School was cancelled the next day. The weak spell was finally broken however, when we defeated the evil doers, but everyone still remembered how things were in the past. I too remember it barely…

Rufus decided the arrive after school for a change, showing at least some remorse for when he butted in.

It was often hard to see his feelings through his cute, but very alien face and I had to usually wait to hear his voice before I could tell what he was thinking. But today he was positively sulking.

“I got in a lot of trouble. It seems that you are only a child and I got you involved. In other places, that kind of look you have is for older humans. Well, Clara and I were with you, so nothing bad happened,” he had his arms crossed and looked downwards at my floor.

“I am glad though, but I think I will take my wand back. It scares me that someone so powerful was with her, but that’s something I must investigate, or the Bureau will take over. In any case, I think this may be the last time we meet.”

“Um, I think you have the wand. Remember, you even used it. But before that could you tell me a few things.”

“Oh, I think you’re right. Ms. Blake and all your friends and family should recover, though, I’ve never seen humans, or people, live in this kind of environment. It might be harder for mana to soak into everyone’s body again,” Rufus said, and added to himself, “That’s why there are not as many magicians on this world.”

“Before I say goodbye, can I see that place you took me for training?”

His wand appeared in his hands and the world crashed and changed into the beautiful meadow.

“Maybe, could you tell me where this place is?”

“Oh, this is like my home planet?”

“But you are not an alien. Maybe, since I worked hard and saved the town, could you tell me where this really is?”

“This is planet Earth. The third planet from the Sun, and the only one in the solar system thought to support intelligent life. Or at least how it used to look like. Now that I realize it, something similar happened to your Earth too, right, kiddo?”

“I remember, and humans don’t live nearly as long.”

“But I’ve seen footage. Yours can be saved. You just have to wait and clean it up. You can reclaim the surface. Ours, ours is dead,” he paused for a moment, “Can you understand? The fact that magic isn’t as prevalent in this Mirror World is a blessing, not a curse. A planet can’t just go up and die, die, without magic involved.

He was crying, and I remembered reading that birds don’t cry as much. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t understand I didn’t really miss the surface of my Mirror World either. We just had to take care of some pollution, volcanic ash, et cetera and it would be good as new, though we never had such full meadows as his worlds’.

“Well, could you tell me what a Mirror World is, fully?”

“Right. Little miss criminal probably introduced it to you. You live in MR3, which is considered lucky because Earth ends up being planet three in every kind of, you know, alternate history. We don’t know how many Mirror Worlds there are, but they are connected by a sea of sorts that can be transverse using spells.”

The wind blew and Rufus felt better, at least distracted by explaining to me regardless of the fact that I will hopefully never need it again.

“This is MR1, the home of Avians and a place that’s no longer exists. I work for the Magician’s Contraband Bureau and I make sure that trade between worlds is fair and safe. There’s no reason to come here. That’s why the world governments chose not to contact MR3.”

I didn’t know what to say, but he continued.

“You need to forget. Grow up, and if you really feel like your world is too small, then work and maybe yours can be the generation that fixes the problems on the surface. If not, then tell me and I can see you to a job with the Bureau. It’s not like I won’t be there. Everything will be there, except MR1.”

“So then, what happened to the other Avians?”

“They fled from the decaying planet. Those who are left live on other Mirror Worlds, so we try to be proud. Now if that’s all there is. It’s time to say goodbye, Lily.”

“Yes. But I get a feeling that you never needed me.”

“No. Your courage and talent were real. I am only good at creating the wands and instructing others. You were in real danger and not to mention that in the end it was not either of those things that reached Ms. Josten.”

“Yes, she was afraid that her client or partner ran out on her.”

“That’s true, but afterwards she fully cooperated with authorities. It was something you said to her. I don’t think I would’ve said the right things. Goodbye again. You’ve made this old man a little proud.”

I saw him off, who now could float off into the air like flying. Except, when he was above and was like a red dot in the darkness of the cave ceiling. A similar shape, Clara landed next to me, waiting for Rufus to get down. I heard harsh footsteps.

Rose walked and looked extremely hardened and extra sober.

Clara said, “Rufus, brat. We got the results back for what exactly was being brewed with all that mana. It was Devilin. Girl, Josten was using it to enhance her magic while fighting you. She’s okay now, but can you positively say that none of it got on you?”

Rude as usual, I told her, “I’m sure. My protective suit was never torn.”

She looked at me in silence. It doesn’t matter, her face told me.

“Rufus. It’s going to be a big deal if even a bit got to her. Now, I heard that the inhabitants of this world don’t call know what it’s for and use it recreationally. It might be possible that this kind of human might have some inert tolerance for it. But I don’t want to take any risks. You’re being punished for this, and for using a minor for assistance. Now, your orders are to monitor her health for the next few days.”

She left, Rose left, but Rose first looked at me sadly. She had promised to spend time with me, but I suppose now wasn’t the best time.

“Rufus. What is Devilin?”

I’m sure he thought he was going to be able to leave.