Control Service, or How Not to Kill an Intern

As I walked down the corridor, I quickly caught up with a short girl who was walking strictly along the middle. And neither was I able to overtake her, nor could I pass her.

“Move out of the way!” I asked—almost politely.

— Or what? Basically, that’s it. My hair instantly flared, and the tips of my fingers tingled.

“I’ll burn you!” I threatened—but after a while I found myself doused from head to toe with cold water that hissed as it ran down her face, neck, and back.

Well, let’s get acquainted! Boris Ivanovich Korneev, a fire-mage of some generation—and now a young, inexperienced water mage is standing against me.

What did you say? An intern? Me? You need to take care of her, teach her, and respect her? Oh, please—when have I ever done that?