Chapter 11: Mock Battle Ends.
With the Golden Deer out of the picture, only the Black Eagles and the Blue Lions remained.
The smoke from Isaac's Smoke Bombs resulted in both classes being forced to evacuate the forest area and back to their original locations as they revaluated their current status.
The Blue Lions had Byleth, Dimitri, Dedue, Mercedes, and Sylvain left.
The Black Eagles had Hanneman, Edelgard, Hubert, Petra, Bernadetta, and Linhardt.
Currently, the Black Eagles were in the lead.
'Let's see here. We have some solid physical offense and defense, but not much in terms of defense against magic. That makes Hubert extra dangerous.' Byleth thought.
"What's our plan of attack Professor?" Dimitri asked.
"Well, the forest is still covered with some smoke from Isaac's little trick so we don't have much of a choice but to charge forward." Byleth said.
"Is that wise? We are outnumbered." Mercedes asked concerned.
"If we group up, we should be able to win this." Byleth said.
"Okay. How do you want us to group up then? There is five of us so is it three and two, or is one of us by ourselves?" Sylvain asked.
"I want you and Dedue to team up and take out Bernadetta and Petra." Byleth said before turning to Dimitri. "Dimitri, can you handle Edelgard?"
"Of course professor." Dimitri nodded.
"Good. Then you team up with Mercedes then." Byleth said. The prince and healer nodded.
"I'll take out Hubert. I have the best experience in facing magic thanks to my training with Isaac. Then we can gang up on Hanneman. Any questions?" Byleth asked.
The students shook their heads.
"Good. Then let's get out there and win this fight!" Byleth declared.
The students nodded and got to work.
Dimitri aimed for Edelgard, though he accidentally ran into Bernadetta who sadly was in the way. Poor girl freaked out causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground removing her from the game. She immediately got up and ran off in fear and embarrassment.
"Sorry!" Dimitri called out as the terrified girl ran off the field. "Well, at least I saved Dedue and Sylvain some trouble."
"Uh Dimitri?" Mercedes pointed out.
Dimitri looked to see Edelgard and Linhardt approach them.
"Dimitri. I believe this is the perfect time to settle which of us is the strongest." Edelgard declared as she readied her axe.
"Very well then. With you as my opponent, I will hold nothing back." Dimitri declared as he readied his lance.
Meanwhile, Byleth had just dodged a fire spell from Hubert and rushed towards him. Even if it wasn't Fodlan magic, training with Psynergy definitely had perks to her in giving her
"Well. It seems that our new professor is quite skilled. Looks like I'll have to call it a day for now." Hubert grunted and exited the battlefield.
"Now that he's taken care of, my students should stand a better chance against the Black Eagle students. Now for Hanneman." Byleth said to herself as she headed for the Black Eagles professor that was waiting in the back.
Petra had charged at Sylvain and started to attack him with her sword. Sylvain tried to use his lance to block it, but Petra was able to slip in more and more hits with each strike.
"My. To think I would meet with such a beauty on the battlefield." Sylvain smirked as tried desperately to keep up the defense.
"A fair warning. If you lose focus, it will be pain for you." Petra said as she continued to attack.
Sylvain managed to parley one of her attacks and knock her back. Readying his lance, Sylvain thrust it forward to end the fight, but Petra recovered too fast and slammed the hilt of her sword into Sylvain's gut causing him to collapse in pain.
"I apologies. But I will be claiming victory today." Petra said as she ran towards Dedue.
"Damn. That hurt." Sylvain grunted as he slowly picked himself up and exited the battlefield. Once he arrived with the rest of his defeated classmates, Ashe looked over him with concern.
"Are you okay Sylvain?" He asked.
"I'll live." Sylvain chuckled.
"That was foolish. You left yourself wide open back there." Felix scolded.
"Lasted longer than you." Sylvain chuckled.
Felix grunted.
Back with Dedue and Petra.
Petra unleashed a barrage of slashes against the Duscur giant, but Dedue was able to endure the hits pretty well thanks to his body build.
Dedue tried to attack with his training axe, but much like Sylvain, he wasn't having much luck.
'She's too fast for a direct attack. I'll have to try another means of hitting her.' Dedue thought.
As Petra readied her sword for another attack, Dedue instead of using his weapon, decided to charge with his body at the young princess from Brigid.
Caught off guard, Petra was immediately knocked down from the towering Duscur native.
"My apologies for that." Dedue said offering her a hand up.
"No. A win is a win. Victory is yours for now. But I will not be losing next time." Petra declared.
"I will not ether." Dedue said.
Petra left the battlefield, while Dedue headed towards his prince.
With Dimitri and Edelgard:
The two royals clashed weapons with each other as the two healers watched, waiting for the need to heal their House Leader.
"Those two sure are fighting intensely." Mercedes commented.
"Better them than me." Linhardt sighed.
Edelgard swung her axe at Dimitri who blocked it with his lance. Edelgard tried to push him back, but Dimitri pushed her back instead. Dimitri then tried to attack Edelgard by thrusting his training lance. Edelgard was able to dodge it, but did get gazed by the side causing her to stumble a bit from the force of the attack.
'It seems that what uncle said about the Bladdyd's strength was true. This means that if I keep trying to fight in pure strength, I'm going to lose. Guess I'd better try another strategy.' Edelgard thought as she jumped back.
Edelgard held up her hand. "Fire."
A fireball shot from her hand much to Dimitri's surprise. The fireball hit him dead center in his chest, but he was able to prevent himself from falling down. Mercedes got to work to heal.
"What's wrong Dimitri? Did you forget that Psynergy isn't the only form of magic?" Edelgard asked as she charged up another fireball.
"No, I was just surprised you decided to learn magic." Dimitri admitted.
"And that will be your mistake." Edelgard said shooting a fireball.
"Your highness!" Dedue shouted as he jumped in to block the fireball with his axe. It knocked him back, but he was still standing.
"Dedue!" Dimitri gasped.
"My apologies for the wait your highness. I was able to defeat Petra, but Sylvain was taken out." Dedue said.
"That's fine. That means when we defeat these two, all that's left is Professor Hanneman." Dimitri said.
"You talk as if you've already won." Edelgard said annoyed.
"Uh Edelgard? Maybe we should surrender. If Petra is out as well, then we are all that's left." Linhardt suggested.
Edelgard gritted her teeth. She was aware that the odds were against her now that Dedue was here, magic or not. Still, she couldn't just give up. She needed to see where her strength lies and this was a fine opportunity. For her goals.
"Sorry Linhardt, but I refuse to surrender." Edelgard said determined.
Linhardt sighed and castes a heal spell on Edelgard like Mercedes did with Dedue. If Edelgard made up her mind, then there was no way that he was going to change it.
Dimitri charged at Edelgard with his lance that Edelgard blocked with her axe. Jumping back, she prepared another fire spell but was suddenly attacked from the side by Dedue causing her to stumble. Linhardt tried to shoot a fire spell at the prince, but Mercedes countered with one of her own. Seeing the Imperial princess's guard down, Dimitri attacked with a swing of the lance that knocked Edelgard to the ground.
Linhardt, seeing his chances, just sat on the ground with his hands in the air. "I give up."
"To think that the Black Eagles could lose her so readily." Edelgard grunted.
"That was a good fight Edelgard." Dimitri said before turning to his classmates. "We'd better hurry and check on the Professor."
The other two nodded and the three ran off.
Once they were gone, the two Black Eagle students got back up.
"Do you need some healing Edelgard?" Linhardt asked.
"Sure." Edelgard sighed as Linhardt got to work.
'It seems that I still need more training before I'm ready. That's fine I suppose. I still haven't tried Psynergy yet. I regrettably accept this defeat for now, but when the Battle of the Eagle and Lions arrive, we will emerge victorious.' Edelgard thought.
With Byleth:
Byleth had dodged a fireball shot by Hanneman as she charged at the senior professor. With a slash of her training sword, Hanneman was taken down.
"My goodness. The leadership of someone with actual battle experience is…well, I'm as good as useless." Hanneman said as the remaining Blue Lions students caught up with Byleth.
"Professor! You've already won." Dimitri said surprised.
"And you did as well I see." Byleth smiled.
"Ah yes, though I did need some extra help." Dimitri admitted.
"Nothing wrong with that." Byleth said.
"And that's it. The winner of the Mock Battle is, the Blue Lions." Jeralt declared.
The Blue Lions cheered in their victory. Byleth smiled at her victory as well. Jeralt was rather proud of his daughter and even Isaac clapped for his friend's victory.
Rhea then stepped forward.
"Many of you did very well here. Others still have much to learn. But in the end, I do look forward to seeing how much you all grow for the Battle of the Eagle and Lions during the Wyvern Moon." Rhea said causing some students to flinch at the "Much to learn" part.
Seteth stepped forward. "We will be leaving in about 10 minutes. Take this breather, but don't wander off too far."
All three classes regrouped with their professors. Though some were not looking forward to this…
"WHAT WERE YOU IDIOTS THINKING?!" Isaac shouted.
Lorenz, Leonie, Raphael, and Ignatz all flinched as Isaac chewed them out for their recklessness.
"I'm sorry Professor. I got so caught up in finally showing the captain how much I've improved, that I only ended up embarrassing myself." Leonie admitted with her head held low in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry too professor. I shouldn't have run off with Raphael and Lorenz like that. I should have known better." Ignatz said ashamed.
"Yeah. Sorry professor. I wasn't thinking." Raphael said sadly.
"Running off like that without any kind of plan was just asking for trouble. Not only to yourself but to those around you as well!" Isaac scolded.
"Professor, I do apologies for my rash actions. But…" Lorenz began but was cut off.
"Do I even need to explain what would have happened if this was a real battle?" Isaac asked.
Lorenz flinched at that.
"You would have been dead Lorenz. Regardless if you are a leader or a follower your actions affect everyone in the group. Rushing like that not only put you in danger, but the others around you as well. And because you separated, your allies couldn't help you." Isaac said while trying to hide his own guilt from the past.
"Y-You're right Professor. I'm sorry. I accept responsibility for our loss today." Lorenz bowed in shame.
"Well, as your professor, your failing is mine as well. I now see that we have a lot to work on if we are going to win the Battle of the Eagle and Lions." Isaac said as he turned to the others. "Now then. I suppose we should…wait a minute…" Isaac stopped for a moment and realized that there were only seven students in front of him.
Lorenz, Leonie, Ignatz, and Raphael were in front of him, and Lysithea, Hilda, and Marianne were over to the side…
"Where's Claude?" Isaac asked.
Everyone looked around, but the House Leader was nowhere to be seen.
"He was just next to me a moment ago." Hilda said.
"Great. Where is he? We'll be heading back soon." Lorenz said annoyed.
Isaac closed his eyes as his body lit up with Venus Psynergy much to everyone's surprise. After a moment, he opened his eyes as the light faded. "Follow me."
Everyone followed the young Venus Adept confused as Isaac headed to the woods area that was finally cleared of the smoke.
The group found Claude with his bow in his hands, panting with some small injuries.
"Claude!" Hilda gasped.
"Claude, are you…" Isaac stopped as he and the others saw what Claude was fighting.
The opponent was a small purple creature two points on its head, some small wings, and two stubby feet. The creature had a darker purple belly in contrast to the lighter purple of the rest of its body.
"What is that thing?" Lysithea asked surprised.
"It's pretty cute." Hilda gushed.
"I've never seen an animal like that before." Marianne said in awe.
"A-Are we sure that's an animal?" Ignatz asked worried.
"Doesn't look all that dangerous." Leonie said.
"Claude! Why are you fighting a Djinn?" Isaac asked as the other seven turned to Isaac in surprise.
"A Djinn?" Lysithea asked but Isaac didn't respond.
"I saw something move near the forest when we regrouped and went to check it out. This guy then saw I was an Adept and challenged me." Claude said.
"What do you mean it challenged you?" Lorenz asked.
"I mean, we are in the middle of a fight and I would like to finish it please." The Djinn said annoyed much to the other students' shock.
"It can talk?" Raphael gasped.
"Claude, wait!" Isaac warned but then Flint appeared on his shoulder much to everyone's shock, except for Claude who was too focused on the Djinn he was facing.
"Another one? Professor what is that?" Lorenz asked shocked but Isaac didn't answer.
"Hang on Isaac. Look at that Djinn. It's looking a bit exhausted itself. Claude may still win this." Flint said.
"I have to admit. You're not too bad." The Jupiter Djinn said.
"You're pretty good yourself." Claude said.
"How about we end this in this next attack?" The Djinn asked.
"Fine by me." Claude said as he readied his bow.
Leonie and Raphael were about to join in, but Isaac stopped them.
"Let Claude finish this." Isaac said.
"What do you mean Professor, what is that thing?" Leonie asked.
"I'll explain later." Isaac said.
'Man, this thing is starting to wear me down. I'd better put everything I've got into this next attack.' Claude thought as he raised his hand.
"Whirlwind!" Claude called out as the Djinn was engulfed in a mini tornado. Isaac was rather surprised by how well Claude unleashed the attack. Claude grabbed his bow and aimed. "My moment has arrived!" He declared. The arrow was fired and hit the Djinn dead center. The Djinn then fell flat to the ground.
"Okay. I give up. You win." The Djinn groaned.
The Djinn then got up from the ground much to everyone minus Isaac's shock.
"How did it just get up after a hit like that?" Lysithea asked.
"Us Djinn are pretty tough that's why." The Jupiter Djinn said before turning to Claude. "Well, you beat me. You must be quite the Adept."
"Uh thanks." Claude said unsure.
"You know what, I think I'll stick with you." The Djinn said.
"Huh?" Claude and the rest of the Golden Deer asked surprised.
"Claude!" Isaac called out getting the house leader's attention. "Agree."
"Uh, if you say so teach." Claude said though unsure. He turned to the Djinn and nodded his head.
"Great! The name's Swift by the way. Now just put your hands in the air." The Djinn now named Swift said. Claude did what the Djinn asked as its body turned into a bunch of purple orbs that swirled around Claude before entering his body.
Claude looked at himself rather surprised.
"What's wrong Claude?" Hilda asked.
"I can't fully explain it but, I feel great." Claude said surprised.
"That creature you befriended was a Djinn. For us Adepts, they can be our greatest allies. We sadly don't have the time right now to fully go over them, but for the short version, Djinn are creatures made out of pure Psynergy. If you befriend them, they can give your Psynergy an extra boast and help you unleash more power than you normally could." Isaac explained.
"Wait, seriously?" Claude gasped.
"I have so many questions professor!" Lysithea stated.
"And I will answer them later. But right now, we are about to be heading back soon and we don't want to be left behind." Isaac said.
"That's…true." Lysithea admitted.
"Anyway Claude, while I am pleased that you found a Djinn so fast, you shouldn't have wondered off on your own like that." Isaac scolded.
"Sorry Teach." Claude said.
"Marianne, can you patch Claude up real quick?" Isaac asked. Marianne nodded and castes a heal spell on Claude.
'I'm still surprised that Claude found a Djinn so fast. It doesn't look like one of the ones Ivan had. Not sure about Sheba though. Could be a new one we didn't see though.' Isaac thought.
Later in the Audience Chamber:
The three professors stood before the Archbishop and Seteth as Jeralt and the other knights watched from the side.
"The Mock Battle today has shown us all our strengths and what we will need to work on. Regardless of your placing, learn from the shortcomings of you and your students and guide them further before the Battle of the Eagle and Lions approach us." Rhea said as she turned to Byleth.
"It seems that Jeralt has taught you well. You lead your team admirably into battle and secured a win. Even taking on opponents that you felt your students would struggle against." Rhea praised.
Byleth nodded. "Yes. While powering through physical attacks were their strong points, enduring magic hits is something else. I on the other hand have had enough practice facing magic as I spar with Isaac."
"It has shown. I hope you show those skills in the Battle of the Eagle and Lions." Rhea smiled as she turned to Hanneman.
"It seems that some of your students are a bit out of control, but you did well fighting to the end." Rhea said.
"Yes. It seems that I especially will have to work on young Ferdinand. It was pretty quick to see that he has a rivalry with the imperial princess, and while that can be helpful for pushing his growth, today it led him to making a rather rash decision. I will definitely work on that." Hanneman said and Rhea nodded. She then turned to Isaac.
'Here we go.' Isaac thought worried.
"For your first battle here, and can't say that the results were pleasing. While you weren't the only one who had some out of control students, you lost nearly half your class rather quickly in the battle." Rhea said.
"I know." Isaac said.
"There was also those smoke bombs you used. I admit that we didn't state a rule against them, and since they weren't used for offense, so I will let it slide. Though they won't be used for the Battle of the Eagle and Lions." Rhea added.
"Understood." Isaac said.
"Still, your actions at the end did show that you did show more concern for your students well-beings than victory, and for that, I am glad." Rhea said.
"Well of course. Claude was in a position that he couldn't win and Marianne had no willpower to continue the fight." Isaac said.
Rhea nodded. "Regardless, I do hope you have learned from this defeat. You will need to keep your students under control for the future. I don't want to see something like that again. Understood?"
"Understood." Isaac nodded.
Rhea nodded.
"Still, like we said before, this battle was only a preview to see the skills of the students and teachers. The real battle will be held during the Wyvern Moon. It is a rather momentous event and I do hope that you will not embarrass the Academy." Seteth said eyeing Isaac.
"That is all for now. Classes all start tomorrow. Use the rest of the day to prepare for classes and rest. Though before classes tomorrow, I wish for us to discuss Seminars so report here during breakfast. You will be allowed to eat earlier for this." Rhea said. The three nodded. "Very well. You are all dismissed."
With a nod, the three professors left the office.
With Byleth:
Byleth wasn't sure where she wanted to go. Honestly, she wanted to talk to Isaac, but figured it might be best to leave him be for now.
"Professor!" Dimitri called out.
Byleth turned and saw her students run up to her.
"I was hoping you would join us in sharing a meal all together. It can serve as a celebration of our victory and a post battle analysis." Dimitri said.
"Share a meal?" Byleth asked.
"Yeah. You were our star player out there." Sylvain laughed.
"It was thanks to you that we won." Annette cheered.
"Yes. Compared to that boar that only knows frontal attacks, your tactics aren't half bad." Felix said.
"You call the prince out for knowing only frontal attacks, but who was it that charged at Professor Isaac and lost in a matter of seconds?" Ingrid asked as Felix grunted a bit embarrassed. "Also, you really need to stop picking fights with his highness anyway."
"It's fine Ingrid. I agree that the professor's tactics were amazing, and I have a lot to learn." Dimitri said.
"Ether way, we should head to the mess hall. Today was exhausting. I'm so hungry that I can barely stand." Mercedes said.
"To be honest, so am I. We should head over there." Ashe offered.
Byleth was silent pondering it.
"What are you waiting for? Say yes already!" Sothis spoke up annoyed from inside Byleth's head.
"Yeah do it!" Claw added also in Byleth's head.
"Very well then. I'm in." Byleth said with a nod.
And with that, the Blue Lions headed to the Mess halls.
With Isaac:
Isaac was sitting by the fishing spot lost in deep thought as he recounted his failure at the Mock Battle.
'I guess it was foolish of me to think things would go well. These guys are nothing like Garet, Ivan, and Mia.' Isaac thought before sighing. 'Then again, it probably isn't fair for me to compare them to my friends. Still, I can't believe that they did something like that. At least it was a Mock Battle so there weren't any massive consequences...not like when I made that stupid mistake.'
Isaac winced as he thought back to the incident at the Jupiter Lighthouse. Upon hearing that Felix and Sheba survived falling off the Venus Lighthouse, he began to hear more and more of what Felix has been up to. From saving an entire town from a giant serpent, to facing off with a gang of pirates, it all left Isaac and the others confused. Why was someone who was trying to end the world act like such a hero? And why would he leave him in the dark? Those questions plagued Isaac's mind as the group finally arrived at the third Lighthouse. But because of Isaac's desire to finally get some answers, he ended up accidentally leading his friends into a trap and nearly got them all killed, if it wasn't for Felix showing up and saving them.
"Hey Teach!" Claude's voice called out snapping him out of his thoughts.
Isaac turned to see the Golden Deer class approach him. Their faces mainly being of concern and regret.
"Hey Professor, we're sorry that we got you in trouble with the Archbishop." Leonie said.
"I got a bit of a scolding, but I wasn't in any trouble." Isaac assured. That did give some relief of the four who acted on their own in the Mock Battle.
"Anyway teach, we were wondering if you wanted to grab a bite with us?" Claude asked.
Isaac nodded. "Sure. I'd love to."
"Great. Let's grab our meals and head to the classroom. I want to hear about these Djinn." Claude said.
"I want to learn about them as well." Lysithea said.
"M-Me too." Marianne said.
"Though I have no Psynergy, I would like to hear about them as well." Lorenz said and the others nodded.
Isaac chuckled. "I suppose so."
"Well come on then! We better get our food before there is none left!" Raphael cheered.
"The Mess Hall will have plenty of food for us. You on the other hand, that's a different story." Hilda laughed causing others to as well. Even Isaac.
"Very well then. Lead the way." Isaac said as the Golden Deer headed towards the Mess Hall. There were some banter here and there from some, but it was clear that there was some tension between the group if the Mock Battle was anything to go by.
'Even though they are different, me, Garet, Ivan, and Mia were able to work together well. I'll find a way to get these guys to do the same...Somehow.' Isaac thought.
And that's a wrap!
Well, the Mock Battle is done and the Blue Lions are the victor. Pity for the Golden Deer, but at least Claude got a Djinn.
Claude's Djinn Swift is another Djinn introduced in Dark Dawn that joins you when Himi joins the party.
For the record, I might have to create some original Djinn for this story, but before I get to that, I do have many Dark Dawn exclusive Djinn to use.
In the next chapter, classes finally begin as Isaac study's how the students interact with each other. Rhea will also be giving Isaac an Byleth their first mission. The next chapter after that will start Isaac's Psynergy class and my Djinn Facts of the Day will return.
Anyway, be sure to follow and review and I will see you guys next time.