"Cheers to a Golden Deer victory!" Beleth cheered. She held up her cup expectantly at the Golden Deer table.

"Er, Teach," Claude coughed. "We didn't win."

"I mean, excluding my brother and I, you did survive the longest," Beleth shrugged. She gestured again with her cup, and Claude clinked it with a sigh.

"Only because you went after us last," Leonie grumbled. "It was expected I guess. Captain Jeralt taught his child well. It would have been more of a surprise had our professor proved lacking."

"Don't you think it's a bit harsh to give Jeralt all of the credit, Leonie?" Ignatz said. "In any case, it's clear you possess great strength and skill."

"It is a shame though," Lorenz sighed. "If only you lead us instead of Claude, perhaps we may have truly come out on top."

"You know I couldn't have done that," Beleth chuckled. "I'm not any houses' primary instructor after all."

"Still, while it was interesting to see your small group tactics," Lysithea cut it, "I would have much rather seen how you commanded a larger group of students."

"You'll get the chance," Beleth reassured. "I will most likely be accompanying each house on missions throughout the year anyway."

"Just know to put me on the sidelines, Professor," Hilda cheered. "A delicate flower like me isn't cut out for battle."

"Tell that to my brother," Beleth winced. The poor boy really didn't need any more trauma. "Speaking of which, why don't we go over some things to think about from the mock battle? Just briefly, while it is still fresh. I'll go over the rest in class." She waited briefly for any objections, then began weaving a map onto the table.


"Coffee?" Byleth offered.

Hubert took the cup wordlessly. "Adequate," he commented, taking a sip.

Byleth winced. "I'd hope my brewing skills are more than adequate by now."

"Why are you here?"

"Other than to be edgy and lurk in the shadows?" Byleth quipped, ignoring Hubert's unimpressed stare. "To apologise for my sister. If I recall correctly, she decked you pretty hard across the face during the mock battle."

"As she did for everyone else," Hubert replied dryly. "Apology accepted though." He took another, longer sip of the coffee. "Is that all?"

He saw that look of begrudging respect! A clear indicator of Hubert's appreciation of Byleth's coffee.

"For now, for now," Byleth sighed. "I'll leave you be."

"Always a fun fellow."

He'll warm up to me eventually.

Eventually.

Byleth strode back to the Black Eagle table, taking a seat next to Bernadetta on the fringe of the group. She immediately tensed up and shifted closer to Lindhart.

Internally, Byleth sighed. It was always a pleasure to be reduced to a stranger each time he first entered these halls.

All around you are familiar faces 𝅘𝅥𝅮.

Can it, internal Starloon.

"Excellent work today, Professor," Edelgard nodded. "Although I suppose your victory should come as no surprise."

Byleth shook his head. "It was a close call." He would have prefered to knock out Jeritza before he even got within fencing range.

"Was it?" Edelgard asked, eyebrows raised. "I'm not sure I agree with that."

"I was curious what it would look like if you did not hold back," Ferdinand chuckled. "And you did not disappoint!"

"Remember Ferdie, Edelgard told us he was a swordsman," Dorthea chided. "He didn't even bring a weapon into battle!"

"I dunno, I think his sister was more terrifying," Caspar shrugged. "The madwoman took us all out with her fists alone!"

"Infinitely more terrifying," Byleth confirmed with an exaggerated wince. "Although you might not want to say that to her face."

"Both of you were impressing, Professor! I mean impressive," Petra corrected. "I look forward to your tutorship."

Bernadetta shuddered. "I'm all done with being on the battlefield, OK? I'd rather stay back than pursue victory out there."

Guess who's going to be a Bow Knight, shy child.

"Actually, you're needed," Byleth teased. "Only archer in the house and all." Ignoring Bernadetta's moan of protest, he continued, "Speaking of which, I have some comments about your positioning, while the battle is still fresh." Reason magic wove into crisp lines and labels that formed a picture on the table."Don't worry, I'll be quick."

He briefly went over the key points he wanted to get across, map adjusting accordingly as he talked. Hubert wandered over at some point, lurking on the edge of the table. "I'll go over the rest with you in class," Byleth finished, dispelling the picture with a wave. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to attend the Blue Lions first."

"Probably for the better," Dorthea sighed. "Your sister's there, and Sylvain is known for being a skirt chaser."

"Noted," Byleth said, looking over at the Blue Lion table. Sure enough, Beleth was sitting down, nodding towards Dimitri. "Happy eating everyone," Byleth said, striding over to the Blue Lion table.


"Hope you don't mind me dropping by," Beleth said, sliding into the Blue Lion table.

"Professor! I've been meaning to speak with you," Dimitri nodded.

Byleth wordlessly slid into a seat next to his sister and motioned Dimitri to continue.

"I was hoping you could help us with our post-battle analysis," Dimitri continued. "Help us refine our tactics if you will."

"Actually, that's why we're here," Byleth nodded, nudging Beleth.

Beleth wove a map of the battlefield, the magic taking intricate loops and finishing off components with a swirl and dusting of magic. "Don't worry, we won't take up much of your time," Beleth said, "We'll just give you a taste of your next lesson."

She let Byleth take over the explanation, modifying the map as necessary as Byleth went over their key mistakes. The Blue Lions were attentive, probably the most out of the three houses.

"Interesting," Felix stated. "Compared with that boar who knows nothing save frontal attacks, your tactics were nearly decent. If only you led us..."

"Felix!" Ingrid chided. "You really ought to stop picking fights with His Highness."

"Don't worry, Ingrid. I encourage all to speak freely," Dimitri stated. "And I must agree that the professor's suggestions were truly extraordinary. I have much to learn."

"Freedom of speech, huh?" Beleth challenged. This should be fun. "Then am I allowed to comment on how cute His Highness is?" she asked with a small smile.

She could almost hear a certain someone's approval.

"Woah Professor," Sylvain's eyes widened. "Didn't know you had it in you." He elbowed Dimitri playfully. "Look who caught the Professor's eye though. Lucky you!"

"Surely you jest," Dimitri flailed. "Please, do not tease me like that!"

Yep, cute.

She burst out into quiet laughter. "Sorry, sorry," she said. "Perhaps an old friend rubbed off onto me a little too much."

"Much to my dismay," Byleth sighed.


"Here is the info you requested," Beleth said, slipping a piece of parchment into Seteth's hand.

"Ah, thank you," Seteth nodded. He quickly skimmed over the contents of the letter, his expression growing troubled with each passing word. "So… the rumors are spreading." He muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Still it may be ill-advised to move against fellow followers of the faith."

He turned his gaze to Beleth. "Inside the cathedral, there is a chapel dedicated to the Four Saints. Now that you are a member of the church, be sure to familiarize yourself with our teachings and traditions."

"Sait Indech, Saint Macuil, Saint Cichol, and Saint Cethleann!" Flayn cheered. "Who is your favorite, Professor?"

"Probably Sait Ceithleann," smiled Beleth. She dropped off two buckets of fish in front of Flayn's feet. "I can respect a fellow seafood lover."

Flayn's eyes sparkled. "Thank you, professor!"

Seteth coughed, "Yes, well, good work. That is all."


"Professor!" Leonie beckoned. "Hey, do you know how old Captain Jeralt is?"

"Ancient," Byleth deadpanned. "He was probably there for the creation of the world."

"Oh, come on," Jeralt shook his head. "I don't look that old."

"Beard = old, change my mind."

"Actually, I have something for you," Jeralt continued. "I know you and your sister have some experience with leading others, but you still might want to brush up on your tactics. You don't want anything on your conscience after your next mission." He moved his hands about a book width apart. "I left a tactics primer in my office for you two. About yay big. Give it a read."

"Ah, thank you," Byleth blinked. "I'll be off then."

He walked up the stairs and into the captain quarters. "Looks like Alois gifted him that mug again," he nodded towards the table. On the mug wrote "World's Best Captain".

"Cheesy as ever, Alois."

His hand brushed along the multitude of books, the spines free from environmental degradation. You couldn't tell that these books would be ravaged by the elements for five long years, the more valuable ones ransacked by bandits.

Being in this first year of teaching always felt like looking into a picture; the world unmarred by the trials to come.

"Fantastic," Sothis huffed, her voice heard only by Byleth. "This will only be the millionth time that you've read these books."

"You read them just as much," Byleth muttered distractedly. His eyes continued to scan for the primer. "Speaking of which, you're up early. Normally you have to sleep a lot more after putting us together."

"Check the drawer under his desk." Sothis gestured, frowning. "It sounds like you don't want me here," she said indignantly.

"I'll never tire of your presence milady," Byleth said mildly with a hint of dryness. The drawer opened with little resistance, revealing the tactics primer inside. "Item get," he chirped.

He stashed the book into one of his coat pockets. "Still, good to see you up and about. We'll have to catch up over tea later." Nonchalantly, he vaulted out of the office window, using Wind to slow his descent.

Ignoring the shocked looks around him, he muttered, "Now then, where to next?"


In the early hours of the morning, only two pairs of footsteps could be heard in the Blue Lion classroom.

"To see them all again," Byleth murmured, taking his place at the front of the classroom. His gaze focused intently onto the stained glass window, small streams of light filtering through. "Without a trace of recognition from their side." He shook his head. "Such cruelty time brings."

"Would you rather be six feet under?" Sothis questioned.

"No, I suppose not."

Beleth watched her brother idly twirl an instruction wand in between his fingers. "Perhaps not the right classroom for this," he chuckled.

"Claude is in the Golden Deer house, yes," Beleth answered rhetorically.

Byleth hummed, waving the wand at the chalkboard as if he was teaching. "Got your lesson plans ready?"

"For each house," Beleth confirmed. "Our road here begins anew."

Byleth stilled and remained silent, sitting down into the teacher's chair.

"Still springy?"

"Yes, yes," he replied. "We could never find one quite like it."

In the cool morning light, her brother sat there, face downcast with longing and wistfulness.

Beleth, try as she might, stood in the entrance unfeeling and empty.


"Felix, is it?" Beleth questioned, holding a training sword in her hand.

"Here to spar?" Felix responded sharply.

Good old Felix. "Yes. We didn't get a chance to cross blades at the mock battle." Beleth's eyes gleamed, and continued, "I saw you duel some of the other students. Thought I could get an appraisal on your skill."

"You're ready too," Felix nodded in approval, eyes scanning the training armor already on Beleth's body. He stopped his assault on the training dummy, before turning to Beleth. "Come at me then!" He rushed forward to meet Beleth's blade.

Beleth crouched slightly, catching the first few blows with ease. She didn't bother trying to break Felix's guard, instead opting to practice her brother's favored style of defensive play.

Or as she liked to call it, "Be boring and let the opponent stab on your sword."

Her sword flickered out, creating some space between Felix and herself. "Impressive," she commented.

"You're holding back," Felix growled, another strike bouncing off Beleth's defense. "Your brother's the one to play defensively. Where's that aggressiveness that you displayed on the battlefield?"

Beleth noted the rising sun. Guess it was time to finish this up anyway. "Here."

She burst right then forward under Felix's next strike, driving a hard fist into the padding around his stomach. Her sword whipped up to Felix's neck. "Checkmate."

"There we go," Felix said in a strained voice, grinning. His neck was tight and breathing shallow, probably by instinct so that the training sword's edge wouldn't touch his neck.

Beleth released the sword from Felix's neck. "Your stomach okay?" she questioned.

Felix waved her off. "Fine, thank you. I could tell you pulled that punch."

"That obvious, huh?" Beleth laughed. She turned around and called out. "Sorry Byleth, next time perhaps!"

Byleth came out of the shadows, face showing the slightest hints of disappointment (such an improvement from their first run!). "Shame," he said. He must have noted the shock from Felix, because he continued, "Assassin training if you are wondering. I look forward to our match."

"Right," Felix said slowly with bewilderment.

Byleth bowed and broke into a sprint towards the dining hall, coattails flapping behind him.


Byleth strode into the Black Eagle classroom, stepping into position beside Jeritza.

Jeritza gave a nod in return, then went back to reorganizing his notes. When the church bell rang, he called for class to begin.

Byleth's eyes scanned over the Black Eagle students. Their attention was devoted to Jeritza's lecture, parchment and quill out for notes.

It was odd, to not be the one up there teaching. He missed not being the one primarily involved in the students' growth and learning. He longed to see that spark of understanding, how his student's faces would light up when he managed to explain something in a way that would just click in their minds.

"You sound like a teacher," Sothis sighed.

This sentimentality was rather new, wasn't it? A final fading gift from the future's past.

"Yes, that would be my occupation," Byleth replied back in his mind. He had already conditioned himself to expect Sothis' sudden appearances; his face remained stony in front of the classroom. "We've been over this multiple times."

Byleth turned his attention back to Jeritza's lecture, Wind spell already active to take notes for the sleeping Lindhart. When Jeritza finished, he beelined to Linhart's table, dropping the notes off at his table.

"I'll give him mercy today," Byleth nodded towards Caspar. "In the future he'll have to copy it off of someone else though."

Caspar nodded. "Say, while you're here, could you help me on this topic? I'd ask Linhart, but he's refusing to wake up right now."

An undetectable smile ghosted upon Byleth's lips. "I am at your service," he bowed.


Author's Notes:

Trying to deviate a little bit from the canon storyline here, and seeing how it works out. Do I assume correctly that you guys enjoy this type of content more? Or do you prefer if I stick more to the script?

New chapters out on my blogger! Link is in my bio, go check it out and help shape the story.