All-around teacher at the magic academy

"Father, are you going to watch the game? It's about to start." Eric stood at the study door, his gaze sweeping across the room to Duke Adams, who was intently reviewing documents. He asked softly.

"I won't go," Duke Adams replied calmly without looking up, his pen leaving firm marks on the document.

“I imagine many nobles will be going,” Eric persisted, trying to persuade his father to go along.

“I hate that atmosphere.” Duke Adams put down his pen, looked up at Eric, and a hint of barely perceptible annoyance flashed in his eyes. “A bunch of people pretending to care about the game, but actually just showing off their status and wealth.”

“The royal family should be coming too.” Eric knew his father wasn’t interested in the insincerity among nobles, but he still mentioned the royal family, hoping it would pique his father’s interest.

“It should be Raphael,” Duke Adams said, as if he already knew this, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “He always likes to show up at occasions like this to display his royal demeanor.”

Eric gazed intently at his father, the man who had been his role model since he could remember—his back was always ramrod straight, as if it would never bend under the weight of life.

Even when facing the supreme royalty, he never bowed or scraped; his self-respect and pride were as unyielding as his spine. He disdained associating with those nobles who only knew how to flatter and collude with the corrupt, and only wished to be down-to-earth and do more practical things for the people of Patton.

In Eric's heart, his father was the man he respected most and his lifelong idol. His father always educated him with his own code of conduct, which served as a lighthouse, guiding him forward.

His father had once solemnly told him that the country was not as glamorous as it appeared on the surface; beneath the glitz and glamour lay unspeakable filth and depravity. He taught Eric to see deeper, to understand that behind the game of power lay often the exchange of interests and dirty dealings.

Eric recalled that many nobles used to come to the mansion to visit his father, but as time went by, these visits gradually became less frequent.

He had discussed this issue with his father and expressed his concerns: it is still necessary to maintain good relationships with everyone. Even if some people's hands are not clean, we can't let the relationships become too tense, as that would cause inconvenience to many things.

Eric recalled that although his father was stubborn, he eventually listened to his advice and began trying to re-establish connections with some nobles. He hoped that in this way, he could win more support and allies for the family.

However, not long ago, an earl who had expressed his desire to join the Adams family was unfortunately assassinated, his life cut short.

Eric knew in his heart that only a handful of people could eliminate an earl in this city quietly.

I can guess who did it, and it's not just me; many powerful people probably know who did it, but they can't do anything about it. Everyone is just guessing; there's no evidence. Or even if they had evidence, they wouldn't dare to reveal it.

Clearly, someone was secretly opposing the Adams family, and they didn't want any other nobles to approach or support them. In Barton City, perhaps the only one who could rival the father's status was that powerful rival, the newly crowned mysterious duke.

Eric looked at his father and noticed that, without him noticing, a few strands of white hair had crept into his father's temples. Those white hairs, like the marks of time, silently told of his father's lifelong hard work and perseverance. "Sigh," Eric couldn't help but sigh, a complex emotion welling up inside him.

"What's wrong?" Duke Adams looked up, put down the documents in his hand, and looked at Eric with concern. He remembered that his eldest son was always resolute and confident, and he rarely heard him sigh.

“It’s nothing, Father.” Eric tried to hide his worry, his eyes flickering. He knew that although the Adams family was still one of the most powerful families in Barton City, its prestige and influence were not what they used to be.

If it weren't for the fact that their family controlled the powerful force of law enforcement, they would probably have been devoured by other powers long ago in the game of power.

"If you're tired, take a rest." Duke Adams' words revealed rare warmth and care. He understood that Eric carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. As the eldest son of the family, he not only had to inherit the family's glory but also face external challenges and pressures.

“I know, Father,” Eric replied softly.

“Hansen also has a match. Aren’t you sure you don’t want to go see him? He must really want to see you,” Eric gently reminded him, his voice filled with anticipation, hoping his father would change his mind and go cheer for Hansen.

“I won’t go. You go and check for me.” Duke Adams shook his head, his gaze returning to the documents in his hands. He clearly had his own considerations, perhaps to avoid attracting unnecessary attention, or perhaps he genuinely disliked purely social occasions.

“Understood.” Eric nodded, somewhat disappointed, but respecting his father’s decision. He knew that although his father wasn’t going to the scene, he was definitely supporting Hansen in his heart.

“Should we have Captain Max come over during this time?” Eric continued, worried that his father might have overlooked some important security details.

“No need, he’s already incredibly busy,” Duke Adams replied, his tone revealing his approval of Max’s work and his trust in him.

“Okay,” Eric replied, no longer insisting. He knew that Max, as captain, did indeed have a lot to handle.

“Then I’ll head back now.” Eric bowed slightly to his father, a respectful way of saying goodbye.

“Go ahead,” Duke Adams replied simply, his gaze never leaving the documents.

Eric stood at the doorway of the study, his steps hesitant, his heart filled with conflict. He wanted to turn around, go back into the study, and say to his father, "Please take good care of yourself," but these simple words lingered in his throat, unable to be uttered.

He was well aware of his father's work pressure and understood his father's sense of responsibility, but as a son, he couldn't help but care about his father's health.

In the end, Eric only sighed softly, a sigh that seemed like a helpless release, yet also like a deep concern for his father. He gently closed the study door, walked heavily down the stairs, and disappeared from his father's sight.

Duke Adams sat behind his desk, his ears catching the faint sigh of his son.

He slowly put down the documents in his hand, his gaze passing through the window and landing on his son's departing figure. A tenderness flashed in his eyes, an emotion he only showed when looking at his closest loved ones.

He sat there quietly, watching Eric disappear from his sight. After a moment, Duke Adams looked away and picked up the document again.