"Robert Weinberg - Logical Magician 01 - A Logical Magician" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weinberg Robert)

wasn't sure if it was from sheer bravado or abysmal ignorance. Though handsome,
intelligent and charming, Simon was not a very popular person on campus. He was just a
bit too weird for most of the students.
Jack never realized how weird until he glanced at the Brit while scanning the hall
for campus security. Jack's eyes narrowed in amazement. He shook his head, not sure he
believed what he was seeing. Or not seeing. Simon had no aura. The exchange student
wasn't human. He was magic.
"Uh, Professor Collins, is something wrong?" asked Sandra. "You look kinda...
funny."
Jack squeezed his eyes tightly shut, then opened them again. Nothing had changed.
The other five students had auras. Simon did not. It was definitely time. Jack decided, to
have a word with the Brit.
"I am feeling a bit dizzy," said Jack. "The doctor warned me to take it easy for the
next few days. Why don't you all attend Professor Gleason's extra-help classes for the
time being. They're scheduled the same time we held ours, so it will fit right in with your
free time. If you explain the circumstances to Pat Gleason, I'm sure he won't mind you
sitting in."
Gleason would have a fit, but too bad. Jack felt no remorse. Based on Gleason's
conduct at the faculty Christmas party last year, the other graduate assistant deserved to
suffer.
"Do you need some help getting back to your apartment?" asked Gil Neumann, his
tone of voice making it quite clear he wasn't overwhelmed with the idea.
"I'll be fine," said Jack. Then, as the students turned to leave, he quickly added,
"Simon, would you mind sticking around for a few seconds more? I wanted to ask you
something."
"No problem," replied the Brit.
The others departed, casting suspicious looks at both of them. Jack was at a loss
as to what chicanery they might imagine. He couldn't be supplying Simon with test
answers. He had done that for all of them to no consequence.
Tomorrow, if things continued on their present course, they would probably assume
it had been a drug deal. He had to get back to Dr. Nelson and explain all that cash.
Somehow.
"If it's about that last test," said the Brit, "I can explain everything...."
"Forget the test," said Jack, not exactly certain how to begin. Then, before he
could say another word, he spotted two campus security officers on the other side of the
cafeteria. Beads of sweat popped on Jack's back. The policemen were probably just there
for a coffee break, but he dared not risk it. Not with the cash still crammed in his
pockets.
"Let's go for a walk," he said, rising quickly from the table. "We need to talk about
things. Like aurasтАФor the lack of them."
A startled look passed across Simon's face. For the first time in Jack's memory,
the student looked terribly unsure of himself. "Auras, you say? A walk?"
The two security officers were nowhere in sight. It was time to go. Hastily Jack
grabbed Simon by the arm and steered him to the exit. "Magic," he said quietly as he
pushed open the door to the outside. "Let's talk about magic."

7

Anxious to get as far away from the Campus Center as possible, Jack hurried Simon
along the walk leading to the humanities building. At this time of the evening, there were