Reborn as the Clown Prince

During our relatively short absence, the front yard of Shadow Peak had changed dramatically. Almost all of the open space was marked with white lines about ten centimeters wide. As I walked along the overgrown stone path past one of them, I noticed that the line was made of some granular powder with flecks of colorless salt-like crystals.

That reminds me of something.

I took another good look around. Yes, these are huge runes! Here rune amulet, and here is protective, near the abandoned pond can see the beginning of another chain consisting of symbols "Fire" and "Sun", but what is there next is not clear.

"Oh, you're here. - I turned around to see Zatanna coming around the corner of the building, not in her usual sexy outfit, but in a simple gray overalls and the same color jacket. She was pulling a small cart, the kind used by workers to spread sand on icy walkways.

"Hey, I see you're getting ready for something big. So many amulets. - I nodded toward the white lines.

"Someone was studying the literature given out. - The girl smiled contentedly. - In fact, it's just routine. In principle, you can answer your own question, if you've read it all.

"What was she talking about?" Harley asked in a whisper, eyeing the sorceress suspiciously.

"Hmm, it's just that these symbols look a lot like huge runes... This one's for protection, this one's an amulet, that one has to do with the sun. - I'm outlining the symbols with my fingers. - But it's hard to understand what it's all for without seeing the whole design, because the meaning can vary quite a bit depending on the context.

"That's right. - The illusionist came over to us, listening intently to my deductions. - But there aren't many options here.

"Mmmm," I thoughtfully examined the symbols in my field of vision once more, "mass resting of the undead?

"Almost. Mass exorcism. Do you understand why?" Zatanna asked, heading for the door of the house, beckoning us to follow.

"Unoccupied dead bodies that had been marinating in the energy of the dragon vein rested in the graveyard. - It was worth my time to think about it for a moment, and the answer did indeed become obvious. - A lunar eclipse is expected soon, when the veil between the world of the living and the dead thins, and the transitions between dimensions themselves become easier.

"I'm glad you took the magic books so seriously. - A mesmerizing smile graced her face again. - Only tomorrow there will be a small parade of planets, for which I am preparing all this. Wait here. - Said the girl when we were back in the familiar living room decorated in mystical-Turkish style, and then walked out the door.

"So that's why you were up all night?" Harley asked, once the illusionist had left our company.

"Yeah, read all three. Even got a couple tricks.

"Was that why there were drops of blood on the ceiling in the workshop?" The pretty girl tilted her blond head amusedly, moving closer to me. - Can you teach me?

"Sure, Sunshine.

The more you know and know how to do, the easier it is to live in this world, and not in this world either, so I can't help but help strengthen my faithful companion.

Her eyes flashed with delight.

I pulled my lover closer, giving her a sensual and passionate kiss. I pulled my lover closer, giving her a sensual and passionate kiss. All my problems and thoughts faded into the background, allowing me to fully enjoy Harley's soft lips. Her hand crawled under my shirt, scratching my back lightly. Our embrace grew increasingly hot. I squeezed the girl's deliciously firm ass, sensing that the blonde was clearly not averse to continuing.

"What the hell are you guys doing? It feels like you are the champions not of the youngest, but of the third or third from the end. - I was brought out of a state close to nirvana by the indignant voice of the returning sorceress. - You are like rabbits.

"Mwah... - Harley exhaled erotically, breaking the kiss and staring at the troublemaker, who had changed into her usual clothes. - You're hardly celibate yourself, you're wearing such erotic outfits all the time.

"The leotard and net stockings were my elaborate stage look. - The illusionist stuck her nose up proudly.

"And now you are on the stage?" My companion asked, looking around carefully. - I'm not sure what I'm talking about, but I'm not sure what I'm talking about," she said.

~Clap~

The indignant mistress of the mansion slammed the door on the other side.

"And what was that-" I looked at Harley perplexed.

"She's not getting laid, that's why she's freaking out. - The girl dismissed it. - I used to be really angry too, even killed people... Oh, let's fuck her! Her ass looks great in those mesh stockings.

"Well... - The offer looked relatively tempting: if the sorceress would really be kinder and give access to the library, and it was not worth ignoring the beautiful appearance. - What about Ivy or Babs? Don't you think it's a bit wrong?

Both the first and the second knew about our not quite standard cell of society and obviously didn't mind each other too much, at least for Ivy was the main thing to make Harley happy, and the commissioner's daughter was already aware that I had something with not only one cute blonde, but also with her red-haired friend who loved plants. In the library, Mousey, knowing all this, was obviously not against a closer acquaintance, but everything was spoiled by Alan's call.

"What's wrong with that?" I got a surprised look on my face. - We'll just lend a hand, or rather, not exactly a hand, but there will be a hand there, too..." she said thoughtfully, looking at the neat manicure on her fingers.

"Well... It wouldn't be right, since we hardly know each other. And then I'd have to be involved in her life somehow, and her enemies might be out of our league..." I shuddered, remembering NedoDumsday, who should have left one clown a pancake if it hadn't been for a fortunate coincidence.

"Mr. J," the blond beauty took my hand gently, looking lovingly into my eyes, "you can see she's pretty independent, so she doesn't want a serious relationship, but she's a hundred percent capable of getting laid without commitment.

"Eh, we can try. - I agreed after a short pause.

"Yay!" A satisfied Harley hugged me and gave me a kiss. - You won't regret it!

"You really can't be left alone for a second. - With a heavy sigh, the sorceress came into the room, dressed in something like a blue sundress with yellow ornamentation, the only thing that remained unchanged was the cylinder I'd given her, which had a dark purple ribbon.

"Great, you're back. - The blonde whirled over to the slightly confused illusionist, taking her around the wrists. - Anyway, Mr. J and I have been thinking, and we've decided to fuck you. - She laid all the cards on the table.

"I am, of course, incredibly flattered. - Zatanna replied sarcastically, trying to free her hands. - But... ... I have a boyfriend.

"Yeah? What's his name?" Harlequin stared intently into the sorceress's eyes.

"John -- John Constantine.

"Mm, too bad..." My faithful assistant hung her head sullenly. - Mr. J would have worked you so hard you wouldn't have been able to walk for three days. He's got a cock almost as thick as my forearm, and I'd do my best, too. - Harley stuck her tongue out, licking the tip of her nose. - Anyway, if you want to relax, just whistle. I've got plenty of toys and costumes to play with.

"Yeah, as soon as, so immediately... - Puffing replied the magician, still unhooking the clingy blonde from herself.

Letting go of her victim, my companion moved to my side, and the sorceress who had survived the unhealthy enthusiasm of one particular person was finally able to begin her planned lecture on magical creatures. She didn't even think to resent it, realizing it might have been Delirium's influence.

This time there was a little less information than yesterday, because we already knew some of the concepts and terms. She didn't tell us much about the magical creatures, limiting herself to their appearance, their habitats, and ways to avoid being eaten by them, because quite a few of them didn't mind eating human flesh or using large humanoid creatures as incubators for their babies. Br-r-r-r-r, the fate of those who fell into the clutches of giant spiders in the Carpathian region was not to be envied.

In the course of the lecture I learned what Tindal's hounds looked like and where to find the ones I was interested in. I don't know who gave them that name, for their body was only remotely dog-like, except for their dark green skin with bright blue veins through which a bluish mist oozed. Instead of a head, they had five short petal-like tentacles hiding behind long tentacle-tongues that could detect scent and aura even across worlds.

These creatures live on the plains of the infernal dimension, hunting for local high-calorie, in terms of energy, animals, and rarely anyone wants to mess with them, as they prefer to hang out in packs of fifteen to twenty individuals. And the number of individuals is not the main danger when hunting for their valuable skins and giblets. When they die, they hang a kind of aura mark on their killer, which can be sensed by their kin at any distance and even across dimensions. Together with the ability to teleport using shadows in corners, Tindal's hounds can chase their killers until they die, or until they manage to kill the entire pack.

Eh, if I go on a safari to Hell, I'll have to bring a magical elephant carrier to kill them all from a great distance.

"Do you have any questions left?" The sorceress asked, having finished the lecture.

"You wouldn't happen to have a pelt of these hounds, ready to buy.

"Unfortunately, no. I spent the last of my supplies on this ribbon. - Zatanna pointed to the cylinder.

Shit, no luck... Hmm, I'd need some more magic paint. I remembered the paths in the garden, which would take a lot of it.

"It's sad. Hey, what did you use to make the runes? It must be some kind of magical material, can you sell it?

"I'll get it.

"Yeah, I guess Zee wasn't too thrilled with your offer to get laid," I said to Harley as the mistress of the magical mansion left the room, heading for the magic powder. - I said to Harley as the mistress of the magical mansion left the room to get the magic powder. I hope it doesn't cost me a fortune.

My companion smiled conspiratorially:

"She was actually quite interested in it, her pulse almost jumped up a half and a half and her breathing became deeper.

"Um... What about her boyfriend?

"There's no guy, I didn't just follow her reactions. I'm not exactly an expert in physiognomy, but I know a few tricks. Her fine motor skills clearly indicated that she was lying. - The girl thought for a moment. - Though, they might have a temporary rift...

"Wow, you guys don't make up, I'm surprised. - Harley's speech was interrupted by a brunette who returned, carrying a glass jar filled with white powder. - Here. - She handed me the coveted item, which I handed to my assistant, opening my checkbook.

"Thank you, how much is it on me?

"For free, this thing was practically worthless to me.

"It's salt!" The blonde exclaimed. While I was distracted, she took off the lid and dipped her finger to taste the contents. - I thought it was drugs.

"Shit, what if it's dangerous? And the drug thing is bullshit, who in their right mind would make her a big, big track like that?!

"Don't worry, it's really salt, although you shouldn't use too much of it. - Zatanna, noticing my surprised and questioning gaze, condescended to explain. - The use of salt to exorcise various undead has gone for a reason. It's relatively cheap, and it's an inorganic compound with a cube-shaped crystalline structure that can trap mana. Specifically this salt has been marinating over the magic source for a couple months. I only advise you to use it as soon as possible, because the charge is quickly lost and after a week, without regular recharge, it will become useless for runes.

"Hmm, thanks again... But why did you give me a book on Ancient Magic? You could've just given me some salt and explained what it's for. All those curses and blood darts don't really appeal to me.

"This is primary magic and any self-respecting mage should know it. In addition, you should have read that this direction works even in places without magic, because when using blood, life energy is directly converted into magical energy. By the way, this method is actually quite convenient if you prevent blood loss, because the conversion has a certain limit, which no one has managed to overcome yet.

Hm, and in this case the classification of the system is more suitable, because it has a dedicated second beginning for this case, which, although it depends on the corporeal component, is quite independent.

"Can you give me something else to read? A spell book or something?" I asked hopefully.

The sorceress visibly booted up, looking at our couple questioningly.

"I'll give you something to read, but spells.

"Z, please, can you say no to those pleading eyes?" I held Harley out in front of me, who, catching my message, managed to give me the Shrek Cat Eyes. Her pupils were maximally dilated, filling almost the entire iris and glistening slightly.

"That looks fucking creepy. Normal people can't do that. - The enchantress shrugged, glancing at my assistant. - Honestly, if I didn't know about your patroness, I'd think your friend was possessed.

"So what about the spells?" I didn't let it get off topic.

"Eh, you see, it's not that I don't want to give you magical knowledge, it's just that according to the results of the scan, you're more likely to hurt yourself trying to cast something energy-intensive, though...

"Though?" I interjected interestedly when the brunette fell silent for a moment.

"I can give you a book on illusion magic. It's the least energy-consuming school, and it's hard to do much damage with it..." She mumbled the last part of that sentence under her breath, but Harley and I could hear it just fine. - But you must promise that if you feel a tugging sensation in your stomach, you will stop any experiments immediately.

"We promise.

"Yay, we're gonna be magicians! Promise!" Before she could even squeak, her beloved was at her side, pulling her into a hug.

And my companion did it very successfully: the face of the illusionist was between the small mounds of the blond cutie, preventing her from speaking coherently.

"IFAF. IFAF. - The magician tried to cast something. - Let go. - She still managed to break free, pushing Harley away, whom I had to catch, keeping her from falling. - Don't do that again. - She said, pulling off her sundress. - If you don't, you'll get your magic books!

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again. - The girl lowered her head sullenly, genuinely remorseful.

"Okay, I'll forgive you for the first time. - The mansion's mistress said and disappeared behind the door, only to return a minute and a half later. - Magic for Dummies, where the basic concepts, bestiary, and illusions are chewed up. - She placed the listed books on the table.

I feel like she was going to give us the first two books anyway, she was back so fast. That's suspicious.

"I am grateful to you for all this, but the question that haunts me is: why? Aren't you afraid that with our knowledge, we'll want something big? It's a shortcut to becoming dark magicians or something similar.

"The fact that you ask such questions gives me hope that you are not an idiot, and besides, it is better to guide you than to have you seek knowledge on your own. And as champions, you'd do well to control your powers. You know, I'm perfectly happy with this planet and I don't want it to suddenly annihilate. - It's like she's listening to something. - Strange, someone's here.

A couple minutes later, the door to the living room opened.

"Hello, Zatanna. I see you have guests. - The man said from the doorway as he entered the room.

He looked rather unpretentious: an old beige coat and a crumpled white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, worn gray slacks, a pale red tie around his neck. He had a snide expression on his face, which, together with the slight unshavenness of his face and the disheveled, gold-colored hair, made him look like some kind of crook.

I didn't really like him right away.

"Hello, John. - She nodded, looking tensely at her sudden guest.

"John?" Harley woke up. - That's your boyfriend.

"Oh, I'm glad you haven't forgotten the incomparable me. - John Constantine, who was John Constantine, smiled contentedly as he looked at the books on the table. - Ho, someone decided to take up illusion magic, quite an interesting direction, but I prefer elemental magic. - A fireball flared up in his palm and then went out.

"They don't have enough power to cast it. - Zee replied tensely.

"Yes..." He gave the couple a thoughtful look. - Well, that's great! Wouldn't you like to take part in destroying a small coven of cultists?