“I hate politics", Norris mentally screamed, relieved that the meeting with the duke was over. He felt like he'd just dodged a bullet, or rather, a poison-tipped arrow.

As he walked out of the duke's chambers, the heavy wooden door creaked shut behind him, muffling the murmur of voices within. The ornate tapestries lining the corridor seemed to close in, but Norris maintained his calm demeanor.

The wealth on display was staggering, even if Norris couldn't fully appreciate it. Lavish paintings adorned the walls, depicting historical events and illustrious ancestors. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, their light refracted into dazzling patterns on the polished marble floors.

Norris glanced at the intricate rugs beneath his feet, woven with gold and silver threads, but they held little interest for him.

What did catch his eye were the magical gadgets subtly integrated into the decor. Enchanted sconces that adjusted their brightness based on the time of day, a finely crafted clock that seemed to run on arcane energy, and a tapestry that subtly shifted its colors and images in response to the emotions of those nearby.

These glimpses of magical craftsmanship elicited a brief glance from Norris, a reminder of the resources and connections the duke had at his disposal. Norris looked at them for a while before losing interest.

Norris couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. His poker face strategy had worked like a charm! The duke had no idea what was going on behind Norris's serene expression. "Ha! Take that, Duke," Norris thought, a stiff grin spreading across his face. The grin was a little stiff for a myriad of reasons.

Norris raised his hand to his lips as he  noticed he hadn't smiled in a long time, making his grin very stiff.

He passed by guards standing at attention, their eyes following him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Some patrolled the hallways, their armor clinking softly with each step.

Norris remembered that when he was coming, the castle seemed silent. He found it weird but didn't think much of it. Now in the castle, it appears not to be the case.

Servants bustled about, tending to their various tasks. One was polishing a golden candelabrum, another was arranging a fresh bouquet of flowers in an exquisite vase, and yet another hurried past with a tray of refreshments. Norris noticed a maid meticulously dusting an enchanted mirror, which whispered faintly as she worked. He briefly stopped and looked around.

"There should be an array around here.

Ohh there it is.", Norris nodded at the intricate design of the array. It cleverly blocks out the noise in the castle.

Ignoring the wary glances thrown at him, he observed the array for a while before leaving with Lady Elara.

Norris's footsteps echoed through the corridor, a steady rhythm that matched the beating of his heart. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, adding to the sense of intrigue and secrecy that permeated the castle.

Lady Elara, who had escorted him, glanced sideways at Norris, her expression unreadable. She seemed to sense the undercurrents of the meeting, but she remained silent, her presence a constant reminder of the duke's watchful eye.

Norris gave her a polite nod as they reached the main hall, where the grand chandelier overhead illuminated the space with a warm, golden glow.

Instead of heading towards the exit, Norris was led down a side corridor, making his way to Ava's room.

The route took him through more of the castle's lavish displays of wealth. Marble statues of mythical creatures, vases of exotic flowers that never wilted, and enchanted mirrors that whispered secrets as one walked past. Yet, only the magical items managed to draw brief glances from him.

Norris's current task was to serve the duke for 10 years, a contract he had entered with the mage union in exchange for knowledge and resources.

The duke, having paid handsomely for Norris's services, had the authority to instruct him in various tasks, as long as they didn't cross Norris's bottom line. Teaching Ava had come as a surprise, but Norris didn't really care—he was up for the task.

As he made his way to Ava's room, Norris's thoughts turned to his new role as a teacher. He reminisced about his own childhood, recalling how he had been a naughty kid in junior high.

"My poor teacher," he thought with a mix of amusement and nostalgia. "Always had a headache when dealing with me. Hope Ava is problem free and won't give me a headache."

But his amusement was short-lived, as Norris's mind turned to the duke's vague instructions. "Ugh, why didn't he specify what I'm supposed to teach her?!" Norris mentally cursed the duke. "Does he expect me to read minds or something?"

As he approached Ava's room, Norris's thoughts took a more somber turn. "The life of illegitimate children isn't really good," he sighed to himself. He knew that Ava's situation was complicated, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.

Finally, he arrived at Ava's door. He raised his hand and knocked, his calm demeanor wavering slightly as he knocks softly.

Ava's room was another world within the castle. What new experiences awaited him there? Norris could only wonder as he waited for the door to open.

***

As Norris entered Ava's room, he immediately noticed how well-made it was. The room exuded a sense of comfort and luxury, with elegant furnishings and tasteful decorations. The walls were adorned with delicate tapestries, and the floor was covered with a plush rug that looked soft to the touch.

A large window allowed natural light to flood the room, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden furniture.

Ava's bed was neatly made with fine linens, and a small bookshelf nearby was filled with an impressive collection of books. There was a sense of order and care in how everything was arranged, indicating that for an illegitimate child, Ava was not lacking.

He spotted Ava sitting at a wooden desk, her nose buried in a book. She looked up as he approached, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Norris's first impression of Ava was that she was a cute and lively girl. Her long, curly brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her bright green eyes shone with intelligence.

She looked like a bundle of energy, and Norris couldn't help but wonder what kind of personality lay behind that innocent-looking face.

"Hello, Ava," Norris said, trying to sound friendly and approachable. "I'm Mr. Norris, your new teacher."

Ava's face lit up with a bright smile. "Hello, Mr. Norris!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbly and enthusiastic. "I've heard so much about you!"

Norris raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What have you heard?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Ava leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I've heard that you're a very powerful mage!"

Norris chuckled, feeling a sense of amusement. "Well, I suppose that's true," he said, smiling. "But first, let's get to know each other a bit better."