Destiny. It's a word that a lot of people toss around in this world, which is something I'm still not used to. I grew up in a place where I came from hardly anything and I eventually became a successful doctor, at least for a little while until I was dragged to this other realm. Is that destiny? Bad luck? Fate? I don't really know, and anybody that believes too much in those ideals not existing or guiding every action in the universe has spent too much time around thinking. When Byleth and I met I knew it foreshadowing change, just not what kind. I don't think it's destiny, but I won't bother correcting people that suggest it was. I'm just out here trying to help stop the world from falling apart.

The semester started without much fanfare, other than me being mildly more busy than usual. Not having much free time besides getting a quick meal here and there and sometimes Manuela having the clerics give me an evening off maybe 1-2 times a week on slow days, I've been busy albeit a bit bored.

With more students around it gives me a college like feeling, except for magic and combat being the focal points. All in all, I'm enjoying the environment and the stability that Garreg Mach has provided me. With the Battle of the Moon & Tree approaching at the end of the week I've seen much less of Manuela as she tends to her house of the Black Eagles, and in passing at the chow line I've heard gossip amongst many of the part-time students about who is going to win. Even though it's practice for these noble's kids, it's still a manner of pride.

Finishing up my last patient of the evening Wednesday evening I decide it's a good time as any to head to the library to start making a lesson plan for my seminar on Sunday. My seminars in Fhirdiad were less formal, but I had a plan nonetheless, and since I have none of my previous belongings I need to start from scratch. Luckily, Tomas has been very accommodating towards me and will likely lend me some supplies I can pay him back later for.

I get to the library around 10:30 pm and notice that most of the candles are out leaving only a few to give a dim light to the whole area. I head immediately to the back area where I see Tomas beside a large stack of papers and unorganized books reading a book next to a bright candle. I knock on the side of a bookcase gently to alert the man to my presence, who simply closes his book and looks over to me, "Ah, Santos. What brings you at this hour?"

"Looking to get some supplies for making a lesson plan. Figured you might be up to the task of helping me out? I can pay you back once I get paid for the seminars," I explain back but Tomas waves me off as he opens one of his desk drawers and pulls out some papers, quills, ink, and some spiral journals.

"That should suffice. And don't worry about paying me back. I have a surplus of extra paper thanks to the church's trade deals. You're doing me a favor by clearing space in my desk, aha!" Cackles Tomas and I chuckle a bit at his zany behavior.

"If you insist, and thank you," I reply to the older man and deliver a deep bow.

"Think nothing of it. I do hope your research bears interesting results."

I hesitate a bit before responding to Tomas's odd tone, "Yes...I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks again for the materials."

"Farewell Santos," Tomas breaths out as he returns his focus to his various journals and notebooks.

I leave briskly from Tomas's private area in the back of the library and make my way towards the exit of the large room. With my supplies in hand heading back to my room I turn the corner to leave and hit something very solid. I stumble to the ground dropping a few of the journals. Luckily I hold onto the other utensils but just barely.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Pardon me, let me help you up!" I hear a young refined voice blurt out as I look up and through the darkness I see a well-built teen hoisting me up.

I observe him scramble over the ground to collect my belongings that had fallen out of my hands as try to subtly readjust my mage robes. Looking closer at the boy and his long blonde hair I begin to put the pieces together of where I may have seen him from, though he looks a fair bit more older and mature than the child I last saw him as.

"Dimitri Bladdyd, correct?" I ask tentatively to him as stands up with the rest of my supplies. He turns around to face me fully in the dim hallway light, and it appears my guess is correct as he replies, "Yes, I am Dimitri Bladdyd. Once again, I'm sorry for startling you like that. Wasn't expecting anyone to be leaving the library this late."

"Don't think anything of it, it's fine. Curious though, what are you doing here so late?" I question back putting the noble student on the defensive. He seems visibly uncomfortable for a mere second before composing himself and responding, "Just here for some late-night studying. Been busy with training during the day so I've been stretched a bit thin."

"Perhaps better time management than, hmm?" I dryly suggest which Dimitri chuckles lightly, "Ahem, yes. I should look at that, wouldn't want to start the school year off on the wrong foot."

"Precisely. Anyways, good evening Dimitri," I tell him as I begin to make my way back down the hallway to my room as I hear Dimitri call after me, "Wait, what is your name, sir?"

I look over my shoulder making eye contact with the young prince, "Santos. It's been a while, Dimitri, hope you are well. Good night."

Before Dimitri can properly respond I take the opportunity to stride down the hallway, leaving the library well enough behind me. He didn't seem to recognize me, and I don't want to know what his extended thoughts on me are. At least not without witnesses present since he represents the country that I'm currently vilified in. Another battle for another time, and now is the time for rest.

The next day ended up being normal as usual with a few knights here and there needing some healing spells being applied and one knight learning the value of soap, the morning slowly gave way to another slow day. Luckily that means more time for me to plan out my seminar.

A bit afternoon with the rest of my patients from the morning healed up and discharged I see a pink-haired girl wanders into the room holding her arm looking around and exclaiming, "Wow, it's pretty neat inside here, and it's pretty clean too!"

I set my lesson plans down and stand up to greet the pink-haired girl, "Welcome to the medical ward. Injury I'm guessing?"

The girl shrugs and replies, "Oh, well I was in a difficult training session and managed to hurt my elbow. Figured I would head to the medical ward at Claude's insistence to get check upon."

"Fair enough. Take a seat on one of the medical beds and I'll take a look at the damage," I instruct the girl as I get my clipboard that's resting on the alchemy table. The spritely girl happily saunters over to the bed without much restriction in her movements or visible signs of discomfort that her arm is actually causing any pain, causing me to be a bit skeptical that I may have a student skipping class. Wouldn't be the first time someone used the ole 'I need to go to the nurse's office' excuse at school.

I walk over to her with my clipboard and ask, "Alright, name?"

"Hilda Goneril from the Golden Deer house."

"Any allergies or intolerances known?"

She puts an index finger on her lip whilst looking up as to ponder my basic medical questions for a few long seconds, "Hmmmm...I don't think so."

"Good. Tell me what happened, how did you injure your elbow?"

"I was training with those obscenely heavy training axes at the training grounds, and when practicing my swings I weirdly felt my elbow twist so I dropped it and told Claude. He told me to go get checked out here, and then here I am," Hilda explains with a generally polite and happy tone.

"Okay, so can you move your elbow at all. How bad does the pain feel?" I ask as I take a few quick notes on my clipboard.

"It just kinda hurts. I don't think I'll be able to do the training for a while if I can't swing those axes," Hilda bemoans while looking out the window of the clinic.

"I'll be the judge if you can get back to training. I'm an exceptional healer and doctor. So, can you hand me your injured arm?" I ask as I begin to focus on my magical energies for a Heal spell.

Hilda gently lays down on the bed letting both of her arms by her sides, her left arm that's been injured moves with a bit of tenderness in her actions and Hilda lets out a hiss and wince, but I curiously narrow my eyes. I place my hands above her arm and begin to work my literal magic. Heal when applied to a target gives a sort of feedback to what is injured and then requires a demand of the caster to pour enough magical energy to fix said problem. Restore is just a souped-up version of Heal essentially with higher mental and physical demands.

As I cast the spell I feel barely any difference in the arm of Hilda as a negligible amount of mana leaves my body and I hear Hilda coo, "That feels good. Like a warm massage. I can see why people like having healers around so much."

I frown at Hilda's comment and reply, "It seems you didn't have much damage to your elbow. You should be able to go back to training immediately with no restrictions."

Looking a bit sullen from my stamp of approval Hilda quietly asks, "But shouldn't I rest a bit? Doesn't it take spell effects a while to fully work? I don't want to tweak my elbow or pull a muscle again."

I hold down a laugh at her antics to avoid work and reply, "With heavier wounds and internal damage, yes, but you had hardly a sprain from what I can tell. You are good as new. I'd suggest getting back to class before people start to worry."

Hilda shirks my suggestion with a wave of her hand replying, "Oh, they know I'm in good hands. You said yourself that you are an exceptional doctor and healing mage, right?"

"True, but since you are healed," I gesture to the door dramatically, "Then you are good to go."

Hilda taps her lips and tilts her head in a thinking pose, "Right, cause that would get in the way of your book reading and tending to all the other patients in need."

Hilda makes sure to look knowingly around the room with her bright pink eyes to emphasize her argument that my clinic is indeed empty besides the two of us. I bristle at her attempts to stay longer by pointing out that she's making my time here worthwhile by giving me work to do.

I shrug and nonchalantly chime back, "Well, as long as you are here I might as well put you to work. Some of the bedpans need cleaning if I remember correctly. Also okay with being around a convicted criminal?"

Hilda visibly pales at my suggestions and rambles out, "Uh, yeah, I just remembered I had some important books that I forgot about. Marianne wanted to borrow them so I should probably get them to her before I forget."

I crack a small but smug smile, "Hmmm, that does sound important. I won't keep you any longer than if you are busy."

"Oh thank you, doctor…" Hilda pauses as I reply," Capetillo. Santos Capetillo."

"Right. Gotcha. Well, thanks for healing up my arm!" Hilda happily praises as she bounds off the medical bed and scampers out of the room. As she leaves the room I shake my head and finally let out some laughter I was suppressing, "Damn kids. Making me feel old when I would do that kind of behavior."

I take a set my clipboard down on the alchemy table once again and retake my position on my stool where I was writing my lesson plans for the seminar I would be hosting in a few days. It would be a day after the practice battle between the houses for select students to measure their fighting capabilities, so hopefully, I can get a general vibe for how each house is doing and what to anticipate. That and I hope people are ready to learn battlefield medicine and don't think it's boring.

"I'll declare the rules for the houses of the skirmish, and then we will wait on the sidelines. You just need to stay out of sight and be prepared for any injuries. I'll show you where we will set up as it has a good vantage point of the battlefield," Seteth explains as we exit the small carriage and begin to tread on the grassy plains towards a large hill.

"I'm good with that. What are you measuring in the battle?" I asked curiously as I look around at the beautiful forest area from the hill we are clambering up. Seteth looks back and replies, " Knight must be able to work in small groups with cohesion and obey their commanding officer. Meanwhile, the commanding officer must serve as a skilled tactician for leading their group away from situations that leave them at a disadvantage."

"Ah, so looking to see not only technique but also brains. That's good." I assure as we crest the hill and look over the battlefield. A large patch of trees border the southern area and middle area, but the rest of it looks fairly open. Perfect for open-field combat.

I look to Seteth once more, and before he descends to greet the houses I blurt out, "Hey, one last question. Who all is fighting today?"

Seteth turns on his heel to face me and neutrally replies, "Each house selected 3 members along with their house leader and professor. The Black Eagle house is represented by professor Manuela and Edelgard with their students being Ferdinand, Hubert, and Petra. The Blue Lions represented by professor Hanneman and Dimitri will be joined by Dedue, Ashe, and Mercedes. Lastly, the Golden Deer have the new professor, Byleth Eisner, accompanied by Claude as house leader followed by Hilda, Lorenz, and Ignatz. Any more information that you desire about the students or this battle?"

I can tell Seteth is putting on a polite tone, but it's easy to feel out that he still isn't too keen on me being here let alone asking questions so I respond with a nod. I take my place on top of the hill with the 2 other guards that helped drive the cart, though they seem to keep some distance from me. Suits me just fine as it means fewer distractions for when I have to warp someone out of trouble.

Seteth down below meets with all 3 professors and talks with them for about 5 minutes before making his way up the hill once more. It takes Seteth about ten minutes to hike the huge hill we are situated on, but he arrives not even having any labored breathing or breaking a small sweat which attests that he seems to be in better shape than I had previously thought.

"The professors will relay the rules to their students. They have about 10 minutes to do so and then I will launch the signal for them to begin," Seteth elaborates as he gets into a position to stand and watch the action.

"What's the signal?"

Seteth simply points over to the other two soldiers, one of which is holding a bugle like horn and I reply, "Ah. Gotcha."

We wait patiently in silence atop the hill giving me time to think to myself prepare my mind for casting multiple Rescue spells for the ensuing conflict. Warp and Rescue are some of the most mentally taxing spells I've had to learn as I can't focus on anything other than the spell when I'm doing it. A single drop-in concentration fizzles the spell, whereas spells like Heal and Fire I can almost do in my sleep, and even casting Nosferatu and Cutting Gale I can at least keep my wits about me.

Lost in my silent meditation I hear the bugle blow loudly and I opened my eyes and walk closer to the edge of the hill to get a better look at the battlefield. I can see the Golden Deer situated in the South, the Blue Lions to the Northwest, and the Black Eagles to the Northeast. Forming essentially a standoff between the houses it will be up to one of them to pull the trigger and engage, and whoever sits back will be at an advantage. Something all of them must be aware of.

"Overeager…" I hear Seteth mumble to himself as he watches the battlefield like a bird of prey trying to analyze every motion of the bodies below. I try to follow Seteth's gaze and see two students charging out into the open field, one from the Golden Deer with purple hair and one from the Black Eagles with auburn hair. Both boys seem to be wielding training lances and begin to engage in melee ahead of everyone else.

Lots of yelling and orders are being shouted from below, but with being so far away I'm not able to hear them coherently. The two males in a pitched bout seem to lead the way to the Blue Lions engaging the Black Eagles with Dimitri leading the way with a lance of his own and the large Dedue by his side. Even from my distance, I can tell the guy is large, which is saying a lot.

With the Black Eagles on the defensive and Manuela forced to provide healing support to the lancer out in the field I notice the archer from the Black Eagles is very fast and proficient with the bow, forcing the Blue Lions to take refuge in the trees halting their assault. The Golden Deer seem to be rounding on the Blue Lions with their melee forces while having their ranged fighters going to support the lancer out in the open.

After a few more minutes the first fighter falls, as the purple-haired boy falls to the ground with a large smack from his opponent's lance, who looks fairly decent due to healing support. I Rescue the purple-haired boy out of danger up to the hilltop and he looks startled at first, and then if remembering his pain goes back to clutching his ribs. I cast a quick Heal on him and he exclaims, "Wow, that was quick. I thank you kind mage."

I disregard his comment to return my attention to the battle and notice that the archer from Golden Deer pins down the Black Eagles red-haired lancer forcing me to Rescue him and immediately apply a Heal spell. A bit distraught the red-haired boy groans, "If only Claude would have faced me like a true noble and not hide using such wily tactics! I would have had him!"

"While it is true that Claude does use less honorable tactics, I would like to point out that you only lasted as long as you did thanks to your professor, Ferdinand," The purple-haired boy explains in a haughty tone to which Ferdinand replies, "I will give credit to professor Manuela for supporting me valiantly but remember Lorenz, we did have quite the enthralling duel nonetheless!"

The two noble children behind me continue to chatter and puff their chests out for having a good skirmish, even though they are the first ones eliminated. Looking back on the battlefield, I see that the Black Eagle house and the Golden Deer are pinching the Blue Lion forces in the forest with their ground units engaging them and the ranged standing on the edges preventing any escape.

It's hard to make out what's going on in the woods, but I notice a precise arrow hit the Blue Lions mage in the gut delivered once again by the same archer that took out Ferdinand. I Rescue her out and plop her next to the other two and apply a quick Heal spell as well.

"Oh my, that was sudden. I didn't even have time to see where the arrow came from," A light airy voice that sounds familiar exclaims behind me, and I peek over my shoulder to notice that it's the very same Mercedes from Fhirdiad's magic academy. I turn my head back to the battlefield and smile to myself as it's nice to see a familiar face.

A few minutes later and the fighting is getting more intense as I'm forced to Rescue out Ignatz from Golden Deer due to magic burns from the Black Eagle mage Hubert, Dedue who also takes a big magical blast from Hubert, then Hubert gets knocked unconscious by Dimitri, Hilda conks out Ashe from the Blue Lions, and then Hanneman delivers a swift magical blow of his own to Hilda knocking her out. People seem to be falling pretty quickly as the Golden Deer are down to just 2, the Blue Lions are at 2, and the Black Eagles are at 3 people left.

I'm starting to feel a bit exhausted from all the magic being cast, as I haven't trained myself intensively for this kind of exercise, but I'm managing. While there are conversations aplenty behind me, I do feel like some of the students are watching me very carefully, only making my concentration a bit harder to maintain as it's slightly unnerving.

The last skirmish seems to take place at the edge of the woods as all seemingly at once Hanneman gets taken out with an arrow, Dimitri rushes the Black Eagles archer and downs her quickly and almost immediately engaging the Black Eagles ax wielder. I look for Byleth and notice that through the chaos she has snuck past Dimitri's intense battle and put her blade to Manuela's throat who puts her hands up and concedes, giving me the time to Rescue her out.

I can hear a muffled curse from Manuela as she and Hanneman begin to get into another verbal scuffle, but seem to complement each other as well on the classes and their respective students. The last combatants begin to close in as the Golden Deer archer gets into position and shots Dimitri in the back while he is engaged with the Black Eagles remaining member. Dimitri collapses from the direct hit and takes another fast ax chop to the side before I can cast Rescue and apply my Heal spell to him.

A bit astonished that her fight was interrupted, I see easily the coolest maneuver all day and witness the ax wielder throw the large training ax a decent distance with vicious speed right into the chest of the Golden Deer archer that has been giving everyone fits, and it seems to knock the wind out of him at the minimum as he falls to the ground. Do my patented Rescue/Heal maneuver and notice that the student is unconscious as the rest of his house flock to his side behind me.

With the battle coming to a close, and the Black Eagle student now without her primary weapon goes to engage Byleth with a knife from what I can tell from my distance, and the two women begin to trade blows, though it's quickly apparent that Byleth is much fresher and seasoned fighter than the latter, as the ax wielder looks gassed from her previous encounter against the quick technical prowess of Byleth.

The finale comes with Byleth catching a desperate lunge from her opponent, disarming her and then ending the bout with a mean slam of the hilt of her training sword into the girls face which causes me to wince a bit at the crude yet effective maneuver and teleport the ax-wielding girl to safety leaving Byleth as the only one remaining in the battle. I cast a quick Heal spell at the white-haired girl who is being tended to by Hubert as I've learned from the numerous side conversations behind me. She's rubbing her face, probably to make sure her nose isn't crooked.

Now really feeling the lethargy in my limbs I perform my last Rescue spell and teleport Byleth to my location with everyone nearby and I hear Seteth announce, "Everyone please quiet down. The training exercise is over, and the winner is the Golden Deer house!"

Cheers erupt from the students of that respective house and the others in good sportsmanship clap it up for the winners. I take a seat on the grassy land and close my eyes and rub my head to begin recovering from using so much magic. I really should have trained more before this whole ordeal as magic wears mentally and physically on the user, leaving me to feel like a wet noodle.

As I'm seated and trying my best not to lay down on the ground I hear someone approach me and I internally groan. People are the last thing I want to deal with at the moment.

I crack open my eyes and see it's Manuela and I breathe a sigh of relief it isn't one of the students as she says, "My Santos, tired already? You weren't even in the skirmish, haha!"

I present Manuela with my most deadpan face that I can muster and reply, "Very funny, I was just being a healer for all three groups, that's all. All in a day's work. You know me."

"Anyways, seeing you in this sorry state is making me feel a bit generous. Take the weekend off and come back Monday for work. It'll do you good to rest your body after so many teleportation spells," Manuela instructs in her formal voice that's most common when dealing with patients and I nod back, "Thanks, doctor. I'll make sure to stay out of trouble and not lift anything too heavy."

"Good, cause I can't have you collapsing in my clinic. I'll see you back at Garred Mach, and...perhaps drinks tonight?"

I tilt my head to the side to consider the offer and respond, "If I don't pass out before the evening due to exhaustion, then sure."

Manuela gives me a genuine smile and trots off after her class, and thanks to my lowered perception due to how drained I feel I failed to notice the other people behind Manuela that seem to want to talk with me. I scramble to my feet the best I can with one arm, and I feel someone grab onto me and help me and I look up to see a smiling Dimitri helping me out.

I sight and joke, "We've gotta stop meeting like this. It's really putting a damper on my ego."

Chuckling lightly Dimitri adds, "Well yes, it is a bit awkward. But I came to just apologize for not recognizing you the other day. You are the same Santos that was previously under Galatea's employ, correct?"

Dimitri's lingering question feels like a live grenade as I cautiously respond, "Uh, yes. That was me a few years ago. We met once at House Fraldarius," I look around to see if anybody else is waiting to speak to me, and thankfully I see everyone else looks preoccupied so I in a hushed tone I ask, "So what do you want? The country run by your Uncle wants my head. Not to mention others. I've seen you swing that lance, and I like my head where it's currently located."

Shaking his head and waving his hands as if to dispel concerns Dimitri adds, " I think you misunderstand. While I acknowledge that you are under the blame of many circumstances I don't personally hold ill will towards you. My uncle and Cornelia are hardly a trustworthy source of information. The Church of Seiros has pardoned you in exchange for dedicated work, and I can live with that."

Hearing his unsure tone causes me to ask and pry a bit, "But others can't is what I'm guessing."

Dimitri leans in and whispers, "Well yes. Talk with Ingrid sometimes. I can even be present to make sure it's...civil. On both ends of the discussion."

"I...might take you up on that. I'll look for you if need be," I confess to Dimitri who replies, "Understood. Also, thank you for the timely healing and Rescue spell. Farewell."

"Think nothing of it. Goodbye, Dimitri."

I watch Dimitri walk back to the Blue Lions huddled around still discussing and chatting amongst themselves. I see Mercedes in the group and think fondling of the time eating lunch with her and Annette at the magic academy, even though I wasn't too happy about it at first. Those two were always pleasant company with their quirks, especially Annette with her ravenous need to overwork herself.

With one last look over the hilltop where the battle took place below in the fields and woods, I walk my way over to Seteth and his small band of guards. We pack up relatively quickly as it seems the other classes are walking back instead and still talking with their professors. Back to the medical bay for me, and hopefully it is slow so I can put the finishing touches on my seminar planned for tomorrow.

The name for my seminar that I settled on was Practical Magic & Battlefield Triage. I couldn't decide on one title over the other so I just combined them, and it also helps me by having more content to pull from and not just focusing on one subject. The goal of my class is to get people to think less rigidly with their magical application and what to do when you don't have healing magic at your disposal when you have people injured.

The location of my seminar is in a small lecture class that Seteth decided upon. The seminar list is put up around 5:30 am by him on the public bulletin near the dining hall, and then the earliest seminars can start is at 7 am. Unlike Earth, here in Fodlan, there doesn't seem to be a particular day of worship, like Sunday. It seems that mostly reserved for special events like Saint Macuil Day and just going to worship whenever you want to increase your piety. I haven't gone to pray or sing hymns since it isn't a requirement which is a nice bonus. As long as you don't rock the boat all the clerics and priests here tolerate you well enough, even if some have some predilection to be uncomfortable around me or be slightly fake.

I set my seminar for 7 am and planned out for about 2 hours since Seteth told me between 2 to 4 hours is the normal duration of seminars since many include training field applications and use of the arena grounds. Thankfully the magic and procedures I'll be going over today won't require the extra space.

Settled into the dim classroom with a few candles spread out in the corners of the room to help light it up since the sun hasn't fully risen, I take my seat behind the lectern and go back to some of the reading I picked up from the library a while ago on tactics and current battlefield medical uses, and some of what I remember from Earth.

I continue to read while hiding behind my lectern as I start to hear students wander in and begin to talk amongst themselves with the conversations mainly about how tired they are for waking up this early. I wait a few more minutes checking the time with my pocket watch that Seteth loaned me for the time being to help starting on time and not being late to any meetings. Though he is quite helpful it's still a bit grating how high and mighty he can come off sometimes.

I check the time once more and as I see it click to 7 am I decide to pop up my head from the lectern to my delight I see about 4 students facing the doorway expecting their instructor to stroll in late. The first student to mention something has stark white hair and a young-sounding voice, "It's probably professor Manuela who is teaching this class. She is always late to our normal classes."

"That would make sense. One would think a professor would be a bit more responsible with their duties," comments Hubert, the man I briefly remember healing at the mock battle the other day.

Deciding they've all had enough time to chit chat I loudly declare, "Over here kids! I don't know why you all are looking at the door."

Everyone seems to either jump or flinch a bit in there chair as they turned around to face me. Most faces look between a mix of shocked, suspicious or tired. Out of the students I recognize I notice Hubert from Black Eagles, Mercedes from Blue Lions, and 3 that I hadn't met yet. Time for a roll call to get a handle on who these folks are.

"Alright, kids, time for a roll call to see who I'm dealing with. Your first name and house is all I need. Let's start with you," I announce as I point at Hubert to which he responds, "Hubert of the Black Eagles house."

I go around pointing at the other students to which they all reply in succession.

"Mercedes of the Blue Lions."

"I am Lysithea of the Golden Deer house."

"...Marianne of the Golden Deer."

The last joker with green hair and their face firmly planted on their desk doesn't move an inch as I walk over and tap on the desk. I get no reaction I frown and decided to give him a little unpleasant wake-up call. I channel a small bit of magic to deliver a small Thunder spell. The student yelps and bolts upward immediately to my little shock therapy and I ask, "Name? By the way, there is no sleeping during my seminar."

Immediately going back into a drowsy state the kid responds, "I'm Lindhardt. Black Eagles. Just don't shock me again, it's quite rude you know."

"Don't fall asleep in my class and you've got yourself a deal," I cooly reply as I march back to the lectern to take up my spot in the front of the class and to begin the seminar in totality. I scan the room for the general vibe and I can see Hubert smiling looking very interested, Lindhardt looks like he's still fighting off sleep, Marriane looks like she straight up wants to leave, Mercedes looking just curious with maybe a hint of concern, and Lysithea is giving me her best 'I'm suspicious of you' look that the small girl can muster.

I clear my throat and begin, "Alright. You are all here because the class title appealed to you and you want to learn something useful. Saving lives, including your own, is a vital part of the battlefield. I'm your instructor, Dr. Capetillo, for this seminar, and I'll be answering any questions at the end. But first, to get an idea of our knowledge I'll ask some open-ended questions anyone can jump in and answer if they think they know it."

I take a breath to stop and see if they agree and I get a room full of nods so I continue, "Good. First question, what can't magic heal on the battlefield?"

"Death," Hubert quickly replies to which I roll my eyes, "While technically true, in this case, we will be talking about a live subject in this example. Any others?"

"Internal injuries are usually the ones that don't get treated by magical healing," Lysithea explains to which I shake my head, "While in a lot of cases that is true, it isn't a full truth. A strong enough Restore spell can heal internal injuries to organs and repair the damages. Anyone else?"

With no responses from the class for a few moments, I take the opportunity to jump back in and explains, "It is blood loss & organ replacement. Magic is wondrous in the inhuman feats it can accomplish like repairing a broken leg in an instant or fixing a collapsed throat. But, once something leaves the body it cannot be healed by magic or regrown. Think of it as being a tailor fixing a pair of pants. If you lack the thread in the first place, the pants will never be repaired."

"I see. And what does that have to do with practical magic?" Lindhardt lazily asks while stifling a yawn.

"It's important to all mages as you fill a support role on the battlefield. Looking out for frontline fighters getting injured and knowing what to do is essential for threat assessment. You have to know when to go in and heal someone, to take them back to a safer location, or to know when they are a lost cause and already going to die. When you heal someone you risk not just theirs, but your own life as well."

Mercedes raises her hand and I nod to her allowing the woman to ask, "So is this what the class will be about? Threat assessment?"

"For today. You need to be aware of your allies and your enemies when supporting them with magic, not only to heal them but also to make sure they don't get caught in the crossfire of your more powerful offensive spells. And also how to maximize your magical potential on the battlefield. The best mages in my experience know when not to cast a spell. So I'll be giving you each a mock battlefield situation today and I'll grade you on whether or not that's a viable option, and then I'll explain what I would do. Here are your scenarios," I state as I go around to each student and pass them a scenario for them to evaluate and consider.

"You all have 20 minutes to come up with a detailed explanation to which you will present your case before the class. Once we have completed everyone's scenario we will move onto practice using tourniquets, bandaging, splints, and other medical equipment for when you want to conserve your magic. Begin," I finish explaining as I watch all of them get right to work writing as I lean on the lectern and pull out my book from earlier.

The rest of the seminar goes smoothly as each student presented their scenario with decent logic and use of their abilities of what they would do and some even included countermeasures to how they would react to other potential threats that I didn't include. The main point of the lesson is to instill awareness and a decisive problem-solving mindset. Things are hardly as simple as textbooks will suggest they are.

I check the time briefly before I address the class, "Alright, that's all for today. Go enjoy the rest of your morning, and if you have questions I have some time."

The students begin their shuffle as they pack up their writing implements and other belongings. Lindhardt stifles yet another yawn while mumbling about going back to bed while Marriane does her best to scurry out of the room without anybody giving her more attention than warranted. The other three seem to be standing around ready to ask some questions, to which I nod and get my belongings packed up and ready to go.

"Alright, who'd like to go first?" I ask the group and Lysithea raises her hand immediately, so I give her a nod and she inquires, "That was a very informative lesson, but what experience do you have as a mage? You only watched us today and explained the concepts, and I want to be sure that I'm learning the most I can from which seminars I choose to go to."

"He's quite talented if the reports and rumors are true," Hubert mentions in a dark tone with a bit of a sly smirk.

"Don't treat me like some child and keep information from me!" Lysithea bellows at Hubert, who rolls his eyes at the outburst and explains, "I meant nothing of the sort, just I was presuming you'd know that our physician is a wanted criminal in most regions of the world. Particularly for war crimes and forbidden magic. Isn't that correct Dr. Capetillo?"

"It is what the rumors say about me, but I'm not one to sink my teeth into every bit of propaganda." I counter back to which Hubert just shrugs his shoulders while turning to Lysithea, "Trust what you will, but it never hurts to do your research. I can wait another time for my questions, I'll be taking my leave now. Lady Edelgard should be finishing up with her training by now."

Hubert bows and leaves the classroom at a relaxed pace as I'm left with the two girls in an awkwardly silent room. I cough and ask, "So, Mercedes. Did you have any questions?"

"Oh not really, I was just wanting to see how you were doing honestly. It's been almost 3 years since we went to school together, but now your teaching! It's remarkable really," Mercedes chatters which makes me smile but Lysithea interrupts the cheeriness, "That's well and good, but I must get going back to my studies. And thank you for the insightful lesson, Dr. Capetillo."

Even though Lysithea was being polite with her words I could easily tell that it was through thinly veiled suspicion and perhaps resentment. The younger girl takes her opportunity to leave immediately afterward and Mercedes grabs her bag saying, "I should get going to and find Annette, but we should have tea some time to catch up."

"Why aren't you suspicious like the others? Not that I'm minding at all, just curious."

"Hmmm, I guess it's because I think there is something more to what the nobility has said. Nobility is...difficult. Oh! There I go babbling again. I'll see you later Santos!" Mercedes beams as she jogs out of the classroom, leaving me alone with the morning sun blazing through the wide windows in the back of the room. With everyone gone I decided to take a few minutes and jot down a few notes on the students' abilities and progress during the session. With everything considered the group as a whole is talented, but on average they are about a decade younger than me as I'm now about 28ish. Time travel makes these kinds of things hard to firmly decide, so I'm going with my body age over my chronological age.

Taking my leave from the classroom I hear footsteps and voices coming from down the hall so I stop in the doorway so I don't bump into the person, but with my impeccable luck and timing, the person turns into the doorway almost knocking me over in the process.

I take one look at the offender and blandly state, "Dimitri."

"Good morning doctor, I'm glad I managed to catch you as I'd like to invite you to join Ingrid and I for brunch."

"Dimitri, you know it's a bit awkward asking the physician to lunch, even if Felix declined we don't need to grab another per-" Ingrid rambles as she also rounds the corner and comes to a dead stop when she makes eye contact with me. Fuck.

Our eyes and bodies remain still for a few seconds which feels like an eternity as we stare. She has gotten a decent bit taller and looking the part of a refined noblewoman with her braided hair and fair features, minus the 2 jagged scars going across her right cheek with one ending right under her earlobe and the other in the middle of her jawline.

Before I can get any words out and so much as blink, Ingrid punches me square in the face knocking me flat on my back. Girl has firepower, I'll give her that. I reach up to feel my nose, which is a little crooked so I quickly apply a Heal spell to straighten it. I look up to see Dimitri is in between Ingrid and I, doing his best to body block her from getting closer as I can see a manic fury in her eyes.

"You! Father said the church took you as a prisoner!" Ingrid barks and tries to wrestle herself out of the boar prince's grip, but he holds firm and calmly states, "Ingrid, I need you to calm down. Also apologize for assaulting staff, though I know what you've been through."

"You don't know hardly at all, Dimitri. The things…"Ingrid violently starts but devolves into sobbing as she squats on the ground unmoving. Dimitri lets up his grip and begins to help me up asking, "I'll apologize on Ingrid's behalf for that punch. Are you okay?"

"Don't apologize, I deserved that. Should have expected it. Ingrid, can we talk?" I softly suggest as Ingrid keeps her head down, but stops her small episode of sobbing.

With red and blurry eyes Ingrid looks up and desperately asks, "Why didn't you tell me, Dimitri?"

"You wouldn't have come otherwise. You need to put this to rest, and you can get answers from the source. Put your woes behind you."

Ingrid gives Dimitri a frustrated and inquisitive look, "Odd advice hearing that from you, Your Highness."

I back away slightly as I notice Dimitri's posture become much more rigid as he replies, "Excuse me?"

Looking like it's my turn now to play peacekeeper I step in, "Okay, let's all take it down a few notches. I'm a doctor, not a therapist so I doubt we can solve all our problems in this hallway, so let's shelve whatever this is. Ingrid, I owe you an explanation, and I'll give you one. Dimitri, you can go, thanks for helping out."

A bit flabbergasted by everything Dimitri in a confused state agrees, "Okay, I'll leave you two alone...I guess?"

Ingrid's starting to get a handle on her emotions again explains, "We will be fine. And...I'm sorry Dimitri. It isn't becoming of one of your subjects to get personal like that with their liege."

"You're forgiven, let's just leave it at that. We can all get a bit heated. I'll see you later then," Dimitri sighs as he walks down the hallway towards the cafeteria while casting frequent glances over his shoulder at Ingrid and me until he is out of sight. Ingrid and I wait until Dimitri is completely gone until Ingrid asks, "So, you plan to explain everything?"

"Yes, come in and close the classroom door. We can speak freely in here," I mention as I walk back to the lectern at the end of the classroom as Ingrid shuts and locks the door before taking a seat in the front row.

"So, what answers do you wish to know?"

Ingrid looks at me with the same intensity from before when we first made eye contact demanding, "All of it. Why you are a wanted criminal. The blood magic. Involving yourself with my family. What you did that night almost 3 years ago, and...were you just using my father? Me?"

Ingrid's harsh demands falter at the end, revealing the hurt young girl inside of the fiery and angry exterior which makes me feel even more shitty about trying to go home, and reminding myself of all the other people's lives I've managed to muck up in my selfish pursuits. She deserves to know why I did it. The only detail I'll keep out is Sothal as it's already risky enough talking about my origins on church grounds, let alone a dead god whose soul is attached to my mind.

"Alright. Just know that everything I'm about to tell you is true. Reserve your judgment until the end, and I'll accept whatever feelings you have towards me. Now, it all began when I was working the graveyard shift at the hospital…"

A/N: Surprise update! I have some extra time off, so here I am with 2 updates for the weekend!

We leave off on Ingrid and Santos reuniting. The first official training exercise is in the books and we are moving on with more to come with the monthly missions and other fun interactions with the students of Garreg Mach. More plot weirdness to come, especially with Sothal being oddly silent these past few chapters, I wonder why?

Review Response:

Warlord of Chaos: Rhea doesn't know the whole story but differently thinks she understands Santos' issues, and for the most part she is right. And yes, the deja vu was a nod to that, so fun things to come :) as for the rest, future chapters will hold answers, so stay tuned and thanks for reading!

VGBlackwing: Lots of fun interactions to come in the next few chapters as people get acquainted, especially with Byleth. The future is murky, but he and Byleth hold a lot of influence in the events to come!

Flitterflux: Santos indeed would fall into the Bishop's class setup. And horseback riding would be a struggle since he has zero affinity for that xD but I'll post in the next chapter or two what he would officially be listed as with abilities, and to try and balance him. He's got obvious magical strength but physically he would be one of the weakest units you could field. Glass cannon healer essentially. Thanks for the idea and thanks for reading!

Bonefish: Ohohoho, this answer is coming, stay tuned and thanks for reading!

That's all for this week as I grind once more to get the next chapter out for the coming weekend. Thanks to all my viewers and reviewers as this is my first real dive into creative writing and I'm digging the hell out of it. I forgot to include some milestones, but I'm baffled that it took nearly 100k words to get to Garreg Mach and looking at my notes it feels maybe a quarter of the way finished from what I plan to do. Crazy. Also over 20k views which is just nuts to me, so thanks for giving the story a chance and hopefully it's been interesting enough to keep you around through all the world-building up until Garreg Mach, opposed to some other OC stories that just through people into the main plot immediately. I think that's it? yup. See you next week!

Next Chapter: 1/25-1/27

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!