Chapter 21: Reconnecting Threads

  The Rest Residence in the heart of Varsovia was a stately, imposing building, its stone walls and wrought-iron gates exuding the quiet, unassuming power of an old, established family. It served as both a sanctuary and a political center for House Rest—a place where discussions, decisions, and alliances were forged and broken in equal measure.

  Robert sat in one of the private study rooms on the second floor, the soft light from the large window casting a warm glow over his desk. Books and scrolls were spread out before him, each one meticulously arranged according to his own internal system of organization. He had spent most of the morning buried in research, the comfort of solitary study helping him recover from the disquiet of the previous day’s Rhetoric class.

  ‘Professor Delys…’ He frowned slightly, the memory of her scrutiny still prickling at the back of his mind. Her behavior had been—unexpected. Perhaps even rude, given her insistence on singling him out in front of the entire class. But… he shook his head, dismissing the thought. It wasn’t worth dwelling on. He had already decided to keep his focus on more important matters.

  The quiet click of the door opening drew his attention. Alexander stepped in, his expression carefully neutral. There was a certain stiffness in his posture that caught Robert’s attention immediately. It wasn’t like Alexander to show any signs of discomfort or unease.

  “Alexander?” Robert asked, setting down his quill. “Is something the matter?”

  Alexander glanced around the room briefly before stepping closer, lowering his voice. “Nothing that concerns you directly, Lord Rest. I merely… took care of a small issue at the University.”

  Robert raised an eyebrow. “A small issue?”

  “Yes.” Alexander’s gaze shifted slightly, almost imperceptibly. “Let’s just say that certain individuals have been reminded of the importance of showing proper respect to House Rest.”

  A faint chill ran down Robert’s spine. He knew Alexander well enough to recognize the subtle undertones in his words. ‘Reminded,’ in this context, meant far more than just a stern talking-to. It meant that someone had pushed too far—and Alexander had pushed back.

  “Was it… Professor Delys?” he asked quietly.

  Alexander’s silence was all the confirmation Robert needed. He let out a slow breath, his mind whirling with conflicting thoughts. Part of him felt a twinge of satisfaction—an acknowledgment that someone who had made him uncomfortable had been dealt with. But another part, the more rational and cautious side, worried about the potential consequences.

  “I see,” he murmured finally. “You didn’t—”

  “No harm came to her, Lord Rest,” Alexander interjected, his voice gentle but firm. “I merely… impressed upon her the importance of respecting your position. She will not overstep her bounds again.”

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  Robert nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to the books on his desk. He knew Alexander was protective of him—sometimes excessively so. It was part of his role, part of the unspoken duty he had taken on as Robert’s guardian. And yet, there were times when Robert wondered if Alexander’s protective instincts went too far.

  But he couldn’t deny that it brought him a measure of comfort. To know that there was someone who would always stand between him and those who sought to challenge or undermine him. Someone who would ensure that he was treated with the respect he deserved, even when he struggled to assert himself.

  “Thank you, Alexander,” Robert said softly. “I appreciate it.”

  Alexander’s expression softened, a rare hint of warmth in his usually stoic gaze. “It’s my duty, Lord Rest. And my honor.”

  They fell into a companionable silence, the quiet ticking of the clock on the mantel the only sound in the room. Robert glanced down at his notes, his mind shifting back to the research he had been working on. He was on the cusp of a breakthrough—an idea that could potentially revolutionize the way he approached summoning and control magic.

  “Have you made any progress on your research?” Alexander asked, his tone casual but curious.

  “Yes,” Robert replied, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. He leaned forward, his fingers tracing a complex pattern on the page. “I’ve been studying resonance theory in relation to summoning circles. There’s a way to modify the containment field so that it not only holds the summoned entity but also amplifies its natural attributes—making the summon more powerful and responsive.”

  Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly, his interest piqued. “That sounds promising. But won’t that require a tremendous amount of MP to sustain?”

  “Not necessarily.” Robert tapped the page, where a series of runic equations were laid out in careful detail. “If I incorporate a secondary array that draws ambient MP from the surroundings, it should be possible to maintain the amplification without draining the summoner’s reserves. The key is balancing the flow between the primary and secondary arrays.”

  He paused, glancing up at Alexander. “I’m planning to test it in the next Practical Summoning class. I’ll start with a basic summon—a lesser wraith or skeletal warrior—and see if the array can handle the increased output.”

  Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “Be careful, Robert. Even with lesser summons, amplified power can be volatile. If something goes wrong—”

  “I know,” Robert interrupted gently. “I’ll be cautious.”

  A small smile tugged at Alexander’s lips. “I’m sure you will. You’ve always been meticulous about your work.”

  They lapsed into silence again, the comfortable kind that only came from years of familiarity and trust. Robert returned to his notes, his mind already running through potential modifications and improvements to the array design. Alexander, meanwhile, stood by the window, his gaze distant as he watched the fading light of the afternoon.

  After a few minutes, Alexander cleared his throat softly. “There is something else, Lord Rest.”

  Robert glanced up, a questioning look in his eyes. “What is it?”

  “Your father has requested your presence at the upcoming Sejm gathering,” Alexander said carefully. “He believes it would be beneficial for you to observe the proceedings and perhaps even speak on House Rest’s behalf if the opportunity arises.”

  Robert’s heart skipped a beat. The Sejm—an assembly of the Commonwealth’s most powerful nobles and mages—was not a place for the inexperienced or the faint of heart. It was a battlefield of words and influence, where every statement, every gesture, could have far-reaching consequences.

  “But… I’ve never attended a Sejm session before,” Robert said slowly, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. “What would I even say?”

  “That’s something we’ll work on together,” Alexander replied, his tone reassuring. “You’ve already made great strides in the art of persuasion. We’ll prepare a few key arguments and responses, just in case. Your father wouldn’t ask this of you if he didn’t believe you were ready.”

  Robert nodded hesitantly, the weight of the request settling over him like a heavy cloak. He had always known that this day would come—that he would have to step out of the relative safety of his academic pursuits and engage with the broader world of politics and power. But it didn’t make the prospect any less daunting.

  “Alright,” he said finally, his voice steadier than he felt. “I’ll do it.”

  Alexander’s smile widened slightly, pride and approval shining in his eyes. “I have no doubt that you’ll do well, Lord Rest. House Rest will be proud of you.”

  Robert took a deep breath, letting the words sink in. This was just another challenge, another test. He had faced worse—he had overcome greater odds. And he would continue to do so, for his family, for his House, and for himself.

  “Thank you, Alexander,” he said quietly. “I’ll do my best.”

  The two of them shared a look of understanding, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever. Whatever lay ahead, whatever trials or challenges they would face, they would face them together.

  With a renewed sense of purpose, Robert turned back to his research, his mind focused and his resolve firm.