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6th of the Harpstring Moon, Year 1180 Month 5
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"I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised, professor," Rhea's almost ethereal voice was something out of a dream in Aster's half-asleep mind. As usual, she brought her in to speak only at the crack of dawn. Evidently, it was the only time that the Archbishop was available to speak. "You've made quite a turnaround with the students, from what we can tell. Your approval has jumped up to around forty percent. I wonder if that jump is due to you being outed, in a sense, as the Ashen Demon?"
Aster had told them all individually within the days following the mock battle, of both her true reputation and of her parentage. Some reacted with awe, others with indifference. Even Ferdinand retracted his harsh words and gave his respects to her. "Thank you, Archbishop," Aster said as respectfully as she could muster in her agitated mood. The woman smiled, appearing aware of Aster's mental state.
"Still, it is not where it is for the other professors, so I'll expect improvement. I have the utmost faith in you, Byleth. Jeralt has taught you well, I'm sure; I expect that knowledge and value to be passed onto the students in time."
"I'll...do what I can," Aster returned. "...How much did Jeralt tell you about me?" she asked without thinking.
Seteth, who was beside Rhea, cleared his throat. "All due respect, Professor, but that isn't your concern."
"Peace, Seteth," Rhea calmed him down. "He told me only what he wished to, which admittedly isn't much. In truth, he didn't even tell me your true name," she said, causing Aster's brain to immediately jump-start. She tried her best not to react but she wasn't sure how successful she was. Rhea simply smiled her serene smile. "Do not fear; I won't push you. Your business is yours alone so long as it does not interfere with the Church's teachings. But know that the goddess watches over all of us in equal measure. In time, any falsehood is revealed."
"...I don't know what you're talking about...ma'am," Aster forced out the honorific, and spoke in her usual deadpan tone. Rhea chuckled.
"Of course not. Perhaps I was mistaken then. In any case, I have your mission for this month. The Black Eagles will go to the Red Canyon within Zanado. A group of bandits have taken root there and need to be put down."
"Do we know why they're there?"
"Does it matter?" Seteth questioned.
Aster looked to him. "If we know why they're there, we'll know if they'll be fighting to the death."
"An example?"
"If they were driven there by a rival band of brigands, they'll act as cornered animals and fight until the last man. The Red Canyon isn't a place people just go to by choice," Aster pointed out. "If they're just not very bright and chose a poor base, only in it for the money, then they can be convinced to surrender and brought in to face what you call justice."
Seteth scoffed. "Our justice is the will of the goddess herself," he reasoned. Rhea nodded.
"While I appreciate your devotion to tactics, I'm afraid that this mission involves their deaths. They have been spouting blasphemous rhetoric and shaking the people's faith in the Church. They have even targeted our Knights on at least two occasions. Peace was never an option with them," Rhea closed her eyes, getting a pained look on her face. "You and the Black Eagles will eliminate them."
"...Understood," Aster conceded, and bowed her head. She turned to the door and left before Rhea could speak any more. Something about her just put Aster off.
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Aster was distracted for the rest of the morning because of her talk with the Archbishop. She barely put in any effort to make her bed or keep her room clean. She even had to go back to close the window to the back courtyard, lest some unruly student throw something inside as she's been warned about. She personally suspected one of the Golden Deer...or Caspar.
Perhaps it wasn't a shock, then, that her reflexes weren't as honed. As when she rounded the corner to the classrooms, papers in hand, she bumped right into a young man who had at least a foot on her. She must've been going faster than she thought, as both of them fell onto their butts from the impact, with Aster's papers scattering everywhere.
Aster didn't react with even a yelp, simply blinking after she landed. The boy she ran into, however, was quite talkative. "Oh, my apologies, miss. I guess I must've gotten distracted there," he said, immediately starting to pick up the papers. He gave her an odd look when she simply stood and waited for him to collect them all; if he was going to do it, then Aster would let him do her work. He quickly collected them all and straightened them as best he could on the pavement underfoot, though Aster noticed that some were put into the pile upside-down. Then, he stood and handed them to her with an easy-going smile on his face. His red swooshy hair made him stand out from the browns and greens of the monastery. "So, you're that new professor, right? Byleth, was it?" he offered a hand. "My name's Sylvain, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Likewise," Aster accepted the hand shake, though he quickly took it into a kiss on the back of the hand. Aster let him; he was young, naive, forward. "The bell has already rung. You should be in class."
"Yes, well…" his hand went to the back of his neck in embarrassment. "That's just the thing. I don't think I'm going to go to class today. Manuela is a bit too old, a bit too showy, you know? Her lectures tend to be all about her, which I'm all for if they actually taught us anything. Unfortunately, they don't."
"Shame," Aster started to walk past, not wanting to deal with him at the moment, given that, by calling him out on being late, it made her remember that she was as well.
"Actually," Sylvain grabbed her arm to stop her, letting go when she turned back around. "That brings an idea to mind. Caspar is always going on about the Black Eagles learning a lot about a lot of things. What would you think if I requested to be transferred?"
"If Rhea says it happens, it happens," Aster said, uninterested.
"Ah, well...if you don't want me…" he avoided her usual blank stare.
Aster inwardly sighed, picking up the implication. "...I'll talk to Seteth today; you'll know by tomorrow.
"Great, then it's a date!" he winked at her. "Can't wait to hear the good news, Professor," he said, jovially waving to her as he took his leave. Aster shook her head, worried about what she got herself into with him.
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7th of the Harpstring Moon, Year 1180 Month 5
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The next day, as expected with Aster's string of luck, began with an introduction. Sylvain stood confidently at the front of the Black Eagles classroom. "Good morning, everyone," he said with a grin, though he only got looks of either boredom or disdain from his new classmates. "I'm Sylvain Jose Gautier, from Faerghus. According to Professor Byleth, I'll be a part of your class from now on. I hope to get to know you all quite well this year, if you'll have me," he winked to them, saw that he didn't get a reaction, and promptly took his seat. Aster took his place at the front of the board and had Edelgard lead roll call. The mercenary took notice of the princess' concerned look when she got to Sylvain's name, but continued without a word of acknowledgement.
"Thank you, Edelgard," Aster said, flipping the board around. "Some of you may know that the other classes already know their monthly mission, but you do not. I know it."
"Then would you be kind enough to tell us, professor?" Hubert questioned. "Surely you wouldn't keep us in the dark."
"You'll all meet me at your quarters in ten minutes," Aster ignored his venom as she walked out, leaving her students confused as usual.
As she requested, the Black Eagles stood waiting outside of their respective rooms. It was at times like these that she appreciated that they were separated by house, rather than by rite of birth as it used to be. Aster handed them each a small saw and the metal flap that she'd previously installed into Bernadetta's door.
"You'll place that in your doors; cut a hole and wedge it inside," she said, anticipating their questions and answering them in advance. "Communication will be key this year. You all will receive a copy of the schedule I receive at the beginning of each month. On it, you'll learn of activities around the monastery, holidays, when I plan to take us into the field, and our mission at the end of the month. You'll have this no later than the seventh of any given month, or the day after I learn of the mission if I hear of it later than that."
"But...why not tell us in class?" Linhardt questioned. "This all just seems to be unnecessarily complicated for the simple task of telling us what our mission is."
Aster looked him in the eye, holding up three fingers as she did. "If I told you everything verbally, some would forget. This eliminates that excuse as you'll have it in writing," she put a finger down. "I don't intend to keep you busy all day, every day. When you know the schedule, you'll be able to work around it yourself," she put a second finger down. "I'm lazy sometimes, just like you," she put her last finger down, and got no argument from the boy after that. "I installed this in five minutes. You have ten, starting now."
"Are we being graded on this?" Caspar questioned.
"On everything," Aster confirmed. With heavy sighs, the students got to work. Most were absolutely terrible at it. Edelgard, Ferdinand, and Petra all did fine. The others were...less successful. Aster knelt down beside Caspar and showed him how to start making the necessary hole. Once he got started, he was fine with making it the right size. Aster then had to stop Hubert from creating a hole too big. She had to make similar adjustments to Dorothea, Linhardt, and Sylvain. The latter was actually one of the first to finish, despite needing help, as he worked quickly and efficiently once he knew what he was doing.
Aster watched as the others worked, but noticed that Sylvain had moved over to Bernadetta. The girl had been coming to class regularly, though rarely spoke throughout the day. Occasionally, Aster would have tea with her, and she was much more open during those, to the point where Aster found herself exhausted from listening to her rambles. Still; she was in class, which was the important thing.
"Professor," Edelgard held a forlorn expression as she approached, finished with her work. "I would like to talk to you about something."
"..." Aster waited for the question. Edelgard cleared her throat.
"I'm just curious as to what prompted you to bring Sylvain into the Black Eagles," she said, obviously trying to not to insult either Aster or Sylvain.
"Is it odd that I would?"
"Well, no, but I just never took you for...that kind of a woman," Edelgard put her arms behind her back to look innocent, but Aster wasn't an idiot.
"I know what kind of boy Sylvain is."
"Do you?" she asked, only briefly meeting Aster's gaze before turning away. "Students switching houses isn't entirely unheard of, but...you've only just begun gaining the trust of the students you already have. I'm not sure it was wise to bring someone like Sylvain into the mix like this."
Aster crossed her arms. "If he's willing to learn then he will stay. If he's as shallow as he appears then he'll return to the Blue Lions," she said matter-of-factly. Her gaze once again went to him and Bernadetta. He seemed particularly excited about something, where as she was simply trying to avoid the conversation.
"...So long as you're sure…" Edelgard said, tracing Aster's gaze to look at them as well. "...Do you ever wish to have someone come up to you like that?"
"No."
"...Would you ever go up to someone like that?"
"No."
"Then, ah...how would you like to be wooed, if you had your way?"
Aster failed to see the purpose of the question, but answered nonetheless. "With a sparring match. If they win, I'd consider them."
Edelgard nodded. "...Perhaps you are not a woman at all, then, if you think so unromantically."
Aster lightly snorted, but didn't verbally respond. Soon enough, all of the students finished installing their mail flaps. All of them stood around the bench that was across from their rooms. "You all will go back to class, except Hubert. You'll be given your exercise for the week."
"Ugh, we're still doing that?"
"That's a letter off your grade, Caspar," Aster said, turning around toward the training yard.
"Why you-!" Linhardt and Ferdinand had to hold him back, but Aster kept walking.
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It seemed the students were let go for the day after their assignment was given. In the end, it was left to just Dorothea and Sylvain. Being Sylvain, he had to try something. He slid next to her as casually as he could. "So, Dorothea, has anyone ever told you that you're the most beautiful flower in the monastery?"
"They have," she said. "Of course, it sounds much better-"
"Coming from me?" he smiled his winning smile. "Dorothea, you flatter me."
"Anyone but you, actually," she said. "Especially considering you've said it to three other girls just this past week," she eyed him, catching him in a bind.
"I, uh…"
"This little bird has friends, Sylvain. I'm well aware of your ways, so you should save your breath and move along."
"Aw, come on," he winked. "You're not even going to offer me the chance to prove you wrong? I'm not like the others, you know."
"Yes, I know; the 'others' at least try to be faithful."
"Wow," he raised his eyebrows. "I'll admit, your perception has impressed me. I was mistaken, you're right. I know I flit from one girl to the other, but your beauty alone has mesmerized me. How could I ever look away?"
Dorothea sighed. "And there it is...those sweet nothings won't work on me, Sylvain. For as many girls as you've wooed, I've had twice as many suitors try these same tricks."
"Then I'll have to try twice as hard to worm my way into your heart," he stepped closer to her, only for her to step away.
"Your obliviousness exceeds even Ferdie's…" she muttered. "Look, Sylvain, I'm sure Ingrid and Annette and Mercedes would love all of this attention. Maybe, and hear me out here, you should go back to the Blue Lions and bother them?"
"Oh, you're a funny girl too. I like that."
Dorothea's frown finally turned into a glare. "Tell me, Sylvain, would you be whispering such frivolities to me if I were an old hag with the voice of rock scraping on steel?"
He smirked. "I just might."
"Uh-huh. I'd like to see it. Perhaps there's a spell we can use to test that. Would you like to try?" she reached for the book underneath her desk.
"W-wait, there's no need for that. Why change what doesn't need to be changed, Dorothea?"
"Because it will change, Sylvain. Everything does about a person."
"Then perhaps your affection for me will be one of them," he smiled once again. Dorothea sighed.
"...I'm going to go see the professor early," she announced. Sylvain looked about to speak up. "If you try to follow me, perhaps I can electrocute your eyes out so you don't have to worry about looking at all, let alone away from me?"
The threat finally seemed to get through to him, and he stayed where he was as she walked away.
It took the professor a good twenty minutes to come get Sylvain, at which point he too was led to the training yard like cattle to the slaughter. Aster turned to face him once they got there. "You weren't here for my exam, so I don't know what you can do."
"A shame," he winked. "Maybe we can discuss things over dinner?" he offered, to which all he got was a blank stare.
"...The girls have been complaining about you. Already."
"Have they? That doesn't sound right," Sylvain frowned. "If they're feeling threatened or uncomfortable, then believe me, that wasn't my intention."
"...Stop flirting with them," she ordered bluntly.
"Like asking a dog not to drink, professor," Sylvain returned. "I see so many beautiful women around me, and all I want to do is shower each and every one of them with the praise they so rightfully deserve. Of course, simply shouting to the heavens that they're all beautiful wouldn't be very satisfying for either party, so what other choice do I have other than asking each of them out to tell them personally?"
"..." Aster didn't argue either way, just tossed him a sword. "Fight me."
"Um, excuse me?"
"Fight me. I'll determine your skills from this."
"Uhm...okay, but, ah...you know, this might be better if-" Aster didn't wait, charging forward, practice blade flashing.
Within mere moments, Aster had disarmed the young nobleman and sent him onto his rear end. "H-hey! Why you'd you do that when I wasn't even ready?" he questioned, standing in a huff. "No wait, don't tell me; in a real fight, you wouldn't have the chance to prepare, right?"
"Your sarcasm was annoying," Aster said instead.
"Sarcasm? Us nobles aren't taught the word, professor," he winked, picking up his sword.
"Why do you flirt with all of the girls? Self-esteem issues?"
He frowned. "Yeah...something like that."
"Building confidence?"
Now he smiled. "More like trying to destroy theirs," he said as the two continued sparring. While distracted by Aster's attacks, he seemed to be looser with his tongue. "All those skirts I chase, they don't really want Sylvain Jose Gautier. They want my Crest of Gautier. They know that if they marry me, that they'll become nobility with a chance for their child to carry on the Gautier line and thus ensure their future. But they think that it's so easy being with a noble. Dress proper, act proper, appeal to the people, but they don't know the half of it. They don't know the weight I bear everyday. The weight of my Crest is just...too much to bear sometimes."
"Then don't. Become a mercenary with no name."
"What, like you? Yeah, if I could pull that off, I would, but believe me when I say I wouldn't make it a week. I could take the work, I could take the downgrade in luxury, but my father would find me and drag me back."
Aster once again disarmed him. "I could help you."
He winked. "Your offer is flattering, but I'm still going to have to decline," he said, moving to the edge of the yard and grabbing a different weapon; a training lance. When he readied himself, it was clear that he'd had more experience with this weapon than with a regular sword. "Wanna go again?"
Aster didn't answer, just readied herself for his assault. It was clear from the outset that the son of Gautier was much more comfortable with lancefaire than anything else. His attacks were fluid and precise, but they were very clearly practiced. He wasn't in control of his lance, he was simply going through the motions, even if those motions had contingencies in case of interruption.
Aster ducked under a high swipe and brought her blade up, parrying the following slash. As Sylvain recoiled, Aster grabbed the hilt of his lance with her free hand, and moved her practice blade to his throat. Or at least, she tried.
In a surprising move, Sylvain let go on his weapon and brought a fist around into Aster's face, staggering her. She stumbled back, not having expected the hit from her expectation of Sylvain's skill. She regained herself just in time to see Sylvain rearing his lance back. "He wouldn't…" she thought, but he did. The motion of drawing his weapon back and letting it fly happening within a second. Aster's instincts kicked in, and her blade moved fast enough to intercept it. But if she hadn't, it would've went right into her forehead. It was in the moments following that encounter that she was glad that they didn't use real weapons in practice, as much as she had in her younger years. If it had hit, it would've hurt for a while but it wouldn't have killed her.
"...That was impressive," Aster said, relaxing her body as Sylvain didn't have a weapon to fight with now. "That wasn't meant to be thrown like a javelin, yet you aimed it perfectly in such a small window of time."
Sylvain didn't seem to like the praise, or perhaps he was still caught up with what they were talking about before. "Say, professor...what's your Crest?" he asked. Aster stared blankly at him. "Come on, don't play dumb. I saw it during the mock battle. The way you moved, that glow around you and shining in your eyes...it was obviously a Crest, and your resonance with it was amazing to boot," another blank stare. "Don't tell me; you never even realized you had one, did you? Did you even know what they are?"
"I did," Aster said to the contrary. "But what I did was just me. I don't like to think about it other than that."
"'Just you,' huh?" he got a certain edge to his voice. "Wouldn't that be the life? Honestly, I'm jealous. Your reputation has been built up for years now; the Ashen Demon, right? But they never mention your Crest, never mention that it wasn't 'just you' that accomplished all of those things, but all I hear, all I'm known for or ever will be known for is my Crest of Gautier. It's pathetic…" he turned away.
"..."
"Well? Say something?"
"What do you want me to say?" she asked. He scoffed.
"...Whatever. I think I'll stick like this for a while," he turned back to give a smile, markedly more somber than his usual one. "After all, the ladies love a dark and brooding noble."
With that, he took his leave of the training yard, leaving Aster to clean it up by herself.
Author's Note:
Sorry about the late upload, I was working very hard on completing my big project over on my YouTube.
For those interested, the handle is 'Sight Avery' my pen name, and I do analysis stuff. Currently working through the DC Animated Original Movie catalogue, and the Kingdom Hearts series. Once it finishes exporting, and uploading, there will be a five-hour-long analysis of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, so if you're interested, go check out my channel for that good stuff.
Other than that, thank you all for reading, and I'll see you tomorrow!
