The morning of the mock battle, Byleth stretches in their room, glancing at the empty space that would soon become Sothis' favorite corner. They're impatient to see her again-it would be nice to finally tell someone their whole plan. Not that they weren't confident in their own abilities, but Sothis was so smart. She might see something they missed.
And she was funny. Byleth missed her witty commentary.
Byleth finishes stretching, and steps outside of their room. It was early morning, likely long before anyone else was awake. They were used to waking up this earlier-even if Jeralt would always wake them up earlier, making it seem like they liked to sleep in. They supposed that was something nice about having their own room.
Scratch that. There was actually a lot of nice things about having their own room.
Byleth looks up at the sky, admiring the soft colors of the sunrise. It really was nice. A moment of peace, followed by a battle just for fun. A moment like this would be rare. They start heading down the stairs, towards the lake, glancing over at the student dorms. They wonder if anyone else was awake. Knowing how many students liked training, it was almost impossible that they were all asleep.
Byleth stops next to the lake, before heading to the greenhouse. They open the doors, blinking for a moment as they see Dedue, already bending over the flowers. Byleth wonders for a moment if they should leave, before frowning. No, this was a good change.
"Ah." Dedue says, standing up straight. "I will leave, if that would make you more comfortable."
Byleth shakes their head. "No. It's fine." they say, walking over to the nearest flower.
Dedue nods, then turns back to the plants.
The two of them sit in silence. The two of them were probably the quietest people at Garreg Mach. It was nice. Relaxing. When the two of them were together, it reminded Byleth of the early days with Jeralt. Before they picked up a sword.
Byleth picks up a watering can.
"This side is already done." Dedue says.
Byleth nods, moving to the other side.
There's another peaceful moment or two, before the greenhouse door opens one more time.
"Dedue-oh, Professor." Dimitri says, sweeping sweaty bangs out of his face. "I didn't expect to see you here. I was just going to grab Dedue to get ready for the mock battle." he says, standing up straight.
Byleth nods. "Right." they say. "I should do that, too." Byleth sets down the watering can. Most of their students were in the second story dorms. Should they go wake them up? There were a few students that definitely wouldn't make it on time if Byleth didn't check on them.
"See you at the battle." they say to Dimitri as they pass him.
Dimitri nods. "Good luck, Professor. I look forward to seeing you in battle, today."
Their first stop was the top floor. Byleth makes a beeline for one noble's room in particular, knocking on his door.
"Come in!" A chipper voice says, and not at all the one Byleth expected to hear from the other side of the door.
Byleth opens the door to reveal Caspar leaning over Linhardt's bed. It looked like he had grabbed the poor boy's shoulders and was shaking as hard as he could.
"Hey Professor!" Caspar says, looking over at Byleth. "You think you could help? He just gets mad if I wake him up."
Byleth steps over, looming over Linhardt's bed. "Linhardt. If you don't make it to the mock battle, I'll make you stand up during class." Byleth pauses for dramatic effect. "Every class."
Linhardt sits up. "I'm awake!" he says, before stifling a yawn.
Caspar stares. "Wow." he says, looking at Byleth in awe.
Byleth basks in his gaze just one moment, before giving a curt nod, and heading out. "Get ready, and meet me at the entrance hall by eight." they say.
"Our new professor is a demon," Linhardt complains as he slides out of bed.
Caspar scratches the back of his head. "Really? I think they're kinda badass."
Byleth heads back downstairs, to the other trouble student. She was probably already awake, but waking her up wasn't the issue.
They knock on Bernadetta's door. "Bernadetta?"
"Yes?" she says in reply, her voice giving away a slight tremble.
"We're going to prepare for the mock battle in an hour. I'll see you at the hall at eight, right?"
"R-right. Yes, professor."
"Alright, thanks, Bernadetta. Don't let me down." they say, before heading away.
Byleth could hear her muttering something, but they couldn't make out the exact words. Last time, Byleth had to partner with Edelgard to coerce Bernadetta out of her room, but they hope this tactic would be a bit more effective.
Byleth stands there for a moment, before heading to the hall. They didn't have enough time to do much else. They would have breakfast when everyone joined in, and until then, they might as well.
They sit down at a bench and pull out a book to read, but their mind drifts elsewhere. How would they handle this mock battle? Whose attention did they want to grab? They'd have to do something to attract Lysithea-that much was clear enough, but from there…
Byleth closes their book, instead opening their planner, turning to the blank section at the end. They needed to start figuring out what to do. They needed to make a plan. First, they would start with writing down what they remembered had happened, each time. They pull out a pencil and start making notes:
-bandit guy at red canyon
-sylvains brother
Wait. Byleth was pretty sure they had the Sword of the Creator at that time. They scratch that out.
-bandit guy at red canyon
-ssylvains brother/s
-ashe's dad
-tomb with the creator sword
-sylvains brother
Byleth pauses. Flayn was kidnapped next, right? They wonder what the class would do that month if they killed Solon before Flayn could get kidnapped.
Next was definitely the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. They couldn't forget that, not after Flayn had quizzed you on it so many times.
-bandit guy at red canyon
-ssylvains brother/s
-ashes dad
-tomb with the creator sword
-sylvains brother
-save flayn
-battle of the eagle and lion
-remire
Huh. They really wonder what would happen that month if Solon was dead.
-bandit guy at red canyon
-ssylvains brother/s
-ashes dad
-tomb with the creator sword
-sylvains brother
-save flayn
-battle of the eagle and lion
-remire
-revenge
-sothis' throne room
-war starts
Byleth lets out a small huff. Okay, how could they fix this? Who was worth saving? Who wasn't? Actually, that one might be an easier list to make. They put their pencil back on the paper, making another column titled "DIE".
DIE
-bandit guy
-so
"Professor? There you are." Edelgard says from behind Byleth, causing them to flinch and drop their pencil.
Byleth quickly closes their notebook.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Edelgard says, although she looks more amused than apologetic. "Most of the class is here, although some have already headed to the dining hall for breakfast. Shall we go?" she asks, her gaze flicking between the pencil and Byleth's notebook.
"Yes." Byleth says, standing up.
It's a short walk to the dining hall, although it seems impossibly longer while walking next to Edelgard. It's not as if they were alone-there was about half of the Black Eagles following behind the two of them, with Hubert hovering behind Byleth. They wonder if he's trying to be intimidating, but it was just kind of funny.
Byleth suddenly stops, and they're glad their stony face doesn't betray a smile when Hubert has to quickly maneuver to the side. Pity. It would've been funny if they bumped.
"What is it?" Edelgard asks.
Byleth glances back, looking at the class. Besides Hubert, there was Petra and Dorothea quietly chatting, and… ah. Byleth turns back once they confirm Bernadetta's presence, hiding behind the two girls. "Just making sure Bernadetta is with us." they say casually.
Edelgard nods. "She came with no issues." she says with a small smile. "Can I assume you had something to do with that?"
Byleth shrugs. "Can you?" they say, before heading onwards. They don't glance back. It was more fun to imagine Edelgard's expression, than to actually see it.
The class enters the dining hall. Byleth vaguely notices Hubert and Edelgard head off to a corner, but that their mind was elsewhere. There was something much more important. They head straight to the counter to get their breakfast. Byleth never skipped a meal,and getting a meal late made them grumpy-not that anyone except Jeralt could notice. Breakfast, especially. Byleth fondly thought of it as the most important meal of the day. They grab their tray and head to the tables, glancing around. They should probably start bonding with their own class, before they start buttering up the other students. They search for students from their house.
Ah, over there. There was a group of the Black Eagle students that were already in the dining hall. It looked like Linhardt was on one side of the table, with Caspar directly across, and Ferdinand on the other side. Byleth walks over and sits next on the other side of Caspar, before taking a large bite of eggs piled on toast.
"...And that's why you need to eat your meal, Linhardt!" Caspar finishes saying, before taking another huge bite of eggs.
"Mmph," Linhardt says, his head on the table, and his eyes closed.
"He is right. You should take this advantage to eat! You do not want to embarrass yourself during the mock battle." Ferdinand says. His food had a small dent on it, and he was eating at a slow and steady pace. He takes a break from talking to take a small bite of food.
"Yeah!" Caspar says, mouth half full of food.
Ferdinand swallows, looking slightly mortified. "Caspar. Please, do not talk with your mouth full."
"I'm not going to participate in the mock battle, anyway." Linhardt says, before opening his eyes. "Right, Professor?"
Caspar jumps, turning to look at Byleth. "Oh. Hey, Professor. I didn't see you there." He pauses. "So… who is going to participate? Me, right?"
Ferdinand doesn't say anything, but he looks over at Byleth with extreme interest.
Byleth stares back, their mouth full of food. They take a moment to swallow. "Edelgard," they begin.
"Well, yeah." Caspar says.
"Linhardt." Byleth continues.
"Me?!" Linhardt says, sitting up.
"Dorothea. Bernadetta. And Petra."
Ferdinand looks like he's trying very hard not to seem disappointed.
"Bernadetta?" Caspar says skeptically. "You're crazy."
"Caspar! Please do not call our professor such rude names."
"Now, Professor, hold on-why me?"
"Aw… I really wanted to participate. I guess there's always next time, right?"
"Yes. I will also prove my worth to you, in the upcoming battles, so you will have no choice to pick me!"
Byleth enjoys the chaos, quietly eating their meal. Ah, nothing like breakfast at Garreg Mach.
Linhardt sighs, quickly realizing he wasn't getting anywhere with Byleth. "I guess I have no choice." he says. "I suppose that's my fault for being the only one in this house interested in Faith magic."
"It is." Byleth says, after swallowing. They weren't about to get any looks of disapproval from Ferdinand. "But, don't worry-that'll change, soon."
Ferdinand perks up. "Oh? Already preparing our lesson plans?" he asks.
Byleth nods, but doesn't say anything, despite Ferdinand's pleading stare. "Eat your food." they say eventually, before returning to their own.
"Ha!" Caspar says, pointing at Linhardt. "See? The professor agrees!"
Linhardt sighs, begrudgingly starting to eat his meal. "I should know better than anyone that the dining hall is the worst place for a nap." he mutters.
Now that all the students were up and accounted for, and they had a hearty breakfast, they could finally relax until the battle. Byleth decided to take a little stroll, to lighten themselves up before they had to do anything strenuous. It was starting to become a warm morning, but Byleth didn't mind. It was peaceful.
Or, they would've been, until Edelgard walks up to them, her red sash shining bright in the morning sun. "Ah, there you are." she says. "I hope you're ready for the mock battle. It's my chance to measure your worth as an instructor." Her voice was amicable, but her gaze was less so.
Byleth nods. "You won't be disappointed." Their tone left no room for question.
Edelgard raises her eyebrows, an amused smile playing at her lips. "Oh? I can't wait to see what's in store." she says. "I hope you will show us what you're capable of."
"I will."
Claude and Dimitri walk by, but Claude stops in his tracks at the sight of Byleth and Edelgard. "Oh my," he says in mock surprise. "What's this? A strategy meeting? I don't remember getting an invitation. Mind if I stand here and eavesdrop?" he asks.
Byleth knows he would've actually eavesdropped, were Dimitri not there.
"Sure. Our strategy is to knock you out first, before any of us are knocked out." Byleth says, deadpan.
Claude nods, pretending to think it over. "Huh. You know, I think you're onto something, Teach."
A smile tugs at Dimitri's lips. "Funny. That was our strategy, too."
Byleth's expression lights up-no smile, but their eyebrows raise, and eyes widen slightly. Ah! That was a rare look, from Dimitri. And one they liked to see. They wonder if they could get him to smile more.
"What's this? His Royal Highness made a joke?" Claude teases.
"That is new." Edelgard agrees.
Dimitri folds his arms. "I can make jokes." he protests.
"Oh, there you are!" Manuela's voice calls from across the hallway, and she power walks up to Byleth.
Byleth tries to focus on her face.
"Aww, are you getting along with the students?" she says, looking between the four of them.
Hanneman comes up behind her. "I hate to interrupt, but we need to go to our faculty strategy meeting." he says to Byleth, before giving a nod at the house leaders. "Oh, and good luck to all of you."
Byleth nods, before glancing back with a wave.
I'll meet you on the field." Edelgard says.
The Black Eagles stand on the edge of the field of the mock battle. It was close to Garreg Mach, and a good size for a mock battle, but small for any other kind of fight. All the houses huddle up, and the Black Eagles stand around Byleth, forming a rough circle.
"I trust you have a plan?" Edelgard asks.
Byleth nods. As good of a plan as any. Make sure none of the students get knocked out. "Magic users-Dorothea and Linhardt, stay behind the others. Try to stay out of range. You too, Bernadetta."
Dorothea nods seriously. Linhardt nods, looking a little relieved.
Bernadetta looks like she might faint.
"Petra, Edelgard-you're on the front lines. Edelgard, we'll act more like a shield, so try to let the others most of the attacks in." The other students needed the practice much more. And, as much as Byleth wanted to show off, it would be a hassle later on if the students couldn't stand on their own. Byleth gives a meaningful nod towards Petra. "Petra, try to target ranged units." Byleth pauses. "If I had to guess, the Blue Lions will probably send Ashe in. Try to leave him alone, until I say so. We don't want to fight both houses at the same time, at least not right off the bat."
"It looks like the other houses got time to set up, so they'll have terrain advantages. Be aware of that." Byleth continues. "And, don't go after the other professors until I say so. Everyone understand?"
The students nod, suddenly serious.
Edelgard breaks into a slight smile. "Professor, this is the most I've ever heard you talk." she says.
Byleth nods. Battle strategy was worth talking about. They learned early on that others couldn't read their mind, and acting without communication led to problems that could become fatal.
Oh. Maybe they should say that. They are a teacher, after all. "Remember, students," Byleth begins, suddenly feeling awkward. Once again, they feel lucky that their natural voice was so monotone. "Communication is key in battle. Do not act on your own, or it could lead to you dying on your own."
The students glance at each other.
"I don't wanna die!" Bernadetta cries, starting to shake.
Byleth shifts. Maybe it was too early to say stuff like that. "You won't die, Bernadetta. I believe in you. Besides, I'll be right behind you, watching your back."
That calms Bernadetta down somewhat, and she slowly nods.
Byleth turns away, just in time to catch Edelgard staring at them with an unreadable expression.
"Alright, class," they say, deciding to ignore it. Edelgard stared a lot. That was just her thing. "Break."
The battle was exactly as easy as Byleth imagined. They took down the Golden Deer first, picking off the students that were placed in front, while Claude and Hilda hid behind cover. It was no challenge to take them down, because Claude and Hilda didn't move from their spots until their cover was destroyed, leaving the other students to struggle on their own.
I'll have to bring that up to Claude. He really needs to be more proactive, Byleth thinks.
Although Byleth didn't get a chance to show off, they could tell that Petra and Bernadetta were getting more confident in their movements. It was a visible improvement. Linhardt was also looking more comfortable with healing the other students.
"Leave Dimitri for me," Byleth orders. He was, without a doubt, the strongest player on the field. Byleth had a plan for him. The whole school was watching, after all.
Edelgard raises an eyebrow, but she follows their orders.
They knock out the Blue Lions one by one, and as Dimitri comes closer, Byleth lowers their sword.
"Leaving me an opening, Professor?" he asks, with a half smile. He's definitely enjoying this.
Byleth doesn't reply, instead raising their hand as fire and heat gather, building up towards Dimitri and culminating in an explosion.
Linhardt's eyes widen. "You know magic, Profes-"
"Focus!" Byleth orders, their eyes not leaving Dimitri.
Dimitri was left laying on the ground. "Ugh… I know when to admit defeat." he says. "Thank you, Professor." he says, before heading off the battlefield.
Hanneman gulps. "Oh, am I the only one left?" he asks innocently.
"Get him!" Byleth yells, and the students charge.
The Black Eagles leave the field, some bruised and scratched, but all standing up.
"We have seized the day!" Petra says, grinning wide.
"You all did great." Byleth says, before looking at Bernadetta. "Nice work. I'm proud of you."
Bernadetta turns red, and ducks to hide behind Petra.
"That wasn't so hard." Linhardt says mildly. "Thank you, Professor. That was quite the learning experience."
The other Black Eagles run over, with Caspar jumping and hollering incoherently. "You did it! That was so cool when you-wham! And Bernadetta just-crack! And then the professor was all-boom!" he says excitedly.
Dorothea beams. "I'm glad you enjoyed the show." she says, giving a little curtsey.
Hubert nods. "I see we have a fine class." he says. "Although, this was only a taste of what's to come." he adds ominously.
"You mean… the Battle of the Eagle and Lion?" Dorothea guesses. "No need to say it like that, Hubie."
"Wh-what? I have to do that MORE?" Bernadetta says, turning pale.
"Um. You know this is an Officer's Academy, right?" Caspar says, raising an eyebrow.
"I didn't want to be here!" she cries, covering her face. "Can I go to my room now, Professor? Please?"
"Not until after dinner." Byleth says, folding their arms. No one should skip dinner.
Petra stands quietly for a moment, before looking at Byleth. "I thank you, Professor. You have directed me well." She pauses. "Real battle is…" Petra trails off, her face scrunching up. "It was angry." she finishes, looking rather unsatisfied with her word choice.
"Rousing? Intense? Provoking?" Linhardt guesses.
"Yes! Intense." Petra says, looking relieved. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out what looks to be a mini-dictionary, and starts flipping through it.
Edelgard nods, looking over at Byleth, catching their eye. "Well done, Professor." she says. "I think this is going to be a very productive year for all of us."
Byleth nods. "Yes." they say evenly. "It will be."