"I told you to train the girl, not nearly kill her! Honestly, you always take these things to the extreme."
"Edelgard's tough. She wouldn't go down that easily."
"Are you forgetting the times where she did?"
"But they never actually happened, right? That's how you described it."
"That is not the point! What you did was reckless and you know it."
"...Are you still mad at me because I called you my internal clock?"
"That's what you're focusing on? Besides, I'm far more than a being that tells time."
"But you always immediately know exactly what time it is whenever I ask. And as far as I know, you're inside my head. So wouldn't that make you…?"
"What a fine time to grow a sense of humor. Even so, you are right. I don't know yet what I am, but doubtless it is far grander than those simple machines."
"Internal clock it is then."
"Ugh. You're insufferable. At least be responsible and get her back to the monastery in one piece."
It had started innocently enough. A friendly challenge issued from one of the Blue Lions while they were training. Edelgard had little reason to refuse.
She had been moderately surprised at how easy the student - whose minor noble name had already been dismissed as unimportant to the grander scheme of Fódlan - had gone down.
Simple; an easy, effortless strike of the wooden training axe and he was down for the count.
Instead of being shocked or offended, the other Blue Lions present had taken it as a challenge. Sylvain had promptly set up a tournament against her and - when he thought no one else was looking - a betting pool. Hubert lurked under the shade of the balcony overhead, ready to strike or assist if necessary.
That ended up being entirely unnecessary.
Her axe never failed to hit its mark, even up against disadvantages that would normally have given her pause or trouble. Another question to add to the pile of ever growing questions since the weekend.
It was unfortunate that she and Byleth had returned to the monastery so late in the day before class started again. Even with the creeping exhaustion, she would have been in the library immediately.
It was unfortunate that asking the professor during the week was difficult because of how tight both of their schedules were. Well, there wasn't much longer to go. After this training, she and the rest of the Black Eagles would be free to go and she could research.
One after another, takers from the Blue Lions challenged her, and despite Ingrid's protests, Sylvain's betting pool had gotten much less subtle and far more hefty as odds for the contenders grew slimmer with each of her victories. She had to admit, there was a certain amount of satisfaction to the whole thing, but-
"Alright, that's enough."
The deep and distinctly annoyed voice of Felix cut through the din of cheers and boos that accompanied her latest opponent hitting the floor of the arena.
Edelgard had spotted him earlier watching the ordeal off to the side with an ever deepening scowl on his face.
Sylvain, who'd much to her annoyance - though she was secretly somewhat pleased - had been acting as the announcer and commentator for the fights, stepped up to welcome him.
"Ooh, looks like we have another contender for the slaughter ladies and gents, please welcome-"
"Shut up." Felix shoved past Sylvain, cutting him off. He stepped into the makeshift ring the students had made, practice sword already in hand. He glared down at her, even at the distance from each other, and she stared coolly back up at him. "Let our weapons do the talking."
She nodded, leaning back into a combat stance, practice axe at the ready.
The students whooped and hollered.
They both glared, as if waiting for the other to make the first move. Eventually, Felix broke the nonverbal standoff and charged in, testing her defenses. She was quick to retaliate, dancing around and diverting his initial strikes.
The weight of a wooden training axe felt like nothing compared to the rusty heap of metal her teacher had made her use. And without heavy armor, she felt practically nimble.
Finally, she blocked a strike head on, pushing back and with a yell, sent Felix tumbling back across the makeshift arena, forcing some of the students to back up. Felix rolled to a stop, face and clothes stained with the dirt of Garreg Mach's training grounds.
Edelgard lowered her wooden training axe to her side, glancing down at the mock weapon. She hadn't hit him THAT hard, had she?
"Are you alright?" she called.
From the sidelines, Sylvain whistled appreciatively, yelling. "Come on, don't coddle him! Kick him while he's down princess!"
She heard the whoomph of air and grunt of pain as someone - likely Ingrid - punched him in the stomach.
Grunting, Felix pushed himself up, spat to the side, eyes raising to meet hers in a cold narrow fury. Yet, there was a glint of something like hunger in his eyes. "Don't patronize me."
He rose to his feet - going into a much more cautious stance than he'd been at the start of this match - and began circling. Edelgard circled in turn, keeping him in view.
His strikes were more deliberate - either he had something from the initial exchange or he had been holding back - and Edelgard could no longer overtake his speed.
But it was still so…simple, and she couldn't help but pull her strikes.
He disengaged, backing off, eying her with distaste. "I don't believe it."
"Excuse me?"
"You're holding back on me."
Edelgard kept her mouth shut, as she was holding back. She had heard Felix was adept with the sword, and had seen matches that proved that. Yet even with his advantage in speed, it felt oddly...easy. Just like the rest of the fights today.
She met another strike head on, not even feeling the blow, and pushed him back.
"Why? Is it because you think you're better than me?"
She didn't respond.
Anger flashed in his eyes when she didn't respond. "Stop toying with me and fight!"
"Very well."
She closed in on him, and in one, two three blows he was down on the ground. She stepped back, twirling her axe back to its resting position at her side with a little flourish.
Sylvain let out an appreciative whoop, while Ingrid let out a loud sigh.
Felix grunted, pushing himself to his feet, glaring daggers at her.
"Again."
"No."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard what I said. There would be no point in going any further."
He growled, and rushed at her again, she stepped to the side, before whacking him on the back of the head with her axe and he dropped to the ground once again.
"Felix!"
The crowd made a collective groan in sympathy.
Ingrid, rushed out to the dusty grounds shoving other students out of the way to come to kneel at Felix's side. He pushed her away, and turned to glare at Edelgard. "Where did you learn to wield an axe like that? I've seen you spar, seen you fight and you've never fought that well."
A question like this might normally put her on edge, and she would put on a mask and answer with some half truth. This time however, there was a convenient excuse.
"I recently had some...personal training with the Professor. I learned quite a lot."
"You mean that trip you two took over the weekend? Hmph. People don't improve that drastically over the course of a few days."
No, they didn't, and yet Edelgard couldn't argue with the results. "Her methods are...interesting, but I believe the results speak for themselves."
"That's complete and utter pegasus sh-."
"Hey now." Sylvain interrupted, meandered through the crowd, hands laced behind his head. "Don't be so rude, knocking the professor's style like that. It can be a bit weird, but it's pretty effective. Maybe you should transfer to the Black Eagles too, Felix and give it a try. Professor Byleth is pretty amazing if I do say so myself."
"You only joined because of her-"
"Amazing personality," Sylvain winked. "Don't worry, I know. But hey, maybe give her a chat, and see if she can change your mind."
"As Sylvain said, she's an amazing instructor," Edelgard agreed. "I'm sure she would be more than happy to accept a transfer.
He glared at her and muttered something.
"Sorry?"
"I said, I'll...consider it."
She nodded, heading over to shelve her training axe. As she finished, a familiar feeling hand landed lightly on her shoulder and she turned to find the familiar towering figure of Hubert.
"Yes?"
"Now may be a good time to retreat Lady Edelgard. There is…trouble coming. Follow me."
She nodded, slipping away towards one of the smaller doors that led to the training grounds, just as Sylvain started pooling bets and dispersing gold.
She paused as the doors to the training yard burst open and she caught sight of the stern face of Seteth bore down through the light of the evening sun.
The training yard went silent.
"This is an officers academy, not a brawling pit! I am ashamed at the audacity of-"
Hubert tugged on her sleeve and the rest of Seteth's tirade was lost as they slipped around a corridor. As amusing as it could be, it wouldn't be wise to stick around. They eventually stopped in a secluded
"Far be it to me to question your motives, but was that display in the training yard really wise, Lady Edelgard?"
"I may have gotten somewhat…carried away."
The corners of Hubert's mouth twitched downward so subtly that she would have missed it if she hadn't known him so well.
She sighed. "Alright, I admit, my pride got the best of me. And before you say anything further, yes, I'm aware we've had a discussion about holding back before. However…"
Hubert raised his visible eyebrow.
"It's strange. I felt like I was holding back, Hubert. Just as Felix said."
"Interesting. Does this have something to do with the…training you participated in with the Professor?"
A hand went to her chin in thought. "That's what I believe. When you get a moment, I want you to look for any information you can about 'knowledge gems.' I'm going to be doing my own investigation in the library.
He dipped his head. "Of course. I will check with other less…censored sources."
"Thank you, Hubert.
"Think nothing of it. However," Hubert's eyes bore into hers a moment more before he made a noncommittal grunt. "Just be more cautious not to tip our hand in the future. Your training with the professor provided a convenient excuse this time, but you know more than anyone what's at stake. We'll need every advantage we can find."
"Of course."
"I said, I want to join your class."
Felix definitely didn't shy away from the unflinching blank stare Professor Byleth gave him as she looked at him from across her desk. She glanced to the side, then back.
Felix looked too, but saw nothing of interest.
She blinked. "Oh."
"...What?"
She stood, and the barest semblance of a smile forced its way onto her face. "Thank goodness. It took you long enough. Here I was thinking I'd have to wait even longer for you to ask."
A scowl - deeper than the nearly ever present one on his face - formed. "You expected me to do this?"
"I'm a little frustrated you didn't ask sooner. We've had at least two good conversations, a few meals in the dining hall together and I've been working on my swordplay and speed. A…friend of mine said it would happen weeks ago. But, that's fine, Felix. Welcome to the Black Eagles."
"Hold on." He wasn't sure why the professor was talking about those things, since it had pretty much nothing to do with why he was here. He crossed his arms. " Before I join, I have one condition."
"Oh."
She said nothing else and simply looked at him expectantly.
"We'll let our blades decide. I want to go up against the Ashen Demon and see if you really have anything to teach me. If not, I'll stay where I am."
She nodded, gesturing with her hand towards the door to the classroom.
That was as good an indication as any. Felix turned and walked out, hearing the professor's boots clicking behind him. Good. Time to see if the Blade Breaker's daughter really lived up to her reputation.
A/N: Semi realistic consequences ensue post skill and class power-leveling.
Also, my oneshot total just went back down to zero. Oh well.