Chapter 48 - First Encounters

With measured strides, Lady Ellara and Lord Alaric led Seraphina across the estate's sprawling courtyard garden toward the secluded rear section lined by ancient trees where young Eric awaited this long-anticipated initial meeting, accompanied as always by his stalwart lupine companion, Shadow.

Seraphina followed a step behind, floating along noiselessly in her enchanted silken robes, subtly observing the ornate marble statues and burbling fountains speckled throughout the greenery. The garden's design struck an artful balance between upholding refined tradition and providing a soothing habitat for the soul and senses alike.

Approaching the far end of the courtyard which transitioned to open grassy fields beyond, they found Eric sitting patiently in meditation beneath the dappled shade provided by the engraved elm's soaring branches. Sensing their arrival through earth and air, Shadow was first to open his eyes, stretching languidly before rising to nudge Eric's shoulder.

Roused from his contemplative trance, Eric blinked, then quickly stood up straight, squaring his slender shoulders and adjusting his tunic to remove any wrinkles. Though burgeoning excitement shone in the boy's bright eyes at this long-anticipated encounter, it warred with anxious nerves over making an optimal first impression upon the visiting sorceress who may soon hold his magical education solely in her hands.

Halting before the trio, Seraphina too the opportunity to openly scrutinize the youthful heir standing tall and proud, who may well become her next pupil. Fair and unblemished porcelain skin, delicate features balanced by a firm jawline, and seafoam eyes alight with lively intellect denoted his noble blood clearly enough. But birthrights alone inspired little confidence in her. All judgments of his worth would be borne out through deeds and temperament, not mere manners.

Gesturing for Eric to step forward, Lord Alaric proceeded with the expected formal introductions. "Son, allow me to present Lady Seraphina Duskmourn, an exceptionally gifted sorceress who hails from a distant land across the sea. Renowned for her rare mastery of the mystic arts, I have succeeded in bringing her to our estate after long months of letters seeking her wisdom."

Eric's eyes lit up with awe and deeper understanding dawned at those revealing words. His father had been hinting at a visiting instructor beyond any regional talent, but scant details had been revealed until this moment.

Lord Alaric placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "If after observing your current skills and temperament, she deems you dedicated enough in both mind and spirit to warrant taking on an apprentice, Lady Seraphina shall stay on as your personal mentor, overseeing the full remainder of your arcane education."

Eric straightened further at this pronouncement, before turning to address Seraphina directly, his voice flowing clear with utmost decorum. "Greetings honored Lady Seraphina. I sincerely hope in the days ahead to prove myself worthy of your invaluable time and receive the privilege of your instruction. Please know I shall strive to demonstrate the utmost diligence and respect." Then, as a show of courtesy, he offered a deep, elegant bow.

At Eric's side, his constant shadow, the intimidating jet black wolf who bore no collar yet projected unmistakable intellect, gave an acknowledging gruff bark following his master's introduction, as if determined to make clear he too understood that whatever Eric's fate, it was also irrevocably his own.

Inclining her head wordlessly at the polite greeting, for the time being, Seraphina maintained purposeful neutrality on her fair features. There would be ample days ahead to accurately take the full measure of this latest pupil candidate and pass her ultimate verdict, regardless of wherever the truth led. For now, only the preliminary pleasantries were complete, and the true assessment was about to commence in earnest.

From his attentive posture at Eric's side, Seraphina noted that the wolf, Shadow, continued watching the entire proceedings with keen interest, as though fully invested in the outcome. As she subtly stretched out with strands of mana to analyze the boy's aura and signature for first impressions, surprisingly the wolf too gave off an aura with far more complexity than any average beast. Their bond likely flowed two ways.

Glancing back at Eric, who awaited her forthcoming judgment with a mix of both optimism and anxiety poorly concealed behind noble poise, Seraphina found her long-held notion of this heir being just another frivolous, over-entitled noble rapidly fading. His respect was clearly evident, but not subservience. And his hope for her teachings appeared born of genuine aspiration, not blind parental ambition. Indeed, perhaps authentic arcane potential truly did lay dormant within, merely awaiting the proper catalyst...