The Supreme Guardian

Kazimir Vseslavsky? That overhyped nonentity, only good for beating carpets with a staff? And how exactly could he help us?

– He’s not a very strong mage… – the spellcaster hesitated, seeing the outrage on my face. – In fact, he’s a very weak mage. But do we have a choice?

There really was no choice. Besides, Kazimir had influence among the students, which could be significant in our situation. Even a dozen mediocre mages from the senior classes would be a force to reckon with. But it was also worth involving the freshmen. There was no way out of the castle anyway, and my date was off, so why not get to know each other better? And provide some entertainment for the girl.

That was our decision. The dragon went to persuade the director, and I leisurely headed to the student dormitory. Asya was fortunately awake but unfortunately flatly refused to participate in any adventures without her brother. Well, Zheka could be useful too. In the decisive battle, he could distract the enemy with his green mohawk.

We decided to hold the first meeting of the operational headquarters for preventing the apocalypse in the same much-troubled spellcaster’s office, near the only intact table under the crown of the majestic oak.

– You’re probably wondering why we’ve all gathered here? – I began in a mysterious whisper. – A global-scale catastrophe is looming, and the culprit is here. In our academy. We’ve been sealed off from the outside world by the Veil of Despair – a powerful spell of the highest order. We can’t leave the castle walls to ask for help, so we must act ourselves.

– Uhh… – Zheka extended, not too meaningfully.

I didn’t expect anything else from him.

– What kind of catastrophe, and why exactly should we prevent it? – Asya asked suspiciously. – And who appointed you the leader?

A smart girl indeed. Maybe she’s really worth marrying?

– Simply because you are the only ones we trust. The matter is too serious to let anyone else know, – Kazimir unexpectedly intervened. – And you are the strongest students of the first year! I say this to you as the director of the academy.

Well done! He emphasized the importance of the moment, flattered them, played his position, and didn’t reveal any useful information! A professional! Too bad he’s only good at smooth talking. And he looks authoritative – a gray beard down to his belly, baldness, deep wrinkles all over his face… You wouldn’t guess the man’s barely in his thirties.

– Now we need to find someone who is behaving strangely. Skipping classes, not showing up in the dining hall, wandering at night, constantly writing or calculating something, – the spellcaster took over. – In short, we need a list of all suspicious persons. I will watch the fourth year, the director will oversee the teachers and fifth-year students, and you, my friends, will have to monitor the rest.

I would also use my magical vision to check everyone for illusion spells. However, Altair and I decided not to inform the director, Asya, and Zheka about all the details of the operation. At least, we chose not to talk about the nature of the impending ritual and the fact that I’m a Guardian and he’s a giant intelligent lizard. In short, we omitted the trivial details. Surprisingly, Kazimir didn’t know that his old friend was a dragon. But then, why be surprised if even I was fooled by the spellcaster’s disguise.

Chapter 3: Beyond Oneself

At dinner, the headmaster announced a glitch in the academy’s protective spells had us trapped inside. He vowed to fix it soon. And everyone believed him. I tell you, he’s a smooth talker!

During the weekend, our world-saving team collected intel on all castle dwellers. Students mingled, played cards, drank, partied, and drank some more. No one was hunkered down with books or calculations. Teachers too were quite normal, taking care of their affairs and resting after a workweek.

It seemed our plan had hit a snag, but then fortune stepped in. On Sunday night, Kazimir went to the kitchen for a drink and spotted a dark figure leaving the library. But in the dark, he couldn’t make out this mysterious book lover, and naturally, Kazimir failed to cast the night vision spell. Well, what to expect…

And we would have been clueless again, were it not for one small detail – all the library walls were adorned with mirrors. Few modern mages could explain their presence, but past wizards would have known instantly, even laughing at the ignorance.

Centuries ago, all books, especially magical ones, were extremely valuable. Naturally, they were guarded meticulously. But how to guard an entire library around the clock without extra expenses? Simply by hanging magical mirrors on the walls and integrating them into the castle’s defense system.

Soon, barrier charms, magical marks, and various copying spells emerged, making the mirror system obsolete, turning into an unusual decorative element. Everyone forgot about it, except the Guardians.

I wandered slowly through the reading hall, inspecting the ancient mirrors in their hefty gilded frames. I needed to find a special one – the control panel for the system.

Ancient mages were insightful, knowing knowledge could fade over time, so they always left hints. But what kind? Among so many identical mirrors, how to find the right one? What should make it stand out?

– Stop! I stopped at a dusty mirror. It looked no different from the others, but… something about it caught my attention. What exactly? It seemed ordinary, only the gold plating was better preserved. I cautiously scratched the frame and momentarily froze in surprise. This wasn’t gold plating! It was pure gold! Ah, those ancient, cunning mages!

But how to activate it? For access, a password, a code phrase was needed. How could mages pass it down through generations? How was it preserved in the annals of history? And then… I smiled at my own guess and stepped back to see my reflection better.

– Mirror, my light, speak and reveal all truth!

A fine ripple spread across the mirror’s surface, and soon, a pretty girl in a kokoshnik appeared in the reflection.

– Greetings from the voice assistant of the mirror defense system – Marfusha. How may I assist you? she said sweetly.

– I need to see who visited the library last night, I said, anticipating the capture of our elusive mage.

– That’s all you want to see? Marfusha snapped back unexpectedly. No hello, please, or a compliment! So demanding! She crossed her arms and turned away.

Yes, modern AIs had a long way to go compared to the creations of ancient mages. Who knew she would be so intelligent?

– Please forgive me, I said guiltily. I didn’t mean to offend you. You are very beautiful. And the kokoshnik suits you incredibly well. Could you show me last night’s visitor? Please!

– So, you think flattery will get you everywhere! Marfusha snorted angrily in the reflection. You think I’ll just forget how you offended me? I’ll help you, but what’s in it for me?

Great, she was bargaining too!

– If you show me, I’ll hang you in my house and compliment you every morning, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

Marfusha pondered. For a long time. I even began to suspect she had frozen, but no.

– Alright, she agreed. But don’t you dare deceive me.

Deceiving her was the last thing on my mind. I’d always dreamed of a magical mirror. I had the perfect spot in my hallway, with a stunning view of the wardrobe. The mirror’s surface rippled again, images flickered, and after a while, an image of a person appeared.

Finally, the situation was becoming clear. Observing the students and teachers, we had completely overlooked the service staff and the janitor. None of them had great power, but as they say, still waters run deep…

So, our powerful mage-janitor had exposed himself. What remained was to set a trap, capture, and eliminate him. Or maybe just reprimand him with a note in his file, something like, “Attempted to perform a deadly ritual capable of killing many people while on duty.” We’ll decide on the spot.

At the operational staff meeting, silence reigned. We sat in the enchanter’s office, exchanging silent glances, waiting for at least one viable idea. Little hope rested on Kazimir and my friends, but from the dragon, I expected some valuable insight. After all, an ancient, wise, powerful creature! But he just tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the tabletop, glancing sideways at me. The question that concerned us all was – how to catch such a powerful mage?…

***

The castle was enveloped in nocturnal silence. Even the sounds of the storm raging outside couldn’t penetrate the veil of despair that securely hid us from the outside world. The plan to capture the destructor-janitor was exceedingly simple, yet effective. Our united team of world savers stood frozen opposite the janitor’s bedroom.

The enchanter stepped forward, I stayed a step behind, Asya stood to my right, and Zheka to my left. The dragon was to attack the janitor with his favorite upper astral spells, I was to cover us all with a shadow dome, and the siblings, acting as walking batteries, were to power Altair and me. That was the entire plan. Oh, and Kazimir! The director was entrusted with the most challenging mission – to stand guard.

Everyone took their positions and readied themselves. I created a shadow dome and gave an encouraging nod to the dragon. The enchanter cautiously approached the door, knocked quickly, and dashed back, hoping to make it under the dome in time. And he did. We all froze in anticipation.

The janitor’s bedroom door creaked open, and the mage stumbled heavily into the corridor. A flash of lightning briefly illuminated our adversary’s face. Asya gasped, Zheka swore crudely, and the ancient dragon involuntarily stepped back. Well yes, our janitor always looked dreadful: crooked yellow teeth, a mad gaze, black claws, foul breath… But he had always been like that! What’s there to fear?

Unable to bear the tension, the dragon hurled some dangerous nonsense from his lethal arsenal at the mage. Anticipating trouble, I strengthened the shadow dome, turning it into an almost impenetrable magical shield. But it turned out to be unnecessary.

Struck by the enchanter’s spell, the janitor collapsed lifelessly to the floor. Altair and I exchanged glances. Had we just so easily subdued a powerful mage who nearly destroyed our world?

– Go poke him with your stick, I suggested to the dragon.

– It’s not a stick, it’s a staff! the teacher protested. – And anyway, you need to, you go!

– Can’t, I’m holding the shield, I replied guiltily.

The enchanter snorted disdainfully but didn’t argue. Emerging from under the dome, he cautiously approached our fallen foe and timidly prodded him under the ribs with his stick. Sorry, staff. The mage on the floor didn’t react. Growing bolder, the dragon crouched next to the janitor and made several hand movements, apparently using druid magic.

– He’s unconscious, Altair Ivanovich stated in surprise. – It all turned out to be much simpler than we thought, right?

Indeed. Too simple. But even better. I waved my staff, dissolving the shadow dome. And I was about to cast a binding spell on the destructor-janitor, but everything suddenly went awry.

A powerful blow from behind knocked us off our feet. My head spun, images flashed before my eyes, and it felt like consciousness was being sucked into a vortex. But it all stopped as abruptly as it had begun.

I lay on the floor, staring at a guy with beautiful green eyes. Interesting, where did he come from? Weren’t there just five of us? Though, I had seen him somewhere before. Definitely seen. But where?

The realization came unexpectedly. I was lying on the cold stone floor, looking at myself. But how could I be both there and here? Had I been knocked out of my body? I remembered a similar trick from the last shamanic war. My body stirred clumsily, awkwardly. Our gazes met, a spark seemed to pass between us, and my body screamed. I had no idea I could yell so loudly!

But what exactly had happened? My mind was working slowly but surely. I extended my arms and closely examined the slender female fingers. It became clear. Astral displacement spells. Our friendly group had been body-swapped. And apparently, I was in Asya’s body. My hands involuntarily slid over my chest… Yes, this was definitely Asya.

– Quiet! Zheka unexpectedly barked at me. Or rather, someone in Zheka’s body yelled at mine. How complicated everything was…

To my surprise, my body quieted down. That was good.

– Who among you is Seva? growled pseudo-Zheka angrily.

I think I know whose body he ended up in. I modestly raised my hand. Or should I say, she raised her hand?

– Seriously? the dragon laughed. That’s offensive. He has a green mohawk, and he’s laughing at me.

– You’re in my body! Kazimir yelled. Was that directed at me? And here I thought Asya had ended up in my body, otherwise, who was screaming like that?

– What’s happening?! I cried out again. Well, the other me, who’s no longer me. – Give me back my body!

Oops! He’s yelling at Zheka! Or rather, the dragon… I’m completely confused now. So, I’m in Asya’s body, the dragon is in Zheka’s, Asya is in Kazimir’s, and Zheka is in mine. I think that’s right. Which means, logically, Kazimir should have transferred into the enchanter’s body. By the way, where is he?

– Kazimir is missing, I voiced aloud. – Where is that scatterbrain again? We asked him to stand guard!

– Who knows, shrugged dragon-Zheka. – You’d better tell us how to swap bodies back.

Good question. Too bad I don’t know the answer. I’ve heard of such a spell, but I have no idea how to reverse it. The enchanter quietly swore. Apparently, he understood from my look the complexity of the situation. Yes, we were in a bind…

The dining hall was overcrowded. Students were chatting, joking, eating, and completely unaware that something terrifying was happening right next to them. Namely, I – the Guardian of Ancient Knowledge, a powerful mage, a master of ten orders – was walking around the magic academy in a woman’s skirt! Not to mention that a freshman was sitting in the director’s chair, and a pensioner dragon was strutting around with a green mohawk.

I sighed wearily. What had I learned in these few days? Practically nothing. There was no information about these vile astral displacement spells in the library. On the bright side, I saw Asya naked, which, in principle, was also a good outcome. Plus, I learned how torturous it is to wear tights. And how awful it is to walk in heels. And how annoying it is to comb and wash long hair. And how infuriating bras are!

In short, I learned a lot of new things. And for the first time, I felt weak. Not physically, no. Asya turned out to be a rather mediocre witch, her staff didn’t suit her at all, and half of her internal magical channels were clogged. How she managed to cast spells at all, I couldn’t understand.

I couldn’t use ninety percent of the spells while in her body. Even the simplest weaves worked only half the time. Meanwhile, Zheka in my body was doing great. In these days, he almost destroyed half of the academy’s classrooms. He recently used all my power to lift a pencil off the floor. And he did. Along with the floor and all the students in the auditorium. In short, he’s a fool…

Pushing away my half-empty plate, I scanned the students. They were so carefree, so happy. The teachers, on the other hand, were clearly nervous. Maybe they sensed the change in magical fields? Or were they actually concerned about the disappearance of a colleague? The seat to the right of the director was still empty. Where on earth had Kazimir in the dragon’s body disappeared to?

***

The gentle pre-dawn silence enveloped the ancient castle. I stood frozen near the window, watching as the sun’s rays peeking over the horizon habitually dispersed the twilight. I couldn’t sleep. Either due to the realization that I might remain a girl forever or due to the premonition of impending doom.

Kazimir was gone. So was the steward. We had scoured every dark corner of the castle, but to no avail. The ritual was drawing near, and there was nothing we could do. It seemed I had lost this battle even before it had begun.

– Asya! Uh, I mean, Seva! The enchanter is calling everyone urgently! – Zheka, who had comfortably settled into my body, burst in on me.

We jumped up and hurried to the dragon. A small flame of hope was kindling in my heart. Could he have found something? Maybe we could switch bodies back? Or had he discovered the villain-steward’s lair? In any case, we had to hurry.

As soon as we crossed the threshold of the enchanter’s office, he rushed toward me.

– I’ve figured it out! – the dragon exclaimed joyfully. – I know how to buy us time!

Now, this was interesting. By my calculations, we had only a couple of hours left until the ritual. What had he come up with?

– The Veil of Despair can’t be penetrated even by its creator, which means he’s still in the castle, – the enchanter continued without pause. – We just need to move the castle somewhere else. Far away from the power concentration.

The logic in the teacher’s words was definitely there. And I even knew how to do it, but… I had absolutely no energy for it. All my strength was with Zheka, and I shuddered to imagine what such sorcery might result in his execution.

But once again, we had no choice. Nor did we have time for reflection and calculations. I nodded to the dragon, grabbed Zheka by the hand, and dragged him to the center of the room. The enchanter understood without words, grabbed the chalk, and quickly began to draw a runic weave on the floor. We couldn’t delay.

– Listen to me carefully. – It’s hard to look imposing in the fragile body of an eighteen-year-old beauty, but fortunately, Zheka listened to his sister and was frankly afraid of her. – Now, you’ll visualize this weave, – I extended my hand, and an intricate pattern appeared in the air above my palm, – and fill it with power. If you make a mistake in even one line, we’re all dead. Understand?

Zheka nodded uncertainly, carefully knelt down, closed his eyes, and began the ritual. Soon, there was a loud clap, and the castle shook so violently that we barely kept our feet. Did this fool actually manage to move us into a spatial pocket? The darkness outside the windows confirmed it – Zheka had succeeded!

– Seva, did you explain to him how to anchor it to the source? – the dragon whispered.

I looked at my companion in surprise. What a strange question. Why explain such elementary things?

– You know they only study anchoring in the third year?

That was a real blunder. What does it mean? He closed the loop? I stared wide-eyed at my satisfied roommate. Damn it! He not only transported us into a spatial pocket, but he also put a temporal loop on the castle!

– What have you done, you idiots?! – someone roared, bursting into the auditorium.

It was the dragon! Well, I mean, someone in the enchanter’s body, which was now taking on its true form of a huge reptile. And why was he yelling?

– Decided to stop me?! The great Vseslavsky himself?!

Oops! I was completely lost. So Kazimir was actually in the dragon’s body. But why then was he angry? He couldn’t possibly be the villain. As if hearing my thoughts, the director hurled some deadly filth at me. What was he doing? Why did he need all this? Where did all this power come from?! The questions remained unanswered. Kazimir’s spell reached its target. Jerking aside, I collapsed onto the floor like a broken doll. Before darkness completely engulfed my consciousness, I managed to see my friends also helplessly falling to the stone floor.

Outside the windows, darkness reigned. We stood near Zheka, who was seated in the center of the runic circle. Wait! We were just killed a moment ago! Or… I slapped myself on the forehead. A time loop. Good job, Zheka! Well done!

– He’s about to burst in! – I shouted to my bewildered friends. – Hide!

My call worked. Asya, Zheka, and I dashed to the oak tree, while the enchanter traditionally crawled under his table. Just in time, it must be said.

– What have you done, you idiots?! – Kazimir roared, bursting into the auditorium and transforming into a huge lizard on the move. – Decided to stop me?! The great Vseslavsky himself?!

Kazimir suddenly fell silent. Apparently, he did not expect to find his adversaries missing. And why is he repeating the same thing? Interesting… It seems the loop closed on me, Asya, Altair, and Zheka, as we were closest to the center of the ritual execution. Does that mean the time transfer activates when one of us dies?

– Why are you doing all this? – the enchanter unexpectedly yelled, peering out from under the table.

Strange. I hadn’t noticed any suicidal tendencies in him. Kazimir laughed with a roaring laughter.

– You think I didn’t know you were a dragon?! – he growled. – From the moment we met, I’ve been preparing this plan to seize your body! I’ve been accumulating power for many years and waiting for the right moment!

Now that was confusing. He seriously decided to unleash an apocalypse just to become a dragon? And they say I come up with complicated plans.

– I longed to gain the ancient power of the dragon! – the director continued his rant. – I sent the previous enchanter on maternity leave! I invited you to take her place! I shrouded the castle in the Veil of Despair! I framed the steward! I took your body! And I will destroy you all! Every one of you!

Kazimir laughed again, his laughter filled with madness. And power. We all knew that we couldn’t stand against a dragon. Or rather, I could have… if I were in my own body.

The director swung his clawed paw, sending another deadly weaving at Altair. The enchanter awkwardly jerked his green mohawk and ungracefully fell to the floor. I was ready to be thrown back in time again, but… nothing happened. Why? Ah, I get too distracted during battles. Another of Kazimir’s spells hit me in the chest. Well, at least it was painless this time.

Outside the windows, darkness reigned. Once again, we stood near Zheka, sitting in the center of the runic circle.

– Again? – Asya, stuck in the director’s body, was surprised.

– Yes, again, – I grimly confirmed, walked to the enchanter’s table and climbed on it with my feet. The rest of the company rushed to the oak tree, hoping to find shelter behind its mighty trunk again. So, the loop only triggers if all four of us die? Well, I’ve seen worse.

– What have you done, you idiots?! – Kazimir roared, bursting into the auditorium and transforming into a huge lizard on the move. – Decided to stop me?! The great Vseslavsky himself?!

– Yeah, – I calmly replied. – You wanted to seize the dragon’s body, gain power, and you slept with the enchanter. We all know that. Want some tea?

The director froze in place and looked at me bewildered.

– How do you know?! – he exclaimed, ignoring my question about tea. Too bad, we could have resolved everything peacefully over tea.

– I have my sources, – I waved my hand significantly. – Better tell me, why did you decide to conduct the ritual of forced evolution? Why change the structure of ley lines if you just want to steal a dragon’s body? Why all the complexity?

– I didn’t change anything! – Kazimir roared. – And I’m not planning any ritual! And besides, you’ve annoyed me, stupid girl!

Before I lost my life again, one single thought flashed through my mind – how is it that he’s not conducting the ritual?

Outside the windows, darkness still reigned. Once again, we stood near Zheka, seated in the center of the runic circle.

– I’m tired of this! – Asya shouted, and it seemed she started crying. I understood her, but I had no time for tears.

– If he’s not the one conducting the ritual, then who is? – I quickly asked the enchanter.

– I have no idea, – he shrugged, clearly upset. Yes, it’s not every day that old friends betray you by inhabiting your own body.

– What have you done, you idiots?! – Kazimir bellowed, bursting into the auditorium and again transforming into a huge lizard. – Decided to stop me?! The great Vseslavsky himself?!

– Shush! – I snapped. – Stop yelling. Better tell me, what role do I play in your plan?

Perhaps Kazimir didn’t even know that I was the Guardian. What if my admission to the academy was really just an accident? I don’t believe it! He could sense the true nature of a dragon, but not my power?

– And what do dragons usually do with beautiful girls? – The director laughed and grabbed me with his huge scaly paw. – They kidnap them! So, I will kidnap you. And marry you!

Wait a minute. Marry me? No, I disagree. And besides, I wanted to marry this body first! When it still belonged to Asya! And how, pray tell, am I supposed to fulfill my marital duties? I, for one, love girls, not huge reptiles.

However, my moral turmoil didn’t concern the director. Gripping my-Asya’s body tightly in his paws, he swiftly, as far as it was possible with his size, slipped out of the auditorium. Well, at least he clearly doesn’t know that I’m the Guardian.

I leaned against the cold, damp wall of my cell. So, it’s time to think. What do we have? I’m an adult man in the body of a young girl, locked in a dungeon guarded by a real dragon who wants to marry me. And the dungeon itself is in a castle hidden somewhere outside our reality and trapped in a time loop. Plus, I still don’t know who initiated this whole mess with shifting ley lines. Did I forget anything? Doesn’t seem like it. Well, I’ve seen worse.