Striving for Perfection

Another irritated growl came out of my mouth after another defeat. At first, everything was relatively normal. After about a dozen attempts, I was able to make a useless rune and become invisible. Now I have a much more difficult task ahead of me. Create a rune to disable invisibility. And then there is a problem. The rune for disabling invisibility has a symbol in the form of a completely shaded square. Do I have to say that it's a little more difficult than making a hollow square?

Out of the corner of my eye I looked at the cube made by an unknown blacksmith. He was lying on the ground so that I could use two hands at once to create a rune. All the other things were in my left pocket, then my gaze shifted to my "teacher", Luna. She sat with her back to me next to the frozen pond and looked at the sky. Was that what she meant by ruthlessness? Just give a task and relax? Well, well.

Although we still don't need her help. If you beat the wall long and hard, then eventually it will fall.

Taking a deep breath, I stretched out both hands forward trying not to pay attention to the fact that I can't see them. Slowly, I began to release one line from each finger and slowly weave them into a single picture. Fortunately, the lines of my magic were visible despite the invisibility. The outer circle, the central circle was given extremely easily. Even the outer outline of the square did not seem too difficult. Now the most difficult part. Hatching.

Slowly, I began to draw new lines from one side of the square to the other. I squinted hard while focusing on it and even felt sweat start to appear on my forehead. Suddenly, the entire run began to shake as if it was on the verge of collapse. My eyes widened at the sight of it, and my mind quickly started searching for what was wrong. Breathing? No, it's stable and deep. Then what's wrong?

"Calm down. You're straining too hard." Luna said, giving her voice, probably for the first time in the last half hour.

I was about to reply irritably, but I didn't want to be distracted from the rune. If it doesn't work out, I can just try again, right? Slowly, I began to exhale air as the hatching came to an end. Yes, I can just try again. In this situation, I have the right to do so.

Of course, you have the right to make a mistake. Tell this to the soldiers who died because of your mistake, your desire to relax and go to the spa.

Restraining the glee from finishing the hatching, I gritted my teeth and just kept the rune intact for a few more seconds. Eventually I relaxed and the rune activated instantly making me visible. Seeing my arms, legs and clothes again, I smiled with satisfaction. Then a frown appeared on my face. The only reason I got into such a predicament is Luna's instruction that I study this useless rune. How does she think I should use this in combat?

"What now?" I asked reluctantly, slowly approaching Luna. Of course, it would be nice to have a sparring match like before. Although I will be satisfied if she just tells me something useful.

Hearing this, Luna abruptly raised her head a little and looked at me. When she saw that I had become visible, she nodded slightly and looked at the moon again and said, "Very good. You spent a little more time on this than we expected, but it will do. So you can go. You need to recover a little more. "

Nodding in response, I turned around on the spot and grabbed the cube with my tentacles before pulling it to me. My left hand clenched tightly holding the cube in an attempt to warm it. Despite my efforts, the metal that lay on the ground for so long remains cold. Reluctantly, I threw the cube into my right pocket, which had been empty before.

"Before you leave," Luna said, making me turn around. I put my hand on my side and raised an eyebrow, waiting for any words. Hearing only the howling of the wind in the distance, I began to hurriedly tap my foot on the ground. And after that, too, no words followed.

Stop acting like your sister and talk, Luna!

Taking a deep breath Luna quickly blurted out: "What do you think about my night?"

Tilting my head to the side and squinting, I looked at her. Unfortunately, she continued to sit with her back to me, not letting me read the emotions. Suddenly, I felt the glasses start to slide down. Just because I tilted my head!?

Quickly grabbing my glasses with my left hand, I focused again on the strange question and the woman who asked it. What does she think I should answer? My gaze shifted to the starry sky in search of some kind of answer. No, let me ask you a better question. How do you even answer the question "What do you think about my night?"

If it is not clear how to do something, you have to do it the way you used to . . . As part of the deal, of course.

A small grunt escaped from my mouth when I started approaching Luna mentally sketching out options for how to answer her stupid question. In the end I walked up to her at arm's length and looked at the night sky again and said: "The night is like the night. Just the position of a celestial body in space characterized by darkness, cold and the appearance of another celestial body only smaller. "

Luna has been just silent for a few seconds without turning around. Then she sighed and said in a slightly offended voice, " I see. Well, I won't stop you from looking for new problems. You can go now."

Do you hear that annoying whining in her voice? Me too, me too. It's better to suppress it here and now. Otherwise, an additional source of stress will be superfluous.

Putting my hand on her shoulder, I tightened my grip and reluctantly asked: "What's your problem?"

After a few moments of silence, Luna pulled her shoulder away from my hand and coldly replied, "Nothing. Everything is fine. It was my mistake. I don't know what answer we expected from you. "

Rolling my eyes I said trying not to show my annoyance: " Just because you have a problem doesn't mean you have to whine about it. The fact that you're hiding it doesn't change anything. You're whining just like a kid who hasn't been given candy. The only difference is that the child whines openly and you hide it very badly. "

Abruptly turning her head towards me, Luna glared at me with angry eyes and hissed: " It looks like you don't want to keep your dreams safe anymore. Well, I don't mind. Sooner or later it would have happened. So I think I should start checking your dreams. And it is possible to correct them a little. "

The deal is broken. The polite attitude condition has been removed. Now we can act with full force. We are launching a crushing offensive.

Kneading my knuckles, I smiled and said, "Very good. Now can you tell me about your problem? Or should I come up with my own version?"

In response, Luna snorted irritably and, continuing to drill me with her gaze, ordered: "Go to your room. And don't leave her until you're told otherwise. This is an order "

Ignoring her answer, I put my left thumb to my lip and began to reason out loud: " I can come up with a good version to discredit you. What is the meaning of your question? Maybe while I was sleeping you really liked one of my soldiers? Yes, yes it works. You asked me what I thought about your night. But you meant one jerk and not the time of day, right? "

" FOLLOW THE ORDER NOW! " Luna shouted loudly, making me stagger a little. It wasn't just a scream, no. It was like a small hurricane.

Having regained my balance I decided not to retreat and coming closer to her I said: "Wait, wait. Just tell me what your problems are so that I can cancel your whining once and for all. It's a matter of a couple of minutes, maximum. "

Anger remained on Luna's face, but despite this, she grinned maliciously and said: " You? Will you solve our problems? Don't be ridiculous. All the most difficult problems that you have ever faced together are incomparable with one of mine."

Someone is measuring the length of the penis. And some people measure the scale of their problems. Both are disgusting.

"What is the point of measuring the scale of problems?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

Not hearing the answer in the next moment, I shrugged and continued to say, "I just don't really understand it. What's the point of discussing who has a worse life? Why would I talk to a child from a rich family about the fact that I didn't have such a good childhood as he did? "

Sighing, I shook my head slightly and said, completely immersed in my thoughts: " It's even worse when people who have about the same fate in their negativity argue. When an orphan and a child from a really disgusting family argue about who has lived a worse life, do you know how it looks to me? Fighting shit and urine. It's just not interesting. "

Focusing on Luna again, I ended my speech with the words: "Here, answer me a question. What will change in my life if I talk to everyone I meet about being beaten by my father?"

Luna's eyes widened slightly and she looked at me incredulously. For a moment I just stared at her with a curious look. Then the fact of the mistake reached my brain.

I remind you, crybaby, that our task is to get her to tell her problems. Now you're doing exactly the opposite. Rephrase it quickly!

Putting my fist in my mouth, I cleared my throat a little before saying, "I meant, why would I try to prove to someone that my problems are worse? Why would I approach an orphan and say that he should be grateful that he didn't have a cruel father? It becomes even stranger if I don't even know what a person's problem is, but I have already declared that my problems are more serious. And in general, what is the problem of approaching an absolutely random person and telling about all your problems if it can make it easier? The last time I checked, it wasn't covered by the law. "

When I finished my speech, the anger in Luna's eyes subsided significantly and she seemed to think about my questions. In the end, she sighed and said, looking away, " Thank you. We'll think about it. But now we are not ready to talk about this. "

I squinted and frowned for a moment. Were all these useless phrases said in vain? Did I waste precious minutes just so she wouldn't answer? That is, the next time I see her, will she continue to keep a nagging facial expression on her face? My hand reflexively clenched into a fist while I tried not to show emotions too vividly.

Defeat, Crybaby~

With an exasperated sigh, I turned away and, before heading towards my room, said: "Okay. Keep your problems to yourself if you want it so much. Just please try not to make a sad face when next to me. It annoys me terribly. "

Luna's frown reappeared on her face and clenching her teeth, she said slowly: " Did I tell you to follow orders quickly? "

I nodded slowly in response, crystal clear understanding the hint. But before heading to my room, I pulled a note from Celestia out of my pocket and said, " Give this to Celestia. I recommend not reading it. I've heard that people don't like it when they tell the truth about their relatives. "

Rolling her eyes, Luna made her horn glow and a note lit up with it. Snatching it out of my hand Luna raised it to her eyes and said with a chuckle: " Why am I not surprised."

Shrugging my shoulders, I turned away from Luna again and started walking towards my room. : "Because it's true. Anyway, for now. See you when I see you."

Without waiting for her answer, I quickened my pace to get to my room as quickly as possible. The last time there were sheets of paper and pencils. It's the most valuable thing right now, in general. The ability to write down thoughts or at least make a plan for the day has been already valuable as a way to allocate time as efficiently as possible. I hope all these things have not disappeared during my absence.

Almost as soon as I was in the castle, everything became muddy. And it only became even more muddy. My eyes widened at the sight of it, and for a few moments I just watched as everything became more and more muddy. In the end, my hand cautiously reached for the glasses and took them off. The turbidity remained, but at least the nearest objects looked normal. Glancing at the glasses, I saw what the problem was. They fogged up just like a car window in winter.

"Don't touch the fogged glass with your hands! There will be streaks and then you will wash the glass!"

"Well done, Father. During my upbringing, he gave me a couple of useful tips. And gave two tons of shit." I said quietly before thinking about what to do with misted glasses if you can't wipe them with your fingers. Then my eyes fell on my coat. Reluctantly, I slowly brought the glasses to my coat and quickly rubbed the lenses on it. After wiping my glasses, I brought them close to my eyes and, seeing that everything was fine, put them on before continuing on my way.

As I moved away from Luna, I began to feel the lines again, and with them a slight headache. It's good that I'm at least slowly getting used to it. If the pain remained the same as the first time, then everything would be much more complicated. Sighing, I shook my head and stood in the middle of the corridor. Now we need to remember where to go.

Turning my head to the right, I saw a long corridor through the stained-glass windows of which moonlight filtered through. Turning to the left, I saw a corridor with doors. Unfortunately, there were crisstalls on these doors. Not my stop. Looking ahead, I saw a small corridor that quickly went to the fork.

We will walk along the left wall until we feel or hear the soldiers.

Nodding to myself, I put my left hand on the wall and walked down the left corridor trying to ignore the doors. As I progressed, I tried to memorize every turn to make a map of the castle. During the time I haven't been here, I've already forgotten most of the corridors. With the card, you will not have to rely on memory, which is obvious, however.

Ah, maps, maps, maps how I love maps. Paper maps, electronic maps, star maps, political maps, physical maps, resource maps, climate maps.

Shaking my head, I tried to request these thoughts as far as possible and focus on the lines again. Once again, turning left, I saw an interesting detail. Two ponies in golden armor were standing next to one of the doors. Although "standing" is a big word. They didn't react to me in any way, but at the same time their eyes were open. Seeing this, I stood right in front of them and frowned. They're not dead. If they were, the lines would just go through them. Do they really know how to sleep with their eyes open? I even gave them a little... jealous?

Cupping my chin in my hand, in an attempt to distract myself, I looked at the door that the guards were guarding. There were a lot of crystals on it that seemed to add up to some kind of image. I stared at the gems for a few seconds while my sleep-deprived brain tried to figure out what they were. In the end, I snapped my fingers realizing what it was. A specific image of the sun.

Do you think this is Celestia's office? Or maybe even her bedroom?

I stood in silence for a few seconds while my sleep-deprived brain tried to figure out what was happening to the lines right now. If they do not feel, then this is the bedroom. Otherwise, it's an office. I can't imagine anything else behind this door.

Eventually it dawned on me that the invisible lines were in perfect order and that there was no one behind the door. Slowly, I went to the door and opened it slightly. Surprisingly, the office was not closed. Looking through the crack and squinting, I could not see more things. A window through which moonlight breaks through, a wooden table on which there are a lot of papers and a large armchair. Before I did anything further, I glanced at the guards. Still standing and still, judging by the lack of any reaction, sleeping. Nodding to myself, I turned my gaze back to the papers. It will be useful to find out what problems there are in Equestria. Although it would be a great happiness for me if other ponies did not trust Celestia to solve problems .

To then demonstrate how Perfection can solve this.

Nodding to myself once more, I began to tiptoe slowly inside Celestia's office. Every moment I turned back to make sure that the soldiers were still sleeping standing up. Finding no new movements, my eyes focused on the cherished goal. Documentaries. Standing right in front of the table with them, one unpleasant fact reached me.

What should you do if someone notices that the location of the documents has changed?

At first, I tried to dismiss this thought as ordinary paranoia. Who will remember and even more so check what angle is located on which document? Nobody's going to do this, right? The last time I checked, normal people don't do this. They didn't become sharply meticulous, did they!?

"We can't take any chances." I whispered to myself before standing over one of the stacks of documents. Instead of taking documents and looking through everything, I can just look. This is the best thing I could come up with to get information and at the same time not to inflame paranoia even more.

After running through a few papers, I first sighed in disappointment. There is nothing here but useless proposals of the nobles to raise the price of cheese by type. Then my gaze fell on several sheets with the material I needed. After going through the papers, I identified several problems for myself that can be solved relatively quickly and simply. Problem number one: Railways. To be precise, there are a small number of them and the overload of existing ones. Problem number two: Slowly but steadily growing unemployment. So far, unemployment is only five percent. But, according to the report, last year it was three and a half percent. Growth, to put it mildly, is decent.

Having once again looked at all the papers, I came to a not too happy conclusion. I'm not sure how to solve the rest of the problems. Too little data. In a good way, we should have already looked at the resource and political map of this world in order to plan any actions. Better late than never.

Oh yes, maps, maps, maps.

Shaking my head slightly, I carefully turned around on the spot and slowly walked out of the office. Fortunately, the floor was of high quality and did not creak under my weight. We can only pray that no one finds out about this penetration.

As soon as my foot stepped into the territory outside of Celestia's office, I wrapped my left hand around the handle and gently closed the door. As soon as there was a quiet click, I took a few steps to the side in case the guards woke up. I stared into their open eyes for a few seconds, waiting for some reaction. As a last resort, I began to slowly prepare the invisibility rune in my hand. Okay, you got it, Luna. Invisibility can be useful.

But the guards continued to stand still and sleep with their eyes open. Sighing, I unwound the wound, causing it to hang in the air and slowly walked down the corridor. As I moved away from the office, I tried to suppress all the stress I received from him. Even the fact that I have to hide something is already stressful. Silence is also a lie.

And what now? Do you really think that your personal preferences have the right to stand in the way of universal freedom?

As soon as this question appeared in my brain, I stopped and looked around. Empty, the lines also do not indicate anyone's presence. Slowly releasing the air, I put my head against the wall and said softly: "I don't remember. Where and what begins."

Pushing off with my hand from the wall, I headed down the corridor making a plan. To hell with all the plans to fix Equestria problems that I don't give a shit about. As soon as I manage to find my room, I will start writing a clear and strict distinction. In the left column there will be my personal qualities, in the right the traits of Perfection. It should have been done a long time ago.

I agree. I should have written my own manifesto a long time ago.

Very slowly, I nodded to myself. It is possible that based on the table that I will write, I will be able to make a manifest in the future. Well, these are just plans for the future. The table is now, the manifest is some time later.

A serious part of me continued to insist on writing a full-fledged manifesto as early as possible. But I actively suppressed them by continuing to walk down the corridor and feel my soldiers. The main thing is not to confuse their silhouettes with Pegasus or any other ponies.

After making another turn, I took a few steps forward and felt the pony. After a couple more steps, a few more appeared. And eventually the lines took on the silhouette of more than twenty thestrals. Realizing this, I began to walk quickly towards the silhouettes, wanting to get to my room as soon as possible. At some point, my ears caught someone's unintelligible speech. After a few moments, I reached one large door and sighed in disappointment. The soldiers were not gathered near my room, but somewhere else. I hope for a week while I was sleeping they were able to remember where the bedrooms are.

With a light push, I opened the door and took a step forward. My entrance was accompanied by the loud sound of an open door hitting the wall, which caused all the soldiers in the room to look at me. Standing on the spot, I looked around the whole room. It was the dining room where I made my proposal to Celestia a long time ago. It's even better that she didn't agree. Otherwise, I would have had a huge supply of tasteless meat.

Shaking my head slightly, I went back to looking around the room. Several tables were pushed towards each other forming a huge table around which all the soldiers were sitting. There was no food or even appliances in front of them. Did they really make so much effort to discuss who would cook the food? No matter. In any case, after glancing at their expressions, I could hardly contain a wave of irritation. Their faces reflected, to varying degrees, despondency and sadness. On the one hand, I can understand them. But on the other hand, is it really so difficult not to show all this annoying despondency?

Don't worry, we have an extremely simple task ahead of us. It is already clear to us what the reason for despondency is. It remains only to deal with the problem. The temporary solution is to talk, the permanent solution is to kill Ahirata.

I began to slowly approach the table without saying a word. The Thestrals looked at me nervously and their fear was felt in the room. It looks like this is a much more complicated problem than I thought earlier. Taking air into my lungs once again, I put my left hand on the table and calmly asked: "Well, what are you doing here?"

All the thestrals began to look at each other and mutter something unintelligible. It was as if they were choosing their representatives. In the end, the eyes of most of them focused on Flying. He slowly stood up with a grunt and replied trying to sound carefree: "We just choose who will cook today. An ordinary cook is already asleep at this time, so we have been cooking for ourselves for the last week."

I tilted my head slightly to the side looking at Flying's face. His face, unlike all the other Thestrals, did not radiate any despondency. It's great that at least one person doesn't whine. Even if that one person is an idiot. Sighing, I asked another question: "How is the guy you allegedly accidentally broke a rib?"

Instead of Flying, my question was answered by another thestral who raised a hoof up: "I'm the one you're talking about, sir. The rib still hurts, but I can live."

Shouldn't he be in bed for at least another week?

Deciding to postpone the questions for later, I nodded slowly and took a deep breath. It's time to get busy. After a few seconds of silence, trying not to focus on my stress, I said: "Okay, let's talk about the main topic. As I can see from your sad faces, information has reached you. One third of the soldiers are dead. "

After these words, all the soldiers with the exception of Flying bowed their heads and looked away from me. I saw it, my eyes widened slightly for a moment, but I quickly calmed down after realizing what was what. Most likely, they are ashamed of their own impotence at the attack of that bastard. Well, they have the right to do so. But the main blame is still on me. Whining doesn't make sense.

Taking another breath, I slowly asked, trying not to pay attention to someone's quiet muttering: "When you joined the Guard, you didn't expect something like this to happen, did you? And even more so, you did not assume that you would be powerless in this situation, right?"

After my question, all the thestrals, without exception, nodded slightly. Before asking the most important question, I examined all the soldiers again. Most of them, judging by their appearance, in addition to sadness and guilt, also experienced stress. Some of them did not hold themselves well in hand and were shaking slightly.

Removing my hand from the table, I took a step back and calmly asked: "After what happened, are there any of you who no longer want to be under my command?"

After these words left my lips, all activity in the room was frozen. Everyone who was shaking stopped shaking and the muttering also subsided. After what seemed like a silent eternity, one thestral lifted a hoof up. Then a couple more.

Well, we begin to disperse the gloom.

I had already taken a deep breath to start talking, but a couple more thestrals lifted their hooves into the air. And Lord, they kept even more depressing expressions on their faces than the others. Squinting, I looked at everyone present and asked with irritation in my voice: "Is this everyone who wants to?"

Seeing no new hooves in the air, I took a deep breath to think about everything and gather my strength. Exhale. With a sharp lunge, I took a step towards the table and loudly hit it with the palm of my hand. A few chips flew into the air, but fortunately I was able not to break the table. All the Thestrals pressed their ears to their heads and stared at me in shock. Without giving them a break, I said loudly: "Your whining will not be able to resurrect anyone, or at least compensate for the damage to the families of the victims."

I took a small breath and hit the table again before continuing my speech: "You are so good. At the first threat, you are going to run as far as possible and as soon as possible! And don't you dare say that the death of a comrade was unexpected for you! All of you are at least eighteen years old and you did not realize that death will be an integral part of your life, especially after joining the army? Have you ever thought that at least your mother and father will die? Seriously!?"

You're going the wrong way. Our task is to convince them that we need to continue working three times better or at least as before. Now you're only driving them into an existential crisis.

Taking a deep breath, I ran my hand through my hair that had grown out and said, adjusting my glasses a little calmer: "I am ready to offer everyone here the opportunity to avenge comrades or, God forbid, friends. I was able to get opportunities from the princesses to create new weapons and, if possible, armor. You have the right to take revenge on the one who killed your friends. And I am ready to provide an opportunity. I demand only two things from you. "I stopped talking, letting all the thestrals absorb the information. The overwhelming majority of them looked at me with both interest and impatience. Smiling slightly, I began to speak, accompanying each point by raising one finger: " Firstly, until the bastard is killed and dismembered, you remain in the army. After that? If you want, leave. No one will hold you. Secondly, I expect that when it comes to a real fight, you will obey my orders. I don't need you all to rush at the enemy at the same time and die. You will strictly follow my every order. Do you agree to these terms?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Rising abruptly stood up from his seat and said loudly, "Yes. Yes, I agree, Mr. Sir Boss!"

A smile appeared on my face as soon as I heard this and only got bigger while the other thestrals also agreed. After a couple of minutes, there was only one who did not agree. Flying. Glancing at him, I suppressed my smile and calmly asked: "What about you?"

Flying chuckled slightly and replied without much enthusiasm: "Okay. I agree too. What do you want, Captain?"

Putting my hand to my chin, I rubbed it lightly, considering the possibilities. If they're eating for weeks cooking for themselves, then they don't need me. And if they want to choose who will cook, then I will not interfere with them. There are only two cases left. Return the Chrysalis locket and get to my room. I'll kill two birds with one stone.

"Rising, follow me. I need to talk to you." I said with a wave of my hand for mania Rising closer to me. He nodded actively and quickly ran around the table before standing right next to me. With a slight nod, I turned around on the spot holding my glasses and walked out of the dining room. Judging by the sound, Rising was following right behind me at a very close distance. If I stop, he might crash into me.

As if anyone should care.

Shaking my head, I turned the corner and took a step to the side so that Rising wouldn't crash into me. He walked a few more steps forward, but when he saw that I stopped, he looked at me curiously. For a few seconds, I stood still, trying to catch the nearby presence of someone other than my soldiers and Rising. After making sure that everything was in order, I asked quietly: "Did you hide the locket?"

Rising looked surprised for a moment and then actively nodded loudly saying, "Hid it! It is located in. . ."

What have you done, you idiot!? What if someone is hiding nearby?

Quickly putting two fingers to his lips, I cut him off before it was too late and quietly hissed: "Shh. Only you and I should know about this. Is that clear?"

Rising nodded slowly and after I removed my fingers from his mouth cautiously asked: "What's so important about this locket? If you don't mind telling me, of course, Mr. Sir Boss."

Classified.

"Listen, I'll tell you, I'll definitely tell you. But then." I said, hoping that this answer would settle him.

For a few seconds, Rising just looked at me as if he wanted me to tell him everything here and now. Seeing my lack of any reaction, he sighed and slightly stamped his hoof on the ground and said reluctantly: "Okay. But I want it to come as soon as possible. "

Rolling my eyes, I grinned slightly and said: " Believe me, I would also like it to come as soon as possible. But let's get to what's happening now. You probably already know that all the remaining soldiers were placed next to my room, right?"

Rising actively nodded and said excitedly, "Yes, we know! I even heard you talking to the princess of the night."

Don't worry. Nothing too meaningful was said. We continue to work at the usual pace.

Scratching the back of my head, I said, trying to contain my awkwardness: "Since you've been here for weeks, you probably already remember roughly where the bedrooms are, right?"

Rising in response scratched the back of his head with a hoof and said with an awkward smile: "Well, from the part. The last week we all just walked around the palace until one of the princesses showed us the way. But today we were able to find a dining room on our own. Is this a success, perhaps? "

Sighing, I took a step forward and pointing ahead said: " This is at least some kind of success. Let's try to repeat it and find my room."

The rising was silent for a few seconds and stood still, as if seriously considering whether he should help me. Does he have any business or what? In the end, he slowly exhaled and slowly walked forward, carefully looking around. Probably in search of a landmark. Delighted with his consent, I went toe-to-toe with him.

After a few moments of silence, I asked with curiosity in my voice: "By the way, how do my glasses look like?"

Rising kept walking awkwardly silent for a few seconds before hesitantly replying, "They're very um . . . round."

Translating from a delicate language it means: "You're ugly. Take them off."

Chuckling, I turned my gaze to the nearest wall and said, adjusting my glasses: "I want to tell you something for the future. Speak straight and fast. To be honest, I would appreciate your review of my glasses better if you immediately said that I'm ugly in them. Don't worry, I won't be offended."

Said the man who began to complex from the remark about the smell.

"No, no, sir, you look irresistible with glasses! I just don't understand them and didn't mean to say anything wrong!" Rising started to justify himself by stopping on the spot and turning to me.

Rolling my eyes, I put my hand on his head and said, slightly ruffling his hair: "Calm down. Most people are not able to respond to anything intelligible, even to a direct insult. Yes, I am an exception. But you can consider that you are in a safe zone. So answer the question honestly. "

Rising took a deep breath and said, looking away, " The glasses you look very, very strange. It just looks wrong. "

Nodding slightly, I removed my hand from his head and pointing my hand forward said: " I'm not too surprised by this fact, to be honest. In any case, it's time to get back to the main business. Continuing to walk towards the bedroom. "

Quickly nodding in response, Rising turned around on the spot and again actively went forward. Grinning slightly at the sight, I shook my head and followed him with long strides. Along the way, it became increasingly obvious that Rising, to put it mildly, does not perfectly remember the road. He was constantly looking around for some details and muttering something to himself.

"You have no idea where to go, do you?" I asked, hoping I was wrong. In response, Rising slightly slowed down the pace of his movement but did not say anything. I narrowed my eyes and began to drill into the back of his head. I told you just a minute ago to be honest and yet you don't answer the question?

However, you should not expect more from someone who does not strive for Perfection. Remember. He's a tool. All your soldiers are tools. Princesses are tools. There can be no question of any attachment.

Sighing with disappointment, I was about to repeat my question, but Rising said loudly while looking around the corridor: "No, sir! I remember this corridor."

Without waiting for my answer, Rising accelerated sharply and began to run forward along the corridor at full speed. Seeing this, my eyes widened slightly and I remained standing in place being confused. Eventually, I got my bearings and started running after the Rising. I really hope he's not lying.

After a while Rising stopped next to a door devoid of any crystals and catching his breath said: "It should be here. If I remember correctly, this is the only room that we were forbidden to visit. I think it's yours."

Can we trust his intuition?

With a grunt of approval, I put my hand on the door handle and before opening it, I said: "Great, Rising. To be honest, I didn't expect you to succeed. Now I have just one request left for you for today. Can you bring the locket to my room?"

After a few deep breaths, Rising wearily raised his head, but despite his own condition, he actively nodded and went somewhere forward. Smiling at the sight of his obedience, I opened the door and went into the room, slamming it behind me. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of my room.

Firstly, on the bed, instead of a red blanket that I tore to make a T-shirt, there was a brand new blue one. Secondly, on the wall directly above my mole hung a picture of a mountain landscape enveloped in snow. For a few seconds I looked at the picture appreciatively, tilting my head from side to side. In the end, I shrugged and continued to look around the room. There is only one thing left that has changed. The bookcase that I sorted so hard a long time ago has been replaced. It was replaced with a regular wardrobe.

Who did this? Celestia? Luna? Or just some random idiot?

Restraining my irritation, I took a few steps to the wardrobe and opened it. Of course, there were no clothes lying there. Rolling my eyes, I said out loud: "No one will sew clothes for free. But everyone wants and can spoil the life of others just for fun."

Sighing, I turned around on the spot and went to the table and opened the middle drawer. A small smile appeared on my face at the sight of everything remaining in its place. In the middle drawer there were several sheets of paper on which lay several well-sharpened pencils.

I grabbed a pencil and a piece of paper with my left hand before throwing both items on the table. Then I sat down on a chair and moved closer to the table and took a pencil. After drawing a line that divided the sheet in half, I began to think where to start. On the left are my personal traits and on the right is Perfection. So let's start with a simple one. Honesty. This is my personal trait. It has nothing to do with Perfection.

Have you forgotten about the new logic, crybaby? I remind you that the new logic presupposes honesty, straightforwardness, unwillingness to justify oneself and maximum use of freedom. These are traits acquired through Perfection, not your own.

I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling, thinking. What happened before? Have I always been straightforward? No, probably not. Have I tried to justify myself before? No, I used to constantly justify myself in order not to get punished by my father. Have I used freedom to the maximum before? Have I ever had one before? No, I think not. Honesty is definitely mine. I remember exactly that when I got a bad grade on the geometry exam, I... lied to my father. Yes, I lied.

"Do I have anything of my own?" I asked quietly, squinting at the ceiling. After a few seconds of silence, I took off my glasses and carefully placed them on the table before returning to the ceiling. Think, stupid head, think. What do you have? What exactly is your part not as not related to Perfection?

Nothing.

No matter how much I thought, nothing came to mind. There was a deathly silence in the room, in the head, and in the neighborhood as a whole, which was not interrupted by anything. Not even one pony is around, judging by the lines. Well, well. One problem after another.

After a while, the silence was interrupted by the sensation of someone moving. Turning towards the door, I smiled slightly. At least something works well and stably. A few seconds later, there was a knock on my door, making me grin. I told him to bring me the locket, and he still knocks on the door first?

Shaking my head, I took a deep breath and shouted, "Come in!"

The next moment, Rising came into the room, holding the medallion with his teeth. Ugh. He stood in the doorway as if expecting me to come up and take the amulet myself. But I sat down so well. However, laziness at such a time is unacceptable.

With a quiet grunt, I got up from my chair, leaning on the table and taking a few steps towards Rising, carefully snatched the medallion from his teeth. He cleared his throat slightly after I did this and politely asked: "Do you need anything else, Mr. Sir Boss?"

Wiping the saliva from the locket on my coat, I replied: "No, Rising, I don't need anything. You can do whatever you want. The main thing is to close the door before you leave."

Rising actively nodded and turned around on the spot before walking to the door. Doing a similar action I got on a chair and before sitting on it I said turning around: "And remember one thing, Rising. You are not my servant. You just obey my orders sometimes. But otherwise you have complete freedom. Do whatever you want."

After these words, Rising stopped in the doorway and stood with his back to me for a few moments. In the end, he gave a barely perceptible nod and hurriedly left the room, closing the room behind him. Sighing, I turned my attention back to the ceiling and started thinking again. After a few empty seconds, I picked up the locket and looked at its silver part. The moonlight was reflected from the metal, and with it I myself.

Looking into my own reflection, before returning to fruitless reflections, I said: "What kind of creature are you, huh?"