A few more months passed. Summer flew by like one long, hot day. Tizor had finally turned into a normal, active child: he stomped around the house, thoughtfully flipped through books, and had even learned to sit confidently in a saddle, riding out to the pasture with the older ones.

  Alastor, inspired by my fleeting thoughts, latched onto a grand project—building his own mill. For him, with his inhuman strength and extra arms, it wasn't a problem. Aya helped him occasionally, and in the intervals, she created masterpieces in the kitchen.

  Toward the end of summer, the golems began harvesting the first crops. Alastor solemnly started up the mill, and then the children suddenly caught us off guard with some news: they wanted to go to school. An ordinary human school in the nearest town.

  — Zen, Zen! — Erol and Yara swarmed me on the porch. — What's it like in school? How does it feel?

  I delved into my archives for a moment.

  — School... — I muttered. — It’s fascinating. Sometimes. You gain knowledge there, find friends...

  I faltered. Endless Academy corridors, intrigues, and boredom flashed through my memory.

  — Actually, school is a complete waste of time, — I cut them off sharply, feeling my mood sour.

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  — Why are you always like this! — Yara threw up her hands. — First you open up, and then you slam shut like a trapped door!

  — I just don't want to remember, — I said and went into the garden.

  Autumn arrived. The children went to school. I felt sincerely sorry for them: getting up before first light, riding horses into the city... Aya and Alastor were as worried as if they were sending them to another country.

  — What if they eat someone? — Aya whispered, wringing her fingers. — What if they're discovered? Zen, keep an eye on them, please!

  I nodded. Flying was easier than walking. I took to the sky, settled on a comfortable cloud, and watched their journey from above. At school, everything went surprisingly smoothly. I saw Erol and Yara interacting with other children—it seemed they had already managed to make acquaintances and didn't look like outcasts. The lessons, judging by their sour faces, seemed a bit dull, but they honestly sat through the required time.

  When they started riding back, I dove closer, flying like an invisible shadow over their heads.

  — Zen! — Erol shouted, noticing the movement of the air. — Launch that bird! We're ready!

  They began blindfolding themselves on the fly. I smirked. Time to increase the difficulty level.

  — One, two, three... Go!

  Instead of a bird, I created a fire hare. The little ball of energy darted right under the hooves of Erol's horse. He tried to snatch it at a gallop, leaning out of the saddle, but the hare, chirping mockingly, darted under Yara's horse.

  The girl spun in her saddle, her fingertips nearly touching the bright fur.

  — Almost! — she exhaled.

  In the end, they weren't able to catch my creation until the very gates of the farm.

  — Oh, come on! — Erol ripped the blindfold from his eyes. — We're going to get you soon, Greg! We can already feel it!

  — Sure, — I landed lazily nearby. — Keep trying.