Magic is Programming

"So… This feels awkward, but we would… rather not have you watching us while we continue examining these." Carlos managed not to chuckle nervously, but his hesitations and strained smile still showed his apprehension clearly.

Crown Mage Felton gazed calmly at the recently-ennobled high lord in front of him as he considered the request. "You engaged in considerable antics in my presence already without a care, so I doubt you ask merely to hide embarrassment. You mentioned before that an unspecified house secret would help you analyze these. Are you requesting privacy in order to use that house secret unobserved by the Crown's servants?"

Carlos raised an eyebrow, then nodded and released most of the tension in his muscles. "Astute deduction. Yes, that's exactly it."

Felton nodded in acknowledgement. "Very well. How long should I remain absent, and should I take your royal guards with me?"

"Until evening, around dinner time would be good, though we'll probably want to move again before then. And yes."

"We can find your new campsite easily enough, and the adventurers with you are more than capable of protecting you from any native dangers of this area on their own. I will return for the evening meal. Good day, Lord Carlos, and I hope you learn something of good use." Felton bowed shallowly, then turned and walked over to Lorvan.

Huh. That was surprisingly easy. Then again, Lorvan has made a point of respecting house secrets in the past. Carlos shrugged and watched Felton briefly converse with Lorvan, who soon called Ordens to join them. While waiting for them to leave, he idly checked for other detection and analysis enchantments in the borrowed royal guard armor. One for analyzing aether drew his attention, and he activated it, focusing on Amber and the area around her. A translucent visual depiction of the nearby aether flows appeared, overlaying his normal vision through the helmet, along with written notes of some specific details.

Level 16 ambient mana background.

Dungeon zone.