A day of training.
A couple of days had passed since Akame and her family arrived in the Monastery, and Akame was slowly but surely bonding more with her new class. Though Bernadetta kept begging her not to eat her. Akame had tried to apologize for scaring her like that, but no matter how many times she tried, Bernadetta kept freaking out and running away. Akame knew that panic attacks like that could only be the result of a very troubling past. She wanted to know what could've happened to Bernadetta to make her so easy to frighten. Sadly, Akame knew she wouldn't get any answers until she could gain Bernadetta's trust.
Right now, there was a break between classes, and Akame took the chance to practice her sword skills, to make sure her skills were not getting rusty. If there is one thing she had learned from her life as an mercenary, it's that she needs to keep herself in top shape at all times. If she allows her skills to dull, she would be in trouble if a strong enemy shows.
"HA! HAAA! YHAAA!" Akame shouts as she swings her blade several times before ending with a powerful stab. She wasn't hitting anyone of course, but practicing her moves would still help enough to keep her skills polished.
She heard someone clap their hands and turned to see a young man watching her "Those are some nice skills you got there. I take it you must have been training hard before arriving here".
"And who would you be?" Akame asked.
"The name is Sylvain. I heard a new student arrived here a couple of days ago, and I wanted to be a gentleman and welcome you here. And I must say you look much more beautiful than I could ever have expected" The man named Sylvain answered.
"Thank you. Not to be rude, but I'd like to get some more training in before my next class" Akame said.
"Not even a faint blush. She is a tough one" Sylvain whispered to himself so Akame wouldn't hear before focusing on her again "You've bee training for quite a while now. I think you've earned a break. How about I treat you to a meal?".
That got Akame's attention "You would treat me to a meal? Why? You don't even know me".
"True. But I'd like to get to know you better. A lovely girl like you don't come around everyday you know" Sylvain said with a friendly smile... almost to friendly.
"Why do you keep complicating me like that?" Akame asked.
"Just telling you the truth. Your long smooth hair is shinning in the light and your eyes looks like the most beautiful jewelry. Even when you a sweating from training, it does not diminish your beauty one bit, if anything, it almost makes you more lovely. You are truly a beautiful woman, and one would need to be blind not to see that" Sylvain said.
Akame almost blushed at that, still she could not shake the feeling this was just shameless flirting "Sorry, but I still want to train some more. If you insist on spending time with me, then maybe you could join me for a spar".
Sylvain looked surprised, like Akame is among the few girls that has not instantly fallen for his charm "Well, if that makes you happy then alright. But we are using training weapons".
"Of course, I do not seek your death" Akame said as she put her sword away before picking up a training sword.
Sylvain grabbed a practice spear. He never expected that he would need to fight a girl just to spend time with her, this was something new indeed. Akame got ready and Sylvain did the same, Akame charged first, delivering quick and precise strikes, which Sylvain barely managed to block. This girl was not messing around, she was dead serious when it came to training. He tried to fight back, but Akame deflected his spear before managing to strike him in the back, making him let out a sound of pain. Before he could recover, Akame kicked his legs out from under him and put her blade near his face.
"Sorry about that. I don't hold back, not even in training" Akame said before removing her blade.
Sylvain could tell Akame had more than her fare share of combat experience. He shouldn't be surprised, since he heard she used to be a mercenary "Well, you sure got me".
"If you spent less time flirting with every girl in your path, and more time training, maybe you would've lasted longer" Came a cold and blunt voice.
Sylvains sighed "Come on Felix, I already lost, no need to rub it in".
Akame looked at the young man who just arrived. He was the exact opposite to Sylvain. He looked very serious, like he had never been told a joke in his life. But he was also focused, Akame could tell he was sizing her up, and he must have seen her quick clash with Sylvain and studied some of her moves. This guy had seen belood before, and a lot of it. He was a dedicated warrior.
Felix ignored Sylvain and focused on Akame "You seem pretty skilled. If you are done with that fool, how about trying a spar with me? I can promise you that I will not fall as easily as Sylvain did".
"Come on Felix, I'm right here!" Sylvain said getting annoyed, though he once again was ignored.
"I don't mind. I could use a good sparing partner since my father and sister are busy most of the time now" Akame said.
"Good. So what is your name anyway?" Felix asked.
"My name is Akame. I am new here" Akame answered.
"So you are the new Black Eagle student. Words about you has spread around the monetary, but non mentioned your skills in combat. I want to find out for myself" Felix said before picking up a training sword and got ready "Don't disappoint me".
Akame got in to her stance "I never disappoint".
"Guess I'll just watch then" Sylvain said as he moved of the training floor.
They clash their swords at one another, the clanging sound of the metal made the crowd roar with intensity. Akame and Felix starts to swing their swords at each other first, Akame swings from different angles, yet Felix deflects her strikes first. Felix then swings his sword down at Akame after the last deflect on her strikes, but Akame sees this, she quickly spins her sword around and blocked the strike. Akame could feel the power of that strike, Felix's strength is no joke, he knew exactly what he was doing and wasted no time on half powered strikes. Each of his strikes were aimed to end the battle right then and there. Akame was much the same with her own fighting style, since she had been trained to not linger to long on one opponent.
They clashed again, swinging their blades at great speed before Felix found an opening and launched his sword forward, Akame moved out of the way and the blade barely graced her hair. She jumped back looking a little surprised at first, but then she couldn't help but to smirk at having an worthy opponent. Felix had a small smirk of his own, like he had been wanting a good sparing partner for a while now. Both got ready again, eyeing each other carefully, ready for whatever they might try. A few moments later they charged at each other again, blade ready to clash... but before they could, someone showed up out of nowhere and knocked both their blades out their hands before hitting them down on to the floor.
Akame hissed from the pain before looking up to see who interrupted her duel "Professor Esdeath?".
Esdeath gave Akame a hard look "You are late for class, Akame. I know you are new around here, but if you show up later than me, it becomes a problem".
"Oh... sorry I was busy training and must have lost track of time" Akame apologized.
"At least you were not slacking of, like some of the students I know. That and the fact you are still new around here are the only reasons you are not being punished for this. Now get your butt to class before I get mad" Esdeath ordered.
"Yes professor!" Akame said before grabbing her sword and hurried out to get to class.
Esdeath Looked at Felix and Sylvain "And you two are supposed to be in class too. Though I should not be surprised that you, Sylvain, would skip class just to flirt with the new girl. I hoped you would've learned after you tried it with me".
Sylvain gulped. He learned a lot of things after he tried to flirt with Esdeath. And what he learned the most was that she is way to deadly for him.
Felix however was more focused on Akame as she she disappeared from view. It seems he had found a worthy opponent. Though he could not shake the feeling that there was something different about her.
The rest of the day went more smoothly. There was acctual in door classes today, meaning Esdeath taught them normally, rather than making them run until they drop. Though Akame had some trouble with history as she never studied it while growing up. Only knowing what little Jeralt told her.
Edelgard, who was sitting next to her noticed this "Struggling?".
Akame sighs but nodded "I spent more time training than studying while I was growing up. Who was this Nemesis anyway?".
Edelgard looked surprised "You've never even heard of Nemesis? Well I can tell you a little about him. Nemesis was the leader of an army that opposed Seiros and the Ten Elites during the War of Heroes. He possessed the Crest of Flames and wielded the Sword of the Creator. In Imperial Year 91, the armies of Nemesis and Seiros clashed at the Tailtean Plains. There, Nemesis was confronted and slain by Seiros in single-combat. He was known as the King of Liberation, until he was corrupted by his power and became a monster. Or at least that's what the church would lead us to believe".
Akame looked at her "You mean you don't believe it?".
"Akame, there is only one real truth when it comes to war: History is always written by the victor" Edelgard answered.
Akame understood that much. Of course the winners of a war would be the one to write history and tell the world what happened. Meaning they could easily falsifie and re-write events to make it sound like their enemies were in the wrong. But Akame wasn't sure if there really was a right or wrong side when it came to war. She may not have studied history, but she knew one thing: War is always caused by a clash of ideals. What mattered in the end was which one of those ideals sounded better to the people.
Both Akame and Edelgard jumped in surprise when a knife hit their table, followed by the annoyed voice of Esdeath "Stop whispering back there and pay attention!".
"Yes professor!" Both girls said at the same time. Esdeath must be the scariest professor in the academy.
When class was finally done for the day, Akame decided to go for a quick walk around the monastery. However as she walked she could not shake the feeling like she was being followed. She finally stopped and looked around.
"I know you are there. Come out now" She ordered.
"You are very observant. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a mercenary" Akame looked to see Hubert walk out of the shadows "After all, dosen't the life of hired blade involve always looking over your shoulder? Just in case someone would want revenge for one of your earlier quests? Or just to silence you in case you did something bad in order to prevent anyone from tracing that tragic event back to them?".
Akame looked at him with no emotions "Did you need something?".
"Straight to the point I see. Very well. I saw you and Lady Edelgard being quite close earlier" Hubert said.
"She was just helping me with something I struggled with" Akame said calmly.
"I was not only talking about that. These past couple of days, Lady Edelgard has taking an interest in you" Hubert said.
"What do you mean?" Akame asked.
"Oh please, I know you are not that naive. Lady Edelgard don't get close to just anyone like this. Especially someone she only just met recently. As Lady Edelgard's loyal servant, and your classmate, it's only fair I make sure that you fully understand everything about the role I play here. One of my many duties is to determine potential advantages and potential threats to He Highness. If you prove yourself useful to Lady Edelgard, then all will be well. If you pose a threat...I shall have to dispose of you" Hubert said in a cold tone
"What?" Akame asked with narrowed eyes.
"Yes. This is no joke. While I may be a student here, I am her servant first and foremost. Therefore, if an untimely demise is not to your liking, you would do well to demonstrate your utility with all haste. I should warn you that I am far less compromising than Lady Edelgard. Do not be at ease merely because you stand in her good graces for the time being" Hubert warned.
"Is that a threat?" Akame asked coldly.
Hubert shook his head "Not a threat, a warning. My family, House Vestra, has been sworn to House Hresvelg for generations. Since the dawn of the Empire, we have worked to protect the emperor by any means necessary, both in the open and in the shadows. If you incur our wrath, you will see just what I mean".
Akame was silent for a moment before she walked up to him and looked him dead in the eyes "In that case then allow me to give you a fair warning. You are not the first one to promise me death if I step out of line. Nor will you be the first to try and kill me, should it ever come to it. I have no intentions of harming Edelgard or anyone from our class. My sister and father told me it's better to have friends than enemies, so you have nothing to worry about. But, if you ever come after me, no matter the reason. I will be ready. And if you try to kill me, I will cut you down without hesitating, no matter who you serve".
Hubert looked at her for several moments before he smirked and chuckled "Your words are cold and to the point. And you don't show any sign of fear. I can see why Lady Edelgard has taken an interest in you. Very well then, your warning is appreciated. I look forward to getting to know you a little better".
With that he turned to leave but Akame decided to get some final words in "You better not watch me while I am changing or bathing".
Hubert laughed a little "Of course not. I respect women's privacy. Even those I plan to kill".
Akame shook her head and decided to head back to her room. She's had about enough excitement for today. But on her way, she spotted Bernadetta walking towards her own room. Akame decided this was a good time to talk to her.
"Bernadetta!" Akame called out as she hurried over to her, making the small girl gaps in surprise and fear.
"Not you again! Please, don't eat me!" Bernadetta yelled and was about to run but Akame quickly grabbed "Aaaah! No! Help! I don't want to be eaten!".
"Just listen to me for a second! I wanted to say I was sorry" Akame said quickly.
Bernadetta blinked a few times "Huh?".
"I'm sorry for breaking down your door and scaring you like that... I just tend to lose control over myself whenever sweets are involved. I don't eat it that often, but when I do it tastes like heaven. But I sometimes have trouble keeping myself in check. Sweets is just so good you know" Akame said.
Bernadetta was silent for a moment "Well... I guess I can understand that somewhat. I love cake too... which is why I sneak it in to my room from time to time to eat in secret".
"I can see why... but I am really sorry for scaring you. It won't happen again" Akame said.
"You promise not to eat me?" Bernadetta asked.
Akame couldn't help but to giggle a little at the silly question "I promise. I don't eat people. Only animal meat".
"Then I guess I can forgive you, Akame. And maybe you are not so scary after all" Bernadetta said.
"Glad you think so, I don't want to scare anyone. I am seeking to make friends, not enemies" Akame said.
"Friends huh... well, thank you for not eating me, Akame. Now I need to get back to my room" Bernadetta said.
Akame nods "Of course, I need to head back too. Goodnight, Bernadetta".
"Right, good night to you too" Bernadetta said with a small bow before running of.
Akame smiled, happy she could make peace with Bernadetta. She hoped this could be a starting point to earning her trust so she could learn about Bernadetta's past. But one step at the time. If she pushed to much and to quickly, Bernadetta might become scared of her again.
With that, Akame headed back to her room where Byleth was waiting "How was your day, Akame?".
"It was interesting to say the least. So how is the life of an professor treating you?" Akame asked.
"It is an interesting new challenge. But my students behaves, for the most part. How about Esdeath? Is she a good teacher?" Byleth asked.
"She is, but she is very scary. She threw a knife at me and Edelgard for talking in class" Akame said.
Byleth blinked "Oh... well I hope no one gets hurt".
"Not yet, but I think I need to make sure to avoid her bad side... shall we get some sleep?" Akame asked.
Byleth smiled "Of course".
With that, they went to bed together, ready to rest up for the next day.
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Another quick chapter to show Akame spending some time with the other students.
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Tell me what you think.