Count Shaun had many questions he wanted to ask his son.
How was he okay after bathing in the Nightmare Flames, was it the trigger for his Invocation?
Everybody assumed so, but the count was unsure.
Ashton had told him his plan to maneuver around and slay the fire, so why would he risk it...
Thoughts and questions like this repeating inside of his mind, on top of his seemingly endless and increasing workload had left the count without rest.
His eyes were puffy and dark from his lack of sleep as he pushed multiple newspapers across the room with his mana.
Without a word, he and Olaf picked up their conversation as the newspapers land in Ashtons lap.
As he looked upon the front page article at the top of the pile, he heard his father in the background, "About this Sir Galen..." before reading its title.
"Trial By Fire: Briefly Divine" Ashton chuckled at the title and continued reading.
"A trial meant to be a coming of age ceremony, a battle for a young noble to prove his place in society... but it was a night that ended with the blood of a grand mage."
[A good hook] Ashton thought, flipping and scanning through the rest of the newspapers.
The titles, introductions, and even articles whole were almost identical.
[Weird] Ashton thought, [These articles were manufactured, and then forced through the press]
Interrupting his father's conversation, "Did you make this happen father?"
Hunched over his desk, the count was annoyed at the question. His mind had been in motion for over 30 hours, his body was light, full of silent exhaustion, and here Ashton was asking an obvious question.
"You know I don't have the influence." Despite his annoyance, he took a breath and responded civilly, "It is weird though. Most nobles will hear of this by word of mouth, I mean over half of them were present last night. Somebody definitely ensured the information was exactly the same in every paper, so commoners would know and think the exact same thing."
[Of course, not even Duke Raine can control the media throughout the whole empire. Then who? The Emperess doesn't have such influence either...]
As he thought about who was manipulating the media, he grew increasingly angry. Not the kind that is seen in action, appearance, or words. It was the kind that bore obsession.
Whoever was behind this, wasn't lying and they weren't overtly harming his reputation. It was the clear opposite, the articles built him up.
But whoever was doing it, had to have an agenda. People invested in his image so much so, as to create a myth.
[Myth, "Divine", and multiple other religious connections inside these articles. It couldn't be the church, could it?]
The count saw it, from the corner of his eye, the way Ashton's eyebrows rose, and his eyes sparkled.
He knew Ashton had somewhat of an idea, it was what he expected. He gave his son the papers like he was hound dog, knowing Ashton would sniff something out.
But before he had the chance to question his son, a knock at the door interrupted both father and son.
"Come in.." Count Shaun answered, causing the office door to fly open and a butler to stride in. Walking past Ashton, the butler did not even notice him, "Sir, there is an alchemist from the Pheonix Magic Tower, at the front gate. He says he is expected but is not on any of our lists."
Count Shuan sighs, "Sir Galen..."
"Master, we had just read his letter, and he is already here. He couldn't have sent it more than 12hours ago, we are within reason to tell him to come back later." Olaf, offering his council, something the count heavily leans on.
Yet, Ashton interrupted. When he heard alchemist, he was intrigued. When he heard the tower mentioned, he was captured.
"No." He spoke, his voice from the back of the room cause fear within the butler. He wasn't scared of Ashton of perse, but he had kneeled and swore his life to him, and he walked by him without acknowledgement.
The butler was worrying for his job, not his life as he knew Ashton was kind. However, the worry faded when Ashton continued, "Bring this alchemist to a guest room and keep him there until I come for him."
Unmistakably an order, but to the butler it was soothing. The fascination on Ashtons face, and the high tone in his voice, the butler took for understanding.
"Yes sir!" Bowing and walking off, both in haste, the servant was fired up to fulfill his duty.
Sighing again, the count throws the letter Sir Galen sent ahead of his arrival into Ashtons lap.
He only skimmed it but noticed and registered all he needed to.
"An Honorary member..." A smile now formed on his face.
"Yes, and unlike us, he is a commoner. A true diamond in the rough, found by Tower Master Mitchell."
Ashton sat the letter a top the newspapers and rose from his seat, "It seems you two have enough going on here, I will make myself scarce."
He turned to walk out from the door but paused suddenly, he looked back over his shoulder then approached his father.
He bowed. And it felt weird, just like his father's prior words.
Ashton didn't know why, it was how he always acted but now it felt beneath him. As if his father's authority was not something that mattered anymore.
While he was walking away and out of his father office, Ashton knew he would have to soul search. He knew his Invocation had stripped something from inside of him.
It was easy to recognize, but hard to accept.
He had lost human emotion and noble standard, and a dharmic attitude was replacing it.
Was it transcendence or dehumanization? Ashton thought, but he couldn't tell so he pushed it aside.
He changed his clothes, brushed his teeth, and ate a meal.
He took care of himself, trying to avoid his own mind.
But the time for self-care was now over, he had kept his guest waiting for multiple hours at this point and was ready to meet the talent.