When my students finished their quizzes, they had varying expressions on their face as they handed it to me. Some were relieved. Others, like Caspar, were resigned to their fate. Others still were completely confident and happy that it was finished, like Lysithea and Ferdinand. For the most part though, the students… mostly the cadets, were varying shades of stressed out.

Unfortunately, considering the fact that I was the one who had to grade their quizzes, I didn't have a shred of sympathy for them.

Well, that wasn't completely true. I did understand the feeling of taking a test for the first time in college and seeing people finish before I had even read the last question, as well as the dread of whether or not I actually did well.

There was also the fact that the cadet students weren't all bad. While I still had a hard time remembering all of their names, the fact that they properly paid attention to my lectures and pushed through training from hell endeared them to me somewhat.

Still didn't change the fact that I still hated grading papers though.

Anyway, after the quizzes, the rest of the day went by as usual. The only difference was that my students seemed to avoid me throughout the day. Even Stella and Delly were being a bit distant.

Was it because everyone was feeling down and worried after the quiz? Or maybe they could sense the stress and irritation radiating off of me. Regardless, time passed in a mundane blur, with myself going through the motions while sneaking in grading while I could.

And then I was in my room again, classes over and the sun starting to sink in the sky. Evening, the day shifting to night… and alone with a fat stack of papers thick enough to use as a makeshift bludgeon.

I sighed and shrugged off my coat as I walked in my room. Since I was done teaching, I might as well get a bit comfortable.

As I entered, I noticed a note left on my table.

"Hm? I don't remember leaving this here…" I walked over to it and picked it up.

The handwriting was a bit sloppy, but legible.

I will be sleeping over at Bernadetta's room tonight along with some other girls. Remember to eat well and do not stay too late! I will be most upset if you do… As well as my dear sister-in-law.

Your adorably cute and loving dear sister, Stella.

I shook my head. "She could have just told me directly…"

Despite everything, it seemed like my dear sister was embracing her role and living the life as a young teenage girl to the fullest.

I smiled and tucked the note into my pants pocket before walking over to my icebox and pulling out the leftover lasagna and cake.

The lasagna went into the oven. It would end up a bit dry after reheating… but it was better than nothing. As for the cake, I grabbed a clean spoon and sat down at my table, indulging myself for a bit before planning on what I would do for the rest of the day.

I leaned back in my chair and scooped out a bit of the cake to eat, staring at the ceiling.

The sweet and fluffy pastry, the quiet, the relaxed atmosphere and soft evening light… all of that caused my mind to wander a bit.

The fact that Stella kept sleeping over with the others concerned me, but knowing that she was at Bernie's room helped relieve that concern.

Though I, along with the other Black Eagles, wished that Bernie would spend more time outside of her room with the others, I couldn't discount the fact that her room had its merits.

Like a true shut-in, Bernie's room was completely stocked with supplies to last a fortnight siege if need be. Not only that, but it was completely fortified with hidden traps and wards the last I checked. Nothing lethal, but more than enough to give a casual intruder pause.

Almost enough for me to be suspicious of Bernie, if not for the fact that she was just clearly paranoid instead of hiding anything.

Well, that wasn't completely true. Bernie still wouldn't tell me about her dad or what he was like. From how she acted whenever the topic of parents came up though and her room… I was starting to wonder if a certain Count Varley wasn't involved with the Agarthans.

There was clear panic and fear in her eyes whenever the topic came up and the fortifications were enough that it would take even me some time to dismantle them all. And that was with me having my handy artificial crest letting me sense mana and everything.

Maybe Bernie was scared that her dad might suddenly show up at the monastery and drag her away to be married to some noble. After all, the only reason she managed to get here in the first place was through a kidnapping, if I remembered right…

I frowned and shook my head. "I'm supposed to be relaxing, not thinking about things like this."

I took another bite from my cake while I waited for the lasagna to heat up.

Count Varley… no, the capital. The Agarthans, Edelgard, Stella, Rhea, Lysithea… Dimitri and Claude.

There was a lot on my plate. Right now, everything was routine and mundane… but I was starting to worry. Arrangements were in place and there seemed to be time to spare. Some breathing room.

Still, I couldn't help but be a bit anxious. There was a time limit. Not just for Edelgard, but for everything else too. I had a trump card in the worst case scenario, and the Divine Pulse could be used in a pinch… but the mere thought of having one of my students harmed…

"Argh." I shook my head and shifted my body, putting the plate on the table. "I'm doing it again."

Maybe it was because I didn't have the time to think about it much now with my new routine, but the doubts were starting to creep in.

The memory of Dorothea being shot down by an arrow. Annette almost dying to the Agarthans.

Being forced to cut Edelgard down with my own two hands.

I winced, feeling a sudden headache.

My heart throbbed, pounding in my chest.

I frowned and glanced at it, placing my hand over my heart. "No, it's not 'me' who's really concerned, is it?"

I didn't get a response, but I could sense it. Doubt and hesitation from the one who was usually quiet, the remnants of the person whose body I took over… or rather, shared.

"Still quiet, huh? Well, feel free to pitch in whenever you want. Lord knows I'll need all the help I can get at this rate."

Again, it was quiet. My words echoed in my room without a response. Then again, I wasn't really expecting one.

Ding.

A bell sounded. The timer on my oven.

I glanced at the pile of papers still sitting in my bag and sighed before walking over to the oven.

If I had to settle in for another long night, I had better do it on a full stomach at least…

Xxx

Dinner was a quiet and brief affair. Of course, that was obvious considering the lack of company and the looming task at hand.

When I had properly fueled myself, I tossed my bag, still filled with the quizzes, over my left shoulder and headed towards the library.

I locked the door to my room behind me and walked along the path to the main building.

The sky was getting dark now, turning from orange to shades of violet. The sun was also gone, leaving only the orange streaks as signs of its presence while the moon was starting to rise in its place.

As I walked, I could see various students milling about. Of course, my students immediately walked the other way when they caught my gaze.

Understandable. I don't think I ever felt good coming across my professor on campus after I finished a test I didn't feel well about either.

When I entered the main building though, I noticed some other students leaving it. A familiar group at that, led by a woman in a white fur-hooded robe and a young man with tanned skin, curly black hair and a disarming smile.

The Golden Deer, led by Manuela and Claude. I didn't see Shamir anywhere, but the group were probably going to meet the sniper along the way.

Hilda, Marianne, Lorenz.

Ignatz, Raphael, Leonie.

Minus Lysithea, the group was all there… and raring to go from what I could see.

I shook my head and continued on my way before Claude or Manuela could see me.

While I was somewhat curious about why they were heading out in the evening of all times, I decided to trust Claude to keep things in line.

Knowing him and the fact that he'd be expecting the unexpected after what I pulled in the mock battle, they should be safe.

And if something did happen to go wrong…

No. I couldn't think like that.

Everything would be fine. I just needed to focus on what I could see and do right now.

I sighed and continued on my way.

Up the stairway, around the corner, past the offices… like that I arrived at the library.

It was well lit as always, candles and torches giving off a pleasant illumination. Not too bright but not dim enough to hurt the eyes.

That was one of the main reasons I decided to grade the quizzes here instead of in my room. After a long night straining my eyes writing out the quizzes, I didn't want to repeat the experience while straining my brain comprehending some dubious responses.

As I passed the bookshelves leading to the tables that could be used, I noticed another person was already there. A familiar sight.

Seteth glanced over at me, barely visible behind two piles of papers that reached his face. When he saw that it was me, he gave a slim smile.

I walked over to the row of tables behind him and said, "Another long night, Seteth?"

He shook his head and said, "Do you ask such obvious questions to your students? If so, I may need to reassess your level of expertise in being a professor."

Seteth's voice was serious, but the amused look in his eyes showed that he was anything but.

"Yeah. You and me both." I sighed and sat down behind him, placing my bag on the table before pulling out the quizzes.

Seteth glanced at it and said, "Ah. More assessments?"

"The first quiz… times thirty." I glared at Seteth.

He shrugged and handed me a thermos of coffee.

Seeing that, I decided it best not to anger the one providing me a necessary tool for my job and smoothed my expression before taking it from him.

Peering inside the thermos, it was the usual black coffee. Bitter as could be and filled to the brim with caffeine.

I immediately took a sip and relaxed. Now more hospitable, I glanced at Seteth's papers and said, "More of Rhea's hand-me-downs?"

Seteth sighed. "Yes… Though in this case, partially yours as well." He gestured towards the paper and said, "Letters, flyers, notices, official documents… there is much to be done to prepare for Rhea's announcement of you as her family, heir, and successor." He shook his head and said, "I do wonder if this trait of yours runs in the family. Both you and Rhea are causing me no end of work."

While Seteth said that in a light tone, I could sense an undercurrent of fatigue there.

I winced. "Sorry about that."

Seteth scoffed. "Apologies are bit late at this point… but I appreciate the sentiment. At least you know to be grateful… Rhea is not quite so thoughtful. Then again, she has always been that way. One of her flaws… or perhaps a strength, considering the times."

I nodded. "Right. Things were a lot different back then after all."

Charging bull-headedly forward, refusing to compromise… it was only in that way that Rhea managed to take back what was stolen from her… but even then, only in part.

She was similar to Delly, to my Edelgard in that way. However, whereas my Edelgard had suffered the bitter taste of defeat and reality, Rhea… didn't?

I paused to consider that.

Rhea seemed to know more than what she let on in the game. And she also mentioned a vision… Did she see it? A future where she realized her mistakes? No, there was something else too. The remorse she showed when talking about my mother. Regret…

If that was the case…

I sighed and shook my head… only to realize that Seteth was staring at me with narrowed eyes.

I forced back a flinch and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"…Has Rhea told you?"

"Told me what?"

Seteth kept staring and then sighed. "She did. Of course she did. After everything… Well, I suppose it would have been hard for her not to tell you."

"…If you're talking about how you're technically my granduncle, then yes? Not sure how that works out considering how young you look… but the finer details are still a mystery to me."

A bit of the truth, a bit of a lie. Just to build up trust with Seteth.

"Hm." Seteth stared at me and said, "That is a lie. But not a complete one either… Hm."

I considered playing it off, but Seteth didn't seem to be bluffing, so I just sighed. "How does everyone seem to know when I'm lying these days?"

First Hubert, then Edelgard, now Seteth…

The green-haired advisor smiled and said, "That information would bereave me of a useful advantage, so you will have to excuse me if I do not reveal it. My personal 'trade secret' if you would."

I frowned.

"However," Seteth said. "You need not worry. Only those who are unusually perceptive or experienced and know you well would be able to see the difference between a lie and the truth."

"…That doesn't answer my question."

Seteth shrugged and then said, "In any case, I should return to my own papers." He turned around and waved a hand, dismissing the conversation.

I shook my head, but seeing that I wouldn't get anything else out of the guy, I decided to heed his words.

Glancing at my pile of papers, I sighed and took another sip from my coffee, settling in for yet another long night.

Author's Notes:

Getting back into the flow of things. Hope you don't mind the late upload.

A bit of a transition chapter before we meet up with Anna next chapter and get the mission details. After that, the plan is to have a chat with Rhea again before skipping to the mission... but we'll see.

Hope it was enjoyable, and thanks for the input last chapter! I really appreciate you all for reading, and I'll see you soon!