Chapter 61.1 France

The four-day trip was brightened by a course of practical poker lessons, which cost me three thousand dollars, and a ring with a scarlet stone — koku. What kind of stone it was, the man did not know, gold and gold, but I was not lazy and performed a ritual of determination.

The size of a little fingernail ruby. The story of this thing begins and ends with the fact that the cook won it from the bosun of an Indonesian ship. "Well, if you're afraid of losing, don't sit at the table." — Mac shrugged calmly, commenting on his loss.

Then he pulled a velvet pouch out of the inside pocket of his jacket, rummaged through it, and produced a ring no smaller than the one I'd been wearing, with a stone of no lesser color, only deep green. Seeing my stunned face, Mac grinned and walked away, whistling as if he'd won. What a wonderful sailor!

We arrived in France in the dead of night and went up the river to Rouen, where we docked. I bid farewell to the sailors, walked down to the shore, and went to the local branch of the magical police. How did I know where to go?

It was simple: in the harbor, under some kind of spell, there was an information board with arrows and instructions for the newly arrived gifted, and further along the way there were arrows with inscriptions on the buildings. You'd have to be an idiot not to find your way around.

My way was a bit long, of course, as the honored guest does not like to go hungry, so I visited a nice cafe, where I relaxed for at least an hour and a half, reading a fresh newspaper. I also visited some ordinary shops, just for the sake of interest. To make a long story short, I reached my destination only after lunch, which I spent in another cafe.

The DMLE (Department of Magical Law Enforcement) was housed in a simple three-story building, and the walls were painted a light beige color. In general, it was quiet and calm, and at the reception desk was a nice, smiling blonde with oval, pink-framed glasses.

— Hello, Mademoiselle. I just arrived in the country and would like to check in quickly.

— Of course, monsieur. Welcome. — the girl smiled so sunny that I couldn't help but smile back. — To register, you should go up to the second floor, first door on the left, room 201 — Registration of Foreign Wizards.

— Thank you, Mademoiselle. — I nod gratefully. — It's very pleasant when guests are greeted with such a charming smile.

The girl smiled again and I went upstairs. There was no line at the right door and the hallway was empty, so I just walked in.

— Hello. — I nod politely to a woman in her forties, blonde, with a slightly elongated but harmonious face, gray eyes and thin lips.

— How do you do? Have a seat. — The woman waved her hand and pointed to a visitor's chair, and when I sat down, she continued. — Okay, first we have to fill out a simple questionnaire, then the wand weighing. Let's get started...

First name, last name, age, by the way, it's been a week since I turned sixteen, citizenship, if any or desired (a free magician doesn't have to have citizenship if he's not entangled in oaths and obligations and pays taxes in the country where he works and earns money). The woman asked, I answered, she took notes.

— Purpose of visit?

— Tourism, looking for a job.

— How do you earn money? What kind of work are you looking for? — For the first time, the woman was interested in these questions, and now she looked away from the paper, over her elegant chain glasses.

— I am an omyoji, so I can perform exorcism, purification, sealing, and sanctification rituals. I can also make omyodo talismans and amulets. — I can also make Omyodo talismans and amulets, — he said, noting that the young looking woman's eyebrows were hidden under her fringe. — I'm also a freelance artist. — I've decided not to talk about the rest, because I can't get good contracts without a diploma. I'll learn the basics, get at least a minimal skill, then we can talk about something.

— You surprise me, young man. — The woman took off her glasses and started to wipe them. — At such an age and with such possibilities! I should note that the DMLE of France is also involved in helping with employment if a magician needs it. Do you have any personal pictures, talismans and amulets with you? — The woman looked at the black and green briefcase.

— Of course I do.

— In that case, please wait a moment. — With these words she picked up a small piece of paper, quickly scribbled something on it with a fountain pen, waved her hand, and the paper turned into an airplane and flew away, and after a few minutes of silence a short, slightly overweight, but pleasant-looking woman in blue clothes entered the office. — Lucy, Monsieur here claims to be an independent artist, and he has his work with him.

— And Monsieur is willing to show them? — the lady asked in a soft, psychiatric tone.

I rose silently, opened a briefcase lying on a plain sofa, and took out first a Missouri river landscape and then a portrait of Lizzie in her clothes. He placed the canvases on the couch, stepped aside, and watched the women's reactions.

The reactions were subdued, but the women's eyes lit up, and Lucy even gave me a strange, questioning look at first before coming closer. The examination lasted a few minutes, after which the apparent expert spoke.

— Mr. Hoshino Sora, I presume? — The woman studied my face and I nodded. — Yes, Marie, I didn't think that a young talent would come to our country. — She shook her head playfully.