Sona's jaw dropped when this woman, who but a moment ago had been a dragon, introduced herself as Saphira. Quickly realizing his lack of manners, Sona took a knee and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Saphira. I have showed you an utter lack of respect. Please forgive me," Sona was at a loss for words. He had called his teacher beautiful. His cheeks tinged red at this embarrassing thought. 'I had to pick here and now to try and flirt with a woman who can change into a dragon. Oh Sona, what have you gotten yourself into?' He mentally berated himself at his actions on his first day.
Saphira started laughing at Sona and couldn't help but smile. "Saphira will do just fine. I'm not one to let manners and respect get in my way. Sona, now that the introductions are out of the way, would you mind telling me what you're doing here? This forest is very dangerous, especially for those with a high magical presence. You are a beacon in the dark for creatures who devour magic users," Saphira's mood had switched from one of cute, harmless flirting to an intimidating and demanding demeanour.
Sona felt the hairs on his neck stand up again but he just smiled at her imposing nature. She was terrifying, yes, but for some reason, Sona felt a heavy burden on her heart. 'Something is on her mind.' Sona thought to himself and frowned slightly. "Actually, I'm here because you were assigned as my teacher, Saphira," Sona admitted innocently.
Saphira froze in her tracks and then busted out in laughter. "That's a good one. Did Headmaster Hawthorne put you up to this? That is rich," Saphira continued laughing until she was in tears. When she looked up and noticed Sona was still serious she decided to take him seriously for a moment. "Okay, say you are telling the truth. What two elements are you compatible with?" She asked trying to take her role as a teacher more serious.
"There is only one affinity to which I am not attuned. I can not use Death Magic, but the other five I have an affinity with," Sona admitted innocently once again. He wasn't the type of person to brag so he just told Saphira the truth. He pulled out his schedule, which had been signed by both the Headmaster and the Entrance Instructor.
Saphira looked it over several times, each time her smile grew wider. 'He could be the one.' Saphira thought to herself and looked up at Sona again. "This is to elaborate to be a prank, so for now, I believe you. We have a lot to discuss. Starting with that stuff you said after I swallowed you," Saphira continued and stood there waiting for an answer.
Sona paused for a moment, hesitant to tell anyone about his destiny. He didn't know who he could trust other than Deltune and Valindra. If the stories he heard about elves in his world were true, most elves are peaceful and trustworthy, and so he put his faith in Valindra. Sona freaked a little bit when steam started being forced out of Saphira's nostrils. "I'm not originally from this world. I'm from a place called Earth," Sona muttered under his breath but he was certain she had heard him. "The world I come from, in that life I died. I was killed in an accident. I was offered a second chance through reincarnation. This world is where I ended up. Another teacher basically called me the chosen one," Sona rambled through his story, explaining what he thought important. He left out the part about Deltune being his partner and a Goddess of Rebirth. Sona felt it best to keep that knowledge to himself for now.
Saphira felt like he wasn't telling the whole story, but, he had been almost completely honest about everything else. "Very well. Then I have made my decision," Saphira said triumphantly. Sona was confused for a moment as Saphira raised her arm above her head. She quickly pulled her arm down and pointed her finger at Sona's face. "You, Sona of Earth, shall be my disciple, and I, your Master. You will be granted the might of the Dragon Clan. I shall bestow upon you my race's longevity and unmatched magical prowess. You will take up the banner as the legendary Dragoon," Saphira bellowed loudly enough for the whole forest to hear. The heavens themselves trembled at her voice and her declaration.
Sona felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Her passion made Sona feel like he could accomplish anything. "You would choose me to receive such a gift? What if I don't prove worthy of your power, Master?" Sona questioned her decision and looked down at the ground, doubt beginning to form at the back of his mind. 'What if I can't meet her expectations?' Sona thought to himself as his mind began to play through all the scenarios he could encounter.
Saphira watched the storm of doubt begin to cloud Sona's eyes. "You think to much, Sona," Saphira said and karate chopped the top of his head.
"Ow. That hurt, Master," Sona said and rubbed the top of his head. "Those dragon scale gauntlets are hard," Sona complained as a small bump appeared on the top of his head.
"Act like a hero. If a hit like that truly hurts, then you have a long way to go before you can fulfill your destiny, Sona. We have a lot of to do and I must gather the materials for the Right of Transfer. For now, return to your room. I shall discuss your living arrangements with the Headmaster and officially name you my disciple," Saphira said that last part happily, relieved to finally have found a successor. Sona nodded as Saphira turned to leave, but before she walked away, she looked back at Sona. "Oh, and it should go without saying, but everything we discussed today and from here on out should be considered classified. You are NOT to speak of this to anyone," She half growled this last statement before walking into her home to sit about on her task.
Sona stood frozen in place for several minutes before the fear finally passed. 'She is a terrifying woman, but it doesn't take away from her beauty or her confidence. I don't think I could have chosen a better teacher.' Sona thought to himself as his legs finally stopped shaking. 'Is she going to ask for permission for me to live with her? What do I tell Deltune? Should I tell her?' He kept thinking to himself as he followed the path Saphira had showed him. As he neared the edge of the forest, Sona could hear several people calling his name. Most of the voices sounded female in nature. "What's going on?" He asked before breaking into a light jog. He could hear his name getting louder the closer he got to the exit. He walked out of the trees and found himself several feet from where he entered earlier. Outside the woods stood Jaesu, Deltune, and their teacher Valindra. "Hey guys. What's going on?" He asked casually as he approached his friends.
"Lord Sona! You are safe! I heard rumors a dragon had nested in these woods. When Deltune said where you went, I feared for your life. It seems that was unnecessary," Valindra apologized before trying to revert to her emotionless expression.
"When Valindra told me that, I knew we had to find you, Sona," Deltune chimed in with her own remark. "We ran into Jaesu while looking for you and he agreed to help,"
"Hey man. Glad to see you safe. What went on in there? Did you really see a dragon?" Jaesu was excited to hear the details of Sona's story.
Sona was happy to see these people worried for him. Nobody had ever cared for him like this in his world. "I'm fine. Sorry for making you guys worry. This is where Saphira wanted to train me. She has decided to take me on as her only disciple," Sona admitted innocently and looked to Deltune. "I'll talk things over with Saphira tomorrow and figure things out, but for now," Sona's stomach interrupted his sentence. "Can we eat?" He asked and the other three people started laughing.
"Come Lord Sona. Lunch is on me today," Valindra offered and smile softly as she watched the three students interact with each other. 'Be a kid for now, my Lord. I fear these happy days may not last long, and I do not know when peace may come again.' Valindra thought to herself as they made their way to the cafeteria. True to her word, Valindra paid for everything and had a feast prepared in Sona's honor. Sometime during the commotion of festivities, Saphira had managed to weasel herself into the group. She seemed to be enjoying herself as much as every one else.
'I wonder if she has always been alone.' Sona thought to himself and the idea upset him. 'I will be her friend.' Sona mentally confirmed his decision and would make Saphira his friend.