Striving for Perfection

Quiet conversations in another car. The noise of a train rushing along the rails to Canterlot. Strong daylight has long woken everyone up. Even those few who wanted to take a break from reality. Hills, plains and forests are covered with a thick layer of snow. The wasteland has long been left behind and with it any opportunities to change your mind. The killers will be part of the army. And I need to make them work.

As if the possibility of rejection was ever needed.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and looked at the car in which I am. The soldiers did not dare to talk to each other and completely focused on the carriage in which the assassins were located. Some were so tense that instead of sitting, they preferred to stand right in the center of the corridor with their weapons on the edge. Hmm. Should I praise them for their vigilance or scold them for being alarmist?

On the other side of the train, I was sitting on my seat and propped my head with my left hand. The glasses were removed and placed on a folding table. I have long needed to figure out where to spend all this new free time. Just because I can't sleep doesn't mean I can't work. You can read it or at least start coming up with a way to get out of here. I've been in Equestria for countless months and still haven't even started to come up with something.

Because you're lazy, crybaby. But don't worry, I already have an idea. You just need to learn how to teleport and kill Ahirata. Don't ask questions, just do it. It's a good idea.

Chuckling, I turned my gaze to the companion who was on my right. Rising sat right next to me and looked a little more relaxed than the rest of the soldiers. Is this trust in me? Or just the realization that it will be easiest for me to protect him? Unclear. I sighed softly at the realization of one detail. I can know absolutely nothing about the situation of the soldiers on the other side of the train. They are completely cut off from me by a carriage filled with murderers. And I can't feel the lines at that distance. One can only hope.

"Dreams and hope. And these intangible things should I rely on?" I muttered before starting to concentrate on the lines. All the murderers sat in a circle and discussed something quietly among themselves. Unfortunately, I could not make out a single full-fledged word. It remains only to assume that they are planning another attack on me.

"Did you say something?" Rising asked curiously, turning his head in my direction. Damn. Why did I voice my thoughts out loud?

And I said that the word is not a sparrow. But as always, you didn't listen to me, crybaby. And here's the result.

Sighing, I looked down at Rising and replied: "It doesn't matter. I was talking to myself. There's nothing to do now anyway."

Rising cautiously pointed with his hoof towards the carriage in which the killers were housed and whispered softly so that only I could hear him: "Nothing to do!? Over there are the guys who killed other ponies! And at least one of them does not regret it a bit! It's not that I think they all share this opinion, it's just. . ."

Just calm down and don't whine. These ponies have only two purposes. Serve me as soldiers or as food.

As soon as the thought of food appeared in my head, my stomach rumbled slightly. It seems that a piece of that pony turned out to be too little for my body and in the end only aroused my appetite. But at least I will have something to do in the form of finding food. Maybe it's like in the good old days to roast a bird on a fire? Or maybe even make yourself a chicken with scrambled eggs?

Shaking my head, I remembered the words Rising and calmly answered without a whisper: "First of all, as a soldier, you should have learned to kill without a twinge of conscience a long time ago. If you haven't learned it, then it's time to learn. Sooner or later you will have to participate in the murder of the bastard who eliminated a third of the soldiers. "

Rising shifted uncomfortably in his seat and with a barely noticeable movement of his hoof lured me closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that the soldiers in the room were focusing their gazes on me. Rolling my eyes, I moved a little closer in response to which Rising quietly whispered in my ear: "To be honest. . . To be honest, I'm not so sure it's worth taking revenge anymore."

I tilted my head to the side and barely suppressing laughter quietly asked: "Rising, this is absurd. There is an old phrase that gives carte blanche to kill. An eye for an eye."

Rising lowered his head down and did not answer anything. Well, more precisely, the first few seconds. Then he cautiously raised his head and looked at me uncertainly whispered: "Most people have complaints about each other. Even me. And if everyone starts taking each other's eyes, then the world will go blind, right? You didn't take revenge on those musicians who stole your money that's why, right?"

Does he think I'm testing him? Hm. There's something you don't understand, my boy. Revenge on thieves will only get me my money back. And Ahirate's revenge can be a convenient excuse for expanding influence. If you subdue fifty assassins and get good weapons from above, then it will be easier to achieve any goals. That's all. Say it, crybaby. That's your real opinion.

Shaking my head slightly, I sighed, put my hand on Rising's head and said loudly: "Calm down. I don't want to say this, but I have to because of you, Rising. I am not ready to take revenge for the money. It has no such value. But to avenge the dead soldiers? You can always. This not only has value, but is absolutely necessary in my opinion. I don't see anything wrong with that. And I really hope that you won't see anything wrong in this at the most inopportune moment. But you won't do that, will you?"

Rising looked at me in surprise from under his brow and after a few seconds of silence nodded slightly. With a grunt, I took my hand off his head and put on my glasses. Slightly adjusting them, I looked out the window trying to figure out how long it was left to go. Fortunately, the train had already arrived at the mountain, and it was only necessary to climb it. Hmm, I had to go down the mountain by train, but I was always out when I went up. I wonder what it will look like.

I felt gravity actively pushing me into the seat and the train itself slowed down significantly. Concentrating on the view outside the window, I could barely contain my indignation and Spanish shame for the pony designing the route. The train just stupidly goes up at an angle of forty if not more degrees. Just, just what kind of idiot designed this railway? How could he or she get the opportunity to at least offer such a thing? And most importantly, how was it confirmed and built?

Well, don't forget who the ruler is here. Celestia is strongly recommended a revolution modeled on the French one. Why French? The language is very beautiful. What the word "guillotine" alone is worth.

Grinning, I held my glasses in case the slope got even bigger and reached into my pockets with my other hand, hoping that I hadn't lost anything. Fortunately, the knife and the cube are in their place. Although so far the cube is not of much value. Of course, a mini shotgun is a good thing, but I would like more functionality. Well, you can do that too.

Turning my head to Rising, I pushed him slightly to attract attention and began to calmly say: "Remind me soon so that I start keeping a to-do list. I don't want to forget something important. "

He opened his mouth to say something, but his words were not audible against the background of the loudest train horn. His ears drooped slightly and he frowned as if trying to ignore the noise. I frowned too and said putting my hand to my ear: " Say it again, Rising. I didn't hear you."

He took a deep breath as if he was going to scream at the top of his lungs, but was interrupted again and completed by the train horn. I put my palm to my forehead irritably and said as soon as the beep ended: "Just nod if you remember and agree. Otherwise, shake your head."

Sighing, Rising reluctantly nodded, although his face suggested that he wanted to say something. Well, if it was really important, then he would just repeat it later. But I don't think he has information of this caliber right now.

Now? As if he would ever be more useful than a pawn.

I shook my head slightly. Any pawn can reach the end of the board and become a strong piece. Nodding to myself, I focused on the landscape outside the window. The train has already reached quite high up the slope. To the point that Ponyville looked like a few barely noticeable spots from here. Although it may just be spots on the glasses. No matter. The important thing is that this is the bastion of my failure.

Sighing, I decided to distract myself from this thought and got up from my seat. Even with the help of a folding table, it was difficult to maintain balance. With careful, small checkers, I began to get out into the corridor, trying not to touch Rising. Fortunately, the train did not swing at the most unfortunate moment and I was able to safely reach the corridor in the car.

I felt that the eyes of all the soldiers on the train were focused on me. Chuckling, I slowly walked up to the door to the murderers' car and rolled onto it. After making sure that everyone's understanding still belongs to me, I nodded to myself and said: "Okay, as you may have noticed, the train will soon reach its destination. So it's time to discuss how we will move to the castle. The five of you will go ahead, the assassins will follow you, and at the very end a second group of five soldiers with me. "

Seeing that they were a little nervous about the prospect of walking right in front of a crowd of murderers, I rolled my eyes and said firmly: "It's corny and logical. The second group is now at the end of the train and she has already done the same. So it is logical that you repeat the same action. And don't even try to change it somehow. "

Reluctantly, they nodded and slowly began to slide off their seats. Seeing this, I nodded and pressed my ear to the door trying to hear what the killers were discussing in their circle. Alas, nothing could be sorted out. Maybe they even stopped talking when they heard me come to the door. However, it doesn't matter. I don't even need to know their plans to ruin them.

I don't even need to know their plans to arrange a big purge of personnel.

Quickly shaking my head, I opened the door to the murderers' car and took a step into it. There I saw fifty-four ponies concentrated in the center of the train, most often located on the ground. It's immediately obvious that something is being planned. When they heard the door open, they all looked in my direction and frowned. Oh, big deal, I ate a piece of hoof. It was quite small.

Rolling my eyes, I took a step forward and began to speak in a commanding tone, pointing my finger behind my back: "Okay, incompetents, it's time to work. Did you hear the train horn? Great because it notifies that soon your life will radically turn around. All you have to do now is stand up, line up in a row and wait for those soldiers to start moving forward. It's very simple. "

One of them raised his head down and shouted discontentedly, pointing at me with a wounded hoof: " It's very easy after you bit off my hoof, monster!"

And that's what the killer said. What a good comedy.

Rolling my eyes, I focused on his hoof. He found a rag somewhere to move the wound and eventually the bleeding stopped. But despite this, the damage was visible. Judging by the look of my mowing, I bit off about a quarter of his hoof. I wonder if he can walk with such a wound? And can it even be effective with such a wound?

If you don't try, you won't know. I shrugged my shoulders and calmly looking at the wounded pony said: "Don't whine. The bleeding has stopped, so you will live. And I don't think the wound is that serious. And anyway, you brought this on yourself. You're not given a head just to think through murder plans, you know."

The veins in his neck bulged and he opened his mouth to reply, but was stopped by a hoof that was placed on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw that the hoof belonged to an old man. After a brief whisper that I couldn't hear, the wounded pony turned back to me and nodded, gritting his teeth. Grinning, I took a few steps forward and said, "I'm glad we found a common language. Now, get your asses up and follow the order. I need to give the information to the last group."

With a slight hiss, they parted to the sides, allowing me to pass. If I passed by, I could feel their contempt, hatred and aggression towards me. Well, well. Even the murderers have rallied into a single group and are now so fiercely defending each other. Rolling my eyes, I calmly reached the next door and opened it while there was the sound of many hooves around me.

Once in the third car, I saw the second five of my soldiers who, just like the first one, was very nervous. Although judging by their frightened look, even at the sight of me, they are even more nervous. Sighing, I waved my hand and said: "The train will stop soon. So it's time for you to get up. Don't be afraid, I'll go with you."

Trembling slightly, they nodded and slowly began to slide out of their seats, continuing to hold the weapon tightly. Sighing, I turned around on the spot and slightly adjusted my glasses and turned my gaze to the first group of soldiers. Although the crowd of murderers prevented me from seeing the soldiers, I still managed to see something. Soldiers often turned around as if expecting an attack in the back at any second. It's hard to blame them.

After a few moments, the train braked loudly and soon the exit doors opened. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that there is more than one exit door on this train. How did I not notice this before? It doesn't matter though. We must stick to the original plan. Unfortunately, some of the killers did not share my opinion and instead of moving forward turned towards an alternative exit door. Seeing this, I instantly pulled out a knife and a cube from my pockets before shouting: "Stick to the formation! No one steps aside under any circumstances! Execute the order quickly!"

Fortunately, the ponies that had moved away from the herd slowly turned around and returned to the formation. After a few seconds, the whole crowd moved forward after a group of soldiers who had already started to leave the train. With a wave of my hand, I gave the signal to the second group of soldiers and went forward so that I was only a few steps away from the killers.

If the distance is so short, then maybe it's worth checking how the cube works on live targets?

As soon as my foot left the train, I quickly shook my head and returned all the weapons to my pockets. I don't have many people under my command as it is. Making this number even smaller would be a bad decision. Sighing, I began to look around the city that had been awake for a long time, continuing to follow the killers. There were almost no ponies on the street, despite the bright sunlight. Probably, today is a working day.

Shrugging my shoulders, I felt several glances directed at me from different sides. Or somewhere near me. I turned my head to the right and slightly adjusted my glasses and saw the signs of various shops. Are the sellers so bored that they have to look at us? However, it doesn't matter. Then I looked in the opposite direction from which I also felt several glances. There my eyes fixed on a large building with three towers and black windows. There are no signs about what kind of building it is. Right above the entrance to the building hung something resembling a golden shield with the image of a flash. I have no idea something. The morgue? That would explain the black windows.

No, no. It is obvious that this is the mansion of Count Dracula, which was personally given to him by Celestia. Her cannibalistic regime turns a blind eye to his existence so that he kills citizens personally objectionable to Celestia. Source: Report on the Insolvency of the Monarchy by Daniel Ctumer.

With a chuckle, I turned away from the building and looked straight ahead from where I felt watching me. Squinting, I barely managed to make out a figure looking at me from one of the many windows of the castle. No matter how I tried to determine who the figure belongs to, nothing happened. All that can be said is that the figure belongs to a pony. But I can say for sure that it's not Ahirata.

As soon as the very first group approached the castle gate, I felt the lines bend. It's as if someone with a huge amount of magic appears right in front of them. Assuming the worst, I snatched the cube out of my pocket and quickly ran around the entire crowd. In a couple of seconds I was right in front of the first group of soldiers and with a gesture of my free hand I ordered them to stop. Before they could even nod in response to my order, two bright flashes appeared in front of me. A moment later, when the flash dissipated, I saw in front of me Celestia with a calm expression on her face and Luna with a strong frown on her face.

Do the lines allow you to predict the place where they will be teleported? How nice and convenient. Only, it's not clear why Celestia was talking about speed. Probably she doesn't understand the spell she uses.

Before I could chuckle, Celestia asked in a calm and cold tone while the soldiers behind me were bowing: "Can you, Mr. Ctumer, explain what they are doing here? You didn't talk about it when I approved your idea."

Grinning, I rolled my eyes and replied with a wave of my hand: "Oh? I thought you liked the ponies, you drove. Well, it doesn't seem that way. I think many people need to know this. Wait, this kind of news can't wait a second. "

I was about to turn around and shout the news to the whole street, but was interrupted by Luna: " Oh, please. Just tell me why you did it and I'll go back to sleep. Be a good colt today, okay?"

Celestia looked down at Luna in response to which Luna muttered something unintelligible. When she closed her mouth, Celestia focused on me again. Not hearing any words from her, I assumed that they had passed the baton to me and said: "Where else do you think I should place the strike brigade, if not here? I need to train them and at the same time monitor how the FSF works. So this is the only reasonable option. I did it for purely logical reasons and in no way out of a desire to annoy you. "With an exasperated sigh, Celestia shook her head slightly and said firmly: " In any case, I will make a small concession. They can stay in the castle for a day or two, so be it. But in the near future you will have to find another time where to place them. For example, the military base where you trained your soldiers earlier."

No, no. It's not worth visiting that place. It brings back memories of another failure. And you, crybaby, I still need you in some kind of health.

Sighing, I reluctantly nodded and asked taking a step forward: "Now can I go further or do you still need to show the documents?"

Rolling her eyes, Celestia was silent for a few seconds before looking at Luna and saying: "No, let Luna lead the group further. You and I have something else to discuss. "

Luna shot her sister a look filled with annoyance and discontent before saying with a grunt, " Okay, you all. Follow me. Let's start faster, let's finish faster."

After these words, Luna turned around on the spot and went deep into the castle, but absolutely no one followed her. For a moment, she just stopped dead in her tracks. Then she turned to all of us and with an angry look hissed, "I ordered you to follow me. And I want to emphasize. Do it FAST."

She looks so cute when things don't go the way she wants. You need to anger her more often.

After she said that, the soldiers and even some of the assassins shuddered and trotted after the princess. And no matter how ashamed I was to admit it, I also wanted to obey for a moment. I quickly shook my head dismissing this thought and began to look at all the ponies passing by me. Several assassins briefly cast glances in my direction, but when they noticed the direct observation, they quickly turned away. Looks like the hoof-biting trick worked. The main thing is not to abuse it.

In the end, Celestia cleared her throat, attracting my attention and said with a small smile: "I have good news for you, my little human. I managed to scrape together a hundred thousand bits for you. I'm surprised myself that I managed to get so much. Apparently harmony, despite your behavior, supports you."

This is almost twice as much as it will take just to pay for FSF services. Not to mention the costs of the development itself. Trouble. We'll have to invent something.

Gritting my teeth, I turned towards the mountain and said, trying not to show my irritation: "Well, this is news. Although I would like this number to be several times more. "

Celestia tilted her head to the side and looked in the same direction as I asked: " What are you looking at? Did you notice something? "

I rolled my eyes and pointed to my glasses and asked rhetorically: " Do you think the person who wears this can see something that you can't? "

Celestia sighed restraining her irritation and said firmly: " This is not the answer to my original question. I'll say it again. What are you looking at?"

For a bright and wonderful future. Without you.

Grinning, I pointed to the mountain and said: "I'm looking at a source of additional funding. Thanks for a hundred thousand, but it's too little. So I have to use my brain to the maximum."

Celestia's eyes widened slightly and leaning towards my ear, she asked softly, "So, you killed the dragon then, right?"

What kind of stupid questions? And how does she know that? Shaking my head, I just nodded calmly and gave Celestia a questioning look. Sighing, she took a step back and looked around and asked again: "So, if I understand you correctly, do you want to use the jewels looted by the dragon you killed?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I replied, assuming her opinion about it: "Look, I absolutely don't care how much it contradicts morality. I don't give a damn about morality in general. Right now I'm only interested in ending the existence of the bastard who killed my soldiers. And for this purpose, I am ready to direct all the resources I have. Do you understand this idea?"

Or do I need to deliver a note with this thought right into your skull?

Sighing, Celestia reluctantly nodded and whispered: "Please forgive me, think at least sometimes about how others treat your actions. You don't need the ponies to hate you, do you?"

Grinning, I poked her in the nose with my finger and replied: "That's the reason why you're Celly and I'm human. Because of the two of us, you're the only one asking such stupid questions. And just so you know, I have a list of phrases and expressions to provoke supporters of different philosophical and political trends. Hmm, I think I need to replenish or at least adapt all of them in a local way. It won't be fun if I say that Putin is doing well and no one will start repeating the deeply boring facts that this is not the case. But I can always say the opposite. Everything to provoke the interlocutor."

Celestia raised an eyebrow and asked with curiosity in her voice, " Put in?"

It's time, crybaby. In front of you is an absolutely ignorant person. You can tell absolutely everything about this person, she will have no way to verify the information. You can create yourself an interlocutor with your own hands who will agree on political issues. Isn't this a dream?

Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand in front of me, preparing to retell absolutely everything. Then I quickly shook my head. No, I have to tell the information impartially so that the interlocutor forms his own opinion. No formation of a comfortable position. Sighing , I turned around on the spot and waved my hand and said: "Take me to the place where the FSF is working now. I don't remember where it was. I'll tell you everything on the way."

Smiling, Celestia nodded actively and took a few steps to walk side by side with me. After the start of the joint movement, I closed my eyes trying to formulate it normally. You can start retelling the biography. No, it won't do because I corny don't remember it completely. Maybe start with the good and end with the bad? No, that's bullshit too. On the contrary? Well, I don't see any other options. Wait, though. Why the hell should I waste my time and nerve cells trying to explain the identity of a modern politician?

So that she would know the fear that chills to the bone. She, no, everyone will understand that they are faced with a perfect being capable and, most importantly, willing to destroy cities without leaving anyone behind. And even the man who started the war will not be able to go to no comparison with this monster. A monster that solves the problem of plastic.

Taking a deep breath, I put my hands in my pockets and with difficulty resisting the urge said: "It doesn't matter. I'm just not going to say anything. I'm not interested in talking about this person. Just as it is not interesting to talk about any modern politician. I like to talk about totalitarian guys who massively slaughter people for the sake of an abstract picture of the future. Or anarchists who cannot even be called rulers in full."

Another missed opportunity, crybaby. Do you like to lose or what? If so, I suggest you just fall into a ditch and wring your neck. It will be a real defeat.

Celestia tilted her head to the side and asked with only increased curiosity: "On the contrary, it is more interesting for me to hear about the ruler who did not do all this. Don't you want to share your knowledge?"

Continuing to walk, I barely restrained the urge to make an offering to Celestia and simply replied: "Listen, I'm too lazy. I'm not interested in discussing a moderate politician. Paranoid totalitarians? Yes, it's interesting. Crazy anarchists who run around the steppes and fight with everything they find against everyone who doesn't like them? Yes, this is also interesting. So, I don't know. Wait for another human to appear in Equestria so that he starts telling you about boring modern politicians. I am sure his opinion will be very objective."

Taking a deep breath, Celestia nodded slightly and continued walking. Along the way, I could notice that the rare ponies who were now on the street were bowing at the sight of Celestia. My God, what nonsense. One bow. Two bow. Three, four. At some point, the bows caused me so much irritation that I looked Celestia straight in the eyes and said, "How do you like the idea of canceling the bows?"

"Hmm?" Celestia mumbled questioningly, turning her head in my direction. I gritted my teeth trying not to show anger and started looking for a normal example. A normal definition of a textbook is always not enough for an idiot. They need an example.

When I saw another pony bow at the sight of Celestia, I pointed at the pony with my finger and said: "Look at her or him, I don't care. It's practically kissing the ground right now. This not only dirties everything that can be soiled, but also interrupts the activity. For example, a maid, instead of going to clean up, bows to you and dirties her clothes. It's not practical! "

Celestia looked at me blankly for a few seconds before answering: " Daniel, my subjects bow to me during the entire period of my reign, which is counted for thousands of years. It's just a tradition and its very ancient, you know? It cannot be undone by simply waving a hoof. "

Again, this nonsense about millennial rule. It's probably just that every time the dynasty to which Celestia belongs, children are born with an appearance that perfectly copies the parent. Thus, you just need to call the child the same name as the parent. You change parents with children indefinitely and maintain the image of one ruler who rules forever. If anything, you can just change the appearance with magic. Well, probably.

Shaking my head, I raised my left hand and said: "Maybe waving a hoof won't change anything. But waving a hand will change a lot of things. At least the butterfly effect. As a maximum, a signature under a document that decides the fate of the country. Hmm, the death penalty for bowing sounds great. "

Celestia stared at me and muttered softly: " You can't be serious. "

I grinned and replied, returning my hand in my pocket: " Yes, I'm not serious right now. The death penalty simply removes one person without any benefit. But sending them to forced labor? Sounds great. In general, my position remains the same. Bowing at the sight of the ruler should be prohibited."

Celestia sighed in disappointment and did not continue the dialogue. Grunting, my gaze focused on the road ahead. Slightly adjusting my glasses, I saw that we were heading straight to the building that I had noticed earlier. Am I going to find out the secret of the pony version of Count Dracula? Oh, wait. What secrets does Count Dracula have in general?

Where did he get the money for a castle in the mountains? How does he get blood in a place so far from populated areas? The fact that Dracula does not exist, but there is a person in whose image he was invented?

Grinning, I cleared my throat slightly to get Celestia's attention and asked: "As I understand it, that gloomy building is your school?"

Celestia nodded, and the next moment I asked another question: "What the hell are the black windows here?"

When she heard my question, she giggled slightly and answered: "This is necessary so that students do not feel uncomfortable in the hot season. And you don't have to worry about the kids, the inside of the glass is not so dark that they can look outside."

Did anyone ever care about comfort in schools? Wait, pay attention to the name. There is one detail there. You just need to remember the name. There was something about unicorns.

Scrolling through the name of the school in my head, I looked at Celestia with a grin and asked: "As I understand it, you are very concerned about the comfort of unicorns, right?"

The next moment she laughed and said: "Did you draw this conclusion from the title? Well, unfortunately you were so wrong. All interested ponies can enroll in this school. Chancellor Ney insisted on this name because most of the ponies in Canterlot are unicorns. "

Tilting my head to the side I asked: " What kind of chancellor is this? Do you already have dual power in your country, so there is also a chancellor from above? "

Celestia didn't ask anything and just answered: " He directs the council, which ensures that education in schools meets high standards. Every pony deserves a good education."

Damn, it looks like a free education card won't work here. Well, medicine is also an option. And a six-hour working day, too.

Sighing, I reluctantly nodded and did not say anything further. Celestia just focused on the road and kept walking. Along the way, I tried unsuccessfully to ignore the ponies who bowed at the sight of Celestia. Fortunately for me, there were very few ponies on the street and the rest of the way to the entrance to the school remained relatively calm.

In the end, the two of us found ourselves in a warm schoolroom and after a little shaking off the snow, we continued to walk forward. On the way to the FSF, I could feel a lot of little ponies who were sitting in the classrooms on either side of me and my ears could catch the teachers saying something to the students. I wonder if I should be feeling some kind of nostalgia or something like that right now?

Cold school walls containing failures. Beyond them, a dirty alley where the best student of the school stands with his fist raised. Today, someone dared to look in his direction incorrectly. But without despair, he stands in the alley and waits for his abuser. So that he would know the real horror.

After my gaze wandered over the same type of office doors, I sighed and said the first thing that popped into my head: "I never thought that I would go back to school again. Although if I come back, it's better for my eyes to never see geometry again."

Celestia chuckled slightly and asked: "What's so bad about geometry?"

She doesn't care about you, crybaby. She just keeps the dialogue going so you don't start crying for attention.

Exhaling, I continued to inspect the school and answered: "Geometry is the only school subject in which I had to write off to get good grades. I don't like the concept of using ready-made answers instead of solving problems."

Celestia turned her gaze in my direction and said as if she was giving important advice: "You know, you don't always have to be the best. It is not necessary to have the best grades in school, and even more so it is not necessary to be the best. You can just live for your own pleasure. There's nothing shameful about it."

"To live for your own pleasure." What idiocy. You need to live in order to develop and achieve your goals. Only drug addicts, alcoholics and plastic figurines exist for their pleasure. Oh, I accidentally repeated one word three times in a row.

"Great advice. But you know what? A thirteen-year-old boy, between striving for better grades and a broken nose, preferred the former." I said calmly and looking straight at Celestia. If I had more strength, I would completely defeat her position aimed at eternal degrading. But never mind, you can do this later.

Celestia's eyes widened and she asked worriedly: "Your parents . . . have you been treated badly?"

Have you heard about the theory of relativity?

I rolled my eyes and said, "No, it was a great attitude. My father, instead of lounging on the couch after work, always checked my grades and how I completed my homework. Not a day as long as I live, he did not leave time for himself to rest. If I did something wrong, he raised his mighty fist despite his fatigue. So my dad is a great parent. I don't know what to complain about. "

Celestia was even more surprised and muttered something softly before asking: " You do understand that hitting children is, well, bad? "Squaring my shoulders wide, I pointed at myself and asked: " In front of you is a child whose father beat him almost every day. Sometimes with a fist, but usually with a belt. Look at what this child has grown into and just dare to say that the result is not impressive. "

Celestia looked me up and down before slowly shaking her head and answering with sadness in her voice: " Daniel, the result is not impressive, it scares and depressing, don't you notice it yourself? "

"Scares." Great, that's what we're trying to do. Tell her about something worse. Maybe about how the first killing of an animal felt? You know perfectly well how good the feeling of power felt. This was the starting point of the race to Perfection.

Taking a deep breath, I looked away from Celestia and said: "It's just the costs that I've been struggling with lately. Otherwise, everything is fine. Tough upbringing made me better in everything than my peers. Absolutely in every category with no exceptions... Probably."

It seemed like forever that Celestia was silent before whispering softly: "You want me... hug you?"

What, what? I staggered back a step and pointing at her with my finger exclaimed: "What? No! How could you even think of doing such a vile action!? I can barely stand the fact of being on the same planet with you and you're suggesting that I take a couple of steps closer? Well, in that case it will happen. But only in your dreams!"

Celestia stared at me with her eyes wide as if that would somehow change my mind. She even stopped walking forward. After walking a few steps forward, I looked puzzled at Celestia and tilted my head to the side and asked her, "What are you doing? Do you have some kind of facial spasm or something? If so, just go to the doctor. I hope you're not stupid enough not to go to the doctor."

With a disappointed sigh, Celestia regained her normal expression and resumed moving forward, whispering: "In the future, it's better not shouting in the hallways when school is going on."

I smiled and was about to answer, but anticipating what I would say, Celestia supplemented herself: "And it's not advisable to shout during recess either."

Rolling my eyes, I waited a few seconds until Celestia caught up with me and slightly overtook me. Chuckling, I continued to follow her and began to look for some landmarks in order to get to the FSF on my own in the future. Although, it should have been taken care of earlier, but better late than never, right?

Yes. And you know what's better than late? In advance. That is why you need to kill everyone in advance before they begin to interfere with the achievement of Perfection.

Slightly shaking my head, I continued to search and eventually noticed one thing. It was a board on which hung a lot of black-and-white photographs in gold frames and names. Eh, once my photo was hanging on a similar board. It was excellent and fair. Although, no, it wasn't fair. There should have been only my picture on the board. But this cannot be changed.

Sighing, I focused on the road ahead. After a while, Celestia turned left and after walking a couple dozen more steps, she reached a familiar corridor. The one where I almost lost consciousness from teleportation. Ahead of me I could feel a room where there were many thestrals and three unicorns. Great, here's the destination.

When we got to the door, I stretched out my right hand to the handle and waved goodbye with my left, saying: "Thank you for the service rendered. And now you can go and continue to simulate the activity. I've already memorized the way out."

After a second of hesitation, Celestia nodded and whispered before turning around, "If you change your mind, then my offer is always valid. "

Don't even hope. No one needs your offer. Just like you.

Sighing, I opened the door and took a step inside. They're, first of all, unicorns standing at the blackboard caught my eye. Flim and Flam used one white chalk each while Starlight used several at once. The whole board was divided into two parts. It seems that even under the supervision of the soldiers, they could not find a common language and decided to work separately. Well, that's something. Then my gaze shifted to the Thestrals. All of them sat on chairs and judging by their closed eyes were asleep except for one. My gaze focused on Flying, who, judging by the tense face, was trying to figure out exactly what unicorns were developing. Even despite the desire to join other thestrals in a dream.

Grinning, I slowly walked up to Flying and sat down on an empty chair next to him and asked: "Are you well guarded?"

He glanced in my direction for a moment before answering: "Calm down, they haven't quarreled since we came and separated them a couple of times. So I gave the guys a break. "

Chuckling, I focused on the board where the unicorns worked. The left part belonged entirely to Starlight, and only one project was drawn on it. But what! There was something vaguely similar to a car painted there. To be precise, it is in fact a rectangle on high wheels between which there were strange small lines and a large line sticking straight out of the body. It looks like a very peculiar machine with a gun. Probably the stick from below has something to do with nutrition. The rest of Starlight's half was occupied with various calculations and other questions. Paying attention to the fascist himself, I noticed that her mane was disheveled and she moved very sluggishly.

Shifting my gaze to Flying, I asked: "Have they been awake since I left?"

Chuckling, he nodded and replied, "She? Yes. And the brothers changed among themselves every few hours. Although very rarely they worked together. Just like you see now."

I wish I could say I'm sorry for the poor unicorn, but there's a catch. Fascists cannot be treated better than shit.

Nodding to myself, I focused on the second half of the board. There, instead of one project like Starlight, there were three at once. The first project is similar to an armor that protects absolutely the entire body of a pony and consists of small elements. Like, plate armor. In principle, this is not bad. Judging by what I saw now, the armor of the soldiers consists of a helmet and a body. It would be nice to share it. The second project is, to my surprise and happiness, literally artillery. Cannon, gunpowder and a core. Why isn't this medieval artillery? Smiling, I focused on the third project. There were drawn several rectangles connected by wires and exactly one stick pointing perfectly upwards. Radio?

Sighing, I slapped my knees and getting up said loudly: "Okay, great scientists, it's time to explain to you for what you've been inventing here. Although it upsets me a little that you decided to work absolutely in parallel. But we'll get over it. Starlight, start."

Hearing my loud voice, all three unicorns jumped as if they hadn't noticed my presence until now. Fortunately, after a few moments, Starlight nodded slightly and turned to me and pointed to her project with her hoof before starting to say: "As you indicated in the notebook, the army has three problems. The fatigue of soldiers due to moving to their destination, low power and the inability of soldiers to communicate with each other. Here is my solution. . ."

I raised my hand and quickly interrupted her: " Okay, I can roughly see what you're doing. This rectangle on wheels will deliver soldiers from the battlefield and support them with that cannon over there, right? If I'm critically wrong, correct me. "Starlight nodded slowly as if she didn't understand some of the words I used. Nodding in response, I calmly asked the most important question: " How can the machine solve the problem with communication between soldiers?"

"Um." muttered Starlight as if she didn't know how to answer the question. Then her face brightened and quickly grabbing the chalk with her magic, she began to draw something to her project.

After a few moments, Starlight turned to me with a big smile and said, "Do you see this line with crystals sticking out from above? A specially designated person inside will push levers to make one of the crystals light up to give a signal to others! "

" The purchase of so many crystals. . ." Flim began clearing his throat and casting a glance in the direction of his brother.

" It will be extremely expensive. Flam finished, also clearing his throat. It's like they're mocking her.

Expensive? To hell with it! We're building a damn medieval tank. Have you already come up with a name that strikes fear into the hearts of enemies? How about "Perfection"?

Slowly shaking my head, I turned to the two brothers and said, "Now it's time for you to explain your projects. One person per project. My head hurts when you continue each other's speech."

After exchanging glances between them, the two brothers nodded to each other and Flam cleared his throat and began to say: "Whatever you say, Mr. Ctumer. The first project is an improved armor. Unlike the project of the esteemed Miss Glimmer, these armors will be much cheaper and easier to manufacture. How was this fantastic result achieved? I am very glad that you asked! The whole armor consists of small plates that are made of light alloys that my brother and I have already used in our designs. So we vouch for the quality. The plates themselves are fastened together with straps that can be adjusted so that they fit any pony."

Wait, that reminds me of something. . . Mercenary armor? Hmm, we have seen that they are quite effective. Until the straps are cut.

Nodding, I leaned on the wall and asked: "But if the plates are fastened together with belts, then they can simply be cut. One well-aimed cut and the whole ingenious design will fall apart. How can you justify such a serious flaw? "

Flam chuckled and said with a confident smile: " Don't worry about it, Mr. Ctumer, we've thought it all out. While on the pony, the armor elements will cover all the cracks. If you are worried even under such conditions, then we can think about making the belts stronger. "

Nodding slowly I sighed and said pointing my finger at Flim: " Go on. Tell me about the next project. "

For a moment, Flim looked caught off guard, but quickly cleared his throat and said: " As you can see from the drawing, this device has a wick at the back that, when set on fire, will transfer fire to gunpowder, which will eventually create an explosion pushing the metal ball forward. There's nothing more to say. Everything is simple and relatively cheap. "

"And how long will the gunpowder be loaded inside? How long will it burn? How heavy will the core be?" Starlight asked with every next word exerting a lot of pressure. Hmm, it seems the hatred between them makes them extremely meticulous about each other's mistakes. Not bad, not bad.

Wait, crybaby. Why does a fascist ask this question? Isn't the cannon on her tank exactly the same?

Before Flim answered anything, I turned to Starlight and cocked my head to the side and asked: "Isn't the cannon on your device exactly the same?"

For a moment, Starlight looked confused by the unknown word, but quickly gathered herself and replied: "No, no. My idea is to combine a metal ball and a crystal filled with magic that will explode when touched. Both items will be placed in one case convenient for carrying. The case will be placed inside the trunk and at the back, where the crystal is located, the case will be beaten with a metal stick. There is an explosion, the ball flies forward. And the recharge will be extremely fast compared to the plans of these, ahem, my colleagues. "

Flim looked at Starlight and asked with a grin: " Crystals, crystals, crystals. That's what all mechanical magic is based on. Face it, the magic was already the last century and crystals are too expensive compared to normal mechanisms!"

I wrapped two fingers around the bridge of my nose and said firmly: "Shut up, all of you. I need to think about it. Two brothers, get ready to explain for your latest project."

Okay, we have a choice between a magic cannon and a normal one, right? Well, the idea of a Starlight with the combination of something explosive with the projectile itself is somewhat similar to a modern bullet. However, because of this, together with the main project, it will be necessary to produce shells and do it constantly. But making outdated artillery with a load of gunpowder will be so backward. Too pathetic for an army led by Perfection.

Nodding to myself, I decided to give myself some more time to think and pointing to the two brothers said: "You can start. Just like last time, only one will speak."

After exchanging glances with each other, the two brothers nodded and Flim began to speak again: "In short, this is the radio. But realizing that it will be used by soldiers to communicate with each other, we decided to make it more compact to the detriment of the range. According to our calculations, this radio can transmit a signal up to a distance of about two miles. Maybe a little bit more."

Radio + body on wheels + cannon = cool tank.

With a disappointed sigh, I walked away from the wall and said: "All your ideas have some critical flaws. So we will proceed as follows. You will all work on improving the Starlight project. The main requirements are increased mobility, the ability to travel in rough terrain and cheaper. As soon as you are ready, let me know and we will go to the factory to produce the project. Questions?"

Noticing the obvious displeasure on my face, the three unicorns quickly nodded and began to work. Starlight focused on her project as if she had already forgotten about the lack of sleep. Flim and Flam, with reluctance and seemed sad, slowly began to erase their achievements. Nodding, I turned to Flying who was watching everything carefully and asked: "Can you keep watching them? Or should someone replace you?"

He waved his hoof dismissively and said, "Nah, I'll stay. If I want to sleep, I'll just wake up the other guys. In the meantime, I'm just going to watch what these weirdos are going to do."

Naming scientists developing weapons is a sign of low intelligence.

For a second I looked at the three unicorns that crowded next to each other in front of the board. They didn't talk to each other in any way, but even so there was some tension. Sighing, I went out of the room and waved my hand and said: "Okay, my business here is over. I'll come here tomorrow or in a couple of days. Don't get bored here, Flying."

In response, he just grunted and I calmly left the room. Closing the door behind me, I sighed and began to scroll in my head what to do. In a good way, you need to kick all those soldiers who are sleeping. But for some reason I want to forgive them. I probably need them in battle as rested as possible. Yes, probably so. So now it's time to make a to-do list.

Task number 1: take soldiers who are free from work and go with them to the mountains to find money. Of course, pick them up later. Task number 2: require Luna to train (preferably successfully). Task number 3: Enjoy increased your strength and amount of money.

Smiling, I put my hands in my pockets and quickly started walking out of school. There were only simple tasks ahead of me and zero fear. The only thing I need to be afraid of is a call and children who will start running out of the offices.

Suddenly, my ears were filled with a loud school bell. Sighing irritably, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. As soon as I feel that there is no pony nearby, I will go to the exit. Although it would be fun to enter a random office and start lecturing children.

Lectures on how to kill better and become Perfect. Oh, they're the same words!

"It doesn't matter." I muttered softly, continuing when the ponies leave and make way for me ahead. Fortunately, no creature has entered the part of the school where I am now. Sighing, I continued to wait and scroll through my plan in my head knowing one simple thing.

Everything will go according to plan.