Wake up, Ugly Duckling. Were here! Dont make me burn you with my fire, Amy said, pinching its jaw.

Meow! The kitten woke up immediately. It struggled to its feet and looked at Amy.

Here, hold it, Amy. Mag handed the cat to Amy and took the bag off the bike. He took a look at his watch. It had only taken him five minutes to get here. Normally, the same distance would take about half an hour on foot.

Im sure Yangzhou fried rice is still warm, but tofu pudding has probably broken into pieces. The texture hasnt changed much though, I think. Ill charge him the same price.

Bikes are not half bad for delivering food. If people here used them to deliver food, that would be quite a sight.

Also, they could use horses for long-distance delivery.

Thats not a problem I should worry about now, though. Im already very busy as it is.Mag took Amy by the hand. Lets go.

Sorry, youre not allowed to go in, the orc said, signaling them to stop. He was eyeing them warily.I wont let them get past me this time.

Father, lets sneak in through that hole, Amy whispered, tugging at Mags clothes, stealing a glance at the orc. She was afraid of him, and her fear wasnt misplaced, since she had got rejected by this orc many times.

Shes too young to attend school, the old man added, shaking his head. And pets are not allowed in school. Its the rule.

Mag stroked Amys head to calm her down, pulled a green card from his pocket, and handed it to the orc with a smile. Were here to study under Teacher Krassu. He said we could use this as a pass. Could you tell me where the magic school is?

The orc and the old man exchanged a baffled look. They didnt know any Teacher Krassu here. But when they took the card, the looks on their faces changed immediately.

It had one big word on it: pass, and they found a name at the bottom right corner: Novan.

The name was everything. The card was useless without the name.

Suddenly, they remembered the white-bearded old man who had talked with the principal yesterday.The principal gave the pass to the old man, but now this young man has it.

He is not to be taken lightly.They looked at Mag and Amy more kindly now.

Even Lord of Chaos City and Lord of the Gray Temple are treating the principal as their equal, but that old man was acting like he was senior to him,the orc thought to himself.

The magic school is to the left when you walk in. Take your pass and you can head right in, the orc said with a smile, handing the pass back to Mag. His attitude towards them had changed dramatically.

We can walk in through the gate?Amys face lit up. She had had to sneak in through the hole every time she came here. She had always envied the students who could walk in through the gate.

Mag took the pass and nodded. Thank you. He picked up Amys hand, and was about to go in.

Sorry. No pets allowed, the orc said, extending an arm to stop them.

But Mag looked at the pass in his hand.From the look in their eyes, this pass must have been from a very important person.

The pass is signed by the principal, but the rule was also made by the principal, and he said school always comes first, so Im afraid you cant take the cat with you, the orc said solemnly.

He goes strictly by the book. Impressive. Also, the principal here is really responsible.

I see. But, can I trouble you to take care of my cat and bike? Mag didnt find this rule annoying.Pets can be dangerous sometimes.

The orc nodded. Sure. You can leave them to us.This man is quite reasonable.

Amy, put Ugly Duckling in the basket. Ill take it home with me.

Amy nodded. Yes, Father. She stood on tips of her toes and carefully put it into the basket. Be good at home, Ugly Duckling, she said, stroking its head.

Lets go. Mag took her by the hand and walked in.

Meow, meow! the kitten called out behind Amy, sticking its little head out.

Amy turned back. Stop whining! You can have two bowls of tofu pudding today and dont have to run.

The kittens eyes lit up right away. Meow, meow, it said, nodding.

She really knows her way around this cats thinking.Mag smiled.

A while later, a carriage stopped at the gate. Hydle jumped off it. The owner of this thing, where is he? he asked the orc and the old man, pointing at the bike.