****
A few days later.
The dining hall was spacious and bright, lit by the warm glow of candlelight from sconces on the stone walls. The polished wooden floor gleamed faintly under the soft flicker of golden light. A grand bronze chandelier hung above the long oak dining table, its crystals catching the glow as shadows danced on the stone ceiling. The table was beautifully crafted, smooth and sturdy, with carved designs of vines running along its edges.
The plates were fine porcelain, rimmed in gold, with polished silver cutlery and crystal goblets beside each setting. In the center, a steaming pot of spiced wine gave off a rich, fragrant aroma. The meal itself was simple but hearty—roasted lamb with rosemary, golden flaky pastries filled with spiced meat, honey-glazed carrots, and warm, fresh bread.
Lady Maria Von Earldred sat at the head of the table, her elegant silver gown glinting under the candlelight. Her auburn hair was neatly tied back, and her presence carried the grace and authority of nobility. Arlena sat beside her, her sharp features illuminated by the glow as she picked at her food casually. Across from them sat Lucius, quietly focused on his meal as he listened to the faint crackling of the fire in the grand hearth at the end of the hall.
The fire cast a warm glow over the room, mixing with the rich scent of roasting meat and freshly baked bread. The atmosphere was comfortable and calm, a mix of tradition, warmth, and quiet conversation as they ate.
Lady Maria was the first to break the silence, her voice calm and refined as she looked toward Arlena. "So, Arlena, how's Lucius's training been going so far?" she inquired.
Arlena took a bite of the honey-glazed carrot, chewing lazily as she spoke through a mouthful. "Hmm... oh, great, great... he's doing pretty good," she said, more focused on the food on her plate than the conversation.
Lucius, sitting across from her, leaned back in his chair with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, great as long as you don't count all the times you've nearly made me faint with your training drills," he added cheekily.
Arlena froze mid-bite, narrowing her eyes at him as she set her fork down. "Watch your mouth, boy. For the sake of your training, I'll let that slide... this time."
Lucius chuckled, leaning back a little further, arms crossed confidently. "I'll keep that in mind, Arlena."
Lady Maria, watching the banter unfold, couldn't help but chuckle softly at their exchange. Before long, her laughter grew into a genuine, hearty burst, and the sound was infectious.
Arlena and Lucius exchanged a glance, and in an instant, they couldn't stop themselves from joining in. The sound of laughter filled the grand dining hall, light and warm, as the three shared a moment of simple joy.
The laughter soon subsided, and Arlena leaned back in her chair, grabbing the napkin from her lap to dab her mouth. She placed her cutlery neatly on the plate, signaling that she was done with her meal. Her playful demeanor gave way to a more serious expression as she turned to face Lady Maria.
"Lady Maria," she began, folding her hands on the table. "I must say, Lucius has been making remarkable progress. At first, I wasn't sure how things would go, considering his background is more steeped in swordsmanship than magic. But to my surprise, his love for magic runs deeper than I expected. He's not just interested in it—he's passionate. He genuinely enjoys discovering how it works and pushing himself to master it."
Maria's brow raised slightly in intrigue, and Arlena continued. "His work ethic is exceptional for someone his age. During our training sessions, he doesn't just meet the expectations I set; he exceeds them. Even when he's clearly exhausted or struggling, he refuses to give up. For example, I assigned him some advanced concentration exercises—ones typically given to academy students in their second or even third year—and he managed to complete them with minimal guidance. Of course, it wasn't perfect, but the effort and determination he showed were nothing short of impressive."
She paused, glancing briefly at Lucius, who was suddenly very interested in his plate. "He's also showing a natural talent for combining disciplines. I've seen him instinctively incorporate concepts of swordsmanship into his spellcasting stance, which gives him an unusual but highly effective edge. It's a rare skill—one most magic swordsmen don't develop until much later in their training, if at all."
Maria's lips curled into a proud smile, and Arlena pressed on. "If he continues at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if he reached Tier 4 before he even enters the academy, maybe even higher. His capacity for growth is extraordinary. That said, I've been careful to remind him that magic is as much about discipline as it is raw power. He's still young, and there's a long road ahead, but I truly believe he has what it takes to not only succeed but excel."
She leaned back slightly, letting her words sink in. "So, in summary, your son is not just talented. He's exceptional. With the right guidance, he'll go far—farther than most. You have every reason to be proud of him."
Lady Maria's eyes glistened slightly as she looked toward Lucius, who shifted in his seat, trying—and failing—to suppress a sheepish grin.
Lady Maria's expression brightened as she listened to Arlena's report. She nodded approvingly, her hands clasped together. "That's truly wonderful news," she said warmly. "It's good to know he's making such strides. If only he were as passionate about swordsmanship as he is about magic. We are still a family of magic swordsmen, after all." Her tone carried a mix of pride and light teasing, though her words were unmistakably firm.
Lucius groaned and leaned back in his chair, whining, "But mooom… swordsmanship is boring."
Maria immediately fixed him with a sharp look, the kind only a mother could give. "Hush your mouth, young man," she chided, her tone stern but not overly harsh. "You don't speak of your heritage so carelessly."
Lucius sighed, sitting up straight as though he'd been scolded by a schoolteacher. "Yes, Mother," he muttered, his voice tinged with reluctance.
Arlena watched the exchange with amusement, resting her chin in her hand. Once the moment passed, she casually turned to Maria, her tone light and conversational. "Speaking of family, how's my brother doing these days?" she asked, her words clearly referring to Lord Matthias, Lucius's father.
Lady Maria smiled softly at Arlena's question. "Ah, he does well to send letters often," she began. "The last I heard from him, he was still battling demons on the southeastern frontier. He mentioned that they've been making great progress driving the invaders away from the empire's borders."
The forts along the borders were vital to the empire's safety. These strongholds, similar to border towns, served as the first line of defense against the demon threat. Their primary focus was to prevent any invading forces from breaching the empire's lands, ensuring the safety of those within.
Arlena nodded thoughtfully, her brow slightly furrowed. "Then he should be returning soon, correct?"
Maria's smile grew wistful. "Yes, I hope so," she replied, her tone softening. "I can only pray for his safe return. The frontier is no place for the faint of heart."
Lucius's eyes lit up, his youthful admiration clear. "Dad is pretty amazing, isn't he?" he said, his voice filled with awe.
Maria's gaze softened even further as she looked at her son. "Of course, he is," she said warmly. "And one day, Lucius, you'll be even more amazing than your father."
Lucius beamed at the praise, his chest puffing with pride. But before he could bask in the moment, Arlena abruptly stood up and clapped her hands. "Alright, enough of that," she said with a teasing grin. "Training time."
Before Lucius could protest, she strode over and gently grabbed his ear. "Ow, ow, ow!" he exclaimed, wincing as she dragged him toward the door, her grip firm but not harsh. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Maria chuckled softly at the sight, shaking her head in amusement. But as the pair left the room, her expression turned tender, her thoughts focused on her son.
Matthias will be so proud of him when he returns, she thought to herself, her heart swelling with hope and love. I can't wait for him to see just how much Lucius has grown.