Professor! This is the Wrong World!
For a man who loved teaching such as Byleth Eisner, the professor has devoted his entire life to making sure that his students receive the best guidance that he could offer—no matter what his students needed.
Strangely enough, his story wasn't meant to end after the war. Countless worlds still needed the sellsword-turned-professor, and even if it's so strange to be transported to so many worlds without a single shred of control over his situation, he wasn't going to complain now.
This collection of short stories is written as a tribute to all the wonderful story-writers who have written some of the best and fun-to-read stories that I have ever read that explore a different side to the things we love.
Lesson (RWBY): Traditionality Works Just as Well as Fancy Smhancy
If there was one thing that he somewhat disliked more than anything else, it was history.
To learn of the past can be often be boring; an unnecessary process of reading, memorization and regurgitation. Unless executed properly, the lessons can be just as dull as the story about a man who was showering in a boat-house before getting speared to death by a local resident of the area.
Ahh, James Wheeler Woodford Birch. To be missed, or not to be missed? Nobody knows.
But in a different world toiled with mysteries and fantastic stories? History could be so thought-provoking, it was all too fascinating to go to sleep without thinking of at least one. Well, that was how Byleth felt whenever he was offered some history lessons by his father, whom had made it very clear that history was going to be important no matter how he looked at it.
After all, the fools who know nothing of the past are bound to repeat it. And those same fools could very well bring the downfall of an entire nation, or perhaps the world itself.
Nonetheless, Byleth knew very certain that he loved a good story about the past. And the tale behind the sword that he's fought with in countless battles is equally fascinating as everything else.
The Sword of the Creator, a Hero's Relic thought to be a gift from the goddess to her people. A powerful weapon that was certainly more than meets the eye, in terms of its ability and the story behind it.
Rather than being a gift, it was in truth a sword crafted from the bones of the goddess Sothis by Nemesis, thus granting the King of Liberation a weapon capable of decimating armies. With Nemesis killed, Seiros retrieved the sword and sought out a person capable of becoming a host for her mother's resurrection by implanting the Crest of Flames into selected people.
In the end, it turned out that the crest itself now slumbers within him, granting him full access of the sword's power. Now in his hands instead, the professor had already made his choice long before even meeting the people he would come to love as his family—to wield it with the sole intention of protecting them; his students, his father, his colleagues, everyone.
Selfish, perhaps. But he couldn't care any less. To him, his students were everything to him. And he'd be damned if he allowed anything to happen to them.
Perhaps, for another day, the professor would love nothing more than to sit back, enjoy a cup of tea and ponder even further of what the Sword of the Creator had been. Now, though—
"Professor, Professor! That trick yesterday, how did you do it? Come on, Professor, shooow us!"
"Ruby, I swear—give him back his sword! Stop being so childish!"
For now, the sword that is his friend's bones (he had never felt more disgusted than ever when he first held it in his hands) had to tolerate being in the hands of an over-excited teenager who was busy evading her no-nonsense friend, while two others just sat in the background and watched the spectacle with varying reactions.
Byleth would have never thought that his life would somehow lead him all the way here, but he supposed anything's possible nowadays. After all, if you've just been reincarnated into a fictional world, who's to say you can't be transported to another fictional world?
Yes, that's his logic. No, he doesn't regret it. Makes things easier to accept and move on from.
"Pleeeaaase, Professor! You've got to show me how to do that super cool thing with your sword!" Silver eyes, red-tinted black hair, red hood and pouting lips. A girl her age could kill anyone with that puppy-eyes look of hers, and it most certainly did to him. Ruby Rose, fifteen, Huntress-in-training.
You would think that he was making that up just for the sake of humour, but he's lived a life of stranger things. Who was he to assume what was normal and what was not nowadays?
Plus, he started his mercenary life at a pretty young age as well, so he had no right to criticize her about things. He's a lot of things, but he intends to keep 'hypocrite' from that list for as long as he could.
No matter what anyone said.
With a small chuckle, the young man crossed his arms. "Sorry, Ruby, but that's not how it works. The blade only reacts to my will. It doesn't listen to anyone else's words. Just works that way."
The girl lets out a small whine, only to then jump out of the way of her partner, who's at this point fuming to the point that her ears were red and smoking. She chases her to one corner, and then to the next, and the remaining people in the room are either laughing at the sight or ignoring it altogether, as if used to such madness.
Byleth hums a little to himself, personally enjoying the chase and betting on Ruby's success. It was absolute, given her power—'Semblance', as it's called in this world. Some ability that belongs solely to one person alone, giving them a sense of individuality that's just as much of a blessing as it could be a curse.
He had enough of that with Lysithea and Edelgard. He didn't need that anywhere else, to be honest.
Anyways, right on the young girl's tail was Weiss Schnee. White. Everything about her was white—pale skin, silver snow hair, swan white dress. She could make herself seem the epiphany of purity if it wasn't for her… well, current situation. Screaming at the top of her lungs and making herself seem a little childish.
At a desk chewing gum and snickering whenever her sister managed to duck or swerve out of Weiss's hands, Yang Xiao Long, a girl who could give any model a run for their money, what with her 'unique'—slightly revealing, but not enough to really get her in trouble—choice of outfit. Her wild mane of gold was her pride and joy, and he could tell that it was incredibly well-maintained.
Beside her, book in hands and eyes on the pages, Blake Belladona. Quiet as a mouse, dark as the night. Black hair cascaded down her shoulders, similar colour to the rest of her black apparel. Well, her pants (he has bad fashion knowledge) are white, but they're showing a little too much curve.
Team RWBY, an assortment of different colours—red, white, black and yellow—and personalities, but they remind him just why he loved teaching in the first place.
Children. All of them are, no matter the fact that they were teenagers. Kids. They're always a joy.
"Alright-y then, that's enough of that I suppose," he barely put too much effort into outstretching his arm and catching his weapon out of Ruby's hands, the girl in question looking momentarily shocked before he clipped it to his hip. "Now that you've had your fun, I suppose it's time you girls get to your dorms and start on your homework, yeah?"
"Uurgh! Way to be a killjoy, Professor!" Yang groaned from where she was seated, an exaggerated pout on her face. "Not like Professor Port even marks our work anyways! They're not important."
"Now now, Yang, don't say that. Peter already has much on his plate, so cut him a little slack," his words were absent of any bite, his smile already telling. Then again, he's never really seen that man actually busy with anything… "Besides, what of Bart?"
"Doctor Oobleck? History? Come on, Prof, you can't actually think we've got time for that."
"What? How dare you? History is quite an interesting lesson, I'll have you know!"
For sure. He agreed with Weiss on that one, only because his father had been such a great teacher. Bart, on the other hand, was energetic and fun, a total fanatic. Seteth had been nice too, although a little too strict and scary sometimes.
Ruby's arm suddenly shot into the air, a wide smile on her face. "Ooh, ooh! But Professor Byleth makes the lessons even more fun, don't you think?"
"Definitely!"
"Too true."
"Same here."
He was extremely flattered, really, but his good nature required that he try to protect his fellow instructor. "Come now, it's nothing that grand. Bart is a wonderful teacher. Excitable, yes, but a good one."
The girls all looked at him oddly, Blake herself raising a brow that was her own way of asking 'Really?'. Looks like he failed on the convincing part.
Well, he tried. Sorry, Bart.
"Aaanyways!" Aaah, kids. How they're so proficient at changing the topic in ways that no one could ever do. "Professor, how about you take us to a training room and show us your moves? We never actually got to see you in action with your sword before!"
"Yeah! All this time, you've only ever fought using with your fists," for someone who fought with fists herself, Yang was too curious about that part that she actually vocalized her complaint. "Come on, when are you gonna' use that dusty old thing? You used it literally once, and that was turning it into a whip. When you used it yesterday, it was so awesome!"
Desperate times called for desperate measures. The Grimm had been so huge, so unlike anything else that he's ever seen that he had to rely on his sword once more.
It's not like he's purposely avoiding it, of course. It's just that he wanted to get his message across; that your weapon alone isn't the only thing that can
"Hey now, don't say that. I've polished my sword at least thrice a day, and I do use it. You just never see it sometimes," shrugging, he dusted off his shoulders before fixing his waist guard. "Still, I suppose my words will mean absolutely nothing to you girls unless I actually make a demonstration?"
When four pairs of eyes lit up, he knew there was no escape.
…
Huntsmen. People trained to deal with the infestation of Grimm, demonic beasts that are drawn to the negativity within the hearts of man.
It's such an oddly specific job, but he couldn't exactly find any fault in that. After all, having a specific job to deal with that meant that you could leave the other details to other people. And that you're going to be left with the cream of the crop; people who could definitely get the job done.
He's already met so many wonderful and talented Hunters. From his colleagues to his own headmaster, and some other acquaintances that he knew of.
Looking at the four girls that were walking with him to their destination, he saw untapped potential. And they were already so incredible.
"So your sword's not one capable of mecha-shifting?"
"No, Ruby, it cannot. It's as ordinary of a sword as it could get."
Well, extraordinary enough that it was actually the bones of his best friend, powerful enough to tear an entire army apart, and unleash itself in a whip form. Other than that, a normal sword.
Okay, maybe it was a severe underestimation on his part, but he felt that the sword really was normal. The weapon itself meant very little, but in the hands of its wielder, it could become what it's made for.
That's what he believed anyways, and it's true. After all, a dull pencil could very well be a spear in its own right if the wielder chooses for it to be so.
The fact that he rebuked her teammate's question so quickly and easily had even Blake curious. "So it can't do what our weapons can?"
"If, by what you said, means turning a scythe into a rifle, or a hammer into a grenade launcher, or from one form into an entirely different one, then no. My sword stays as a sword, just like Jaune's," he hums back with a little smile.
It's such an odd world. Hunters, protectors of the people who wield such unique weapons that are able to shift forms between one and another so easily. Of course, that's if maintenance is done well and the parts aren't chunky, but it's such a strange notion.
Granted, he knew of such whenever he thought of God Eater, though he can't really say it's the same sort of thing. Can he? Eh, probably not.
The thoughts of other worlds don't divert his focus as he walked with his students. They reach the training room a moment later, which wasn't exactly anything special. A spacious room with a concrete floor, wooden walls and rows of seats for students or anyone to watch the matches.
It's here where he usually teaches his students during combat class, and would sometimes take on his students, though without his sword, just to prove his point that their weapons weren't everything. Smart play and overall determination could take you pretty far, after all.
And Glynda seems to take satisfaction in watching him knock his students one without his weapon. 'Humbles them', as she put it.
"So," he began, looking around and finding the room to be completely vacant. Makes sense. Everyone else were probably in their own rooms or walking around in Vale. "What now?"
"Well, considering how you've never exactly weld your weapon before us, perhaps you could humour us with a demonstration?" Polite as ever, the silver-haired girl was.
"I could, although I suppose it would mean very little to the four of you," there was just no use showing off what he could do with his sword and not actually using it. A sword is meant to be used in a fight, not some mere fancy show of—Oh! Idea! "If I really am to use this, then it would only make sense for myself to have an opponent—"
"Me!" Literally leaping into the air and stopping a mere inch before him, the yellow-maned girl looked more pumped up than he's ever seen in her life. "I'll fight you!"
"Wha—No fair! I'm his favourite student, I should get first dibs!" Cried out her younger sister as she clung onto her back, the added weight almost getting her to fall.
"Hey! Like that's a thing! If anything, I'm his favourite student!"
"Nuh-uh! I'm his favourite student!"
Ahh, this scenario. He thought he had dealt with that enough between Edelgard, Kronya and… oh, never mind. Practically all his students wanted him to take them as his favourite student.
That never happened, of course. He never played favourites, but it's not like they wouldn't stop trying. And it seems that it's happening all over again, even in another world.
"Girls, calm down. You know I don't favour anyone than the other," his words alone wouldn't have been enough, but an experienced man like himself, who had the pleasure of dealing with thirty students already, knew that the best way was action itself.
And what better way to get them to stop their childish banter than to literally pick them up by the back of their necks like kittens?
One, a weapons fanatic with a fond love for cookies and a strong adoration for him (apparently), and another, a fighting-loving blonde with a loud mouth and the tendency to flirt with him just to get a reaction out of him.
Goddess, Kronya had been so hard back then. Even Dorothea, too.
People scorn upon student-teacher relationships, and he's not trying to condone it, but it's not his fault when his students start flirting with him! Seriously, it's not!
"Tell you what, just to satisfy all four of you," he noticed how the banter between the two sisters stopped, and the other two girls now had their attention on him. Good. "How about all of you have a go at me all at once?"
What an easy solution! Fight all four of them at the same time, and no one would have to worry about him picking favourites or being unfair to the others. Simple and swee—Oh, damn it. Looks like Jaune's introduction rubbed off on him a little.
Such a suggestion doesn't exactly sit well with Weiss, however, whose eyes go a little wide. "H-Huh? All four of us, at once? Professor, you can't be serious!"
"Come now, you've seen what I'm capable of. We've gone on Grimm-hunting excursions together plenty of times, and you've never seen me have much trouble fighting them," he snorted back, quick to respond before she had the chance to. "And yes, most of the times, it's the students that do the fighting. But believe me, I'll be fine."
"But shouldn't you at least get your Aura unlocked?" Suggested Blake, a hint of concern in there.
He appreciated it, but he shook his head. "Unnecessary. I've gone through my whole life without it. I have no need for it now."
It had been such a shocking thing to hear, that a man like himself had practically lived his entire life without his Aura unlocked. Being a mercenary, no less, whose mission is practically going out into the wilds and killing monsters!
Still, how was he supposed to explain the part that he's technically from another world?
No way, right? So shush.
He sets Ruby and Yang back on their feet, patting them on the heads all the same. "If the four of you are still concerned, then rest assured, none of you will practically land a blow on me all the same. And even if you do, I will heal quickly enough that it seem like nothing had changed."
"Sounding pretty cocky, huh Teach?" Her tone should have sounded challenging, but it came out as a satisfied sigh as his hand rubbed her head gently.
Judging by the look of joy on her sister's face, it seemed like she wasn't the only one enjoying it.
"Not exactly cocky, but I've lived my whole life relying on my friends and my wits. There will be no need to rely on Aura now, when I've practically made it this far without it," grinning now, he nods towards the side, where a large machine sat unattended. "Go on, now. Register your scrolls to get your aura displayed."
Uncertain looks were shared between the four girls before they complied with his command, quick to register their scrolls before taking their place at the opposite end of the ring. Thankfully, the room would be wide enough for all five of them to have their fights in, and not worry about running out of space.
Aura. What a strange ability. To simply defend against any form of attack to avoid, not the pain, but the injury itself. That was to the best of his understanding, and it could have very well been flawed, but he was willing to believe that was how it basically functioned.
A part of one's soul… Strong indeed.
"Alright then. Guess we're all good to go," rolling his shoulders to loosen his muscles, he lets out a soft sigh as a bone popped into place before drawing his sword, unintentionally getting a few 'Ooh…' from the girls. "Now then, the rules. Ring-outs aren't counted, so we'll take your Aura's into consideration. Once I've downed your Aura's into the red, the match is over. Understood?"
"You talk as if you're going to win this one," snickered Yang with a little wink. "That confident, huh?"
To his credit, the man responded only with a small chuckle. "Oh, please, not at all. But that's how it is. I'll say this again; don't be afraid to go all out against me, alright? Because even if you won't…"
Against their expectations, the pale yellow sword suddenly seemed to glow with life, now giving off a bright orange illumination that bathed himself, the floor and his surroundings with fiery orange light.
His smile fell away like rubble, now replaced with the determined look of a mercenary. One whose entire life had been on the battlefield, heart and mind tempered by the battles he had gone through, and the blood that he's spilt.
His words—gone was the warmth that made him beloved within the students, now a steeled voice devoid of emotion—sent a chill down their spines.
"I most certainly will."
Hastily, they brought out their weapons—Ruby with her scythe, Yang with her gauntlets, Blake with her guns, and Weiss with her sabre—but even that hadn't been enough.
That was the last thing he said before his sword snapped and shot forwards.
…
A meeting was being held in the headmaster's room in that very moment, just as the clock struck six, but one particular member of their faculty seemed to be absent, enough so that Ozpin saw it necessary to send Glynda over to call him.
Byleth Eisner. Ex-mercenary, renowned professor (he never calls himself that, of course, but it seems that all his students are more than happy and keen to inflate his rank. The rumour mill helped immensely), and quite possibly the strongest Hunter ever.
It's so strange… How he seemingly showed up out of nowhere, taking centre stage when he managed to stop the Roman Torchwick in a dust heist, all but decimating him, the mechas under his command and the White Fang members that were fighting alongside him.
The fact that he managed to defeat them without drawing his sword, by his lonesome and not killing them? Three emphasized things that literally took the news by storm, making him an instant hit with the world and painting him a hero.
Not a hero, he says, but a professor who loves to teach.
She wasn't even surprised when Ozpin decided, there and then, to hire the man, offering him a position in Beacon because why would he not?
The look on his face that day, when he happily accepted the position if only because it meant he got to teach again… she knew that he was an honest man, and he truly loved his profession.
'I suppose there's still much for us to learn, even from those younger than us,' the thought makes her smile, happy to know that there exists such people as him. They're rare to come by nowadays, and to actually get to work with him is such a joy.
And there was no denying the fact that all the students enjoy learning from him as well. Sure, it was a little annoying that they preferred him to her (no one asked her to come back and teach them combat class ever since he took over—she couldn't even say no because he really wanted to help, and it made him really happy), but they really adore him.
Some a little more than the boundaries should allow, much to her frustration.
Well, it's fine. He was a responsible man who knows what's right and what's not, so she would trust him to make the right call. There was no way he'd let anything happen.
She had just turned a corner—
*Thunk..!*
Only for a muffled sound of metal striking metal to reach her ears, followed swiftly by the sound of something (or someone) hitting the ground. Silence came after.
Glynda Goodwitch didn't know what to expect when she walked into the training room. Oh, she was certainly prepared to scold the students that were using the facility when they're supposed to be in their room, seeing that it was already curfew.
What she didn't expect to see was the man who had been on her mind earlier standing in the middle of the room, his sword glowing and… twitching? And the girls that made up Team RWBY were scattered everywhere on the ground, all breathing heavily and sporting bruises on their bodies.
She most certainly didn't think she'd hear him snap his sword like a whip, only for the blade to lose its illuminance as he rests it on his shoulder. A deep breath is expelled before his cold demeanour shatters, replaced with his usual goofy self, looking around the room in clear confusion.
"Umm…" He blinked his eyes, looking to his sword, then to the students—to Ruby, who was sitting upright but eyes spirals as she somewhat teetered, to Weiss, who was muttering how impossible the entire fight was as she clutched her arm, to Blake, who was staring at him with wide eyes from where she was leaning against the wall, and to Yang, who was laughing from that utterly one-sided fight they had with their professor.
He was a lot of things. A mercenary, a professor, and a friend. He was clever, empathetic, gentle, and strong. No, that would not do him justice. He was just too powerful.
People would find it odd how the strongest Hunter had managed to look so awkward and nervous as he did as he rubbed the back of his neck, a silly smile on his face. "Should I have held back?"
Glynda was genuinely happy he was their ally. She wouldn't know what to do otherwise.
Lesson {Sword Art Online}: Guess Swords Is The Most Popular Weapon Choice
Fighting's all there has ever been for him. It's his way of life; to fight his way out of a bunch of crooks or thugs, then get paid for it. The coin would then do wonders for him, be it to get some food or some books to read.
It's so second-nature to him, like breathing. So natural that it sickens him.
He despised fighting. No, that would be much too inaccurate. He despised killing—the act of taking another's life, when it should be left to the hands of God? It was so wrong. So, so wrong.
But he knew that, it not him, then another would be forced with the burden of such. And they might not be able to finish the job, either out of fear or because they were simply too slow or too unskilled to block the attack, only to then meet a quick end because of some brigand's axe.
He hated fighting, but he was too good at it. Better than his own father, as the man would so often point out, that he knew that there was no other option but to keep at it.
Now, though, two boons came from it; the ability to protect the people he loves, and to teach others how to defend themselves. It saves lives, and even now, he knew that it would do his student well.
A downwards swing, parried by a horizontal attack. A sidestep that dodges a wide sweep, countered with a firm thrust to the chest that draws a sharp gasp from his younger opponent.
Black hair and black eyes, black uniform. It was almost weird how this person could seem so obsessed with the colour, but it was mere appreciation and favouritism of the colour black, compared to anything else. He could appreciate that. Plus, he liked monochromatic colours too. That's a plus!
His thoughts drifted away like sand in one's hands as he noticed the incoming blade, almost taking up all of his vision. With a small hum, he deflected the attack with a silent flick of his fingers, barely enough to knock it out of his opponent's grip, but more than enough to divert it an inch away from its target.
Just right.
"Gak..!" His young student, open to every attack, and the professor took advantage of that by slamming the butt of his weapon right into the crook of his neck, the pain lancing through it and sending him onto the floor, panting. He seemed like he wanted to get up, but with how sweaty his face was, he looked to be at his limit.
Byleth hummed, extending a hand to his student, who took it and stood back up. "Good work there, Kirito. You've improved in your footwork, but you'll need to learn to predict your opponent's movements even better. That will help you a long way to plan your next moves carefully and quickly, thus granting you a chance to counter and strike back when necessary."
"Un…Understood, Professor…" He panted out, chest heaving in and out at a rapid pace.
At one point in his life, he might have thought that his ability to fight could do more than just bring food to the table. Now, however, he knows that he does indeed have the ability to educate his students on how to fight, thus allowing them to learn how to defend themselves from danger.
It's such a necessary lesson that he doesn't mind the fact that he'd have to hurt his students, even if a little.
"Alright then. We're done for today, so return to your room and get some rest," spoke the man as he took his student's practice sword, intending to return it and his own practice blade to their weapon racks. "Try not to do any heavy work in the meantime, yeah?"
"Yeah, I hear you…" Even with his exhaustion, the boy manages a bow at his teacher. "Thank you for the lesson…"
And with that, the younger ravenette takes his leave, leaving the professor alone in the sparring ring.
Once upon a time, the boy within Byleth would have loved to get to know the boy known as Kirito—a hero in his own right, who has fought countless battles and saved just as many lives. It was an indisputable fact that he was an amazing fighter, and a well-respected individual in the eyes of many.
Who would have thought that he'd somehow end up as his teacher? And earning his respect instead?
The irony of the situation gets him to laugh softly, putting away the swords and making his way back to his own personal quarters. Paperwork isn't going to do itself, after all.
The pen is mightier than the sword. Not really. Just tiresome.
…
«Secret Techniques», or «Sword Skills». A fixed skill that can be initiated when the user positions himself into a suitable stance, thus allowing them to execute a powerful attack.
«Combat Arts». Weapon skills that exhaust a weapon's durability in exchange of a specific boost to the wielder; trading durability for added power, or swifter blows, or more accurate strikes.
They seemed so similar at first glance, but also different at the same time. To him, however, they were an integral part in one's ability to fight that it would be downright foolish to go without making use of them. They granted such advantage in a fight, after all, so why would you not use it?
For someone like himself, he had been fairly capable of fighting without relying too much on «Combat Arts», though there has been the occasional moments when he had to rely on such skills to even the odds in his favour.
For these students here, all of them were just too narrow-minded. Only thought about using «Secret Techniques» and finishing the attack in one blow.
'The beauty of a single strike'. No. There was nothing beautiful about it. It just went to show that you do indeed have the strength to deal that single, finishing blow. But once you've failed it? Then that's it.
It's why he was so glad that his students, Kirito and Eugeo, anomalies amongst the students for their strange sword style, weren't like that.
"Hrah!" The flaxen-haired, green-eyed boy leapt forwards a little with an attack meant to test the waters, quickly retreating when he anticipated a blow from Byleth that was bound to end him there and then. A smart move, but Byleth was too different from him.
He was a mercenary, hardened through the swings of his sword and the bodies he's cut down. Eugeo may not be burdened with that just yet, but he was unprepared all the same.
"Hmph!" A simple sidestep helped him dodge an overhead strike, quickly raising his sword to avoid a «Slant». He batted aside another attack with his free hand, a momentary shock for the younger boy, giving him enough time to sweep his leg and trip the boy, only to then raise his other leg and slam his boot into the boy's side, throwing him away like a rag doll.
"Gurkh..!" His breath comes out as a hack as he rolls on the ground only to then come to a stop with his eyes granting him sight of the ceiling. One hand instantly travels to his side and he hisses, the pain travelling along his chest to other parts of his body. "Oh… G-Good one there, Professor…"
"Forgive me, but you know how necessary it is," with an apologetic tone, he helped his student to his feet, looking out to the crowd of students who seemed uneasy with the sight. "As you've seen there, anything is a weapon. All of you are too reliant on your swords, but what of a situation that you're disarmed of it someday? Learn to use your surroundings and your whole body then, because in a fight to the death, you most certainly will need it."
They were obviously uncomfortable with that sort of notion. Not the thought of death, but the thought of fighting in a way that wasn't a single strike. They really relied on «Secret Techniques» too much.
He hadn't been able to get rid of that mindset in all students properly, of course, but some of them heeded his warnings and took his lessons to heart. Kirito and Eugeo agreed with him from the start, their valets—Ronye, brown-haired and short, and Tiese, redhead and taller—sharing the stance.
The students who are nobles didn't share that sort of thinking, though, so that's their loss.
He knew that he was being too harsh, but to teach someone to fight, there could be no coddling. He hadn't been exactly kind with his first students either, having warned them from the very start that he would have to be harsh if need be.
The battlefield would be even crueller, that he knew.
…
"Why… Why are the three of you here? Why do you continue to ascend the cathedral, defy us knights and threaten the peace? Do you not realize that every one of us defeated is yet another setback that grants advantage for the Dark Empire?"
"Nngh…"
Climbing a tower is never fun. Not when you have to climb stairs, and not get the easy mode of transportation in the form of elevators. Oh, there were elevators earlier, but only for a little bit. And even then, they had to climb a fair bit just to get there.
Well, at least it's a good reason for daily leg day, huh?
Byleth didn't think of himself a criminal. A murderer, yes, because he has taken too many lives to remember. But he did so because there was no other option. It was them or the people that mattered, and he knew which choice he would make.
In this instance, however, he hadn't committed a single crime. In the eyes of the «Taboo Index», he was pure. Saint. Innocent.
So why was it that he was currently on the eightieth floor of the Central Cathedral—the large ivory tower in the middle of Centoria, which is in the middle of this entire world—standing alongside two 'criminals', who had indeed committed crimes that went against the «Taboo Index»?
To be fair, it was an accident on their part. Eugeo didn't mean to cut Humbert's arms, and Kirito certainly didn't want to kill Raios. It had all occurred by accident, but that wasn't good enough. In the eyes of the people and the law, they were criminals.
He wasn't. But he was a teacher before anything, and he believed in his students. He knew from the start that they weren't in the wrong, and he would make sure they would get the justice they deserve.
Even if it meant becoming a criminal himself.
"A good question, Integrity Knight Alice Synthesis Thirty," yes! He managed to say her name plus title without tongue-twisting himself! "But would you actually bother to listen to the words of scum like us? I was under the impression that your duty is to silence us, not to talk."
"Silencing you is not my duty. I am simple here to ensure that the three of you are sent back to the underground prison to await Lady Administrator's judgement," her crystal blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly, her golden locks blowing in the wind. "But for what you've done to all my comrades… you would have to forgive me if I was far too severe with my sword."
"To be fair, we didn't exactly hurt any of them."
"Right. All of them are still alive."
Even with their assurances, it didn't change her stance whatsoever.
Byleth knew a lost cause when he saw one. Alice was a lot of things, and stubborn seemed very high on the list right now. She wouldn't listen to words. Right now, the only thing that she would be willing to listen to would be…
"Boys," slipping easily into his mercenary demeanour, the green-haired professor drew his sword of bones. "Draw your swords. You wish to save your friend, yes? Then show me your conviction. Prove to me you have the determination to back up such words."
Eugeo wanted to save Alice, and Kirito wanted to save this world.
The two of them worked together to climb the tower and reach the highest floor, where they would be able to meet the Administrator and get the answers they desperately need.
That they have gone so far to get up here—fight and win against countless Integrity Knights, individuals trained to maintain the peace of the kingdom—deserved respect. And for that, he would help them as well.
"…Of course," a firm nod was all he gave before Kirito unsheathed his midnight sword, the blade whistling across the air before settling at his side. He wants to save this world, and would stop at nothing to achieve it.
"For Alice… Understood, Professor," Eugeo was no longer hesitant, gripping the handle of his crystal sword tightly, staring head. His mission stood before him, and he would save her, no matter the cost.
These boys have lost things that mattered so much to them. For Byleth, who was fortunate enough that he had been able to save so many people with his hands, he would be willing to see their journey to the very end, and take back what they've lost.
He's done it before for Edelgard and Lysithea, he can do it again.
The professor nodded approvingly at their conviction before raising his sword so that the tip of it pointed straight at the golden clad knight. "Knight Alice… my students, Kirito and Eugeo, are both on a personal mission to save that which is important to them. And I, Professor Byleth Eisner, as their teacher and friend, shall see to it that they accomplish it. Nothing, not even you, will stop us."
A gentle gust blew, belying the dangerous showdown that would inevitably take place here, in this peaceful room—amongst the little flowers, watched by the shimmering river and the wonderful tree.
Well, the tree itself will be a part of the fight. It is Alice's sword.
"I see… I sense the truth in your words, and it would be remiss of me to simply treat you as mere criminals," she spoke with what sounded like a sad tone, but soon turned into a cold ferocity befitting a warrior like herself. "Nonetheless, as an Integrity Knight whose duty is to the people and the Axiom Church, I will see to it that you not go any further. You have drawn your swords, so be ready to fight."
"Heh… Wouldn't want it any other way. Kirito, Eugeo, prepare yourselves!"
"Understood!"
Even as the tree itself broke away into a million petals of beautiful gold, turning itself into a sword in her hand, they weren't going to let themselves lose here.
After all, they've got a girl and a world to save! Sounds cliché, but when has it ever not been?
Lesson [My Hero Academia]: Superpowers Aren't Too OP, Okay?
Byleth started out as a normal human. Well, not exactly normal, emotion-wise. He was silent back then, but learnt to open up ever since he and his father arrived at the orphanage that day. And ever since then, it started him down the path that he's walked since then.
Now, though? He can safely say on his resume that he wasn't just a normal adult man anymore. Change that to 'Goddess-blessed adult man'.
The war is won, everyone went home, and he had just about been ready to lay on his luxurious bed—he begged Rhea to give him a normal house, but decided otherwise and settled on giving him and his family a bloody castle!—when he suddenly got thrown into another world.
He was a little worried that someone like himself would make things a little too strange, and potentially scare off tens to thousands of kids, teenagers and adults alike. Only to then be targeted by the army for being an anomaly, hence making it a necessary to hide his powers and pretend to be a normal human. He has the powers of an honest-to-goodness Goddess, after all.
One that had mostly lived inside of his head, only to somehow form a vessel to interact with the real world.
How it also birthed Bylera (his sister, the female Byleth) into the world out of the blue as well was a question that had already been answered, but one that he was content to leave it as it is without understanding more of it.
In this world, however, he had no need to worry about that sort of thing. Why worry when everyone has a superpower?
'The only thing that I don't understand is how they were so willing to let me call my Crest of Flames as my 'Quirk', but I suppose it's not the worst thing that could have happened,' he shrugged to himself as he stepped out of the train, others following suit. Sunlight bathed him in its warmth, his lime green hair swaying as wind blew against his face.
Without a pause in his step, he began a brisk walk to his destination; U.A. High, the high school for all teenagers who were looking to make it into the world as heroes, professionals tasked with protecting the peace.
He wasn't exactly a 'seeker of justice', as the famed Phantom Thieves are, but he felt that people who are willing to put their lives on the line to fight for the innocents and defend them from danger are people he could respect.
He himself, though not a hero by this world's standards, could never stand back and watch as someone get hurt, just because others were too afraid to help.
U.A. High, school for the future Pro Heroes, was as unique as the kids that go here. Not kids, but he just has the tendency to call his students as such. No one complained, so he supposed it was fine.
In a world where superpowers were the norm, he could have simply flew here. Goddess blessing aside, he is proficient with Reason magic, granting him an exceptional control over wind. He's done it a few times; to speed himself up during a sprint, or to make leaps over mountains.
That last part was no exaggeration.
But he wanted to enjoy the walk. See the people, get a breather, see the sights. Makes the days more pleasant.
"Professor!" The man perked up, spotting three different heads of hair; one a fluffy overgrown mess of green, one straight blue, and another a bob of brown. The voice belonged to the first one, his eyes a similar shade of viridian and his mouth a wide smile as he waved at the man. "Good morning!"
Responding in kind, the professor approached the group of friends. "Good morning, Izuku, Ochako, Tenya. I hope you had a good morning?"
"We did! Well, nothing's exactly happened, but it's been really peaceful," chuckled the girl of the group. "You look pretty happy yourself too, Professor."
"I guess I am. Just like you said, today's been pretty peaceful, and getting to see the city a bit more is nice," he said with a simple shrug, joining the three as they walked towards the school. "You're not in your class yet, though. Something the matter?"
"Nothing at all. We simply wanted to wait for you," answered Iida, making his chopping motions in the air as always. "You see, I had a question regarding your 'Quirk', and wished to ask you about it!"
"Well, ask away, Tenya. I'd be more than happy to—"
"Deeekuuuu!"
The greenette beside him flinched, prompting him to mentally groan.
Katsuki Bakugo. Not exactly a hero fanatic like his childhood friend, but with a fierce determination to become one. And he never misses the chance to belittle or one-up Izuku, no matter how childish he was making himself be.
Honestly? He's a handful. On one hand, he was incredibly talented, both in terms of books smart and practicality. With such a powerful 'Quirk' like his own and a mind sharper than most, he's one of the strongest students in his class.
On the other hand, he's so difficult. Loud-mouthed, braggart, temper as explosive as a box of… explosives. He was a walking time bomb who could go off at any time, and that made him pretty hard to work with.
Still, he isn't the worst student he's ever had to deal with. Not like he would ever hate a student of his, of course.
Not even if he had practically stared at Mineta for two minutes straight and practically rendered him a quaking mess at the end. No one could have thought that his expression turned from friendly to absolute hate when he was looking at Mineta, nor did they expect him to look so terrified that he practically threw up into the nearest bin.
He didn't mean to, but he had his reasons.
As does everyone else.
Err, Katsuki. Right, back to him.
"Good morning to you too, Katsuki," with an easy smile, he raised a hand to wave at the incoming blond. "Is there a problem?"
"Professor?" Grunted the boy, noticeably less heat in his voice before he scoffed to the side, walking away. "Whatever, it's nothing."
The three friends watched his back as he practically stomped his way into the school, Byleth taking the moment to face palm.
Man, that boy is difficult.
…
*Bam!*
"Ghk..!"
"Not good enough, Deku."
For a man such as himself, who's had a lot of experience in fighting, he would occasionally take over for All Might whenever he wasn't able to teach the class during their Heroics class (either because he had something else going on at the time or he needed to rest after using up his 'Quirk') and train the students.
So far, none of them had complained about his teaching methods. Straight-to-the-point, giving hints to where they could improve, and even sparring matches. They've made quite the improvements, and if All Might thought he was doing okay, he supposed he hasn't failed just yet.
Although, he wasn't sure what to feel about punching his student in the back.
Deku struck the ground but quickly bounced away from it—good. He took his first lesson to heart; never stick with one spot for too long. Always keep moving, or at least as much as you possibly could.
The boy blurred into streaks of green and white electricity, running circles around the cautious man as he simply watched his surroundings. Eventually, he closed his eyes, letting out a calm breath and steading a hand to the hilt of his sword…
'There!' Eyes shooting wide, he drew his blade and swung it upwards in a wide arc. A mere feint on Deku's part, but even his sword swing was a feint; light flashed from the corner of his eyes and, belying his looks, somersaulted out of a haymaker.
Deku's eyes were wide as he practically threw himself into nothing, his state leaving him undefended and unready to react at all when the professor drove his knee into the boy's chest, then to knock him into the ground with a swift hammer arm.
"Guh..!" The boy hacked out, on all fours as he breathes hard. "Y-You're fast…"
"I try to be," he says, leaning back a little and letting the glob of acid fly past his face. "Nice try, Pinky."
"Urgh, you always see our attacks! It's like you have eyes on all parts of your head or something!" Loudly complained the girl with a whiny voice.
It brought forth mirth that has him laughing. "Can't help it. Always keep a sharp sense and perception around yourself. Like so…"
He picked up a rock and flung it up into the sky behind him, striking Froppy right in the chest and knocking her out. He promptly snapped his fingers and sent a massive orb of fire down the street, catching an unprepared Tenya and Chargebolt off-guard, swallowed by flames and knocked away by the imminent explosion.
He wasn't even surprised when missiles came from the air and were soaring towards him. Gracing his boots with wind, he leapt back, putting himself an entire mile away from the blast site.
"DIIIIEE—Urgh..!"
"That might have worked for intimidation and catching people by surprise, so I'm sorry."
Apologies weren't of much use with Katsuki, whom he was now holding by the neck, only for him to throw him into a building. Deku came back at him from his blind spot, forcing him to spin around and clash fist with fist—even without enchantment, his Goddess-powers-amplified-strength helped him match the boy in terms of power.
The king of explosions and curses barrelled at him not even a second later, forcing Byleth to draw his sword and snap it towards the blond, spinning to backhand Deku across the cheek and knocking him away. Katsuki was smarter, dodging his sword, but Byleth was far more experienced.
Blast for blast, he matched it with his own spells, absorbing all the flames and power, only to then be safely dispersed. He turned around and, swiftly, grabbed Red Riot's fist, throwing him into Katsuki. Quickly, he returned his attention to Deku, who shot at him like a bullet.
"«Detroooiiit»!" Shouted the boy as he drew back his arm, five percent of his power fuelling his limb as green electricity cackles across his skin. In response, Byleth cocked his fist back, activating his quote unquote 'Quirk' and letting it boost his power. "«SMAAAAAASH»!"
In a battle for dominance, fist met fist in an attempt to push one another back. Deku lasted a mere ten seconds before his arm finally caved in, Byleth's power too much for him to handle as it landed a single blow against his abdomen. The greenette's body folded as he was sent flying into a building.
'That would kill the average person, but these children are strong,' even so, he had silently healed them using distant healing spells, just to make sure that they wouldn't die during this class.
Everywhere around him, injured and tired Heroes-in-training surrounded the young man, some looking better than the others. Deku himself was slowly getting back up on his feet with help from Invisible Girl, his lips twisted in a pained smile.
No matter how difficult the situation was, no matter how injured they were, no matter how futile everything seemed—keep smiling, no matter what. To show that you weren't afraid, and that helped the people.
It told them that they do indeed have hope.
If these children were going to become heroes to become such beacons of hope for the world, then he will do his best to prepare them for the future.
"You've had your warm-up, now it's time for the true fight," cracking his neck, his sword gave off light, a clear sign that his sword has now tapped into its ultimate potential. "Pro Heroes-in-Training, come at me with all you've got."
Katsuki didn't even need to be told anything more before he screamed at the top of his lungs and flew at him.
…
The teacher's lounge is often most the place for a teacher to sit back and unwind after hours of teaching a bunch of brats.
Here, in U.A. High, it served just about the same function. After all, if they had to deal with students who were going to be heroes, there was no place for doubt that you'd be pretty exhausted at the end of it. Especially Byleth, since he's teaching Heroics class.
And yet, he has never seen that man tired.
Overworks himself to help his students in any way, sometimes joining other teachers in different classes to help them out. It eased their burdens and made it easier to control the students. Plus, it seems that he's become incredibly popular with the kids.
Aizawa had to admit, if there was one thing he was glad, it was to have a proper teacher who knew how to control his students. Because good lord knows that hardly anyone else here, himself included, can do so to the extent he can.
"Aaah… This is good…" Sighing contentedly with the glass of iced lemon tea in his hands, Hizashi leans back into the couch and lets the cold drink down his throat. "How do you do it..?"
Oh, and that too. Bless this man who somehow knows how to calm down Present Mic of all people.
That man is the very epiphany of noise, so the fact that he's managed to make him quiet was more than enough to put the young professor very high on his 'People I Like' list.
"Practice, admittedly. And help from my father," he responded with a simple smile, handing Midnight a berry tea. The woman shoots him an appreciative look before enjoying her drink, going without her usual salacious quips. "Shouta, would you like anything?"
"Hot tea. Anything is fine," responded the older teacher. Older, perhaps, but sometimes, he felt that he wasn't as experienced as the professor.
Byleth is handy with a lot of things; weapons, tactics, tools and machines. He has hands that are so clearly special, allowing him to make so many wonderful things. And it seems that he's just as impressive of a chef or drink maker as he is a professor and a fighter.
Not even four minutes later and a cup of hot tea, made with leaves from a poisonous plant no one would ever consume, is sitting there in his hands. Shouta drinks the concoction and feels all his stress ebb away.
One might think he's insane to drink something made from something that's poisonous, but so far, his faith in his colleague hasn't ever backfired on him.
The students they teach are always safe at the end of the day, All Might doesn't push himself, he somehow manages to control the teachers without even realizing it, and he isn't dead from the tea. So he'll keep trusting him.
"You seriously need a raise, Byleth. All this good work, and you're not being properly compensated for it? It's so unfair," spoke Vlad King as he accepted a mug of coffee. Strong, exactly how he likes it.
"No need for that. Jeez, you guys really worry too much about that," snorting, he shakes his head. "I'm simply happy to get to teach again, and that's enough."
Never has Aizawa met a person so selfless, but the world's got a lot of surprises. Funny how one seemed to show up when they were under attack back in U.S.J., but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
His thoughts come to a stop as five hard knocks on the door gets Byleth's attention. He excuses himself and makes for the door.
Only to then be greeted by an explosion.
"Heya, Professor! I made this little doohickey that's designed to absorb explosions, store it inside and then discharge it as a blast! Pretty nifty, right?"
"I'm… inclined to believe that, but I have a feeling that it's busted. Or did you discharge it at me just to test it out?"
All eyes in the room snapped towards Mei Hatsume, angry at being disturbed during their moment of peace and for harming their fellow instructor, even if he technically felt nothing from it. The girl had the decency to at least look sheepish, rubbing the back of her neck.
Aizawa, narrow eyes, sipped his tea, and promptly relaxed back into his seat.
Well, Byleth looked happy, even with what just happened. Who's he to ruin his moment?
Author's Notes:
If there's one thing you can count on me for, it's to ruin your favourite franchises.
If I did, I'm genuinely sorry, but maaan this was fun to write!
Gotta' say, I do plan to write a Fire Emblem: Three Houses story in the future, but I want to finish all my current stories first. Byleth might seem out-of-character in this story, but that's intentional. It would probably make sense in the future, but for now, just know that I have no regrets with how I wrote Byleth for this story.
Just as I said, this collection of short stories is a tribute to so many wonderful story writers here on this platform. Story writers that I don't know, save for some, but whom have brought to life fan stories that are just so fun to read. There are a lot of great stories, so get to exploring and reading!
It's through one such story that I actually got into watching RWBY, actually! And freak, I wished I watched it sooner! It's so good!
Well, that's all there is to it. Maybe someday, once I'm actually finished with the FE:TH story, I'll go on to write the crossover stories. Freak, I wished I could have written this one a lot more, but it's already over-bloated as it is, so I'll just cut it short to now. Hope you had a good time reading it.
That's it from me for now. Stay safe, keep on reading, and have a good day!