First Choice

Leofric cleared the chalkboard as the class noisily packed up and headed off to lunch. All but one student, he realized as he turned around. "What can I do for you, Athena?" He smiled cheerfully at the dark-haired, grey-eyed girl - who had recently sprouted feathers and was standing in front of his desk, looking determined.

"I want you to be my Mentor," she said without preamble.

He paused, doing a mental double-take. Athena was an intelligent, practical girl, who always had her homework done exactly right on the day it was due. If anyone had asked him who should be her Mentor, he would have said Dairine - or maybe Cynara. Not himself.

Then again, Leofric hadn't thought of himself as first-choice Mentor for anyone, yet. And she was a dedicated and skilled student in the martial arts club.

"Sit down," he said finally, gesturing to one of the front-row desks and sitting down at his own as she did so. "Have you thought this through thoroughly?"

"Of course." She nodded emphatically. "You teach discipline and self-awareness, and responsibility. Plus I would like to learn warfare. Strategy and such," she added as an afterthought.

Leofric considered, stifling a sudden thrill of nerves. Despite having been an adult - and an Adult - for decades, having been given his Name almost half a century ago, he still didn't really feel adult. But he couldn't put it off forever.

"That seems reasonable. Okay then." He nodded with a smile. "Yes, Athena, I accept you as my Student."