Тейлор Поттер и философский виал / Taylor Potter and the Philosophical Vial: Глава 4. Распределяющий Шлем

Chapter 4. The Sorting Helmet
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Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 18:58

The vast lake waves rolled slowly and majestically. Taylor, Amy, and Lisa sat on the back of a huge dog, holding onto the protruding bony spines and each other's waists. On the other side of the lake, atop a hill, rose a majestic castle, its shining walls and towering spires of every color, shape, and size. A road led from the lakeshore to the castle, winding its way up the green slope.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 20:36

"Wormwarts!" Lisa shouted, almost in Taylor's ear. "A school and training ground for young Capes from the USA and Canada!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 20:36

"Wasn't it really possible to build a school in Canada, too?"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 20:59

"There's one cape for every ten thousand people! And the school must be securely sheltered, protected, and able to withstand the ravages of superpowers!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:03

The wind that had been whistling and howling around suddenly died down, and there was no longer any need to shout.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:04

"What, you haven't read The History of Capes and The Theory of Shards?" Lisa chuckled in response to Amy and Taylor's glances.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:06

"Theory is boring, but my brothers and sisters told me about Wormwarts!" Amy said with a hint of challenge in her voice and look.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:06

“I read more about self-defense, strength, and gun care,” Taylor answered sheepishly.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:06

Lisa glanced back: a flotilla of dogs, formed into a wedge, was moving across the lake, paddling with their powerful paws. The young capes squealed and shouted, pointing at each other. Three or four children were perched on each dog's back, and Rachel, perched on Fang's back, kept an eye on the whole horde from behind.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:07

"What gives us superpowers is right here," Lisa tapped her head, "and it really loves conflict and fighting. That's why all young capes, regardless of their nature or the nature of their powers, must undergo training in special schools like Wormwarts. Age is no accident either. Adolescence is the peak of disobedience, unruliness, hormones, and aggression, and at the same time, the psyche is still flexible enough to be taught to curb all these desires for conflict and fighting. If you've noticed, in the textbooks, all the subjects are devoted to one degree or another to fighting, combat, combat, teamwork, defeating enemies, and so on."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:10

"So, we won't have secondary education?" Taylor asked.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:19

"We'll have," Lisa waved it off. "But think about it — is studying and sitting through boring lessons really that interesting? And while a normal child can't argue, a child with superpowers can certainly cause trouble. That's why at Wormwarts, the subjects are structured to teach a high school curriculum, knowledge about superpowers, while simultaneously satisfying that thirst for conflict."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:22

"I don't want any conflict," Amy said.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:22

"You don't want it, but he," Lisa ran her hand over Weasley's head, "really does. And yes, Taylor, you can get a higher education later, when you learn to curb your thirst for conflict, and learn and assimilate the rules of life among ordinary people, without superpowers."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:23

"What if I don’t learn it?"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:23

"Then you'll remain living in Cape society, in one of the pocket dimensions," Lisa shrugged. "Once, at the dawn of the Capes, over a hundred years ago, all those superpowers and battles nearly destroyed the Earth, not to mention the emergence of the Dark Capes. That's when the Statute was passed, establishing rules and relations with ordinary people, pocket dimensions, schools, the theory of powers, and training in them were created. If you don't know how to behave, if you threaten people's lives, you'll stay among the capes, that's all."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:28

"Doesn't anyone break the rules?" Taylor asked after some thought.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:29

"They do break the law, of course," Lisa shrugged, "but that's all foreseen, too. Capes have their own government, and a police force — the PRT, or Parahuman Response Team. Specially trained and well-prepared cape operatives catch their fellow capes who violate the law, and then the punishment depends on the severity of the violation. There's the TSR — the three-strikes rule — and the CCC — the Cape Criminal Code. Guild teams are dispatched against particularly strong and insane violators. And of course, national governments involve their secret services, assisting and helping, because it benefits both humans and capes.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:43

"And all this is written in the textbook?" Taylor was already beginning to regret that she rarely opened "History of the Capes."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:55

"Let's just say I can read between the lines, Lisa grinned, I'm a Thinker, after all!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:56

Further questioning and chatter had to be stopped because they had arrived. The dogs emerged from the lake, shook themselves, and raced up the hillside toward the castle gates. Up close, Wormwarts looked even more majestic, and the children quieted down a bit, discussing the enormous castle. Rachel snapped her fingers, and three dogs began thumping their tails against the ten-meter-high gates, drowning out the surrounding noise.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 21:57

Taylor expected the gate to creak open and reveal some enormous, shiny cape. Instead, a side gate opened, and a short, olive-skinned woman wearing a bulletproof vest and khaki pants emerged. A scarf with stars and stripes draped around her neck.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:10

"Thank you, Rachel," the woman said, "I'll take care of the rest."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:49

Hagrid nodded, snapped her fingers again, and the pack of dogs turned, nearly trampling a couple of schoolchildren, and raced back toward the lake, howling and wagging their tails. Taylor saw that the woman emerging from the gate held a huge knife in her right hand, and was surprised when the knife changed into a megaphone. The change was accompanied by a flash of bright green.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:49

"Welcome to Wormwarts! I am Hannah McGonagall, Weapons teacher and Head of Herofindor!" Her voice, amplified by the megaphone, carried far and loud. "You are now about to be sorted into Houses! Follow me!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:50

She turned and walked across the castle courtyard, the young capes following her, involuntarily huddling together.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:50

"The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you're here, your House will be your family and team at Wormwarts! You'll study with the students of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend your free time in your House common room," Hannah said as she walked.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:53

"Is this done on purpose, too?" Taylor asked Lisa.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:53

"Yep," she replied, grinning. "Conflict and teamwork 24/7. Conflict with other Houses, the team consists of students from your House who still need to be persuaded, everyone has their own strengths, and don't forget about internal conflicts within the team!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:55

"We have four Houses in total, one for each legendary Founder! Herofindor, Legendpuff, Eidolorin, and Alexanclaw," Hannah continued. "Points will be awarded for your successes, and points will be deducted for infractions and failures. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will be awarded the School Cup."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:11

She and the young capes had already crossed the courtyard and entered a lit corridor. The light came from long lamps hanging from the ceiling, and the walls were made of some white-gray material, rough and elastic to the touch. A hum and hubbub of voices came from somewhere, and the volume grew louder as they advanced. Hannah led her charges into a small hall and pointed to a huge door ahead.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:56

"Over there is the Great Hall, where the Sorting ceremony will take place, followed by a celebratory banquet to celebrate the start of the school year! Get yourself ready and wait for your call!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 22:56

With these words, she left, and mirrors appeared on the walls of the room, shelves with combs and brushes slid out, hot air vents blew out, and the signs on the restroom stalls lit up. Taylor was absolutely delighted by this, and there would still be a celebratory banquet! But just in case, she checked with her trusted source of information, Lisa.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 08:48

"How do they determine who will go to which House?"

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 08:49

"Crystal said it would be a test," Amy said with a shrug. "Now, after Lisa's words, it seems to me that we'll have to fight someone, and everyone will be watching!"

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 08:49

Taylor reached out to check her baton and spray can, biting her lip in frustration. The luggage had been loaded onto special flying carts immediately upon arrival and sent to Wormwarts. The other students departed on similar, comfortable, and wider flying carts, leaving no one to ask about the Sorting!

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 08:51

"We'll fight if we have to," Taylor said, clenching her fists.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 08:51

Leave all this splendor and return to the Dursleys?! Oh, no! She would fight! Taylor reached out to the insects, gathering them from everywhere, pulling them toward her, gathering them into a single swarm. There were surprisingly few insects, but at least Taylor wasn't alone now! Lisa would give her advice, and Amy would fight too!

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:00

And then Taylor's militant spirit was shattered and destroyed. The door to the Great Hall slid open with a soft hiss, and a voice from the ceiling and walls invited everyone inside for the Sorting Ceremony. Taylor's mouth immediately went dry, and her hands, on the contrary, began to sweat, but she courageously stepped forward. At least half of the future first-years did the same, resulting in a slight congestion at the entrance to the Great Hall.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:01

"Line up in a column of two!" Hannah began to command. "Let's go one at a time!"

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:01

After that, things started to improve.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:01

The Great Hall was truly great, lights and cameras were flying, screens on the walls were flashing, and it seemed like there was no ceiling at all.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:02

"The ceiling is a huge screen that shows a real-time picture of the sky," Lisa whispered as they walked through the room.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 18:59

Students from other courses sat at tables, doing whatever they were doing. Some were filming the newcomers' procession on camera, some were talking to their neighbors or drawing something, and some were staring at the screens installed on the tables and poking at them with their fingers. All of this merged into the uniform hum that Taylor and her friends had heard as they approached the Hall. On a raised platform at the back of the hall stood a separate table where the teachers sat. As she got closer, Taylor saw that each of the teachers was wearing a cape, just like in the pictures in the textbook, except without the mask covering their faces. The adult capes were quietly discussing something, looking at the freshmen and the screens in front of them.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:04

"They're talking about our abilities and who will go to which House, Lisa couldn't resist adding another remark."

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:05

"What's the difference between the Houses anyway?" Taylor asked, but Lisa wasn't given the chance to answer.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:05

They were lined up, their backs to the Hall and facing the faculty. A glass pedestal emerged from the floor, bearing a worn and scratched gray helmet. A long cable extended from the back of the helmet, disappearing somewhere deep beneath the floor.

Camrad_RIP 31.12.25 в 09:05

"This is the Sorting Helmet, once crafted by the Dragon herself to ensure the sorting process is fair, accurate, reliable, and impartial. When I call your name," Hannah McGonagall announced to the entire Hall, "come forward, put on the helmet, and await the results!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 19:00

"That's it?" Amy and Taylor breathed a sigh of relief, and Lisa giggled.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 19:00