Hey Everyone!
I'm still here and kicking it, but it was hard to write this last chapter. I'm apparently not too good at pumping out a filler slow burner.
Part of it was that I was finishing my first run of Three Houses. And let me say: The Golden Deer are my house all the way! I was able to finally marry Bernie, so the final battle was worth all the pain. But, if I wasn't biased from Heroes, then I would have probably married Marianne.
As always, I give my thanks to everyone who follows, and/or favorites my story. If you also find the patience to not give up hope on an update, then all the more.
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To AmanoRyo:
Fudge, so that was meant figuratively. Whoops. Anyway, I can't wait to get to the point where I'm able to start writing the shenanigans you get from young adults-in the most wholesome way since this is only rated T.
As for the upcoming battle, yeah he's gonna get floored. He got out of the forest on pure luck and a few wits, so up against people who've been training,-some of whom have already fought-James has no chance in a head-on fight.
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To GrimmSoul1:
Yep, it all depends on whose side Byleth chooses to take when the time comes. Because yeah, all of my strategic knowledge growing up came from games, but even then I'd rather manipulate people's emotions and throw off their own rationality. He does have two other ways to get out of things, should they take a turn for the Crimson Flower: To either join the Black Eagles at any point, or make it back home before shit hits the fan.
I've never played or watched Devil May Cry, so I'm interested in the kind of gimmick you're alluding to.
As for Marianne's paralogue, the Sword of the Creator does make it easier, but I think it could be completed without it. And that's assuming the paralogue takes place at all. After all, there's a reason you don't see Marianne post-time skip if she wasn't a part of Byleth's class.
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Speech in Adrestian
Thoughts (or speech in English)
Non-human speech
Non-human thoughts
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24th day of the Great Tree Moon
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I know that winter just passed, but mornings here are still cold to the bone. It's about nine-fifty, so I still have time to get to the classroom. I'm worried about what Professor Casagranda has in store for us, but I should hopefully be able to get through it.
Coming into the classroom with a shiver, I see that I'm one of the last people to arrive. The only ones left now are Claude and Hilda.
Grabbing a chair, I move it to sit next to the fireplace. That ought to do the trick-now I can just relax and wait for our professor to come in.
I stretch out my hands to soak up some warmth from the fire and sigh in relief. Though I'm a fan of the cold, that doesn't mean I like losing the feeling in my fingers.
Having enough of the heat, I dig into my bag and pull out my next book for research into getting home. This one covers how to raise one's ability to use magic-so that I can use warp more safely once I learn it. Unfortunately for me, the only way to do that is through practice and direct exposure to it.
Given the choice between the two options, I'd rather avoid coming into contact with it since it means I'm either hurt, or going to be hurt. Albeit, support magic is also a thing, so maybe I could consider that route.
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I'm bored!
It's already been about an hour and a half since I came in, and our professor still isn't here. Just where the hell is she?!
I got tired of my research a while ago, and was just watching the fire until now, but I need something to occupy myself with again.
I don't really feel like talking with anyone, not when I don't intend to stick around forever, and I'm just not up for it. It's uncomfortable to start a conversation with someone I don't know-and that's after I get over the question of whether or not I'm bothering them at all. So unless someone initiates, I'll be more than happy to steer clear.
I could talk with Marianne and be comfortable enough, but I get the feeling she still isn't of the same opinion. Oh well.
The doors open up again-Claude and Hilda already came in sometime ago-and I thank the heavens until I see the state Professor Casagranda is in. She might be dressed and styled as well as she was yesterday, but she looks like a mess!
I watch as my class' professor stumbles to her desk-occasionally stopping to rub her temples.
"Good morning, class." She says, her voice sounding like a pained groan.
"Morning?" Lysithea sharply questions from her seat at the front of the class. "It's nearly afternoon, what do you have to say for that? It's astoundingly disappointing that you came last when you yourself stated what time to be here."
"Well, forgive me, but I was quite sad to have lost my class, so I went for a drink last night! One became two, and it just went from there." .
"Um, Professor, are you sure you're feeling well? It might be a good idea to take it easy if you aren't." Ignatz suggests with a timid tone.
"He has a point! We wouldn't want you to overexert yourself and fall ill." Hilda says with a worried voice.
"I'm fine, and I'll prove it. Come, we're going to start your training now."
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When we arrive, I find that it's already filled with weapons. I'll give points for that. Professor Casagranda might be a drunk-I'm going to hold off on that judgment until I'm sure-but she had the foresight to make sure everything was ready for today.
"From now, until the mock battle, I've planned out our activities. Today's class will be for me to find out where all of you stand now. So first, who already has training or knowledge in a particular area?"
Several hands shoot up, and I'm surprised until I remind myself that this is probably normal in Fódlan.
Marianne, Claude, Leonie, Lorenz, Lysithea, and Hilda were the ones to raise their hands up, which leaves me, Ignatz, and Raphael. I quizzically look between Leonie and Hilda, since I feel surprised that they have experience. But then again, Leonie apparently wants to be a mercenary. Hilda is still a surprise though-I pegged her for the lazy type.
"That's not too different from what I was expecting, but let me know what it is you know when I'm done with them." Professor Casagranda says as she addresses those that raised their hands, before pointing to the rest of us.
Her gaze drifts between the three of us, and I feel like I'm being judged as she looks me up and down.
Finally, she brings Ignatz, Raphael, and me into a group before speaking to us. "Now, I have some ideas about what to do with the three of you, for now, but I want to hear what it is you want."
I look at Raphael and Ignatz, hoping that one of them will go first so that I don't need to. Ignatz seems to have the same idea, as I find him looking at Raphael and me.
Raphael-bless his soul-decides to go first. "I might not have any experience, but I've been training for a long time to get stronger, so let me do something that puts my muscles to use!" He says with a grin and a pat on one of his biceps.
"And I know just the thing for that." Professor Casagranda tells him. "You're next, dear. What do you want to do?" She says, looking at me.
I think about what I'm going to say for a moment, before I open my mouth to respond.
"I don't have much experience with weapons." I start with a lie, not wanting to talk about my time in Maurice's forest. "I know the basics of how to use a dagger," I say, running my hand along the sheath on my waist, "but I don't have the practice. I would like to keep my distance from the others during the mock battle, and make use of any openings that I can to take them out."
"I'm afraid I don't know too much about daggers, and they aren't used by many people at the monastery. But there is another thing that fits your description." I'm told. It's a bit of a bummer, but I'm curious as to what my professor has in mind.
Ignatz seems to get that he's the last one to go, so he speaks up before being asked. "I-I also don't have any experience fighting, but I want to be an archer. Like that, I won't have to be in close quarters to anyone else, and I can still do my part."
"It's settled then! Ignatz, you'll be learning archery." He gives a murmur of thanks to our professor.
"Raphael, you'll learn how to wield an ax. With all of your training, you'll be able to swing the heavy ones with no problem" Raphael beams at the praise and shouts his approval.
"James, I think using bows would be best for you, is that alright?" Professor Casagranda asks with an apologetic tone.
"I'll do as you recommend" I tell her. I really wish I could have trained more with my dagger, but I suppose archery isn't too bad either.
"Oh, don't look so down. I'll look into finding a way to teach you how to use daggers later on, so cheer up." Professor Casagranda tells me with a soothing voice.
"Thanks, Professor." I reply with a small smile.
She then walks back towards the others and starts to talk to them.
Knowing what I'll be doing now, I walk towards the rack of bows and quivers to find myself the one I'll use. Drawing their strings back, I get a feel for their weights, which takes a while,before choosing my bow.
"You know, I was told I'd be showing a greenhorn the ropes, but you don't seem the part to me." A mildly impressed voice says from behind me, catching me off-guard.
I quickly turn around to find Leonie looking at me with a smirk.
"How long were you watching me?" I ask her.
"Well?" She asks, crossing her arms. It seems she won't answer my question. Thankfully for me, I don't have to lie to explain myself.
"When I was younger, I went to a festival, where there was something of an archery game. It was there that I learned how to use a bow. It's been so long since then, however, that I felt it couldn't count. But that's how I know a little."
"And were you any good at it back then?" She asks with a challenging tone.
"I didn't do poorly, if that's what you're trying to ask. All of my shots were fairly close to the bullseye, and one even hit it." I reply with my own covered smirk, before humbling myself. "Of course, I won't deny that it was probably just luck."
"Well, you seem to already have a feel for what your draw weight is, so let's find out."
As Leonie leads me to the archery portion of the training area, I look ahead to find that Ignatz is already over there with Claude. So if the both of us have tutors, then Raphael should also have one. It's with that thought that I look around for him and his tutor.
Hm, who woulda guessed, Hilda's training was in axe wielding.
"So, you and your pupil have decided to finally join us." Claude playfully quips as Ignatz shoots an arrow with a twang moments before a thunk is heard. He hit the middle ring.
"Well, Your Highness, I just wanted to see where he really stands since he seems to already know a thing or two." She replies, before turning back to me, ignoring Claude's remark about not being the Alliance's leader yet.
Leonie has me standing across a target, a little bit away from Ignatz's, from around the same distance as him. "Alright, James, I want you to first shoot for the bullseye as you will naturally. Use five of the arrows in your quiver."
That's a surprise. "But wouldn't it be better if you were to tell me how to do it, so that I can shoot it properly?"
"It would, but I want to see how much I need to teach you."
"Okay."
Grabbing an arrow from the quiver, I spread my feet apart until they're about equal to my shoulders, then draw the arrow back as I twist my torso to have my chest facing the right. Looking towards the target, I take a better look at it.
The targets that Ignatz and I are using are very basic. There's the bullseye, followed by two rather large rings.
Even if I've only done this once before, this is already way easier than when I did it at the festival. The target there may have been the same size, but the rings and bullseye were thinner.
I take a few breaths and adjust my aim before letting the arrow loose.
Well, look at that. I've still got it-be it skill, luck, or the handicap I don't know yet. All I do know, is that I just I hit the bullseye close to dead-center.
Grabbing the next arrow, I adjust my aim a little and fire again. I hit the bullseye again.
I repeat the process, and get the same result.
Trying a fourth time, I hit the center ring for the first time. I'll need to fix that.
Finally, my last arrow hits bullseye again. Perfect, I was able to make up for that last shot.
I turn to face Leonie and wait for her feedback.
"Well, it looks like I should change your target. I wasn't expecting you to do so well." She starts, looking rather flabbergasted. "Your form, even if it was a little stiff, was correct, and you have a good eye. Just get some practice, then come back to me when you can hit a stationary target in the bullseye every time-from this distance-without fail."
"Will do. Thanks, Leonie."
"Don't worry about it. Just get yourself up to snuff and try to keep up." With that said, she's heading off to do her own practice.
I spend the rest of my time shooting arrows and retrieving them-when needed-for the rest of class. By now Professor Casagranda has called an end to our training, but I think I'll keep at it a while longer.
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It's been a couple of hours since training ended for today, and I'm just going to head to the library now for some reading. Well, I guess it's more along the lines of studying, but whatever.
I've grown quite tired of my limited Adrestian vocabulary, and wish to have it on par with my English. I used to have confidence in the way I speak, but now, I might as well be an idiot who fumbles with anything beyond what must be the simplest of words.
Back at the Margravate, this wasn't such an issue for me. It was a known fact there that I was a foreigner, so I had the scorn of the people to bear, not my own worries of inferiority. Now, that isn't the case, so I have nothing to keep me distracted from said worries. As such, and given the gigantic library the monastery has, I'll let myself indulge in my worries and allow them to motivate me.
I sigh in dejection. While I may love reading, dictionaries are always so boring.
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"Ah, James, so good to see you again. Looking for more tomes today?" The wizened librarian, Tomas, asks me as I comb through the walls of books.
I involuntarily freeze as my body tenses up the way it always does when he and I begin to speak. Nevertheless, I relax a moment later and turn around to face him.
"Not today, I'm afraid, though the topic of today's study is just as important. I'm looking for dictionaries to help me learn more words." I sheepishly tell him as I rub one end of my scarf.
"Ah yes, you are a foreigner, are you not?" Tomas replies, cupping his chin with one hand.
Oh fuck. He knows. This is the part where he starts to treat me differently. I'll deny it, and hope that he believes me.
Tomas continues to speak before I can do it.
"Worry not. Being as old as I am, I am no stranger to the foreign. In fact, I consider it fascinating to hear about the world beyond Fódlan." He tells me with a small, warm smile.
"In any case, I will always support the pursuit of knowledge, regardless of who it is for. Though you must forgive me if I come to you with a query every now and again."
"Of course, Tomas. I would be happy to answer any questions you have." I reply to him with a smile.
"You have my thanks for entertaining an old man. And while it may not be news to you, you are not the only foreigner here. There are a number of outsiders who reside in the monastery."
"Thank you for telling me that. It's a little comforting to know I'm not the only one away from home." That's a lie. I'm actually quite bummed that other people might be having the same struggle as me-with the exception of the abducting and experimenting.
"I'm certain. You must miss yours quite dearly." He says, before continuing. "But enough of this. You came here to further study Adrestian, so let me show you where to find the books for that."
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I'm exhausted-both physically, and mentally. I want to sleep, but it's too early for that.
I was able to learn quite a number of words today, which makes me happy. Of course, I now need to commit those words to memory before I can celebrate. Furthermore, I checked out the dictionary to keep it with me in my room when I do personal reading.
I already went to the dining hall and grabbed a couple of the small shepherd's pies the staff were serving, but I don't feel like eating there tonight. Sure, it's warm and cozy, but it's also too noisy for my liking right now. So where to eat tonight?
My room? Nah. I already spend enough time in there when I'm not in the library. But then again, class is starting in earnest now, so I can't be blamed for wanting to hide away when I can. But I do also want a change in scenery because of how often I'm in there.
The bridge? The view is quite nice from there, and I am rather fond of the breezes that often pass by. Are there any downsides though? I can't think of any, but even if I could they probably aren't that bad anyway.
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As it turns out, the downsides suck.
By the time I got here, my pies were cold. It wasn't all too fun to bite into the first one, only to reel my mouth away as the sensation hit my teeth. They were at least still as delicious as the first time I tried them.
While I'm on the subject of warmth, I'm not feeling much at all. Between the breeze, and the lack of sunlight over here, I'm left curling into a ball to stay warm. I'm wishing I brought my student jacket . At least my scarf keeps my neck warm.
A small group of priests give me odd looks as they pass by.
Right. I also didn't consider how strange it would look for someone to be eating on the bridge that leads to the church. I'm sure that it's even more so now that I'm curling up.
Apart from those glaring issues-ha, good one, James-I'm having a mildly pleasant experience. Still though, I wish my pies were warmer. I'll have to consider the fishing pond next time I want to eat somewhere else. But eating here earlier in the day might not be so bad.
I avoid meeting the gaze of the Archbishop's right-hand-man.
Then again, I don't think I can get used to the looks I get for eating here.
I think I'll just go to my room and sleep now.
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And that's a wrap!
This was probably my least favorite chapter so far-both in terms of quality and how I felt as I wrote it. But it's over now at least.
Next chapter, I'll be skipping right to the mock battle, so don't worry about another directionless installment.
Here's to the hope that I can deliver again sooner than I did before.
I wish all of y'all safety and happiness in your lives. See y'all again in the near-future!
-T.I.S.