A tall, beautiful, dark-skinned woman placed a cup of tea at a shop counter in front of El.

- Past is unchangeable. Future is hidden. Only now is given to us.

All foretellers had a tendency to speak in vague phrases and riddles.

- I know, but that's still annoying. Iduna starts something she can't control - El laid her head on the counter.

- Inevitable changes will be brought by restless hearts - the woman shook her shoulders.

- Good or bad changes? Anyways, Listra, how's your mother? Feeling better? - the necromancer smiled.

- Destiny always favors the brave.

- Ah that's great! I'm glad the medicine helped.

- May my gratitude follow you on your way - Listra bowed her head.

- It's okay! Tell me, if you need anything. I know local..hmm..climate is unusual for you.

It was unusual indeed. Just like Arcada, Listra originated from Terra Solis. She and her mother had recently moved their little artifact store to the Nulla City. Not without Arcada and El's help. Here the store was in great demand, which had a positive impact on the family's finances. Moreover, the redhead could see her good friend much more often.

- By the way, I'm going on a date today. Do you see anything about that guy?

Listra closed her eyes for a second.

- Bad - her answer was surprisingly short and clear.

After leaving the Solis Store El slowly moved towards Arcada's mansion. Those two had some important things to discuss.

The house looked strangely messy. An entrance hall and a gallery on the ground floor were full of wooden boxes with books. Some of the ancient, priceless folios were carelessly stacked on the marble floor. Arcada was standing in the middle of the main living room and helplessly observing the mess around him. He just couldn't do anything with it. For some reason a few days ago he's lost the system and couldn't keep this all in order anymore.

- How could she? I told her yesterday, there is no way you will join the legion! - Arcada looked like he was about to burst into tears.

- Well, compared to others, I still have much more chances against those creatures - El tried to sound as calm as she could - You know, I'm not that scared. I just hate that she starts this useless war without making sure.

- That's out of the discussion! You are not going to take part! - the teacher's voice trembled.

- Relax, big man. So far, we are just going to protect the endangered non-magical worlds.

Arcada helplessly fell down on a sofa. It was dark in the room, but he still could feel gazes of portraits on the walls.

- I brought you some marmalade from Terra Silvis - he said guiltily.

- Thanks. Don't worry, it will all be fine. I promise, and I won't break this one - El gave her teacher a pat.

The girl collected a couple of books from the floor and put them carefully back on a shelf. As she turned around her eyes fell on a portrait of a kindly smiling young woman. El came closer to the painting and adjusted a silk veil that was usually covering it. Deep inside she knew: it was already time to remove some of the old pictures. Yet, ghosts of the past are usually very difficult to expel, the girl knew it herself.

A butler served herbal tea with the Terra Silvis’s narantat marmalade. It was indeed amazing. Rare narantat fruits that reminded a mix of strawberry, apple, and watermelon could be found at Terra Silvis only during this short period of the year.

El tried to cheer up Arcada by asking him about new books he recently got. Such topics were always his top favorite.

- By the way, - he took a sip of his tea – one book is…how to say… It will be interesting for you.

- What do you mean?

- It contains few chapters about – the old teacher lowered his voice – the dark magic.

- Wow! Big man dared to bring something like that to the Nulla City? – El laughed.

- Whatever helps you throughout this war. Just don’t go too far, don’t lose control – he shivered and handed her an old bool in a leather cover.

The necromancer looked through the yellow pages. She stopped at one page, read something, and quickly closed the book. Arcada felt dizzy for a second.

After the improvised local variant of Five o'clock Tea, El returned back home. From the window of her apartment, she saw the twins playing football at the playground. Surprisingly they weren’t playing alone today. The witch looked closely. She firstly didn’t recognize the small girl who definitely had some trouble figuring out the rules of the game. El had never seen Ada before wearing any sports clothes. “Wonderful. One more troublemaker in my collection. I’m definitely underpaid for this job”: thought the necromancer.

- Hey, my fellow Charlie's Angels! You really thought that I will leave you without any punishment for your adventures? – the redhead slowly neared the playground.

- We are very sorry. Can we consider the horrible shame we feel as our punishment? – suggested Sam.

- No way. I canceled my plans for this evening and have plenty of time to make your existence unbearable – she gave the kids a smile of pure evil.

All four went inside the house, and after making sure, that there was nobody around El opened up a portal.

The group was standing in front of a small wooden chalet in the middle forest. The house was situated on a steep slope and the kids could hear the sound of water coming from below.

- Welcome to Terra Solitudinis. This is a secret place, so you better keep silent about it – El looked at Ada and raised her both eyebrows – or I also won’t keep silent.

The little witch nodded quickly. Some things were really better to be kept secret from her grandmother.

- Take that jar and go down the slope. I need some river slugs for one potion – the necromancer said thoughtfully.

That jar was at least three liters big. The river slugs turned out to be about the size of a hand and very difficult to catch. The trio had to go knee-deep in water to be able to reach their disgusting targets. The slugs were slimy which made it complicated to keep them in hands. Moreover, under the water those creatures were very fast and agile. They constantly stuck to the kids’ legs leaving itchy little red spots. Needless to say, that those slugs looked quite disgusting.

Ada screamed loudly and shook her hand. A huge fat slug that stuck to her fingers flew at Nick’s face.

The boy also screamed and fell down in the water.

- Yes, like that you will definitely catch more! – laughed Sam.

- I bet you are also in the mood to go swimming – shouted out Nick and jumped at his twin.

Both boys went under the water for few moments. Ada moved back towards the land. She had a bad feeling, that the boys wouldn’t let her escape without diving as well. She was right. Sam grabbed two slugs and ran after the girl.

- They don’t look that bad when you get used! – he laughed.

Nick ran to Ada from the other side and started splashing. The little witch unsuccessfully tried to dodge but, to be honest, she didn’t have many chances. Even her magical shield didn’t help her.

It was still warm when the sun began to set. The kids returned to the chalet completely wet but happy. Nick proudly handed El the jar full of the fattest slugs they could only find. The witch, probably already experienced in this matter, had waited for the kids with towels, dry clothes, and a warm dinner.

All four took place at a huge wooden table in the dining room. The room was rather small but cozy: shelves were decorated with flowers and porcelain; firewood was neatly stacked next to the fireplace; small coffee tables were covered with lace napkins; a beautiful chessboard was placed on the side of the dining table.

- You know, I would prefer you to practice all the magic that involves destruction and explosions here outside, rather than in my apartment. Nobody lives at this Terra, so it is a perfect place for training – El said to the boys.

- I want to train too! – Ada gazed at El.

- Your majesty, isn’t such magic beneath your dignity? – the redhead laughed.

Theoretically, according to what Ada was always told, such magic was indeed beneath her dignity. However, after the accident at the tavern, the little girl realized how much she didn’t know about the simplest basic magic. She was always a good student and just couldn’t accept the fact, that there was something she didn’t know.

- Is this your house? – asked Sam.

- Yes, I’ve built it some years ago. Needed a secret place to practice back then – El took a deep breath and looked at the chessboard.

The position of the pieces on the board wasn’t in favor of white. The necromancer thought for some time and then moved the white queen away from the black knight.