William stared out the carriage window, watching as the woods slowly transformed into the plains that he recognized as the land that surrounded Yggdrasil Academy. The jolt of the carriage awoke him from his daze.
"Count Woodland?"
The voice came from outside the carriage. William peeked and saw it was a young man of shorter stature and black hair.
"Count Woodland? I was told to assist you with any task you may require."
William mused to himself that it was a porter; the Headmistress was treating him quite well, despite William's extended time teaching at Yggdrasil. She still found time to assign one to him.
"Ah, thank you, dear boy, my suitcase is in the trunk, and if you would be so kind."
William thought for a second before adding.
"Please be careful, I brought some costly lab equipment with me that I'd rather not be damaged."
The porter bowed.
"Of course, my lord, I shall not let any damage befall your suitcase."
William brought out his pipe, the bowl still packed from his morning routine, and with a tiny burst of mana, produced a tiny flame on the tip of his finger. He cupped the pipe with one hand and lit it to a smolder with the other. William took a small sip, enjoying the flavor of the cherry wood that made up the pipe and the finely grown tobacco that lingered on his tongue, like whiskey before being swallowed. He puffed the smoke out and watched it rise into the ceiling of the carriage.
William stepped out of the carriage, hand in front of his face to stop the beating sun from blinding him.
"My lord, I have your suitcase. Would you like me to lead you to your new lecture hall?"
William turned and gave a small smile.
"What a wonderful idea, please do so."
***
William walks behind the porter, his longer legs forced to walk just a bit slower to let the porter show him the newly expanded Midgard building.
"Count Woodland? May I ask a question?"
William glanced back from the artwork that showed the former Headmasters and Headmistresses of Yggdrasil.
"Of course."
The porter licked his lips before asking.
"How are you able to walk around in that greatcoat in this weather? Even I'm sweating, and I dressed lightly."
William glanced down at his dark gray ulster coat before thinking for a second before explaining.
"It's actually a trick I learned from my brother when he came back from his time in the army, using wind magic to draw the air that the body heats up out and replacing it with air from the outside, effectively cooling you to whatever you feel most comfortable."
The porter blinked.
"You can do that?"
William smiled.
"Why, yes you can, and it's been a blessing ever since I learned it."
***
They walk down the Midgard building before eventually arriving at William's new lecture hall. Entering it revealed a massive hall that held around 200 neatly organized seats. The porter blinked before asking.
"Whoa, Count Woodland, how did you manage to get such a nice place?"
William gave him a questioning look.
"Care to elaborate on that?"
The porter nibbled on his top lip before explaining.
"Well, I had helped Count McKee move in as well, but his lecture hall was nowhere near as nice. It was alright, but yours is just next level. Padded seats for the students, a clearly expensive and very nice desk, and even a personal office for yourself."
William tilted his head to the side.
"Hmm… I don't have a good answer for that, but I'd likely put it up to the luck of the draw, my boy."
The porter glanced up, eyebrow slightly raised.
"Of course, Count Woodland, the luck of the draw."
William let out an almost unheard snort.
"Well, my boy, I believe that I no longer require your services, but you provided an exquisite service."
The porter bowed.
"Of course, Count Woodland, it was my pleasure."
William dug into his pocket and retrieved his coin purse, and pulled out one gold coin.
"But in return, here's a crown for your troubles."
The porter's head snapped up.
"Oh no, Count Woodland, I couldn't possib–"
William flicked the coin up, and the porter's eyes followed it as it landed in his hands.
"I insist."
The porter bowed and quickly left.
William smiled as he watched the porter leave. William picked up his suitcase and made his way into his personal office. He looked around to see a bookshelf, a chair next to the fireplace, and another desk with a letter on top of it. After setting down his suitcase, he grabbed the letter and sat down in his chair next to the fireplace, and began to read.
"To the Count William Woodland III,"
"If you couldn't already tell, Count Woodland, I may have suggested some improvements that I know you would enjoy to the builders. I hope that you find them useful for your teaching. However, as much as I wish this were simply a personal letter, it simply isn't. I have decided to hold a seminar to introduce our new professors to Yggdrasil Academy, while I am aware of your habit of shutting in until the semester starts, to plan out your lessons in advance. However, I highly suggest that you join us for this seminar, and afterwards, you can return to your lesson planning. Or perhaps after the seminar, you can take me out to dinner just like you asked all those years ago during our own time here at Yggdrasil Academy."
"Your Headmistress, Duchess of Yggdrasil, Archmage of Snow, Lady Cynthia Winters"
William sets down the letter and rubs his eyes.
"She's still bringing that up? I might never live that down."