Step One. Master of Illusions

Here flying machines coexist with magical artifacts, oracles debate with the Church, and in universities—at the philosophy and natural sciences departments—the theory of mental manipulation is studied. Mobile phones look like magical mirrors; spells are calculated on computers; and in the sky airships compete with jet planes “scates.” Since the appearance in Holmgrad of a certain Vitaly Rodionovich Staritsky, seventy years have passed. Disturbed enough by the restless prince, the world settled down and relaxed. In vain. For if the gate can be opened once, what would prevent doing it again?