. I and only I determine how and what I say. "

" This is the Daniel I remember. Selfish, infantile and narcissistic. I've missed it so much. " Luna said with a huge amount of sarcasm in her voice.

Don't stop.

"First of all, it's not funny. Secondly, your opinion was not asked, highly respected or not very princess." I said, bending one finger before the beginning of each sentence.

In response, Luna sighed and shook her head, forcing me to clench my hand into a fist along with paper and pencil. If I push a little harder, the pencil may break. It would be nice to show her that I should be taken seriously. The hole in her head will help her in this in full.

Early, not now, later.

I released the pent-up air, unclenched my fist and walked the rest of the way calmly. After a while, when it became slightly darker and colder outside, we reached a familiar garden. Luna started looking around for something while I was looking around the garden. At this time of year, the pond in it is completely frozen and the greenery has become much less, however, it is not surprising.

"Test it on this tree." Luna said, pointing with her hoof at a thick tree covered with snow and, of course, devoid of any greenery.

Slowly, I returned the paper and pencil in my pocket before pulling out the cube. I twisted it a little in my hands so that my thumb was on a special hole and the crystal was pointed at the tree. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and slowly began to pull magic from my finger into the hole. Feeling a sudden burning sensation, I changed the course of magic in the other direction until I felt another burning sensation. After about a minute of work, I managed to make a rune and, together with exhalation, I completed it. Suddenly, seven magic arrows flew out of the crystal. To my own surprise, their trajectory was not the same as the first time. Now it looked like a kind of shotgun. One arrow flew perfectly forward and the other six slightly to the side.

Colliding with the tree, all seven arrows made holes in it, raising the sound of cracking and tiny wooden splinters into the air. Seeing my surprised eyes, Luna tilted her head to the side and wondered aloud: "Did he alter the stone so that all copies flew in one direction?"

After a few seconds of silence, I grinned at the cube and said: "It looks like it. I don't know who made this cube, but I'm really grateful to him."

Luna nodded slightly in response and said with a slight disappointment in her voice: "Yes, he did an impressive job. It's a pity that my sister found it too expensive for him to fully handle all the equipment matters. Very sorry. This is one of the few current ponies who have not lost their decency. "

My eyebrow arched and I asked with some suspicion in my voice: " If Celestia refused his services, then why am I holding in my hands what he did? "

" It's a gift like I said earlier. I paid for the production from my personal funds. " Luna answered by putting a hoof on her chest and smiling slightly. In response, I nodded slightly and looked at the cube again. It would be nice to get to know the one who produced this thing. Of course, one man will not replace a large company. But as a backup option? Will fit.

"By the way, what's his name? The blacksmith, I mean." I said asking the most accurate option. Either she has something to hide or she will answer.

"This information is kept secret." Luna replied, making me raise an eyebrow.

Seeing my expression, she slowly shook her head and said: "All you need to know is that this information is a secret. Only my sister and I know who was or will be the royal blacksmith. That's it."

Okay, I didn't really want to. In any case, we need to figure out how to quickly get the funds to produce what Starline, Flim and Flam can come up with. If they agree to work, of course.

Reluctantly shrugging my shoulders, I asked: "Anyway, what now?"

With a flash of her horn, Luna made three books appear in the air that I took from Tartarus and replied: "Give me a couple of minutes to figure out what to teach you today. You will get some knowledge from these books only over my dead body. And no, even the current conditions do not change my opinion. I'm restricting you for your own good. "

" What is it about these books to keep it away from me? " I asked without even hoping for an answer.

Surprisingly, Luna opened one of the books and quickly flipped through it and replied: " How do you like the idea of blood addiction?"

Raising an eyebrow, I answered the question with a question: "Can you tell me in more detail?"

Sighing, Luna replied, trying to sound scary: "With frequent use of blood magic, your magic will simply stop working without it. In other words, if you often use blood in your magic, then soon you will have to drink blood just to survive."

Like a vampire?

"Like a vampire?" I asked with interest. Are even vampires real here?

Luna was silent for a few seconds before starting to explain in a calm voice: "A vampire is just a myth invented by simple ponies based on magicians who began to depend on blood. No silly burning in the sun or turning into a bat. The only thing that unites myths and reality is the desire to drink blood. "

Nodding slowly I said, returning to the original topic: " Anyway, it doesn't sound too scary. You can always just go to the nearest forest and kill a couple of animals. So your argument about danger looks flimsy. "

With an exasperated sigh, Luna focused on the books and said in a firm tone: "Your opinion is not taken into account in this matter. Now just be quiet and mentally prepare."

Reluctantly nodding, I sat down on the cold ground and put the sheet with the names to my knee getting support. Tapping the pencil on the paper, a question popped up in my head. Maybe just leave only the papers on a piece of paper and give them to Celestia? Or would it be better to write requirements and characterizations?

Only requirements. She doesn't need a characterization.

After twirling the pencil a little in my left hand, I took a deep breath and began to write.

Dear (no) Celly, the names listed above are the people I chose. I don't know about you, but I am eager to learn about the motivation of the candidates, their personal qualities and whether they can be trusted at all. And of course to discuss with them the price of their services. Therefore, I demand that a one-on-one meeting with each candidate be organized in the near future. Of course, by one-on-one, I mean myself and one candidate. Preferably, the meeting should be organized in the office.

P.S I don't care if you have an office or not. Sell all those jewels that are in this palace and quickly build me an office. It will be very useful. I recommend giving the rest of the money to me. I'll manage them better than you.

When I finished writing, I stared at the sheet. I could give detailed, normal arguments that would make Celestia's little brain overheat. But unfortunately there was only enough space on the sheet for this. Well, it's better than nothing.

Luna cleared her throat loudly, attracting my attention and said, "Okay, I found some knowledge that will be both useful and safe. Let's start with illusions. No hypnosis. Only the most initial illusions. For now? At least."

Sounds. . . useless.

"I don't think you realize how fast I need to get stronger." I said, giving Luna, an annoyed look. Instead of answering her, the horn began to glow and a rune slowly began to form. An outer circle with spikes inside, an ordinary central circle and a symbol representing a hollow square. After a moment, she just disappeared. Without any flashes, just disappeared. Squinting, I began to look at the place where Luna was. There were no new footprints in the snow. After a few seconds, I grinned upon discovering the detail. Light is refracted in a strange way. It looks so unnatural.

By the way, unlike you, she can use magic normally. Now she used the rune purely for demonstration.

"It's very inefficient. I can see where you are." I said, crossing my arm. Can't you just give me what I need? Anything useful at least?

Another rune began to form in the air, this time with a full square symbol, and Luna lost her invisibility. With a slight chuckle, she said: "First of all, it took you a few seconds to figure it out. A few seconds that are incredibly important in battle. Besides, no one will use invisibility as I just showed. It is advisable to hide somewhere first and only then apply invisibility. Secondly, it was the simplest invisibility spell. There are much more useful ones. "Sighing, I asked already assuming the answer: " You're not going to let me choose what to study myself, are you?"

"You absolutely got it right." Luna replied with a small smug smile on her face.

Reluctantly, I put the cube, the sheet and the pencil on the ground before standing on both feet. Taking a deep breath and feeling a tingling in my lungs, I said with a firm nod: "Okay, teach me your super useful spells."

Luna nodded in response and with a flash of the horn made all three books disappear. Stamping her hoof loudly on the ground, she grinned viciously and said: "Get ready, I'll be merciless this time."

Don't be afraid. There's nothing she can do to impress you. The main thing to remember is one important thing. There will be a new campaign.