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"Elara, my dear!" Her father\'s voice boomed from the dining room, cutting through her thoughts. Count Valen was a tall, imposing figure with a sharp gaze that softened only when directed at his daughter. He stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect and attention. "How was your class today? Did you learn anything new?"

Elara kept her expression neutral, a mask she wore effortlessly. "It was fine, Father," she replied, her voice measured. "Nothing particularly challenging."

Count Valen beamed, clearly pleased. "Of course, of course. My daughter, the genius of the Magic Tower University. I\'m sure you outshine them all." His pride was evident, a palpable force that filled the room.

She offered a polite nod, not feeling the need to correct him. Her father\'s praise was constant, as if he needed to reassure himself of her brilliance. It had become a background noise in her life, something she neither sought nor rejected.

"Come, join us for dinner," Count Valen continued, leading her to the dining room where her mother, Lady Valen, waited. Lady Valen was a serene presence, her beauty softened by age but no less striking. Her eyes were kind, but there was an unspoken strength behind them, a quiet fortitude that balanced her husband\'s commanding nature.

She greeted Elara with a gentle smile as they sat at the long, polished table.

The meal was a sumptuous affair, as always. The table was laden with delicacies, each dish prepared to perfection by the estate\'s skilled chefs. The aroma of roasted meats, fresh herbs, and exotic spices filled the air, creating a tantalizing symphony of scents. Count Valen began his usual round of questions, asking about Elara\'s studies, her health, and her thoughts on various arcane theories.

Elara answered each one with measured, succinct replies, her mind partially elsewhere.

As the servants brought out the next course, Count Valen unfolded a magical newspaper. The enchanted pages displayed shifting images and text, updating with the latest news from around the kingdom. He skimmed through it, occasionally commenting on the headlines.

"Ah, here\'s something interesting," he said, his tone suddenly sharp. "It seems the royal knights managed to subjugate the Deadly Hollows. There\'s mention of a single university student who aided them significantly."

Elara glanced at the paper, her interest piqued despite herself. The headline praised the bravery and skill of the young magician, even calling her a genius. The image accompanying the article showed a determined-looking girl with a wand, flanked by royal knights.

"Some girl from the Magic Tower University," Count Valen scoffed. "As if any commoner could compare to the prowess of a Valen. Any member of our family could have done the same with ease."

Lady Valen remained silent, a small smile playing on her lips. "Finish your food, dear," she said gently, and Count Valen obeyed, his grumbling subsiding.

Elara felt a twinge of annoyance. The mention of another student\'s success reminded her of her recent humiliation with Professor Draven. She recalled the sting of losing points in his class, an experience entirely foreign to her until that moment.

And then there was Amberine, the girl who should have faded into obscurity but instead persisted, becoming a thorn in Elara\'s side with her unexpected resilience.

Pushing her food around on her plate, Elara allowed her mind to wander. She thought about the girl in the article. What had driven her to such bravery? And what was it about Amberine that kept her fighting despite the odds? These thoughts chased each other in circles until she excused herself from the table.

"Good night, Father, Mother," she said, her voice steady. "I have some reading to do."

Her father nodded, a hint of pride still in his eyes. "Good night, my brilliant daughter."

Elara made her way to her room, the spacious chamber that had always felt both a sanctuary and a prison. The room was richly furnished, with heavy drapes, a large four-poster bed, and shelves lined with books and artifacts. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a breath she hadn\'t realized she\'d been holding.

She crossed to her desk, where a thick tome awaited her. Opening the book, she let the familiar scent of old parchment calm her mind. She sat down, the glow of the enchanted lamp casting a warm light over the pages, and began to read, losing herself in the arcane theories and ancient spells that filled the book.

___

In the dimly lit study, I sat behind my mahogany desk, the weight of recent events pressing on my mind. Alfred, my ever-reliable butler, stood before me, a stack of reports in his hands. His presence was a comfort, a reminder of the order I maintained amidst the chaos.

"This is the report for the recent activities in our Earldom, Sire," Alfred began, his voice steady.

I nodded, gesturing for him to proceed. "Go on, Alfred."

He set the reports on the desk and began summarizing the key points. "Following your instructions, we increased patrols and deployed knights to suppress the bandits near our borders. The bandit activity has decreased significantly. As for the disease outbreak in the eastern villages, our healers have managed to contain it. Supplies have been sent, and the villages are under quarantine.

There have been sightings of strange creatures in the forests, but our hunters and mages are investigating."

"And the drought?" I asked, my mind already calculating the next steps.

"We initiated water rationing and explored both magical and logistical solutions. The new agricultural tools you\'ve designed have been distributed, and initial reports suggest an increase in productivity among the farmers."

I leaned back in my chair, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. "And what of Lorik and Alaric?"

Alfred smiled, a rare expression on his usually composed face. "They are in great vigor, Sire, sending messengers right and left. It seems you\'ve won their respect."

I allowed myself a small smile. "Good. It\'s about time they recognized the value of efficient governance."

Alfred continued, "There is one more matter, Sire. A royal banquet is to be held in three days to celebrate the birthday of the Queen\'s younger brother."

I frowned, the prospect of attending another tedious social event displeasing me. "Very well, I\'ll prepare for it."

Alfred nodded, understanding my reluctance. Just as he was about to leave, a thought struck me. "Wait, Alfred."

He turned back, a question in his eyes.

"Do you think you can catch a single goblin for me?" I asked, my tone measured.

"A goblin, Sire?" Alfred raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not questioning my motives. "Of course, Sire. Shall I arrange for it immediately?"

"Yes," I said, leaning forward, my fingers steepled. "I have an experiment in mind."

Alfred inclined his head. "Consider it done, Sire."

As he left the study, I turned my attention back to the reports, my mind already weaving the next steps of my plans. The reports were thorough, detailing the progress and challenges in each area. I meticulously reviewed each one, making notes and considering strategies. Alfred had done an admirable job in gathering the information, his efficiency and attention to detail always met my high standards.

Minutes turned into hours as I immersed myself in the details. My fingers traced the maps and charts spread out on my desk. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, creating an almost eerie atmosphere that matched my somber mood.

Alfred returned quietly, his presence unannounced but immediately felt. "Sire, I have made the necessary arrangements. A goblin will be captured and brought to you within the next day."

I didn\'t look up from the reports but nodded curtly. "Good. Ensure that it is handled discreetly. I do not want any unnecessary attention drawn to this matter."

"Of course, Sire," Alfred replied, his voice as steady as ever.

Good. Ever since I saw the descriptions of the Devil\'s Pen abilities. I have been holding an idea inside my head.

Let\'s try making some devil servants.