"Matthew Woodring Stover - Caine 02 - Blade of Tyshalle" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stover Matthew Woodring)

heart rate has surged over eighty, his adrenal production is 78 percent over optimal,
and his EEG spikes like broken glass.


Vilo pulls the butt from his mouth. "Why in-hell did you put him in the magick
program anyway?"


"Businessman, we went over this when he was admitted. His memory and
spatial-visualization test out in the low genius range. There is no question that he
has the intellectual equipment to be a fine adept. However, he is emotionally
unstable, prone to irrational rages, and is, ah, uncontrollably aggressive. There is a
history of mental illness in his family, you know; his father was downcasted from
Professional due to a succession of breakdowns?'
 "Yeah?" Vilo said. "So what? I know this kid; he worked for me two years.
Sure, he's got a temper. Who doesn't? He's smart, and he's tough as my goddamn
boot heel." He smiles, showing his teeth, predatory. "Kind of like me at his age."


"You understand, Businessman, that we take these steps only to protect you
from the expense of sponsoring a boy who will almost certainly perish on his first
transfer."


"So? That's his problem, not mine. The money is—" He spits a shred of
tobacco onto the carpet. "—not an issue:'


"He will simply never become an effective spellcaster. I'm sorry, but there are
certain restrictions imposed by the Studio. The examinations administered by the
Graduation Board are very stringent."


Chandra makes a gesture as though to take the Businessman's arm and lead
him away. "Perhaps I can show you our newest pilot program, the priesthood school.
This particular spellcasting variant has the advantage that the practitioner need enter
the casting trance only under very controlled conditions—that is, under the guise of
religious ritual—"


"Cut the crap:' Vilo stuffs his cigar back into his mouth. "I got a shitload of
money in that kid out there. A shitload. I don't give a rat's ass about the Studio's
restrictions, or the goddamn examinations. That kid is going to graduate from this
toilet, and then he's going to Overworld."


"I'm afraid that's simply impossible—"


"You gonna make a liar out of me?" Vilo's eyes seem to retreat into his face,