Lucios, peered ahead at the heavy oak door. His father's office, Count Tiberios, was a mysterious and forbidden place for him. It had been years since Lucios dared to cross that threshold. The floorboards creaked beneath his feet as he hesitated, staring at the polished bronze handle.

The room was shrouded in shadows, illuminated only by a single narrow window and the fireplace. Heavy velvet curtains hung. The air smelled of parchment and candle wax, a blend of mystery and authority.

The walls were lined with oak bookshelves, filled with volumes bound in leather. Books, scrolls, maps of distant lands. Lucios wondered if any of these tomes contained forbidden secrets or stories of legendary heroes.

In the center of the room, an imposing mahogany desk occupied the space. Stacks of papers, wax seals, and goose quills were arranged with military precision. Count Tiberios spent hours there, devising plans and strategies for his territory.

Lucios noticed a worn rug beneath the desk. The colors had faded, but it was still possible to distinguish the family crest, a shield with two intertwined serpents in an attacking position, their forked tongues extended toward the top of the shield, demonstrating vigilance and readiness.

The top of the shield is adorned with a crown of laurels, symbolizing victory, glory, and honor. Around the shield, there is a blue border carved with intricate patterns, evoking a sense of tradition and nobility.

This crest also adorned the Count's ring, a symbol of his noble lineage.

In the stone fireplace, dying embers cast a flickering light. Lucios entered the office and stood in front of his father, who was watching him with deep, thoughtful eyes. Count Tiberios was a man of few words, but his presence filled the room like distant thunder.

"Father, I..." Seeing his father silent, looking at him, Lucius tried to start the conversation, but was quickly interrupted by the count.

"I heard about the wolf attack. An unfortunate event that would not have happened if you had obeyed the orders I gave for you and your brothers to always stay by your teacher's side. Your lack of discipline is disturbing," the count spoke in a low, more intimidating tone.

"But, father, it was Adrian and Lucam. It was their idea. They called me and..." Lucius, already nervous, tried to explain to his father, but was interrupted again.

"They called you? Then they didn't force you to go, which means the blame for being attacked by the wolf is yours," the count spoke without changing his tone and continued, "As for Adrian and Lucam, they will be punished for fleeing training, ignoring the orders I gave. And don't think for a moment that because of the wolf incident, you won't be punished."

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"I'm tired of your negligence in training. I've lost count of how many times I've received reports that you've run away from your teacher," the count said as he looked at Lucios, who now had a clearly astonished look. "You're very reckless. Did you really think I wouldn't find out? However, perhaps I can find new ways to motivate you."

Lucios felt a lump in his throat as he heard his father's harsh words. He knew he wasn't the son his father expected, but he couldn't muster interest in the training his father imposed on him. He preferred to read history books and dream of adventures in distant lands.

"From the reports I received, you broke the bottleneck of the metamorphosis stage during the fight," the count smiled. "Because of that, I have in mind an excellent punishment for you. Due to Owen's clear incompetence in failing to keep you in line, I will not allow him to continue training you here in the castle, where your mother can spoil you."

"I will send you north, to the Kamaiura estate. Baron Oliver is an old stubborn and grumpy knight who gained the noble title during the invasion of the Tikuna kingdom, ten years ago, on the southern border. He has long been trying to establish connections with the oldest noble houses," the count said.

"But father, Kaapurina is my home and I just arrived. I haven't even fully recovered. Also, doesn't the Kamaiura house territory suffer frequent attacks from barbarians because it's on the northern border of the kingdom?" Lucios retorted.

The count, for the first time since the conversation began, changed his stoic gaze to one of surprise. "It seems that at least your training in the kingdom's geography is being applied. It seems Owen didn't completely fail in your training."

The count stood up as he circled the desk and walked to the door, speaking. "It's already decided. As soon as your injuries heal, I will send you to continue your training under Baron Oliver's care. And I want to make it clear that if you fail me and embarrass me and the Apurina house while you're there, I will erase your name from the family tree tome, and you will only remember that you once had the Apurina surname."

At that moment, Count Tiberios opened the office door, revealing Sir Michael and Sir David, who had returned to their posts at some point.

"Michael, accompany Lucios back to his room and order some soldiers not to let him leave," the count said.

Lucios felt a chill down his spine at his father's words. He knew the count was not joking, and he would have to face the challenge of training with Baron Oliver, a man famous for his rigidity and discipline. He looked at Sir Michael's face, which seemed compassionate but also resigned.

Lucios lowered his head, having nothing more to say. He followed Sir Michael down the hallway, while Sir David closed the office door behind them. He wondered what his life would be like in the north, away from his mother, his friends, and everything he knew.

He didn't think he would be punished, and even if he were, it never crossed his mind that he would be punished so severely by his father. His biggest mistake was thinking that Sir Owen would hide the flaws in Lucios' training. After all, Sir Owen was already an old knight who, despite having his services highly appreciated by his grandfather when he was the lord of the Apurina house, his father Tiberius never held the old knight in high esteem, always looking for a way to get rid of him. Lucios thought, with a sad expression.