Chapter 5

During all this day Andy was trying to decline painful reflections, and at first he was successful in that, but when the lessons were over, he understood suddenly he was not able to resist the temptation. Scorning himself for weakness, he almost ran to the library grimly determined to make sure of his own levity. And he was extremely amazed that he discovered that there was a big shelf dedicated to Stones of Life; not a volume of children’s fairy tales as he supposed.

In a terrible agitation Andy looked at the spines of old dusty books, lost and not knowing which one he should take first. Finally, after long senseless hesitations, he grabbed seven of the most voluminous folios and went with them to the nearest table next to the high window. Opened the first volume, he saw with endless amazement the chapter called «To see the Stone of Life: methods and advices» - the chapter that made him sweat from agonizing anticipation.

Without any doubts Andy paid no attention to numerous chapters dedicated to the spirit condition that is necessary for an unobstructed acquaintance with the Stone, and without thinking twice he began to learn methods and advices that were almost in the end of the book. It is hardly need to say that he was absolutely thrilled because of the detailed instructions, clear notes what, how and where he must do, and the main thing – there was a nice explanation of all questions he was interested by: for example, what result will cause one scheme, and what consequences will lead another. Everything was so clear and accessible that it seemed there can be nothing easier. It looked like the only thing he had to do was to get up, make a small effort and, finding the Stone, required the remedy for Sarah.

After reading carefully the chapter, Andy leaned back on the chair and closed the eyes trying to calm down. Only now he noticed that all this time his legs were in very inconvenient crooked position and were ready in any minute to break in knees. He immediately stretched them out and, enjoying the pleasant feeling in the same way as his formidable full of determination thoughts, crossed his arms over the chest.

From all unique advices that book was talking about he decided to use at first that one which did not require the participation of forest nature late night. This method was the most simple and uncomplicated, but Andy was sure that if the Stone of Life really existed, these efforts must have been quite enough.

Everything he had to do was to go at one o’clock in the morning in the most spacious part of the castle, preferably the round form, stand in the middle of it, surrounding himself with a round of candles, and pronounce the words mentioned in the book – the words that he right now was learning by heart. According to the book’s conclusion, after that must have appeared the spirit of the Stone having a human form, with whom it was necessary to reach an agreement. Andy did not think much about this point. He was sure when the spirit will know about his little sister’s trouble, he will certainly relent and grand his request. Thus, he had just to wait for night.

Time passed painfully slowly, stopped by impatient waiting, and Andy, with fingers growing cold with excitement, grabbed another book and opened as before the last section there were describing the consistent steps of finding the Stone.

This time it did not occurred to him either that, maybe, he should have paid some attention to the main part of book explaining the features of soul condition necessary for implementing the ritual. He did not even want to think about it. It seemed to him a complete nonsense, invented solely to cloud people’s minds and to lead them away from near success.

He thought: what’s the difference what does he have inside of him, is he calm, balanced, is his soul clear and his heart pure? Can there be any sense what does he feel or not when there is a consistent system of clearly expressing steps leading to the fulfillment of the dream? Andy instantly made a conclusion that the vast majority of chapters are devoted to the deception and insidious delusion that lies in wait for those unfortunate people who are in dire need of a divine miracle.

Soon he found out that all books contained the same ways of finding Stone, absolutely identical without any differences – in fact, they were five, and one of it was to be realized that night.

Such imposing number made him think that the Stone, most likely, was hidden too deeply within Academy’s walls, noted by long centuries, and that was why it was not easy to pull it out. He did not accept that the reason was in Stone’s desire to verify the strength of his stubbornness, the will to obey book’s instructions, provided in first chapters – of course, this idea did not come to his mind. He was sure that all he had to do was execute the final instructions as correctly and accurately as possible, and this would undoubtedly ensure his complete victory. Of course, if Stone of Life really existed.

When he viewed the final chapters in the most determined mood, a serious voice above his ear said softly:

- I would not advise you to neglect the main part of the book.