Aiden stood there, staring at Regis, feeling a little more settled but still completely overwhelmed by everything he had just learned. A whole world—his world—was a lot to take in, and despite Regis’s calm reassurances, his mind was still racing. Charlie, sensing his unease, gave a soft bark, snapping Aiden out of his thoughts.

Aiden smiled down at the dog, grateful for the distraction. “Hey, buddy,” he muttered, leaning down to scoop Charlie into his arms. The warmth of the dog’s small body against his chest was comforting, grounding him in the moment.

Regis watched with a soft, approving look before speaking again. “There is much to explore here, Master Aiden, and much to learn. But before you begin, there is something important I must show you.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow but nodded, curiosity tugging at him despite his lingering hesitation. “Okay… lead the way.”

Regis turned and began walking, leading Aiden deeper into the library. They moved past rows of towering shelves, their endless volumes seeming to watch as they passed. After what felt like several minutes of walking, they arrived at a large, ornately carved door set into the far wall. Aiden was surprised as he noticed the design on the door—an intricate pattern of swirls and symbols that looked remarkably similar to the carvings on the small wooden box his grandfather had left him.

“This door,” Regis began, turning to face Aiden, “is connected to the heart of the Castle of Wisdom. Inside lies the core, a crystal that sustains the magic and life of this place.”

Aiden frowned, his eyes locked on the door. “The core?”

Regis nodded. “Yes. It is a living entity of sorts, bound to the Castle itself. But more importantly, it is now bound to you. Your grandfather was its previous keeper, but now, it must recognize you as its master.”

Aiden shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the moment pressing down on him again. “And how do I do that?”

Regis stepped forward, pointing to a small indentation near the lock on the door—just large enough for a finger. “You will need to use your blood. A small prick will suffice, and the door will open.”

Aiden stared at the lock, then back at Regis, feeling a sense of déjà vu from when he’d opened the wooden box. He shifted Charlie to his other arm and hesitated before speaking. “Blood again, huh? Seems like a theme.”

Regis smiled faintly. “The Castle responds to the bloodline of its creator. Your blood, as the grandson of Arthur Reyneldor, is the key to unlocking its full potential.”

Aiden pretended that he didn’t just hear Reynolds, turning into Reyneldor. Taking a deep breath, Aiden nodded. “Alright… let’s do this.”

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Putting Charlie down, Aiden used his hand to press his finger against the small indentation. The surface was smooth, but with a tiny prick, he felt a sharp sting as the device took a small drop of his blood. Instantly, the lock clicked, and the intricate designs on the door began to glow softly, pulsating with a blue light.

The door swung open with a low, mechanical hum, revealing a chamber unlike anything Aiden had seen before.

Inside, the room was vast and circular, the walls lined with delicate engravings that pulsed with the same soft blue light as the door. But it was the crystal in the center of the room that caught his attention. It was enormous—at least twice his height—and it glowed with an intense, living light. The crystal was a deep, vibrant blue, and its surface seemed to ripple like water, as though it were alive. It pulsed gently, in rhythm with something unseen, and as Aiden stepped closer, he could feel the energy radiating from it, a hum that seemed to echo in his very bones.

Regis gestured toward the crystal. “This is the heart of the Castle, the core that sustains everything. It is alive, in a sense, and it is waiting for you.”

Aiden swallowed hard, his eyes wide as he stared at the crystal. “What… what do I do?”

“Touch it,” Regis said simply. “Your blood has already begun the process. Now, you must connect with the core to complete the transfer.”

Aiden hesitated, glancing down at Charlie, who looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes. “You think this is a good idea, buddy?”

Charlie gave a small yip, as if to say, Go for it.

Aiden took a deep breath and stepped forward, his hand hovering just above the surface of the crystal. The energy it emitted was strong but not overwhelming, a steady pulse that seemed to match the beating of his own heart. Slowly, he reached out and pressed his palm against the cool, smooth surface of the crystal.

The moment his skin made contact, the entire room lit up.

A sudden rush of energy surged through him, and the crystal glowed brighter, its surface shifting and swirling with life. A low hum filled the air, and then, a mechanical voice spoke, echoing through the chamber.

“Recalibrating… Transferring ownership to the bloodline of Arthur Reyneldor. New keeper: Aiden Reyneldor. Welcome, Master of the Castle.”

Aiden’s breath caught in his throat as the words washed over him. He could feel the connection forming, something deep and ancient binding itself to him. The core pulsed with a brighter light, and for a moment, Aiden could swear he felt the entire Castle shift around him, as though it were recognizing him, accepting him as its new master.

The voice continued. “Transfer complete. The Castle of Wisdom is now under the stewardship of Aiden Reyneldor.”

Aiden stepped back, his hand falling to his side as the crystal’s light dimmed slightly, settling into a steady, calm glow. He looked over at Regis, who watched him with quiet satisfaction.

“It is done, Master Aiden,” Regis said softly. “The Castle is now fully aligned with you, Master Aiden. It recognizes you as its master, as it did with your grandfather.”

Aiden exhaled, feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed. “I don’t even know what that means,” he admitted, shaking his head.

Regis’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You will, in time. What you need to do now, is whatever you would like to do. This world is yours.”