Azura and Dorothea stood on stage, performing one of the songs sung by the bards of the time of Seiros. Azura was a quick learner as her companion showed her the steps. After the performance, they took a bow as the audience applaud.

"Thank you so much, Dorothea. That performance was beautiful." Azura thanked the opera singer as her husband walked towards them.

"Of course, you're not bad of a dancer yourself." She complimented. "And here's the husband! Enjoying your time as the House Leader?"

"Kinda, I'm still getting used to all the responsibilities of the leader. This whole mock battle got me interested though."

"Yeah, there will be teams of 4 from each house competing. Hope the Emerald Sharks are ready~"

"We are. Just hope we can make our teacher proud." Corrin hoped as the pair made their way out of the cathedral.

Meanwhile, Flare and John was tending to the horses. Flare had to gasp for air as the stables stunk.

"It doesn't stink that badly, big sis." John told her as he changed his gloves.

"Yes, it does and I hate it..." She shoveled more dung into bags. "These horses need to watch what they eat..."

"Yet, you have no problem cleaning after wyverns, huh?"

"They smell less bad than horses! Plus, they shit less!"

"Sounds like someone likes to complain." The duo heard a voice followed by a giggle. John instantly recognize the voice. He turned around to see Mercedes, holding a tea set.

"Miss Mercedes!" John gleefully called out, running up to her. He was about to hug her but she step back, not wanting to get dirty.

"Sorry, Johnny. I don't want mud on me but I brought tea for you two!"

The wyvern rider walked towards them, wanting a drink herself.

"Not a fan of tea but sure! Let's drink!"

The two got cleaned up and went to have tea time with the cleric. As she was pouring two cups, she asked...

"If you two don't mind me asking, can you tell me about your homeland? I'm really curious about where you all are from!"

"Oh, you are curious about Nohr? Well..." Flare started, sipping the tea. She didn't like the bitter taste but she endured it. "First and foremost, it is getting better now but it was not a nice place to live."

"Oh dear, really? I only know of Nohr from the little history I have read."

"It's a dog-eat-dog world where people was struggling just to survive. It was no better for us nobles either, thanks to our king at the time."

"That would be...King Garon, correct?" Mercedes sips her tea.

"Yeah, he was a real meanie and cruel ruler!" John told her, much to her surprise.

"What this little dude said. We were able to stop him and establish Prince Xander as king."

"Oh my...how did you two survive Nohr if it is as dangerous as you say?"

"I was under the watch of my parents." Flare explained. "They are the leaders of the Nohrian Wyvern Legion and kept me under their tight care. John, on the other hand..." She sighed with the boy in question looking down.

"Are you...okay?" She put her hand on John's head, concerned for him.

"Y-Yeah, it's just..."

"His parents abandoned him and left him in the care of the king. They were part of a trading company and his father bet much more than he could chew and their family went bankrupt. They left to try to "regain their wealth"... He had to steal from the kitchen just to survive!" Mercedes could hear the anger in Flare's voice. She offered some treats to calm her down. "Thanks..." She grabbed a bun and took a bit out of it.

"I-It's okay, big sis. I don't care about them anyway..."

"What's important is that he is safe and healthy now, right?" The cleric tried to lift the mood. The two nodded.

"My family took him in as our own. I'm glad I found him before he kneel over."

"And I'm glad too, big sis!" He hugged her with Flare hugging back. Mercedes smiled at this turn of events.

"I'm glad you two have each other!" As she sips her tea, a soldier approached the trio.

"Sorry to interrupt but Lady Rhea wishes to see you two." He points to Flare and John. The two looked at each other then at Mercedes.

"It's fine. Thanks for the talk!"

"Let's do it again some time!" Flare told her as they left for the Emerald Sharks' classroom.