Disclaimer: I don't know any part of Trails of Cold Steel. At all.

Teaching Days 1: Sharing the Pain

When he stepped into the Mitch's store, Toval noticed it immediately. Where the special collector edition of "Carnelia" once stood now display an entirely different series. From the size of each book to the coloring, it was obvious that this one was new.

Relieved that the story wasn't there, the art user is nonetheless curious of the new series. For Mitch who just loves to tease him about the series and his relationship with a certain sister to change the display like that, either it's a really good series or Mitch has found a new target.

"Yo, Mitch. Got anything for me?"

"Nothing earth shattering" The grouch replied, never glancing up from his newspaper. "Might be in your interest to know that a certain wandering minstrel is back in town though."

"I see" Toval nodded, a bit relieved to know that Olivert was still doing well. "No one noticed yet?"

"Nope" Here, the information broker smirked a bit "They're too busy dealing with his antics to actually noticed that the person they're talking to is him"

"Haha, that sounds just like him I suppose" Toval paused, before he asked the question that he shouldn't be asking "What happened to your prized Carnelia collection? Sold it?"

"Not a chance in hell. This series is way more amusing to put up though."

"Oh?"

"See for yourself" The smirk turned into a full grin now, making Toval even more curious.

Confused, Toval heads toward the shelf and picked up volume 1. As soon as he did that however, he immediately understand why – and he can't help but laugh.

In stylized letter, the tittle reads "Ashen Chronicle".

Later

Apparently something was wrong, because Altina – former Noble Alliance member, MIllium's little sister, Rufus' pet project and Rean's student at Kreuves – just called him stop their instructor from leaving. (The blond can't help but smirk when the girl stumbled on her words and almost said "her instructor").

"Come in!" The voice was cheerful, but it was definitely way too cheerful for someone like Rean.

"Heard you're going on vacation Rean?" A quick look around showed that, yes, Rean Schwarzer is definitely packing up and skipping town. And maybe not temporarily.

"Ahahah, so you heard huh?" the black haired young man scratched the back of his head "Was it Towa or Randy?"

"Altina, actually"

"… That's surprising." Rean paused, as if not sure that what he heard was right "You're sure it was heard"

"She was the one that leads me here, so yeah, I'm pretty sure" Toval shrugged, before schooling his face into a more serious expression "Alright, spill. What is going Rean? For you to just skip out on your duty is definitely strange. Especially considering that the last time I saw you and your class I honestly though they're just one adoption paper away from being your kids"

The young man sighed, plopping down on to the bed. He looks drained, as If the energy was sucked out of him by a Nosferatu.

"Look, you remember that series? The Ashen Chronicle?"

"Pfft." The art user can't help but snort at that "Of course I remember. Finally someone who understand my pain"

"Yeah well, a few days ago the same publishing company sends me a special collection of their soon to be release spin off…" Rean trailed off, struggling with the next words

"Well, that doesn't sound so bad, was it?" Toval prompted, only to receive a flat look in response.

"The collection is called "The Night Ashen Chronicle", with each vol having a different story. And it's 18+ series"

"… Wait, what?"

"If you don't believe me, then the entire collection is sitting on my desk over there" The tachi user pointed said object "And before you ask, no it's not because of the blood and gore".

Curiosity piqued, Toval head over and picked up the one top. The title alone was enough to make the blond raise his eyebrows – Sinful Vice. The illustration definitely so –considering that it looks eerily similar to a certain jaeger-turned-bracer-turned-instructor that they both knew.

Gulping, Toval turned to a random page and started to read. Less than a minute later, he calmly closed the book and looked at the rest of the collection.

"Are they… are they all like that?"

"Probably. I just checked 2-3 books and then I read the title of the rest" The Schwarzer heir sighed "It was then that I decided that I have to book it as soon as possible, considering the people depicted in there"

"… I know I shouldn't ask, but who? Surely it can't be that bad…"

"Every girls in Class VII, Instructor Sara, Captain Claire, Sharon, Alfin, Elise, Altina… Heck, they even managed to include Duvalie and Scarlet of all people!"

"Oookaaaayyy…"

"You don't understand. How do you think Viscount Arseid or Prince Olivert or Zephyr or Captain Lechter or Director Irina would react?" Rean shouted, clearly distressed by the thoughts. "Worse, I'm hearing through the grapevines that Laura's mother is none other than that Steel Maiden. The one that McBurn considered his equal. You know, Blazing Demon McBurn?"

"Uh…"

"So yeah, this is the one time that I'm definitely running away." The young instructor nodded to himself and started to leave, before turning to Toval. "Oh yeah, you're my replacement by the way"

"… Say WHAT?"

"I told Principal Aurelia that I would convince you to teach in my place for a while and she agreed. I was going to try and contact you after I'm going under but since you're here might as well make it official, right?"

Author's Notes: Kinda runs out of steam at the end there, but eh. I had a small list of titles for that 18+ collection though (no story, obviously) like Sinful Vice for Sara, Cleasing Rain for Claire, Alluring and Amorous for Alfin, etc...

Also, for those curious, the 2 letters at the start is for where they take place the timeline:

+ SD = School Days: CS1

+ CD = Courageous Days: CS2

+ TD = Teaching Days : CS3