49 Under a magnifying glass, part 3

Vittorio's mood worsened with each page Antonio turned. Because each was taking him an incredibly long time. Time that Vittorio didn't have.

He could distract himself by watching over his father's military expenses and reading and re-reading his notes and documents, but those things were all finite. And Father prepared well for his leave—there wasn't that much to do except to accompany Antonio and listen to his quips.

This was when dangerous thoughts appeared in Vittorio's head. Thoughts like, 'I bet a bucket of cold water over his head would wash that smug expression off his face,' or, 'I can make his stay here insufferable. The prick deserves it, because he's so fucking insufferable to me and Father's work!'

Vittorio had to remind himself who this man was—a mage of high rank and a nobleman in a prominent position. Even if he had no land titles—not everyone was a firstborn—he still has education and certainly plenty of property to his name.